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Why Big PC Game Boxes Disappeared [LGR Tech Tales]
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Date: 2022-04-14
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Comments and reviews: 10
fanjoy
My guess is (and as you pointed out) there wasn't much of a need for large boxes as time went on, and now (these days) many games are download only. Plus it's more convenient as people can buy and download games without having to leave their house.
I will say that as much as I hate activations, I actaully like them these days, over having thngs like code wheels or manuals for copy protection measures. I know some games used to be that you could only install the X number of times before you had to call the company to have the activations reset (sort of like how Windows was from XP to Windows 8. Activations in a way, are a non-intrusive, but probably more effective way to protect games, especailly systems that will check into a server periodically, like many subscription based products in general. I just hope that they keep the activations, and don't start doing subscriptions for games, where you pay a monthly fee to use a game. I'd much rather just buy the game outright (have it licensed for an indefinite amount of time) but only pay once. But again, the activation system is nice because with many games (like GTA V for example) you log into an account, and don't need to re-enter the game code again, as you only do this once, the first time you install the game and create the Rockstar Games account.
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My guess is (and as you pointed out) there wasn't much of a need for large boxes as time went on, and now (these days) many games are download only. Plus it's more convenient as people can buy and download games without having to leave their house.
I will say that as much as I hate activations, I actaully like them these days, over having thngs like code wheels or manuals for copy protection measures. I know some games used to be that you could only install the X number of times before you had to call the company to have the activations reset (sort of like how Windows was from XP to Windows 8. Activations in a way, are a non-intrusive, but probably more effective way to protect games, especailly systems that will check into a server periodically, like many subscription based products in general. I just hope that they keep the activations, and don't start doing subscriptions for games, where you pay a monthly fee to use a game. I'd much rather just buy the game outright (have it licensed for an indefinite amount of time) but only pay once. But again, the activation system is nice because with many games (like GTA V for example) you log into an account, and don't need to re-enter the game code again, as you only do this once, the first time you install the game and create the Rockstar Games account.
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diecast
I worked in a computer games store in the UK from 1982 to 1988, and the vast majority of games, especially early on, were on cassette and just came just came in the same small type of case that a pre-recorded music cassette came in. No one had Apple of Atari 8 bit computers in the UK and although the C64 was massive, next to no one had a disk drive for their C64. The only reason we were even aware of the C64 and Atari disc based games was because we has 1 customer who had a C64 and drive and he would being his drive in to the shop and show us the disc based games, like Lode Runner and The Cave of the Word Wizard, we tried to convince the guy who owned the shop to invest in an Atari disc drive, but wouldn't have any of it. Later on we did have a C64 disk drive and we even sold them in later years. Obviously when the Atari ST and Amiga became big here then the packaging for the games changed, although for the life of me I can't remember how they were packaged, I have a couple of photos somewhere of me in the shop, I'll have to have a look and see if I can see any of the stock on the shelves and see what the packaging like.
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I worked in a computer games store in the UK from 1982 to 1988, and the vast majority of games, especially early on, were on cassette and just came just came in the same small type of case that a pre-recorded music cassette came in. No one had Apple of Atari 8 bit computers in the UK and although the C64 was massive, next to no one had a disk drive for their C64. The only reason we were even aware of the C64 and Atari disc based games was because we has 1 customer who had a C64 and drive and he would being his drive in to the shop and show us the disc based games, like Lode Runner and The Cave of the Word Wizard, we tried to convince the guy who owned the shop to invest in an Atari disc drive, but wouldn't have any of it. Later on we did have a C64 disk drive and we even sold them in later years. Obviously when the Atari ST and Amiga became big here then the packaging for the games changed, although for the life of me I can't remember how they were packaged, I have a couple of photos somewhere of me in the shop, I'll have to have a look and see if I can see any of the stock on the shelves and see what the packaging like.
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Paddy
I miss those days. Just outside the local mall there was a store called 'Revolution CD' that bought and sold used Games and music CD's. Whilst my parents were in the supermarket shopping I'd walk over to the store and just inspect as many PC games as there were, thinking about and planning which one to save up for.
I especially loved the cases that opened up like a book with a bit of velcro sticking the cover and inside together, if they did that then you knew they meant business, it was a serious game, they had SO much to show off that the back of the box wouldn't cover it.
It was almost better than Steam in some ways I reckon. Steam I can have every game from every era at my immediate disposal. But back then I had to debate and weigh my options and compare, each game felt special as a result. And it shaped the sort of gamer you become, that's how I ended up being into RTS, City Building and Racing game fan, as oppossed to RPG, FPS, Sports, etc games.
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I miss those days. Just outside the local mall there was a store called 'Revolution CD' that bought and sold used Games and music CD's. Whilst my parents were in the supermarket shopping I'd walk over to the store and just inspect as many PC games as there were, thinking about and planning which one to save up for.
I especially loved the cases that opened up like a book with a bit of velcro sticking the cover and inside together, if they did that then you knew they meant business, it was a serious game, they had SO much to show off that the back of the box wouldn't cover it.
It was almost better than Steam in some ways I reckon. Steam I can have every game from every era at my immediate disposal. But back then I had to debate and weigh my options and compare, each game felt special as a result. And it shaped the sort of gamer you become, that's how I ended up being into RTS, City Building and Racing game fan, as oppossed to RPG, FPS, Sports, etc games.
