GOG Revives Classic Big Box Games as Sony Moves Away from Physical Releases

Whether gamers are on board or not (and many are not), the industry is undeniably shifting towards a fully digital landscape. Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed plans to cease physical disc production for new titles by 2028, sparking significant backlash. Meanwhile, Xbox is offering a solution for players to convert their physical games into digital codes. It’s likely that the next generation of consoles from both companies will forgo disc drives entirely, with many publishers now releasing physical boxes that contain nothing but a digital code.

So, what’s a fan of physical media to do? Game storefront GOG has an unexpected solution, unveiling a new initiative aimed at preserving some of PC gaming’s iconic big box history.

The company has announced that five titles in the GOG Preservation Program will feature more than just their game code. Among these titles is the classic Myst, which will also include a 3D scan of its original box art.

“We had the actual boxes scanned — front, back, spine, the works — and turned into rotatable 3D models you can download after purchase and view right in the 3D viewer that’s already built into Windows and Mac,” GOG stated in their announcement. “No extra software, no plugins. Just spin the box around on your screen like you’re holding it.”

This new initiative kicks off with five titles. Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, and Myst— already part of the GOG Preservation Program — are among the first three. Armikrog and Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (timed perfectly for the series’ 60th anniversary) have also been added to the lineup with their box art.

For those who think a digital scan of the box isn’t enough, GOG has that covered too. The box art will also be available in flat, printable formats. Players can use these files to create physical boxes at home, thanks to a collaboration with the Big Box Collection project, which has preserved the box art for numerous games.

The GOG Preservation Program continues to enhance the classic action platformer experience.