I will always cherish the memories I my parents taking me to toys r us to buy a new n64 game, or kb toys for an action figure. Little things that mean nothing in the moment mean so much as we get older
YES! I didn't even think of that - the whole thing of a parent taking their time to get you to the store and pick out the game with you. Those are memories that are HUGE!!
Another important part of physical video games is the memory/story you have of getting a physical video game. Last Thursday I bought Zelda Echoes of Wisdom with my girlfriend. We had to walk in the pouring rain for 20 minutes to get to our local mall. It was wet and depressing but that is a memory that we share together and we'll remember it for years to come. If we both bought the game digitally, there wouldn't be a story. When I look at my physical gaming collection, I pretty much have a memory of buying each one.
Wow this hit deep....i agree. Helped me reminisce the younger days when were would gather around at Thanksgiving and circle our christmas wishes in those huge magazines knowing my parents and grandparents were fighting the crowds and getting our dream toys. I will always hold physical media close and dear to my heart.
Hey there Mort! New viewer here and wanted to say I truly appreciated the retrospective monologue of this particular video. It was both heartfelt, eloquent, and personal. Would love to see more of that from ya' in your future videos. Shoutout to my ChristXCore homies: Underoath and Living Sacrifice!
Yooooo - Living Sacrifice are amazing! And thanks - a lot of the videos in my “Finish the Hunt” playlist have similar types of content if you’re hungry for more :)
Once again I'm going to point out the similarities between video game and comic book collecting. During the roaring 90s I worked at a comic shop. It provided a place for fans, mostly kids to talk about their favorite X-Men character with someone who actually knew who that character was. When I recommended a comic it was a real responsibility. I used to argue with one of our customers about the proper pronunciation of Magneto. He was pronouncing it correctly but I could tell he was enjoying talking about him. The next week he'd be back and we'd continue the argument! I still live in the same town and have run into a handful of now adult former kid customers and they immediately remember me and say that those comic shop trips are among their fondest childhood memories.
I love this! I still have fond memories of walking into a now closed storefront called Games 4 Less and would spend a lot of time browsing their incredible inventory of games.
Really enjoyed that video Mort, in particular your commentary at the end. It’s very said to see physical media disappearing along with the places and people interactions that we loved because of it. Hoping we can keep physical media alive as long as possible.
Great video the first half was excellent of course! The second half was on another level. We are watching physical media fade right before our eyes. I’ve never bought a digital game in my life. It’s sad, and this video was spot on about how I also feel. Physical for life! Hopefully it doesn’t go away completely. I do fear smaller print runs, will increase year by year..and then just go away completely. I do see Nintendo staying physical but time will tell. Awesome video man!
Regardless it’s over, grab whatever you can before it’s too late. No company will continue to make physical games…maybe limited run/other indie publishers…but what will happen when only digital systems release…can’t put that limited run into a system that doesn’t have a disc drive or cart slot… Much respect mort!
@@MortsGarage What’s scary is…will limited run/other companies continue to make physical copies when there isn’t a disc drive or cart slot…if so, that’s some messed up stuff!
Great video, Mort. I used to love midnight releases. Those were just an awesome time. Younger folks will never understand what that time was like in gaming. There was such an excitement level back that I just don’t think is there anymore. No matter where it all goes for media, I will always collect physical.
This video really shines a spotlight on the hidden pitfalls of an all-digital future! The points about losing true ownership of digital content and the potential disappearance of entire libraries are eye-opening. It's easy to overlook the importance of physical media, but like you said, it offers permanence and a way to preserve gaming history. It's crazy to think how much we rely on companies keeping servers active, and yet so much of what makes gaming special could disappear. It was awesome to make a little appearance in this video, too! and I'm glad creators like you are keeping this conversation alive! Thanks for another insightful video, Mort!" and also your content always inspires me to think critically about where the gaming industry is headed!" 🤠
I think a lot about the future of video games, because it's changing and it's changing fast. Recently I talked about the potential future for Sony that an IP like Astro Bot could represent and lead us towards, but it's not the future I actually foresee happening... I'll never forget the launch day of the Wii or some of my most favorite games. Physical media represents so much more than what could be outwardly misconstrued as some sort of fascination with capitalism or fanaticism. Looking at a cartridge or a case on my shelf brings back a flood of memories that scrolling through a storefront just simply doesn't do. My memories of 2020-2022 are a blur because interaction wasn't the same -- memories pre- and post-lockdown are much more vivid by comparison. And like you said, this is why I'll always support smaller stores in my local area like the one you discussed in your video. I'll remember those conversations I have and the friends I make at stores or conventions likely years from now. I'm never going to have a memory "of that one time this game went on sale 15% off on Steam," lol.
@@MortsGarage I worry about it quite a bit. The tiktokification of music, where only one part of the song is really a highlight for virality. The presumption many corporations have that AI will automatically make future creative products better. The ever-growing expansion of game bloat, exposure to ads, ragebait, etc to increase screen time and engagement. It's pretty wild. The works who are more authentic will shine more, arguably, but only because they stand in a sea of other works that don't have substance. We have to wade through that sea 🤷♂️
Since the announcement of places like Best Buy and others cancellation of physical media I haven’t had a reason to step in those stores where as before I would be in those stores at least once every 2 weeks run into friends or collectors and have some great interactions very sad what the future holds. Thank goodness for the small mom and pop shops to keep the nostalgia going. Side note- physical media is still huge in places like Japan which is great to see.
Yeah, it really sucks. It used to be a loss leader to drive in traffic. I guess there’s other ways to make that happen but I too would randomly go to Best Buy at times as well to browse deals.
Yes I had bought quite a few things there over the years. Their prices were always a bit too high but at least you could get things on release day. Unlike Amazon where they don't even have enough stock to meet day one demand, then you have to wait a week on top of it for shipping.
