PC games ought to come with backup copies of the data.
PC games ought to come with backup copies of the data.
I've been involved in the PC gaming world for roughly a year and a half. I switched from console mainly to support my friend who played on PC, because our Xbox One kept filling up quickly and online purchases were costly. Over the past year and a half, I've appreciated many benefits of PC gaming, but I still face a recurring concern: digital titles. I used to shy away from digital games on console, mainly because I received them as gifts for special occasions like birthdays or Christmas. Physical copies were my preference. Now, with PC, owning a physical game isn't an option. At first, I was fine with buying games digitally—most were free—and didn’t need a physical version. But as I added more titles, especially on Steam, I started missing the tactile experience of having a game in my hands. Purchasing them digitally feels less rewarding, as it removes the sense of possession and pride in owning a physical copy. This lack of ownership makes me worry about access: if my account is lost or the platform shuts down, I’d lose those games unless I paid again. Unlike physical media, digital purchases don’t guarantee continued access.
Ownership is another point of frustration. With a physical copy, you always have the game regardless of account status. On digital platforms like Steam, all purchases are tied to a single account, so losing access means losing the game entirely. While a damaged disk is your responsibility, it’s not the same as losing a digital license.
Transferring ownership also feels problematic. Digital games can’t be resold, and the used market is nearly nonexistent. Sharing them among family members is tricky—library sharing limits playability across users, and even then, access isn’t guaranteed.
For disk games specifically, the main drawback is that you’re tied to an account for online play. A logical fix could be integrating disk-based games with existing platforms, letting ownership remain independent of the account. Steam or Microsoft Store could handle this, letting you play without linking purchases to your profile.
Personally, I’m not convinced digital games will ever fully replace physical ones. While convenience is a big factor, I’d still like to see more options for owning PC games physically. I’m open to hearing others’ perspectives on this issue.
Unless the game servers stop... Everything seems to be working smoothly, though it's a big concern. Overall, I'd say you're right.
I understand. Nothing frustrates me more than a game I enjoyed as a child becoming unavailable because it needs a server connection. It gets worse when the only reason it stays online is for DRM reasons. That’s why I switched to GOG.
It's because those older games don't rely on online features, so you can enjoy them without worrying about server shutdowns.
Disk rot is a real concern, especially as games age. Unless you keep them in a vacuum, the discs can easily become unreadable. I’ve had to return an Xbox 360 title because it wasn’t being read correctly, and the disc itself showed clear signs of rot. The chances of this occurring vary based on production quality and how worn the disc is, but it’s something that can’t be completely avoided. I haven’t heard steam randomly ending accounts, even if they’re banned, so you still retain access to your games. With two-factor authentication, the risk of account theft is minimal. I personally didn’t enjoy selling games; I preferred keeping a collection, often replaying titles I’d bought. While I get why a used market exists for PCs, I doubt publishers would support such a move since most people would simply buy used copies instead of new ones. There’s no real difference between a brand-new and a used digital game. Personally, I only value physical copies for their appearance and included items like manuals or maps. That’s why I began collecting Xbox 360 games—most titles came with artwork on the cover, which adds value. I understand some might prefer physical formats, but I’m not one of them.
It would be easier for games to stay delisted and those with slow internet would have a better experience.
The main hurdle in running old PC games is usually compatibility issues, or the absence of them. Even games like L.A. Noire, which are only a few years old on PC, can be tricky to launch. Retro gaming remains a niche because it’s so complex. We’ve largely removed optical drives from our setups, and it seems unlikely they’ll return anytime soon.
It's interesting to realize disk rot wasn't something I'd encountered before. This gives me confidence when purchasing on Steam. It's not surprising I'm already using it, since there are other options available. My preference isn't about selling games after completion; rather, I value the chance to acquire used copies at a discount. Unless it's the original release day, I don't mind purchasing new titles. As long as the used version retains its original cover and manual, I'm okay with it. Physical copies really appeal to me, especially for 6th generation consoles where the artwork and manuals are particularly appealing.