Well, as is the tradition, we'll be opening our presents on Christmas Eve, and we'd really like them to be wrapped in paper and topped with a bow. That's right, this year, we're going to be giving the gift of physical media to those who wish to keep their games safe and on the shelves. Shelves are not so bad, sheet books for discs, or just flat out stack them in the old CD-R containters. Digital is not the devil, and it has its place, but always remember to keep your discs.
It astounded me that they even thought to make a PS5 that is wholly digital, especially with the size of those games in the old storage that can balloon in both space and price very quickly. It's like they want you to just prepay for the 1TB or even the stoage extensions. Or, you know, you can keep the magority of your library in cyberspace and hope and pray that your internet stays in tact or, God forbid, one day companies decide they want to stop leasing out their games to your library and POOF they're gone.
No, I'm not saying that is an inevitability, even if it very well could be, but it is rather disconcerting that they would flat out tell you that you should become comfortable not owning your game. Yes, our comeback of not owning meaning pirating is not stealing is very witty and clever, but that doesn't stop the fact that the word "comfort" became very ironic, as the comment stirred up a great deal of discomfort.
Physical media is our dragon horde, and it is much better when you are able to cover yourself and sleep within it. Yes, that is weird metaphor but the intention is the same. Yes, you must put up with the fact that you can lose your disc and cover box, needing to store it in whatever as said previously, but at least you know it's there in that comfortable space where you can reach it and pop it into that good old Saturn or PS2 or Gamecube, whatever is your jam.
The Christmas tree, stockings or gift pile looks so much better with colorful boxes and retro media of all sorts. Give the gift of DVD and Blu-rays new in the box and let them fill someone's home with old school joy. Give a child a Dreamcast and show them the ways of Jet Grind Radio as it was originally intended (of course buying it for 5 bucks on Steam is also a viable option, but let's stay on topic). They will thank you and possibly beat your score and cause deep resentment. Family is fun!
Above all, whether it be digital or physical, remember to be safe and happy however you can while keeping warm with those close to you. Remember to find your player 2, whoever they may be, as long as they bring you joy for the holidays. Bring them joy and beautiful 32-bit games you can put in your console. Have fun, take some time off and decompress. That's what games are for. Make some time and it would help if you shared it with someone special. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Planet Virtua!
Virtua Dasher!