I am always an advocate for hybrid content systems, digital content for convenience, but also providing physical media for pure ownership. I am all for streaming the latest anime, TV shows, and movies, but nothing beats owning a Blu-ray / DVD disc and being the sole owner of said media. You don't know when something can get taken off a streaming platform or digital game store and it happens constantly, which is unfair to the consumers. With video games I almost always will buy physical games over digital. Heck, even for modern games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth that released back in Feb for PS5, going to Best Buy on my lunch break and picking up my Deluxe Edition preorder felt so special to me. I am pretty scared for the modern gaming industry future, but I really hope companies like Nintendo will continue to provide physical media for the foreseeable future. The Switch physical games actually still sell decently well, especially in places like Japan. So maybe not all hope is lost, but only time will tell. Whatever happens, I am happy to have physical retro games to fall back on, 100%!
Good stuff Mortimer. 🥰 LOVED the second half about the physical media disappearing and yeah. Even picking up a game has a memory. Just picked up the new Zelda and at first was a bit bummed I had to “store hop”(only 2 Targets luckily) but when I got there the games guy was like “it shows we have 11 in stock, how many did you want” ‘Just 1 thanks’ I responded. I would’ve never created that interaction on Amazon 🤔🤔 It makes ya think…
Oh man, as dramatic as it was to finally get my favorite game in the 80’s just listening to you speak about physical media brought a tear to my eyes, so real😢 it’s almost all gone
As an 80s kid tuning in from New Zealand,swap meets don't really exist here. Second hand stores are the closest we have but the feeling of finding something you've been looking for in the wild is unbeatable. Your content is nothing short of excellent ,I hope the channel continues to grow & reach more eyeballs as you very much deserve it. From the other side of the world, peace!
First of all, good day Mort - hope you've been having a great day. When it comes to the PS5 Pro and all, although I have digital games, and enjoy picking them up since they tend to go on sale (for the most part) cheaper then physical - IT sucks to see companies leaning into the digital way, and seemingly abandoning physical. I love owning the game, and having it in hand. Maybe it just brings me back to when I was younger where if you didn't have a game (or a buddy to loan it to you) you were kinda out of luck. This looked like an amazing event. I also need to play Lost Legacy Mort - Then again I also need to play Uncharted 4, and go back to Uncharted 1-3, have only put a little bit of time into them. Super fun though from what I have played. So many valid and interesting points/perspectives when talking about the digital future of gaming/physical. You always have such a great view of things and do an amazing job to explain and detail those thoughts. Thank you for yet another exceptional video, have a great day and see you for the next one. #Roadto30k
This country is changing, the people are changing the new generation is missing out on a lot of what we experienced growing up but I'm glad there are people like you to show them what they missed. The Movies, the mall, Buying physical games at launch, we grew up at a great time, Great video Mort.
You got yourself a great community over there Mort. Id love something like that over here, but games are just so expensive and re-sellers have killed the 2nd hand market. And almost 30K subs man! 🤘
I think in a way is up to us to keep certain things alive. As two people who work from home and enjoy many aspects of of online live. We constantly crave a more closer human connection. Retro gaming hasn’t only connected us to other people but it has even connected us to each other as a couple. The fact that we take this moments to play this games and have this times together is something we honestly love so much. We are now even trying to get into DnD and even thinking about hosting retro game nights. I think this community can keep physical media alive maybe not at the big consumerism level that it use to be but to some extent. Love the video mort you always hit some emotional strings in such a great way! ❤
All digital media will fail just watch and see. People want to own their games not just own a piece of of a game online that they can snatch away from you in a instant! Also we will all miss the bonding and connections we made while out shopping for physical games. This is the beginning if the end
I’m not sure it’s that apocalyptic - at one time, video games crashed and died but they came back. And gaming has never been more popular. But the way we do gaming now is of little interest to me with subscription fees, etc. long live well done single player experiences!
The company I work for has sent us back to the office 3 days a week. I'm in the minority of enjoying it. Why? The people. So many people to chat with and catch up with. If going into the office was optional, I'd still go, just to see who I'd run into.
As a game collector, the all digital future is bittersweet. Even I buy digital around half the time because of the convenience Great vid Mort, we hope the physical gaming world lives on forever
Compelling thoughts here Mort. No one could say it better than you just did…There is a way to stop the all digital future…but the only way is if everyone stops buying digital, and unfortunately that isn’t going to happen. The biggest shame of it all is that only years from now is when the digital consumer will realize they missed out on not only ownership of their purchases but the lost human connection.
I love and miss the in person days like going to blockbuster to get a movie talk to people and making friends 80-90 i miss it the future is always good but some things is always better physical some u see and touch
Very poignant end to the video, I love all forms of physical media + magazines and books. It will be a sad day when you can no longer buy it. Thanks for another great video ❤
Love the side chat on Christian rock. Huge fan of the genre. Crucified/Stavesacre rock. So does Amy Grant and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees! Never heard of that video you gave your buddy, but we did watch the Hells Bells: The Hidden Danger of Rock & Roll back in the day in our Youth Group.
Hells Bells!! I remember that one. The Crucified was my gateway to hardcore, and bands like Focused and Unashamed were so critically important to my life. Those were amazing times.
I have the first two collector's boxes for Yomawari on Vita and the third game, also collector's box set, on Switch. I _love_ those games. They are cute, spooky, and even a lil emotional. I wish I could have had all 3 on the Vita (dangit Sony) but having it on the Switch is great choice for it too being handheld with an OLED screen like my Vita.
