It begins around 2006ish
Examples of physical games I have that are now broken.
Battlefield 2042 won't accept registration because servers shut. Completely unplayable without hacking work arounds
Bioshock 1 windows live. Shutdown disc doesn't work not redeemable for steam key. Completely unplayable
Dragon Age 2 physical disc is tied to Origin account. Non transferable to another computer. Origin store offline. 1 time registration completely unplayable
Morrowind Ubisoft re-release GOTY. Requires steam key but no longer runs on specified systems due to client shutdown. Effectively destroys the game when the original release still works fine.
Might & Magic X. Ubisoft Uplay servers shut. Unable to launch game. Although I heard this was rectified but it doesn't support operating systems the game was made for.
Rome Total war Mac Port. As an honourable mention game still runs but online patches at Feral interactive is shutdown.