“Everything was better in the past.” At least that’s what our tech author Jan Hartmayer thinks when it comes to physical media. He is passionate about collecting DVDs, their cases, and would love to analogize his entire Steam library.
One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting in the backseat of the car after a shopping trip and admiring the treasures I got. Whether it’s a movie, series, or game. As a child, I could spend hours looking at the beautifully designed cases of DVDs.
Furthermore, I belong to Gen Z and like many others, long for the day when we actually own our media again. That way, I wouldn’t have to constantly pay various subscription fees just to watch my favorite series.
Although I use many digital media myself, my nostalgic collecting urge was so strong that I recently bought two different DVD boxes.
The Long-Forgotten Drive
Box number 1 is the PC version of the Gothic remake, which I pre-ordered and do not regret. I was a bit surprised that retail boxes are still being sold for PC nowadays. Once opened, a wave of nostalgia immediately hit me. However, I was immediately confronted with a problem.
Which drive do I put the two discs in? My computer hasn’t been able to play DVDs for several years. Luckily, there are portable drives that can be connected to your computer via USB.
However, I then had to realize: The two DVDs are purely cosmetic. The game is redeemed via an activation code on Steam and downloaded from there. While that is unfortunate, and I should have known that, I am still happy: After over 12 years, I have added a physical PC game back to my collection.
My second purchase, however, was not a game, but an old series from the entertainment sector that I had on my wish list for years.
Old Series, New Fun
DVD package number 2 is the complete box set of the over 25-year-old series “Stargate Command SG-1”. It is a well-known sci-fi show that I liked as a child and never fully watched.
While it would have been possible to watch the show through streaming services like Amazon Prime and MGM subscriptions, my stubborn Gen Z brain wants to own the series even in 20 years and rewatch it without incurring additional costs. Furthermore, no one knows if Prime will still offer the series in the future or if the service will even exist then. But I know that I will never willingly give up my physical media and DVD players!
Additionally, it is nice to place these boxes on the shelf, and they serve as decor for my home. That’s why I also wish that PC games would sell real boxes more often so I can satisfy my collecting frenzy. Some time ago, other users even committed crimes to obtain physical media: Users are currently raiding thousands of DVDs from red vending machines because they believe that these belong to no one anymore.
Do you still actively use DVDs? Are you also a Gen Z-er wishing for them back, or are you younger/older and glad that everything is digital and always available? What does your collection look like? Let us know in the comments!
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