Let me just agree with most of the comments that I've read so far. It's something that I will always support a local game shop until I'm not able to any longer. I rather go in and pick up something at random like I did last week then try to buy something digital. In fact, I picked up Final Fantasy mystic Quest. Why? Because, I felt like it. And so far I've enjoyed half the game at 5 hours gameplay. It's just because I enjoy it
The search for convenience is one of the aspects that is bringing down society as a whole. Think of Japanese culture. It is so old that they decided to make every aspect of their life a sort of ritual with art in place rules in order to combat the monotony of the passage of daily life. We're moving directly away from that in the Western world. Instead, we're taking away the value of everything... the objects themselves, the journey of acquiring them, and the joy of taking care of them and maintaining them all for the sake of convenience.
they want all digital so they can charge you 80 for a game that you cant sell when youre finished and they control the price. it wont make them anymore money though as people will just be buying less games
I never bothered going physical with PS5, but with Switch it feels like almost everything is getting a digital release only and Physical is reserved for mostly AAA titles. And I just can't be bothered with LimitedRunGames. Having to wait several months, or even a year or more for a game that's already been out for weeks digitally is just crazy to me. Even Capcom can't release certain physical games day one anymore. That Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection came out almost a couple of weeks ago, yet the physical version is landing sometime in Nov. So many gamers are going to be double dipping. Spending 2x the amount for one single game, and these companies just love it. :P Nintendo's guilty of this practice too, with Pikmin 1&2HD.
@@MortsGarage Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection released Digitally on Sept 12, and the physical version is landing on Nov 22. That's just over 2 months. Rule of thumb, for me personally, if they can't release a physical copy for said game the same day as the digital release, or if it's just one or maybe 2 weeks later, than I'm just going Digital. :P
Currently playing Command and Conquer on N64 and its honestly such a great way to game and much more enjoyable in my opinion. No online fees and no trolls and i can pause the game whenever i want 😂 Physical media forever. Ever play it Mort? Edit: just wana say your videos are so much fun to watch. This ending was brilliant...gript 😳
I think part of the reason some of these companies are struggling and all these layoffs are happening. Are gamers starting to understand the importance of actually owning something and being able to play it whenever you want (as long as you take care of it) and not be tied to subscription services. Some games become unplayable if they are taken down or delisted. If you have a physical copy with at least the 1.0 version of a game on it. You can still experience a lot of what that game has to offer. Gamers are also tired of games not being finished when they launch. I don’t like it either. But if that’s the case I would support digital only releases if they would offer physical release pre-orders 6-12 months later or something like that. So they can get all the day one patches,updates and bug fixes ironed out. Because a retail version of a game like that is pretty much redundant. Because it doesn’t actually have the full game on it and is basically an access key. I’m one of the diehards that no matter how cool or awesome a game looks I’m not buying digital only games. Sometimes I’ll double dip if they are planning a physical release also. But I don’t find it to be worthwhile of the money i worked for to have the potential of paying 60-70$ for an extended rental or being tied to a subscription service to have recurring charges to keep playing a game I’m interested in or to go back to it again a year from now if i want to play it again. Then i have to resubscribe to basically rent it again. These services have a lot of games. But if I want to play a game that’s 100+ hours with the amount of time I have to play it might take me 2 or 3 months to get through. And that’s not playing any other games on that service and for the price of 2 or 3 months of renting it o could have owned it outright. Sometimes i will buy digital if dlc for a game isn’t available on disc and they put a GOTY or Ultimate edition on sale. Sometimes I’ll buy indie games because they don’t always have the means to release physical versions at launch and sometimes they eventually do if they get enough community support through digital sales. And I’ll use cod as an example. Most cods get played the most for the first year. You used to be able to buy a physical copy that had the campaign on it with access to the multiplayer. You pay 60-70$ and can play for a year. Now in order to do that they want you to be on gamepass for a year. Which roughly translates to you buying the game 4 times over. Hopefully they at least give you multiplayer and zombie maps at no extra charge for your investment into it
It’s a tough one - the amount of money to make a game today is so much different than retro, but then again the audience is so much bigger. I hope we see things even out - sort of the way vinyl records came back - but I don’t know how realistic that will be. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
@@MortsGarage some of the layoffs are happening also because the developers doing the grunt work and actually make the games understand what gamers want. But are forced to add or remove things that CEOs see as more money. Adding padding to games to make them so tedious or bloated in the middle. That gamers give in and buy timesavers or xp boosts. For example i liked AC Odyssey but the middle 1/3 was rough to get through. It needed to be at least 15 hours shorter. Too many games are so over monetized that it burns people out and they get tired of even giving those companies games a chance. Because of questionable things they have done. And i know licensing costs are expensive. But i never buy Racing or Fighting games anymore because too many of them want to charge for everything. Including core fighters that are owned by the developers of that particular game. It feels like you don’t even get the core experience unless you dump more and more money at them.
Look, I grew up in the NES/SNES era and love the physical stuff from my childhood. There is a small handful of physical cartridges from my younger years on my shelf that I will take to the grave. But I also hate what physical gaming has become and don't mind digital distribution killing off the already-dead-but-still-moving corpse of physical videogames. Much of the modern physical releases are incomplete, have bugs, or require an online connection. And a lot of the retro stuff I might have still liked to get, at the prices the go for these days... yeah no. I'll just get a rom for $0 thank you.
We have been herded towards the digital future for a while now. Modern physical games come buggy & incomplete on purpose. MASSIVE day 1 patches render them basically worthless in order to stop physical sales because what is the point, right? Making it "SEEM" like we "love" digital. Also, the meta data gets even more skewed towards digital with the 70/80/90% sales that happen every other week, however; most of these games are really old or indie titles.
Hard to say. I do think that the way we approach game development is so insanely different today than before that day 1 patches make sense, but I do miss the simpler way it was. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
No on Outer Circle, but they were my first concert without parental supervision. Was amazing, and I still think Pillars of Humanity is an amazing thrash metal album
I’m cheap, I like buying a physical game at a discount. Growing up it was if you want something different you need to sell something old. I started at the 2600 and bought consoles through the years. My college years I stuck to the sell to buy. I miss my old systems and experiences. I’ve bought old and new systems and kept them, selling makes me sad. Digital means full price or other means and I’m not real happy about that thought.
