An alarming study has revealed that at least 87% of retro games are being lost over time, a fact that poses a major threat to the preservation of video game history.
Conducted by the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) in partnership with the Software Preservation Network, the study reveals that only 13% of pre-2010 classic games are commercially available by the time.
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The results show that widespread unavailability puts most classic US games at risk. For example, the 2006 game Yakuza in the classic PlayStation 2 was remade as Yakuza Kiwami in 2016, but the VGHF points out that the remake cannot replace the original game, which is no longer in print.
This illustrates the lack of options for accessing most classic games, which involves finding and keeping old collectibles, visiting libraries or resorting to piracy.
This situation is considered by many to be dark and problematic, even those who are not part of the video game market.
Preserving video game history
The study also highlights that only 13% of gaming history is currently archived in libraries. However, legislation surrounding the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prevents people from making and distribute DRM-protected copies of games, which makes it difficult to effectively study the history of video games.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has opposed copyright disclaimers and other initiatives of game preservation, claiming that the industry is already doing enough with the thriving game market. reissues.
(Image: Mykhailo Polenok/Dreamstime/playback)
Kelsey Lewin, co-director of the VGHF, pointed out that many games fade fragilely, citing the case of Antstream Arcade and nintendoeShop as examples of platforms that closed down, resulting in the loss of access to several games.
The ESA's lack of support for game preservation efforts has been an obstacle, but the study aims to promote exemptions for games in an audience of Copyright in 2024.
The hope is that, with the appropriate exemptions, the games will be available in digital libraries such as the Libby app.
Preserving the history of videogames is of paramount importance so that future generations can understand and appreciate the evolution of this form of media.