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GOG Brings Back 'Big Box' PC Games, One Printable Template At a Time

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Those who remember PC gaming in the days before Steam may have fond memories of the "big box" packaging that made those games stand out as shelf eye candy and sought-after in-home collectibles. Today, PC gaming platform GOG is hoping to reignite some of the nostalgia for those days by adding downloadable 3D models and printable, foldable high-res packaging scans for a handful of PC games on the platform. Thus far, the "Printable Big Box" collection on GOG is limited to just five games: Armikrog, Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, Myst, and Star Trek: 25th Anniversary. Players browsing those games on the GOG store will now see "3D Boxes" listed among the included "Goodies" before purchase. Owners of those games on GOG can download a ZIP file containing a version of the box art as an animated 3D object file (in an easy-to-open GLB format) and a "flat printable template" in PDF, SVG, and Adobe Illustrator formats. Those downloads allow for what GOG calls "a proper papercraft project for anyone who misses shelves full of PC game boxes." The physically focused expansion of the existing GOG Preservation Program comes through a partnership with Benjamin Wimmer's Big Box Collection website, which has grown since 2015 to include over 1,000 3D scans from his private collection of physical PC games. In an interview with GOG, Wimmer said that while he appreciates the artistry of a good old-fashioned big box, he also appreciates their evolution into the "interactive cards" on modern digital storefronts that "provid[e] us art, screenshots, gameplay videos and whatnot and that not shown as a box, [it] is just good UX." "Physical media doesn't survive the way software can -- boxes get lost, crushed, thrown out," GOG writes in today's announcement. "Scanning them, and letting you print your own, is preservation in a different shape: the same mission that keeps these games running on modern PCs, applied to the objects they used to come in."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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LONGER LK10 Plus 3D Printer Review: Large Build Volume Meets High-Speed Performance

LONGER LK10 Plus is a next-generation FDM 3D printer designed for makers, engineers, hobbyists, and small businesses seeking fast printing without sacrificing quality. Featuring a generous 320 Γ— 320 Γ— 400 mm build volume, a maximum print speed of 500 mm/s, and an upgraded direct-drive extrusion system, the LK10 Plus delivers the performance needed for everything from large prototypes to detailed functional parts.

Large Build Volume for Bigger Ideas

One of the standout features of the LONGER LK10 Plus is its spacious 320 Γ— 320 Γ— 400 mm printing area. The oversized build volume allows users to create large models in a single print or produce multiple parts simultaneously, improving productivity for workshops and production environments.

Whether you’re printing cosplay helmets, architectural models, mechanical components, or educational projects, the generous build space provides greater creative freedom.

High-Speed Printing Up to 500 mm/s

Built with a Klipper-powered control board, the LK10 Plus supports print speeds of up to 500 mm/s, significantly reducing print times compared to traditional desktop 3D printers.

Advanced motion control technologies, including vibration compensation and input shaping, help maintain print quality even at high speeds by reducing ringing and ghosting effects. This combination enables users to complete projects faster while preserving precision.

High-Flow Direct Drive Extruder

The printer features an upgraded high-flow direct-drive extruder capable of delivering up to 25 mmΒ³/s volumetric flow. This design provides consistent filament feeding, improved extrusion accuracy, and excellent compatibility with flexible materials.

Combined with a redesigned hotend and enhanced cooling system, the extruder minimizes clogging while supporting reliable, long-duration printing.

Wide Material Compatibility

With a nozzle temperature reaching 300Β°C and a heated PEI print bed capable of 110Β°C, the LONGER LK10 Plus supports a wide range of popular filaments, including:

  • PLA
  • PETG
  • ABS
  • ASA
  • TPU
  • Other 1.75 mm materials

This versatility makes the printer suitable for decorative models, engineering prototypes, and durable functional parts.