As we are losing physical spaces and our social media spaces have gone under scrutiny by employers and government agencies, are we losing our 3rd spaces? Are there places left where we can be ourselves?
Mort, what type of containers are they using? I have been using the yellow costco bins and these seem better to display when you sell. It would save me time from taking the games out every time and then having to store everything back up.
Word has it that you actually went backstage and met members of STRYPER! Carefully crafted legend or stone-cold fact? Some say Michael Sweet and Oz Fox still speak of that day in a bit of a hushed tone with a lump in their throat? Can you confirm?
Ya'll betta have some OLD SKOOL C.R.T. (that's Cathode Ray Tube) televisions to hook up those retro game CONSOLES too!!! They WILL NOT (Well, SOME do.) work with new School tech. Retro consoles LOOK the best on RETRO tech. Oh and F.Y.i.. More 'ROCK' music history, (Well, this is SKA & PUNK anyways.) There are / were /are strange CHRISTIAN ska & ska punk musical groups whom DID NOT swear in any of their lyrics. I ONLY know this because some one a long time ago said to me something along the lines of: "Oh, you like ska music, I think you would like this artist / group (Musical)."
Just had my first experience where this became an issue - we had a family party outside at a friends home to watch Inside Out 2. The movie buffered about 10 times during our viewing experience. Was noticeably distracting and made me wish we had a physical copy instead.
What do you mean hidden cost they still charge $70 for the damn games on the PlayStation store as well 🤣 this is price increase of the console it’s self not because they are not selling physical media anymore now if the games were $20 cause it’s digital that I could get behind
then theres the fact you dont own anythng digital and they can take it back or off your system any time they want and youre out that money never again to see it
I will always cherish the memories I my parents taking me to toys r us to buy a new n64 game, or kb toys for an action figure. Little things that mean nothing in the moment mean so much as we get older
YES! I didn't even think of that - the whole thing of a parent taking their time to get you to the store and pick out the game with you. Those are memories that are HUGE!!
Another important part of physical video games is the memory/story you have of getting a physical video game. Last Thursday I bought Zelda Echoes of Wisdom with my girlfriend. We had to walk in the pouring rain for 20 minutes to get to our local mall. It was wet and depressing but that is a memory that we share together and we'll remember it for years to come. If we both bought the game digitally, there wouldn't be a story. When I look at my physical gaming collection, I pretty much have a memory of buying each one.
This is soooo true! I can point to any number of games on my shelf and recall the story of finding them.
Wow this hit deep....i agree. Helped me reminisce the younger days when were would gather around at Thanksgiving and circle our christmas wishes in those huge magazines knowing my parents and grandparents were fighting the crowds and getting our dream toys. I will always hold physical media close and dear to my heart.
The paper ads! Haha - so epic ❤️
Great message at the end 👏 thank you for the time you put into this!
And thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!
Hey there Mort! New viewer here and wanted to say I truly appreciated the retrospective monologue of this particular video. It was both heartfelt, eloquent, and personal. Would love to see more of that from ya' in your future videos. Shoutout to my ChristXCore homies: Underoath and Living Sacrifice!
Yooooo - Living Sacrifice are amazing!
And thanks - a lot of the videos in my “Finish the Hunt” playlist have similar types of content if you’re hungry for more :)
This is a sad reality and I hope that we keep on getting physical games
:(
Once again I'm going to point out the similarities between video game and comic book collecting. During the roaring 90s I worked at a comic shop. It provided a place for fans, mostly kids to talk about their favorite X-Men character with someone who actually knew who that character was. When I recommended a comic it was a real responsibility. I used to argue with one of our customers about the proper pronunciation of Magneto. He was pronouncing it correctly but I could tell he was enjoying talking about him. The next week he'd be back and we'd continue the argument!
I still live in the same town and have run into a handful of now adult former kid customers and they immediately remember me and say that those comic shop trips are among their fondest childhood memories.
I love this! I still have fond memories of walking into a now closed storefront called Games 4 Less and would spend a lot of time browsing their incredible inventory of games.
I remember seeing DC Talk at Parachute Music Festival here NZ in 95. Newsboys, Delirious, and Relient K were some of my favourites too.
LOVED Delirious!
I'm from nz too from naki. I remember seeing them too
Never thought I'd hear a discussion on alternative Christian music here! I was knee deep in that scene as a kid. Shout out to Dizmas from Bakersfield
Amazing! Yes, I love throwing in little references like this where it makes sense :)
Great to see Hidden Gem’s 2 year anniversary and really thoughtful conversation about Physical Media. Really amazing as always my friend.🎉
Appreciate you! Can't wait to start cracking on our swap meet video
Really enjoyed that video Mort, in particular your commentary at the end. It’s very said to see physical media disappearing along with the places and people interactions that we loved because of it. Hoping we can keep physical media alive as long as possible.
Amen!
Great video the first half was excellent of course! The second half was on another level. We are watching physical media fade right before our eyes. I’ve never bought a digital game in my life. It’s sad, and this video was spot on about how I also feel. Physical for life! Hopefully it doesn’t go away completely. I do fear smaller print runs, will increase year by year..and then just go away completely. I do see Nintendo staying physical but time will tell. Awesome video man!
Thanks for watching all the way through :)
Regardless it’s over, grab whatever you can before it’s too late. No company will continue to make physical games…maybe limited run/other indie publishers…but what will happen when only digital systems release…can’t put that limited run into a system that doesn’t have a disc drive or cart slot…
Much respect mort!
100%. The next 5 years will be interesting as the new future of media settles to more of the norm.
@@MortsGarage What’s scary is…will limited run/other companies continue to make physical copies when there isn’t a disc drive or cart slot…if so, that’s some messed up stuff!
Love the '68 jump scare ❤️
Long Live :)
@@MortsGarage '68 is wild!
Great video, Mort. I used to love midnight releases. Those were just an awesome time. Younger folks will never understand what that time was like in gaming. There was such an excitement level back that I just don’t think is there anymore. No matter where it all goes for media, I will always collect physical.
