YouTuber Nostalgia Nerd Urges Careful Preservation of Physical Gaming Media

YouTuber Nostalgia Nerd urges gamers to preserve physical media as Sony plans to stop releasing PlayStation games on discs by 2028, highlighting disc rot risks and the lasting appeal of retro technology.

YouTuber Highlights Importance of Preserving Physical Media Amid Sony's Shift

Peter Leigh, known as Nostalgia Nerd on YouTube, shares his enthusiasm for retro software, technology, and video games. Following Sony's announcement that it will cease releasing PlayStation games on discs starting in January 2028, Leigh is encouraging gamers to take extra care in preserving their physical media collections.

Leigh, based in Norwich, expressed that gamers would miss the tangible connection of owning a disc, but he also believes the physical format will eventually experience a resurgence.

"People think physical media is going to last forever, but it doesn't," Leigh said. "Discs tend to rot after a while if you don't store them properly. It's going to start to decay... or else you might as well get something digital instead."

On his YouTube channel, which has accumulated over 100 million views, Leigh discusses software, technology, games, toys, and magazines from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining all types of physical media in good condition to ensure their longevity.

Leigh also noted the ongoing appeal of retro technology's aesthetics compared to modern devices, which he described as "too clinical."

Two retro computers side by side on a desk each with a mouse and keyboard. In between them is a lamp which is turned on. — Image caption, Leigh said there is still an appeal to the aesthetics of retro technology and that modern technology is "too clinical"

Understanding Disc Rot and Preservation Tips

Disc rot refers to the degradation of the reflective layer on CDs, which can cause data loss or corruption over time. In severe cases, discs may become completely unreadable.

Leigh offered advice on protecting discs:

"Keep it in the original case because they are designed to protect it.

Don't stack them on top of each other where it can bend the discs. Don't touch the disc because that can leave acid that erodes the disc frontage.

Be careful when you're cleaning, clean it in circles and keep them in a good environment... they'll last a lot longer than if you put them in the attic."

Physical Media's Future and Sony's Digital Shift

Leigh believes physical media will eventually make a comeback despite Sony's decision. Sony stated that the move away from discs is due to "the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs."

Leigh, however, anticipates that the change will not be well received by gamers.

"People are going to miss it," he said. "When you just download games it's not the same connection. Even if they remove physical discs, I think they'll make a comeback at some point.

I think things come in cycles and people are always excited to have something physical. They've announced this change but I don't think it's going to last."

A black Sega Mega Drive is shown on a black table, with a game cartridge inserted into the machine. — Image caption, Leigh believes at some point physical media will make a comeback. Pictured is a Sega Mega Drive

Leigh's Personal Connection to Retro Media and Family

Leigh, who has a passion for software and technology from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, shared that his children also enjoy physical media, including discs and cassettes.

"My kids are obsessed with physical media. They are obsessed with the fact you can go and buy media on a disc or a cassette and play it and it stops the overwhelm they have with online experiences and endless music and tracks and games to download.