Automatic Leveling for Easy Setup

The LK10 Plus simplifies the printing process through automatic bed leveling and Auto Z-Offset calibration. These features automatically establish the correct nozzle-to-bed distance, reducing manual adjustments and improving first-layer consistency.

For beginners, this means a faster setup process and fewer failed prints. Experienced users also benefit from improved workflow efficiency.

Stable Metal Frame with Dual Z-Axis

A rigid all-metal frame provides excellent structural stability during high-speed operation. The printer also incorporates a dual Z-axis system with independent motors and lead screws, ensuring smoother vertical movement and better layer alignment.

The sturdy construction minimizes vibrations, helping maintain dimensional accuracy across large prints.

Smart Features for Reliable Printing

The LONGER LK10 Plus includes several intelligent features designed to improve reliability and user convenience:

  • Automatic bed leveling
  • Auto Z-Offset calibration
  • Filament runout detection
  • Power-loss recovery
  • Object exclusion during multi-part printing
  • Sensorless X/Y homing
  • 4.3-inch full-color touchscreen

Together, these features reduce interruptions and make long printing sessions more dependable.

Flexible Connectivity

Users can manage print jobs through multiple connection options, including:

  • Wi-Fi
  • LAN
  • USB flash drive

The printer is compatible with Windows and macOS and supports common 3D model formats such as STL, OBJ, and STEP. OrcaSlicer is recommended for slicing and print preparation.

Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Printing Technology FDM
Build Volume 320 Γ— 320 Γ— 400 mm
Maximum Print Speed 500 mm/s
Extruder High-Flow Direct Drive
Maximum Nozzle Temperature 300Β°C
Heated Bed Temperature 110Β°C
Layer Height 0.1–0.4 mm
Nozzle Diameter 0.4 mm
Supported Filaments PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU
Connectivity Wi-Fi, LAN, USB
Display 4.3-inch Color Touchscreen
Frame Full Metal
Bed Surface PEI Spring Steel Platform

Who Should Buy the LONGER LK10 Plus?

The LONGER LK10 Plus is an excellent choice for:

  • Hobbyists looking to upgrade to a larger, faster printer.
  • Designers and engineers producing functional prototypes.
  • Schools and makerspaces requiring reliable classroom equipment.
  • Small businesses creating production parts or custom products.
  • Cosplay enthusiasts printing oversized props and helmets.

Its combination of speed, large build volume, and intelligent automation makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced makers.

Final Verdict

LONGER LK10 Plus offers an impressive blend of speed, size, and ease of use. With a large 320 Γ— 320 Γ— 400 mm build volume, a high-flow direct-drive extruder, automatic leveling, Klipper-powered high-speed printing, and support for a broad range of materials, it provides excellent value for users who need a capable and dependable desktop 3D printer.

If you’re searching for a machine that can efficiently handle large-format prints while maintaining quality and reliability, the LONGER LK10 Plus is a strong contender in today’s FDM 3D printer market.

The post LONGER LK10 Plus 3D Printer Review: Large Build Volume Meets High-Speed Performance appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

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I wanted a clock that never needed setting. Things escalated.

I wanted a clock that, annoyingly, didn't seem to exist.

Since childhood, my bedside clocks have been a series of red, seven-segment LED clock-radio specials from Walmart or Target. They are invariably cheap, simple, and long-livedβ€”but they require manual intervention at the start and end of Daylight Saving Time and whenever the power flickers. After a recent power flicker, as I found myself standing by the sideboard holding down "TIME" and mashing the "HOUR" button, frustration boiled over, and I thought to myself, "We're a quarter of the way through the 21st century. There has to be a better way!"

My perfect clock would be self-setting. It would offer auto-DST adjustment (or not, depending on how this bill fares!). It would manage drift and always show the exact sub-second time. It would show that time on a red seven-segment displayβ€”not blue, not green, not yellow, and absolutely not white. And I shouldn't have to install any privacy-destroying garbage apps to make it work.

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Β© Lee Hutchinson

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