It really was a great time. Hype can be noisy, but it can also be fun.
Again, criminally underrated channel. Such a well done, and thought out video. The message is important
Cheers :)
Great video as always! your work is as important as ever so please continue the great work you do!!
How kind of you- thanks!
Fantastic take on the importance of real human connection and the role that physical media and shared experiences bring. Thankyou Mort
Appreciate this!
Damn, Mort. You hit me right in the feels with that ending rally for connection.
@@nusilver appreciate you saying so - cheers ❤️
This video really shines a spotlight on the hidden pitfalls of an all-digital future! The points about losing true ownership of digital content and the potential disappearance of entire libraries are eye-opening. It's easy to overlook the importance of physical media, but like you said, it offers permanence and a way to preserve gaming history. It's crazy to think how much we rely on companies keeping servers active, and yet so much of what makes gaming special could disappear. It was awesome to make a little appearance in this video, too! and I'm glad creators like you are keeping this conversation alive! Thanks for another insightful video, Mort!" and also your content always inspires me to think critically about where the gaming industry is headed!" 🤠
Cheers Daniel!! Thanks for jumping on camera 😊
Awesome video! Really loved the message, Thanks Mort.
Appreciate you watching!
Always love your videos! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching!!
The ending Mort was ABSOLUTELY so heart warming , I so agree with u !!
Cheers ❤️🤘
I think a lot about the future of video games, because it's changing and it's changing fast. Recently I talked about the potential future for Sony that an IP like Astro Bot could represent and lead us towards, but it's not the future I actually foresee happening... I'll never forget the launch day of the Wii or some of my most favorite games. Physical media represents so much more than what could be outwardly misconstrued as some sort of fascination with capitalism or fanaticism. Looking at a cartridge or a case on my shelf brings back a flood of memories that scrolling through a storefront just simply doesn't do. My memories of 2020-2022 are a blur because interaction wasn't the same -- memories pre- and post-lockdown are much more vivid by comparison. And like you said, this is why I'll always support smaller stores in my local area like the one you discussed in your video. I'll remember those conversations I have and the friends I make at stores or conventions likely years from now. I'm never going to have a memory "of that one time this game went on sale 15% off on Steam," lol.
@@humblemudgames it’s true - the effects of it will be interesting to play out across media types - how will games, movies, and music feel in 5 years?
@@MortsGarage I worry about it quite a bit. The tiktokification of music, where only one part of the song is really a highlight for virality. The presumption many corporations have that AI will automatically make future creative products better. The ever-growing expansion of game bloat, exposure to ads, ragebait, etc to increase screen time and engagement. It's pretty wild. The works who are more authentic will shine more, arguably, but only because they stand in a sea of other works that don't have substance. We have to wade through that sea 🤷♂️
Well said, Mort. Love that you inspire us to think about our hobbies from new perspectives.
Appreciate this!
Since the announcement of places like Best Buy and others cancellation of physical media I haven’t had a reason to step in those stores where as before I would be in those stores at least once every 2 weeks run into friends or collectors and have some great interactions very sad what the future holds. Thank goodness for the small mom and pop shops to keep the nostalgia going. Side note- physical media is still huge in places like Japan which is great to see.
Yeah, it really sucks. It used to be a loss leader to drive in traffic. I guess there’s other ways to make that happen but I too would randomly go to Best Buy at times as well to browse deals.
Yes I had bought quite a few things there over the years. Their prices were always a bit too high but at least you could get things on release day. Unlike Amazon where they don't even have enough stock to meet day one demand, then you have to wait a week on top of it for shipping.
To quote a great many people, "You will own nothing and like it!"
Ah yes, the famous quote!
I am always an advocate for hybrid content systems, digital content for convenience, but also providing physical media for pure ownership. I am all for streaming the latest anime, TV shows, and movies, but nothing beats owning a Blu-ray / DVD disc and being the sole owner of said media. You don't know when something can get taken off a streaming platform or digital game store and it happens constantly, which is unfair to the consumers.
With video games I almost always will buy physical games over digital. Heck, even for modern games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth that released back in Feb for PS5, going to Best Buy on my lunch break and picking up my Deluxe Edition preorder felt so special to me.
I am pretty scared for the modern gaming industry future, but I really hope companies like Nintendo will continue to provide physical media for the foreseeable future. The Switch physical games actually still sell decently well, especially in places like Japan. So maybe not all hope is lost, but only time will tell. Whatever happens, I am happy to have physical retro games to fall back on, 100%!
Yes - and there are literally 1000's of physical copies to go around :) Loved this comment!
Good stuff Mortimer. 🥰 LOVED the second half about the physical media disappearing and yeah. Even picking up a game has a memory. Just picked up the new Zelda and at first was a bit bummed I had to “store hop”(only 2 Targets luckily) but when I got there the games guy was like “it shows we have 11 in stock, how many did you want” ‘Just 1 thanks’ I responded. I would’ve never created that interaction on Amazon 🤔🤔 It makes ya think…
Man, "how many copies do you want?" is certainly an interesting question...
Well spoken as always Mr. Mort 🙏 when you trade human interaction for convenience, you’re losing much more than you’re gaining.
Great minds think alike Mega Mob
I love the way you said this
Oh man, as dramatic as it was to finally get my favorite game in the 80’s just listening to you speak about physical media brought a tear to my eyes, so real😢 it’s almost all gone
😢
Assistant TO the Regional Manager
Lol
As an 80s kid tuning in from New Zealand,swap meets don't really exist here. Second hand stores are the closest we have but the feeling of finding something you've been looking for in the wild is unbeatable. Your content is nothing short of excellent ,I hope the channel continues to grow & reach more eyeballs as you very much deserve it. From the other side of the world, peace!