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bozimmerman
I'm sure LGR remembers better than me, but I have a different memory of software box sizes. Back then, the market was very fragmented, and packaging reflected norms for the platform as much as anything else. I DO recall the large box software of the 80s, but here's the thing: I remember it being mostly a PC-compatibles phenomenon, that probably goes back to IBM and their rediculous binder-based software. When I went to game stores, the software on the shelves benefitted from uniformity in size, and games were shelved together by system. This is why, even though EA might have shaped their packaging differently, it was all kind of the same height as the -regular- boxed stuff to fit on the shelf.
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I'm sure LGR remembers better than me, but I have a different memory of software box sizes. Back then, the market was very fragmented, and packaging reflected norms for the platform as much as anything else. I DO recall the large box software of the 80s, but here's the thing: I remember it being mostly a PC-compatibles phenomenon, that probably goes back to IBM and their rediculous binder-based software. When I went to game stores, the software on the shelves benefitted from uniformity in size, and games were shelved together by system. This is why, even though EA might have shaped their packaging differently, it was all kind of the same height as the -regular- boxed stuff to fit on the shelf.
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tsukiakari
As a kid, I loved games in big boxes. I'd stare at them at stores and when my parents would buy one, it felt truly like an adventure. Before you played the game, you would look at the work of art the box was, look inside, read the manuals, look at the CD/DVD. Nowadays, games are so abundant and all digital that when you play one it's just like meh, nothing particularly interesting. But maybe it's because I'm not a kid anymore and I grew out of gaming for the most part (I watch/read about retro games much more than I actually play them.
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As a kid, I loved games in big boxes. I'd stare at them at stores and when my parents would buy one, it felt truly like an adventure. Before you played the game, you would look at the work of art the box was, look inside, read the manuals, look at the CD/DVD. Nowadays, games are so abundant and all digital that when you play one it's just like meh, nothing particularly interesting. But maybe it's because I'm not a kid anymore and I grew out of gaming for the most part (I watch/read about retro games much more than I actually play them.
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Richard
I really miss the big boxes and physical manuals. First I liked to have em on display, second with the more complicated games you had a manual you could read during play. Now if your lucky you can find a pdf on the creators site to download and then you need to tab out to be able to read it while gaming if you have a question about something in the game. Some games do have hints in the beginning how to play it, or a tutorial to play but usually they suck and bring up just a minor part of whats needed to know to enjoy it fully.
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I really miss the big boxes and physical manuals. First I liked to have em on display, second with the more complicated games you had a manual you could read during play. Now if your lucky you can find a pdf on the creators site to download and then you need to tab out to be able to read it while gaming if you have a question about something in the game. Some games do have hints in the beginning how to play it, or a tutorial to play but usually they suck and bring up just a minor part of whats needed to know to enjoy it fully.
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ps1337
the late german boxed games mostly are budget rereleases called -software pyramide- a common pyramid shape stand for cheap games, as your max payne and oblivion are exacly one of these. day one releases was usualy a dvd case since late 90s, oblivion day one was dvd case with a map and in the pyramid box there was no map or manual, and max payne day one was a foldable case in a sleve. ogdb. eu for research - its german but it lists a lot of international releases as well, even more than germans
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the late german boxed games mostly are budget rereleases called -software pyramide- a common pyramid shape stand for cheap games, as your max payne and oblivion are exacly one of these. day one releases was usualy a dvd case since late 90s, oblivion day one was dvd case with a map and in the pyramid box there was no map or manual, and max payne day one was a foldable case in a sleve. ogdb. eu for research - its german but it lists a lot of international releases as well, even more than germans
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Helium
I remember games in the 90s like Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, Aces of the Pacific, Aces of the Deep, some SSI wargame sims. These all came with great instruction manuals that were also awesome history books with lots of details about the historical period, photographs, explanations, really lots of love went into those things, and it made the games so much better for it. I probably learned more about WWII history from reading computer game manuals than I did in school.
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I remember games in the 90s like Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, Aces of the Pacific, Aces of the Deep, some SSI wargame sims. These all came with great instruction manuals that were also awesome history books with lots of details about the historical period, photographs, explanations, really lots of love went into those things, and it made the games so much better for it. I probably learned more about WWII history from reading computer game manuals than I did in school.
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LaikaLycanthrope
Keep in mind from a retailer's POV, oversized packaging for expensive media was popular in the later 80s and 90s as a deterrent to shoplifting, because the electronic sensors and other modern anti-theft measures weren't common then, if they existed at all (for the most part, they didn't, beyond bulky cameras) So, you saw audio cassettes sold in packaging that made them twice the length, and rather large boxes for computer games and programmes.
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Keep in mind from a retailer's POV, oversized packaging for expensive media was popular in the later 80s and 90s as a deterrent to shoplifting, because the electronic sensors and other modern anti-theft measures weren't common then, if they existed at all (for the most part, they didn't, beyond bulky cameras) So, you saw audio cassettes sold in packaging that made them twice the length, and rather large boxes for computer games and programmes.
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1Thunderfire
I'm a NIntendo fan and I always loved reading the manual that came with the game; it was part of the new game ritual. I know why they don't include paper manuals now though it's annoying that there isn't even a digital manual for the more complex games where you really could do with one. Still, I can capture the feeling still when buying a retro game and one of these days, I may even feel flush enough to buy some limited edition thing.
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I'm a NIntendo fan and I always loved reading the manual that came with the game; it was part of the new game ritual. I know why they don't include paper manuals now though it's annoying that there isn't even a digital manual for the more complex games where you really could do with one. Still, I can capture the feeling still when buying a retro game and one of these days, I may even feel flush enough to buy some limited edition thing.
reply
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