- A Steam user has found a way to store games on SSD with an automatic navigation and launch script
- These are effectively physical ‘game cartridges’ complete with key art.
- However, expensive SSDs mean this is a costly undertaking (Steam player was lucky enough to pick up used drives cheaply)
Physical copies of PlayStation games are coming to an end starting in January 2028, and as the backlash continues, a restoration of physical media on PC has been discovered, and it’s novel to say the least.
A Steam user on Reddit has managed to store games on ‘cheap 2.5-inch’ SATA SSDs, effectively acting as old-school ‘game cartridges’ with key art and a script that automatically navigates Steam to each game’s page. The user also notes that it is possible to automatically start games from each unit.
This comes amid a huge uproar among gamers following the revelation of Sony’s plan to eradicate physical game discs, supposedly by the time its next PlayStation console arrives. It’s a highly controversial move that has united gamers across platforms to fight to keep discs and ensure game ownership remains intact.
That said, physical media for PCs has been dead for a long time, as a modern desktop PC doesn’t come with a disk drive and there are almost no publishers selling physical copies for the platform.
Since most games are only accessible digitally on PC, those titles can theoretically be withdrawn to buyers at any time. The problem is that consumer-friendly figures like Gabe Newell, who runs Valve, the owner of Steam, won’t be in charge forever.
So in the future, under new leadership, there may be more anti-consumer measures introduced or other aspects of PC gaming that consumers don’t like, such as DRM (like Denuvo).
Steam game cartridges
from r/pcmasterrace
Imagine if PC game publishers adopted this “game cartridge” system? It’s a clever and nice idea, but clearly not realistic. For starters, it would be a prohibitively expensive method of reintroducing physical copies of PC games.
Of course, platforms like Epic Games and Steam require users to log in and have their app installed to play, so you’re still a long way from owning an actual copy of the game anyway.
However, this concept would pair perfectly with GOG, a DRM-free platform that does not require the launcher to play purchased games; In other words, you fully own the games purchased on GOG.
Admittedly, publishers releasing PC gaming cartridges in SSD form is a pipe dream, especially with the current state of the hardware market and the RAM crisis, along with skyrocketing SSD prices.
So the idea comes at the wrong time, but if the RAM crisis ever calms down, then maybe this is something we’ll see more PC fans doing, and maybe even the occasional publisher.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds.