@@Thedeadpixel17 thank you so much for stopping in!! The kind words mean so much. Cheers 👊
Also I teared up at the end, brilliant work 👍
Thank you!!
First of all, good day Mort - hope you've been having a great day. When it comes to the PS5 Pro and all, although I have digital games, and enjoy picking them up since they tend to go on sale (for the most part) cheaper then physical - IT sucks to see companies leaning into the digital way, and seemingly abandoning physical. I love owning the game, and having it in hand. Maybe it just brings me back to when I was younger where if you didn't have a game (or a buddy to loan it to you) you were kinda out of luck. This looked like an amazing event. I also need to play Lost Legacy Mort - Then again I also need to play Uncharted 4, and go back to Uncharted 1-3, have only put a little bit of time into them. Super fun though from what I have played. So many valid and interesting points/perspectives when talking about the digital future of gaming/physical. You always have such a great view of things and do an amazing job to explain and detail those thoughts. Thank you for yet another exceptional video, have a great day and see you for the next one. #Roadto30k
As ever, thank you for thoughts and generous comments! Definitely a big change from physical to digital :(
This country is changing, the people are changing the new generation is missing out on a lot of what we experienced growing up but I'm glad there are people like you to show them what they missed. The Movies, the mall, Buying physical games at launch, we grew up at a great time, Great video Mort.
Thanks Manny - appreciate you as ever
Isn’t that so true about the stores how much physical media means this realization really got to me it means a lot
Thanks for watching 👊
You got yourself a great community over there Mort. Id love something like that over here, but games are just so expensive and re-sellers have killed the 2nd hand market. And almost 30K subs man! 🤘
Sorry to hear that. May you find something amazing this week.
And yes - 500 away!
Bride & deliverance were 2 Christian bands I still listen to 😂
What A Joke blew my mind. So did Psycho Surgery by Tourniquet 🤘🤘🤘
RIP Ted Kirkpatrick
I think in a way is up to us to keep certain things alive. As two people who work from home and enjoy many aspects of of online live. We constantly crave a more closer human connection. Retro gaming hasn’t only connected us to other people but it has even connected us to each other as a couple. The fact that we take this moments to play this games and have this times together is something we honestly love so much. We are now even trying to get into DnD and even thinking about hosting retro game nights. I think this community can keep physical media alive maybe not at the big consumerism level that it use to be but to some extent. Love the video mort you always hit some emotional strings in such a great way! ❤
Appreciate your comment and thoughtful words! You 2 are gems :)
Amen, brother! Nailed it on the head. Well said!
Cheers ❤️
All digital media will fail just watch and see. People want to own their games not just own a piece of of a game online that they can snatch away from you in a instant! Also we will all miss the bonding and connections we made while out shopping for physical games. This is the beginning if the end
I’m not sure it’s that apocalyptic - at one time, video games crashed and died but they came back. And gaming has never been more popular. But the way we do gaming now is of little interest to me with subscription fees, etc. long live well done single player experiences!
Mort I was the one who bought the gamecube controller and after a cleaning it worked perfectly thank you!
FANTASTIC! Enjoy the controller :)
The Crucified!
🤘
The GOATS!!
That ending. Right in the feels.
❤️
The company I work for has sent us back to the office 3 days a week. I'm in the minority of enjoying it. Why? The people. So many people to chat with and catch up with. If going into the office was optional, I'd still go, just to see who I'd run into.
YES!! For my personality type, it's essential for productivity
As a game collector, the all digital future is bittersweet. Even I buy digital around half the time because of the convenience
Great vid Mort, we hope the physical gaming world lives on forever
@@GameBoisTV until it ends, it’s been a lot of fun :)
Compelling thoughts here Mort. No one could say it better than you just did…There is a way to stop the all digital future…but the only way is if everyone stops buying digital, and unfortunately that isn’t going to happen. The biggest shame of it all is that only years from now is when the digital consumer will realize they missed out on not only ownership of their purchases but the lost human connection.
Amen 👊
Community is everything
Yes!!
Another banger video, my friend. Speaking of christian bands, Zao was the first one I really got into.
Early Zao changed everything. Truly a paradigm shift!
I’m not crying you are!!! ❤
Crying is cool :)
Recently beat the game Lost Legacy! Such a great game Mort you will definitely enjoy it.
I just finished downloading the updates and installing the disc! Can't wait to jump in :)
6:30 i recognize that Silent Planet shirt. Sick band!
LOVE THEM!!!
Well said, Mort! Great video!
👊🙌
Antarctica 88 is amazing. Great video Mort!
Huh… after reading the reviews, I sense you may not be telling me the truth lol
@@MortsGarage OK I admit I haven't played it. I just have 8 copies that I need to unload.
@@chuman433 LOL!!
I love and miss the in person days like going to blockbuster to get a movie talk to people and making friends 80-90 i miss it the future is always good but some things is always better physical some u see and touch
Couldn’t agree more 👊
Completely agree it’s sad
88 Antarctica!!! It's supposed to be painfully terrible. That's kind of Limited Rare's thing 😂
Hahaha - oh man, needs to be an RNG Gamer let’s play!
Very poignant end to the video, I love all forms of physical media + magazines and books. It will be a sad day when you can no longer buy it. Thanks for another great video ❤
Cheers 🙌
Bill Haverchuck is my hero. This hit the feels my guy. ❤
❤❤❤
Love the side chat on Christian rock. Huge fan of the genre. Crucified/Stavesacre rock. So does Amy Grant and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees! Never heard of that video you gave your buddy, but we did watch the Hells Bells: The Hidden Danger of Rock & Roll back in the day in our Youth Group.
Hells Bells!! I remember that one. The Crucified was my gateway to hardcore, and bands like Focused and Unashamed were so critically important to my life. Those were amazing times.
I have the first two collector's boxes for Yomawari on Vita and the third game, also collector's box set, on Switch. I _love_ those games. They are cute, spooky, and even a lil emotional. I wish I could have had all 3 on the Vita (dangit Sony) but having it on the Switch is great choice for it too being handheld with an OLED screen like my Vita.
