PC Gamer Creates Custom Steam Game Cartridges

Physical PC games have been out of fashion for many years, thanks to the rise of digital distribution platforms like Steam.

While physical PC game boxes have become rare, a modder on the PC Master Gaming Race subreddit has revived the concept by creating custom game cartridges for Steam. By using solid-state drives and a custom script, they loaded games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 onto the cartridges, complete with custom graphics. The modder has shared the code online for others to experiment with, allowing for the creation of personalized game cartridges using different storage mediums like SD cards and USB drives.

However, this unique gaming experience comes at a cost, with the price of SSDs ranging from $30 to $50 for a 128GB drive. The increasing prices of memory components due to high demand have made this DIY project more expensive. The shift towards digital gaming is further emphasized by Sony's decision to cease PlayStation disc production in 2028 and rumors about Microsoft's upcoming digital-only console, Project Helix.