I know that CDPR got us covered. But what about other games? Would you pay a little extra for proper box and some artwork with the DRM free game in the case?

Im specifically talking about games that are already released and patched and are given a physical release after. Similar to the steelbook re-releases of blu ray movies.

I have personally avoided buying certain games on PC because it had DRM/no physical artwork.

It depends, really. I don't miss the SecuROM and SafeDisk DRM some physical packages came with.

There's also the issue of (physical) space - some people would much rather prefer to keep their game collection digital, so that they don't have to lug around boxes full of games whenever their life needs relocating.

But yes, I do kind of miss the game unboxing experience of old.

Since these games are DRM free. Securom wouldnt be an issue. What if companies game us both digital and physical together? Similar to movies coming with codes?

You mean Game Of The Year style physical releases? They often lacked printed documentation in the box.

"Proper"* physical (PC game) releases are never coming back again. The newest one I have is probably 15 years old.

* No online DRM (or very intrusive forms, like Starforce e.g.), printed documentation in the box. I don't care for toys or decorative items as a replacement for the latter.

Well, aside from the box, physical releases also often were packed with goodies - printed manuals, tech trees, maps, and sometimes various trinkets. Digital files of those are not the same.

Used to, don't anymore.

Physical releases turned into nothing more than a plastic case and a disc decades ago. There's no real advantage to that compared to a regular GOG release. Now ye olde physical releases with loads of goodies, that's a different story, but those died long before digital distribution.

Is that a joke? Any physical release of CP2077 is a code-in-a-box.

i did prefer my own copy. i could install on any of the many computers i wished (i had so many at various times). But i never did like the crazy prices for paying for artwork and packaging, and no standardized box size. usually i waited for the game to be on sale, maybe store and/or manufacture rebate. This includes security suites too. but usually i waited a year or two and you would find the same games in just the plain jewel case with out the huge box on the end shelf at steeply discounted prices and sometimes bundled with another game. yes them boxes are hard to store and eventually where discarded. now i wish i had kept one of them old computers to play them old games that wont work on windows 10.
problem is very hard to find the updates/patches for them old games.
buying online is ok, now with faster internets speeds around here is a wee bit easier to down load.
well...either way is acceptable for me.

Last PC game I bought physical and without DRM was Alpha Protocol, good thing I did as the gave has been de listed a while back due to music rights expiring and doesn't look like Sega is interested in renewing.

That's because CP2077 cant fit on a few DVD's. GTAV came on 6 disks.

Wonder how many 3 1.2 inch floppies that would take.... keep in mind just one floppy could only hold 1.44 megabits of data.... before formatting.

Yes but no.

I like the idea, but the execution can be replicated better digitally. Turn the cover art into a wallpaper, and so on...

Yep, I do miss them.

The old school copy protections/secure-rom can go shove off though I paid for it lemme play it how I want ;_;

I still buy them somewhat regularly. Mostly older games though, some collections etc. I have between like 150-200 boxes in my room and adding at least a couple every year.

Still my preferred way of owning games.