The Vita is incredible, but when I got the Switch version I decided to let these ones go. Time will tell if it becomes a gaming regret.
Mort friends games and discounts can’t go wrong
👊❤️👊
So you say! Us introverts have missed nothing in your closing monologue 😂, still nice job!
Hahaha - fair point!
Let me just agree with most of the comments that I've read so far. It's something that I will always support a local game shop until I'm not able to any longer. I rather go in and pick up something at random like I did last week then try to buy something digital. In fact, I picked up Final Fantasy mystic Quest. Why? Because, I felt like it. And so far I've enjoyed half the game at 5 hours gameplay. It's just because I enjoy it
LOVE THIS!!
The search for convenience is one of the aspects that is bringing down society as a whole.
Think of Japanese culture. It is so old that they decided to make every aspect of their life a sort of ritual with art in place rules in order to combat the monotony of the passage of daily life.
We're moving directly away from that in the Western world. Instead, we're taking away the value of everything... the objects themselves, the journey of acquiring them, and the joy of taking care of them and maintaining them all for the sake of convenience.
So well said! The cultural expression is actually rather interesting - we seem to live more by a “more now faster NEXT” philosophy
Good video, man 👍👍👍
🤘
they want all digital so they can charge you 80 for a game that you cant sell when youre finished and they control the price. it wont make them anymore money though as people will just be buying less games
This as well - but that emotional piece is so huge.
good fight ministries .. "they sold their souls for rock n roll" is legit. honest. no joke. i love you Mort!! no satanic panic. just truth.
Love you back!
In my unbiased opinion, Hidden Gem is the best store in all of SoCal!
Spoken like a proper legend
When everything becomes digital it is time to go all in on PC.
I’m hearing that a lot!
Nintendo & PC that is. :P
Might want to throw the Quest 3 in there as well!
Awesome video
Thanks for the visit - cheers!
I never bothered going physical with PS5, but with Switch it feels like almost everything is getting a digital release only and Physical is reserved for mostly AAA titles. And I just can't be bothered with LimitedRunGames. Having to wait several months, or even a year or more for a game that's already been out for weeks digitally is just crazy to me.
Even Capcom can't release certain physical games day one anymore. That Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection came out almost a couple of weeks ago, yet the physical version is landing sometime in Nov. So many gamers are going to be double dipping. Spending 2x the amount for one single game, and these companies just love it. :P Nintendo's guilty of this practice too, with Pikmin 1&2HD.
Yup - and I didn’t realize that collection was already here….
@@MortsGarage
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection released Digitally on Sept 12, and the physical version is landing on Nov 22. That's just over 2 months. Rule of thumb, for me personally, if they can't release a physical copy for said game the same day as the digital release, or if it's just one or maybe 2 weeks later, than I'm just going Digital. :P
Currently playing Command and Conquer on N64 and its honestly such a great way to game and much more enjoyable in my opinion. No online fees and no trolls and i can pause the game whenever i want 😂 Physical media forever. Ever play it Mort? Edit: just wana say your videos are so much fun to watch. This ending was brilliant...gript 😳
Just booted the original Warcraft 3 on my laptop and loving every minute of it. Command and Conquer was another big one in my childhood. Enjoy!
@@shanebakhtavar-suber3449 these style of games have ya so focused too. Really fun to play. Il check that one out thanks 🤘🏻
I have it but never got into RTS. I do intend to play it though! Thanks for the kind words and recommendation
Im watching this as the ps network is down lol ! Glad i love physical media and retro
😳🤘
I think part of the reason some of these companies are struggling and all these layoffs are happening. Are gamers starting to understand the importance of actually owning something and being able to play it whenever you want (as long as you take care of it) and not be tied to subscription services. Some games become unplayable if they are taken down or delisted. If you have a physical copy with at least the 1.0 version of a game on it. You can still experience a lot of what that game has to offer. Gamers are also tired of games not being finished when they launch. I don’t like it either. But if that’s the case I would support digital only releases if they would offer physical release pre-orders 6-12 months later or something like that. So they can get all the day one patches,updates and bug fixes ironed out. Because a retail version of a game like that is pretty much redundant. Because it doesn’t actually have the full game on it and is basically an access key. I’m one of the diehards that no matter how cool or awesome a game looks I’m not buying digital only games. Sometimes I’ll double dip if they are planning a physical release also. But I don’t find it to be worthwhile of the money i worked for to have the potential of paying 60-70$ for an extended rental or being tied to a subscription service to have recurring charges to keep playing a game I’m interested in or to go back to it again a year from now if i want to play it again. Then i have to resubscribe to basically rent it again. These services have a lot of games. But if I want to play a game that’s 100+ hours with the amount of time I have to play it might take me 2 or 3 months to get through. And that’s not playing any other games on that service and for the price of 2 or 3 months of renting it o could have owned it outright. Sometimes i will buy digital if dlc for a game isn’t available on disc and they put a GOTY or Ultimate edition on sale. Sometimes I’ll buy indie games because they don’t always have the means to release physical versions at launch and sometimes they eventually do if they get enough community support through digital sales. And I’ll use cod as an example. Most cods get played the most for the first year. You used to be able to buy a physical copy that had the campaign on it with access to the multiplayer. You pay 60-70$ and can play for a year. Now in order to do that they want you to be on gamepass for a year. Which roughly translates to you buying the game 4 times over. Hopefully they at least give you multiplayer and zombie maps at no extra charge for your investment into it
It’s a tough one - the amount of money to make a game today is so much different than retro, but then again the audience is so much bigger. I hope we see things even out - sort of the way vinyl records came back - but I don’t know how realistic that will be. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
@@MortsGarage some of the layoffs are happening also because the developers doing the grunt work and actually make the games understand what gamers want. But are forced to add or remove things that CEOs see as more money. Adding padding to games to make them so tedious or bloated in the middle. That gamers give in and buy timesavers or xp boosts. For example i liked AC Odyssey but the middle 1/3 was rough to get through. It needed to be at least 15 hours shorter. Too many games are so over monetized that it burns people out and they get tired of even giving those companies games a chance. Because of questionable things they have done. And i know licensing costs are expensive. But i never buy Racing or Fighting games anymore because too many of them want to charge for everything. Including core fighters that are owned by the developers of that particular game. It feels like you don’t even get the core experience unless you dump more and more money at them.
