GOG Considers Bringing Back Physical PC Game Editions Through Print-on-Demand

The digital distribution store GOG, known for its concept of preserving classic games without DRM protection, is working on an initiative to restore the sale of PC games on physical media. GOG Senior Business Development and Partnerships Manager Marcin Paczynski spoke about this in an interview with GamesRadar+.

According to the company’s concept, users will be able to order a physical copy of any game directly from their digital library on the GOG website using a print-on-demand model.

Although the idea has been under consideration at GOG for several years, its implementation is being slowed down by a number of legal and logistical challenges:

• Logistics and storage: retailing physical goods is significantly different from the current digital store model and requires addressing issues related to warehouse space and transportation.
• Licensing: selling physical copies requires obtaining additional separate permissions from the publisher of each individual game.

While the full-scale release of physical editions remains in the planning stage, GOG is taking its first steps toward collectors. The store has launched an initiative to preserve classic large boxes, offering users 3D models and covers for printing and assembling themselves.

The company hopes that over time it will be able to overcome these barriers and implement a project to fully bring back physical media for PC games.

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