A Reddit user has built a "game cartridge" system for Steam, installing individual games onto 2.5-inch external SSDs that automatically launch via a script when plugged into a desktop dock, freeing up space on their main drive. The project has struck a chord amid growing anxiety over game ownership, coming shortly after Sony announced it will end physical game production for its consoles from January 2028, prompting many players to seek ways of retaining tangible access to titles they have paid for.

The Reddit post has attracted more than 17,000 upvotes and nearly a thousand comments praising the setup's tidy, retro-inspired design. The article also contrasts Steam with rival storefront GOG, which remains DRM-free and supports offline installers that let users burn games to disc or drive without needing an internet connection, unlike licensed digital purchases that can be revoked, as happened when Sony removed over 500 films, including Terminator 2, from PlayStation libraries due to a licensing dispute. In response to such concerns, developers have also been advancing PS5 emulators as an alternative route to accessing purchased games.