How are video games stored on discs?

Data is stored on the disc as a series of microscopic indentations called "pits", with the non-indented spaces between them called "lands". A laser is shone onto the reflective surface of the disc to read the pattern of pits and lands.
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How are video games stored on a CD?

A CD works by using a laser to read the digital data encoded on its surface. The data is stored as a series of tiny pits and lands, which represent binary information.
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How do discs work for games?

Insert your game disc into the disc slot. The game installs automatically the first time you play it. You may be asked to select which add-ons to install. Once installed, select the game from your Games home.
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Are games still stored on discs?

Unlike the earlier generations of consoles where a game's data was entirely housed in a physical cartridge or disc, modern games are downloaded through the internet to a console's hard drive.
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How are video games discs made?

The disk is put into a laser-cutting machine. While the disk is spun, the binary code from the computer game's program sends a signal to the laser. The laser will then cut pits in the photo resistive coating corresponding to the program. The disk is then chemically etched and given a metal coating.
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Repair & restoration of a scratched PS2 game disc - Howto resurface discs

Do game discs degrade over time?

As with all other types of media, degradation is inevitable over time, but steps can be taken to help prevent it from occurring prematurely. This section covers the effects of environmental conditions and physical handling on optical discs.
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How do you store video game discs?

To protect your disks or cartridges from dust, moisture, and other damage, store them in airtight containers. You can find special video game storage containers, or you can use plastic food containers. Disks can be stored in an airtight DVD case as well. Be sure to label the containers so you know what's inside.
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Do video game discs rot?

This can happen if the lacquer wasn't prepared properly, or if the discs are stored in volatile environments that expose them to elements that could damage the layer. Some batches of discs are far more susceptible to disc rot than others.
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Will game discs become obsolete?

While video game consoles are not going away, as has been previously predicted, the discs themselves are now not long for this world.
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How long will CD games last?

Among the manufacturers that have done testing, there is consensus that, under recommended storage conditions, CD-R, DVD-R, and DVD+R discs should have a life expectancy of 100 to 200 years or more; CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM discs should have a life expectancy of 25 years or more.
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Is it better to buy games digitally or discs?

While it's true that physical discs can be scratched or lost, that's more a matter of the owner's due diligence; cared for correctly, they will provide smooth gaming (essentially) forever. Digital games do not always offer this permanence (more on that shortly).
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How do discs store data?

Data is stored on the disk in the form of microscopic data pits and lands. The pits are etched into a reflective layer of recording material. The lands are the flat, unindented areas surrounding the pits. The type of material selected for the recording material depends on how the disk is used.
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Do games on disc take up less space?

You're also unlikely to save considerable space if you're sticking to discs, as most still require a hefty install anyway. Many discs are kind of just a big plastic license key these days; it's okay if you want to take a moment to reflect on that sad reality (they'll make good coasters in the apocalypse).
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Does anyone use CD-ROMs anymore?

During the 1990s and early 2000s, CD-ROMs were popularly used to distribute software and data for computers and fifth generation video game consoles. DVDs as well as downloading started to replace CD-ROMs in these roles starting in the early 2000s, and the use of CD-ROMs for commercial software is now uncommon.
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Do games save on disc?

Yes, game discs are read only so no data or save is stored on them. If you replace the disc, your game and console will not know the difference!
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How is video game data stored?

In modern consoles, which use disks for storing games, saved games are stored in other ways, such as by use of memory cards or internal hard drives on the game machine itself. The use of memory cards for saving game data dates back to SNK's cartridge-based Neo Geo arcade system and home console in 1990.
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Where will video games be in 10 years?

Virtual and augmented reality

The 2019 revenue from VR and AR gaming alone was in the range of $6.3bn and is expected to continue to grow rapidly over the course of the next decade (though undoubtedly, COVID-19 will have impacted expert's forecasts).
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Will video games go all digital?

Past that, the future will likely be completely dominated by digital-only gaming. You can even see this starting to play out with the recently announced PlayStation 5 Slim and Xbox's leaked cylindrical Brooklin console. Sony and Microsoft aren't looking to preserve the past.
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Do game discs actually have the game on them?

the disc is just a key to play the game. That's it. All the data is digital and the disc is just there to make sure you own it.
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Does alcohol damage game discs?

In general, avoid using organic solvents. Harsher solvents (acetone, benzene) will dissolve the polycarbonate and damage the disc beyond repair. Mild solvents (isopropyl alcohol, methanol), however, may be used. These mild solvents evaporate quickly and will not dissolve the polycarbonate.
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Does water ruin game discs?

Place discs into a container filled with clean water. USE NO SOLVENTS, as this will destroy your discs, only use clean water. Let the discs soak in the water for some time, at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 16 hours, as this will lead to further water damage, and may make the discs completely unrecoverable.
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What cleans game discs?

Dampen a clean, soft, cotton cloth with water. Use straight strokes and wipe the disc (non-labeled side) from the inside rim to the outside rim. Using a dry part of the cloth, repeat step 2 to dry the disc.
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Do game discs deteriorate?

Disc rot is the tendency of CD, DVD, or other optical discs to become unreadable because of chemical deterioration. The causes include oxidation of the reflective layer, reactions with contaminants, ultra-violet light damage, and de-bonding of the adhesive used to adhere the layers of the disc together.
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What is the lifespan of a game disc?

I have hundreds of games going back to the 70's on cartridge, disk etc. Other than 1 save battery I have exactly no games that have failed due to age. As long as you don't store them in an unheated, damp area, they will outlive you. 30 to 100 year life, apparently.
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Can DVDs get ruined by heat?

Avoid very high temperatures, such as those found inside a car parked in the bright summer Florida sun. High temperatures can quickly cause a disc to delaminate or warp. They can also affect the dyes in the re-writeable discs.
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