I love digital distribution because a digital copy of Little Samson is $0.
That is an upside
Look, I grew up in the NES/SNES era and love the physical stuff from my childhood. There is a small handful of physical cartridges from my younger years on my shelf that I will take to the grave. But I also hate what physical gaming has become and don't mind digital distribution killing off the already-dead-but-still-moving corpse of physical videogames.
Much of the modern physical releases are incomplete, have bugs, or require an online connection. And a lot of the retro stuff I might have still liked to get, at the prices the go for these days... yeah no. I'll just get a rom for $0 thank you.
Fair and reasonable point!
We have been herded towards the digital future for a while now. Modern physical games come buggy & incomplete on purpose. MASSIVE day 1 patches render them basically worthless in order to stop physical sales because what is the point, right? Making it "SEEM" like we "love" digital. Also, the meta data gets even more skewed towards digital with the 70/80/90% sales that happen every other week, however; most of these games are really old or indie titles.
Hard to say. I do think that the way we approach game development is so insanely different today than before that day 1 patches make sense, but I do miss the simpler way it was. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Amen brother to the end. Also don’t forget there is no selling and collecting of digital games!
Yup - absolutely true
Do you know how happy it makes me that you mentioned the crucified! Got to see them at Cornerstone and it was amazing! did you listen to outer circle?
No on Outer Circle, but they were my first concert without parental supervision. Was amazing, and I still think Pillars of Humanity is an amazing thrash metal album
@@MortsGarage agreed! Outer circle was their frontman’s punk band . Used to play on g rock!
I’m cheap, I like buying a physical game at a discount. Growing up it was if you want something different you need to sell something old. I started at the 2600 and bought consoles through the years. My college years I stuck to the sell to buy. I miss my old systems and experiences. I’ve bought old and new systems and kept them, selling makes me sad. Digital means full price or other means and I’m not real happy about that thought.
Can relate
Great way to end the video!
😊🙌
As we are losing physical spaces and our social media spaces have gone under scrutiny by employers and government agencies, are we losing our 3rd spaces?
Are there places left where we can be ourselves?
Bigger questions - I like the way your brain works!
Mort, what type of containers are they using? I have been using the yellow costco bins and these seem better to display when you sell. It would save me time from taking the games out every time and then having to store everything back up.
I bought containers for target that fit DVD sized media perfectly
“Let’s be nostalgic for capitalism.”
Brilliant.
❤️😊
Word has it that you actually went backstage and met members of STRYPER! Carefully crafted legend or stone-cold fact? Some say Michael Sweet and Oz Fox still speak of that day in a bit of a hushed tone with a lump in their throat? Can you confirm?
FACT! Thanks to my Dad :)
@@MortsGarage I was sure you could neither confirm nor deny such sensitive info. Your dad must be top drawer.
@@billfarismpcyou have no idea ;)
As soon as physical media is gone, these companies will raise prices. It will effectively monopolize content.
I’m curious if that will happen
@@MortsGarage It is already starting to happen with games.
Im not religious but I love music no matter where it comes from. There are some legit great Christian rock songs.
Art is art! The album “Pillars of Humanity” is musically outstanding
Very sad ending
❤️
Buena Mort
The legend himself!
Make Game Crazy Great Again
YES!!
Tuned out when it turned to church and christian "rock" bands. No time for that silliness.
Thanks for giving it a shot - cheers!
7:59- 5 and below asmongold
Lol
Ya'll betta have some OLD SKOOL C.R.T. (that's Cathode Ray Tube) televisions to hook up those retro game CONSOLES too!!! They WILL NOT (Well, SOME do.) work with new School tech. Retro consoles LOOK the best on RETRO tech. Oh and F.Y.i.. More 'ROCK' music history, (Well, this is SKA & PUNK anyways.) There are / were /are strange CHRISTIAN ska & ska punk musical groups whom DID NOT swear in any of their lyrics. I ONLY know this because some one a long time ago said to me something along the lines of: "Oh, you like ska music, I think you would like this artist / group (Musical)."
Agreed - it’s my favorite way to play N64
Buy old games, put them in old consoles, enjoy.
🙌
I don't like digital. I guess if i was always on the move it'll be good but i still but dvd and blu-rays.
Just had my first experience where this became an issue - we had a family party outside at a friends home to watch Inside Out 2. The movie buffered about 10 times during our viewing experience. Was noticeably distracting and made me wish we had a physical copy instead.
@@MortsGarage Something I don't have to worry about. Lol.. If I have a problem, I'll buy a new disc or player. Easy peasy.
What do you mean hidden cost they still charge $70 for the damn games on the PlayStation store as well 🤣 this is price increase of the console it’s self not because they are not selling physical media anymore now if the games were $20 cause it’s digital that I could get behind
Watch the last 5 minutes of the video - I think there’s additional costs being paid as well :)
Because ::: Humans (US) are PHYSICALLY SOCIAL animals (I mean, what ANIMAL is NOT physically social??) NOT DIGITAL!!!
Yes indeed!
then theres the fact you dont own anythng digital and they can take it back or off your system any time they want and youre out that money never again to see it
Which totally blows. Although, California just passed some legislation about this.
@@MortsGarage AT LEAST CALIFORNIA IS ON THE BALL ABOUT SUCH THINGS.49 OTHER STATES TO GO