In an era dominated by digital game distribution, one PC gamer has taken a nostalgic approach by creating physical "game cartridges" for their Steam library. The project, detailed on the PC Master Gaming Race subreddit by user Jibril-sama, involves loading custom scripts onto used SATA Solid State Drives (SSDs) and installing Steam games onto them.
These repurposed SSDs are then adorned with custom-designed labels, transforming them into what Jibril-sama calls "Steam Game Cartridges." Titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, all known for their significant storage requirements, have been successfully integrated into this system. The setup allows for a plug-and-play experience, blending the tangible nature of physical media with the convenience of digital platforms.
Jibril-sama has made the custom script publicly available, suggesting it could be adapted for other storage mediums such as SD cards, USB drives, and flash drives. However, they cautioned that compatibility is not guaranteed, as the code was primarily tested on a Windows 10 installation. "No guarantee that it's going to work for you," Jibril-sama stated, "but you should at least be able to take the general code and make it work or improve it."
The SSD method represents a more costly approach, with 128GB SSDs typically costing between $30 and $50. The overall expense can increase significantly as more games are added. Memory prices have seen a surge recently, attributed to investment in AI data centers and broader global economic factors, making storage upgrades more expensive than in the past. This trend contrasts with the ongoing shift towards digital-only formats, with manufacturers like Sony reportedly ceasing PlayStation disc production in 2028 and Microsoft rumored to be developing a digital-only next-generation console.