this post goes out to every cd-based console game that hid a folder of wallpapers, concept art, sound clips, or notes from the developers in the pc-readable section of your disc. in the shift to digital storefront blobs and overly engineered physical media, we've lost a bit of the magic that bridges the gap between players and developers with gestures like these
after all, who is putting a gd-rom into a cd drive and expecting pristine quality sonic the hedgehog wallpapers to just be sitting there, in a little folder, waiting for you to find? they had no real reason to do it, but they took the time to do so anyways. and there's something really beautiful about a wordless conversation of mutual appreciation than the developers putting in a little bit of effort for a hidden treat amidst the already chaotic development process, and the happenstance of a fan being rewarded for their curiosity
