The writing is on the wall for physical media. Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed it will end physical-disc production for new games in 2028, a decision that has drawn heavy criticism from players who value owning something they can hold. Xbox is already giving users a way to convert physical games into digital codes, and the next generation of consoles from both companies will almost certainly ship without disc drives. On top of that, many publishers now sell physical boxes that contain nothing but a download code inside.
So where does that leave collectors and preservationists? Surprisingly, GOG has stepped in with an answer — and it involves bringing back one of PC gaming's most iconic physical formats.
GOG's Preservation Program Adds 3D Box ArtGOG has announced that five games in its GOG Preservation Program will have more than just their game code preserved. These titles, including the original Myst, will also come with 3D scans of their 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 open right in the 3D viewer that's already built into Windows and Mac," GOG wrote in its announcement. "No extra software, no plugins. Just spin the box around on your screen like you're holding it."
It's a clever workaround for an era where physical boxes are disappearing. Instead of letting big box packaging fade into memory, GOG is turning it into a downloadable asset that buyers can explore digitally.
The Five Titles Included at LaunchThe new initiative launches with five titles. Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, and Myst — all already part of the GOG Preservation Program — make up the first three. Armikrog and Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (added just in time for the series' 60th anniversary) have also joined the program with their box art included.
For those who want something more than a digital scan, GOG has another option. The box art will also be available in flat, printable versions, letting players craft physical boxes at home. This was done in collaboration with the Big Box Collection project, which has preserved box art for dozens of games.
Why Preservation Matters More Than EverSony's move toward an all-digital future isn't just about convenience — it raises real questions about ownership, access, and history. When physical production stops, older games risk becoming unavailable, and the packaging that defined their era risks being forgotten entirely.
GOG's approach acknowledges that video game preservation isn't only about keeping code playable. It's also about keeping the cultural and physical context of those games alive. Box art, manuals, and even the shape of a big box are part of gaming history.
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Sony's 2028 deadline is a clear signal that the industry is moving on from discs. Microsoft's Xbox team has already introduced features to convert physical discs into digital licenses, and future consoles are expected to be digital-only. Publishers, meanwhile, continue to release empty boxes with codes inside — a practice that frustrates collectors who want something real.
GOG's Preservation Program won't reverse that trend, but it offers a meaningful alternative. By treating box art as part of the preservation effort, GOG is keeping a piece of PC gaming's history alive in a format that fits the digital age.
How to Get These Preserved ClassicsAll five titles with box art preservation are available through GOG. Buyers can download the 3D box models and printable flat versions directly after purchase. For those who prefer to Buy GOG CD Key options from third-party marketplaces,
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As the industry races toward an all-digital future, efforts like GOG's Preservation Program remind us that the past is worth keeping — even if it's just a 3D model you can spin around on your screen.
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