With Sony announcing it will gradually stop releasing physical PlayStation games in 2028, the future of physical gaming is once again up for discussion. However, as companies push toward an all-digital era, DRM-free platform GOG is doing the opposite—preserving the classic PC game “big box” culture that old-school players miss most. Through its Preservation Program, GOG has added 3D-scanned models of physical game boxes for classic titles including Myst, Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, and Armikrog.
Not Just Game Preservation—Even the Original Boxes Have Been Fully Scanned!
This time, GOG went all out and fully scanned actual physical game boxes from front, back, and sides, recreating them as rotatable 3D models. Players who purchase these games can download the models and view them using built-in 3D viewers on Windows or Mac—no extra software required. In other words, where players once held game boxes to study the cover, back insert, and side information, now even without physical copies, you can still rotate and admire the box on your computer.
Even Better—GOG Lets You Print the Box Yourself
GOG also partnered with Benjamin Wimmer, creator of Big Box Collection, to offer printable versions of classic game box artwork. Players can download the files, print them out, then cut, fold, and glue to recreate a physical big box. Before, you paid for the game and got the box. Now it’s “buy the digital version, then build the box yourself”—somewhat like salvaging physical collector culture from the gaps of the digital age.
Preserving What’s Inside the Box Matters Too!
GOG believes game preservation shouldn’t just ensure titles remain downloadable in the future—it should also preserve the complete cultural context and physical contents of the era. Especially since classic PC game big boxes often contained more than just a disc—manuals, maps, configuration guides, and other experiences that were part of the game itself. As physical games gradually exit the market, these items could disappear too. So now we have this ironic scene: companies are getting rid of physical boxes, while GOG is preserving them for players and even teaching you how to print your own.