GOG is considering a return to physical PC game releases as the DRM-free storefront looks for ways to give players greater control over their game collections. Marcin Paczynski, GOG’s business development and partnerships manager, discussed the idea in an interview with GamesRadar+.
Paczynski described a system in which customers could order a physical version of a game directly through GOG and receive it at home. He presented the concept as a way to support game ownership and preservation alongside GOG’s existing efforts to keep older titles playable on modern hardware.
However, the company has not previously operated a physical distribution business. Before such a service could launch, GOG would need to manage inventory, shipping and other logistical requirements. It would also require additional approvals from publishers to store and sell physical copies of their games.
The type of physical media remains undecided. With optical disc drives now uncommon on PCs, CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs may not be practical. Other possibilities could include USB drives or SD cards, while physical editions might also contain collectible extras such as stickers, maps or lore materials.
Paczynski also suggested that physical releases could give players more agency over their games and potentially help revive a used market in which people exchange, buy or sell titles among themselves. For now, GOG’s plans remain exploratory, with the company still assessing the legal and operational challenges involved.
Sources: Tom's Hardware.