Episode 10 - End of an Era

The way we consume movies, games, and media has fundamentally changed. In this episode of The Midnight Release, we dive into the end of physical media and the rise of digital, unpacking what we gained, what we lost, and why nostalgia still hits harder when something can sit on a shelf.

From VHS tapes and DVD binders to digital storefronts and streaming libraries, media has gone through a massive transformation over the last few decades.

In Episode 10: End of an Era, Chase and Austin kick off 2026 by breaking down the shift from physical to digital media across movies, games, and entertainment as a whole. They reflect on formats that defined generations, the rise (and fall) of retailers carrying physical media, and how gaming — especially consoles — made the pivot faster than anyone expected.

The conversation spans everything from:

• VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and steelbook collections
• Streaming services changing how we watch movies
• Physical vs digital gaming ownership
• GameStop’s fight to stay relevant in a digital-first world
• Collector’s editions, midnight launches, and nostalgia that can’t be downloaded

Along the way, they jump into side quests covering social media trends, character guessing games, and deep-pull New Year memories that remind us just how much has changed — and how some traditions still stick around.

As always, this episode blends gaming culture, pop culture, and nostalgia, asking the big question: Was the convenience worth the cost?

🎧 Line up with us — some memories are still worth holding onto.