A study conducted by the Video Game History Foundation has revealed that a staggering 87% of classic video games released in the US are now considered to be critically endangered. This means that either the game has been lost or it is so restricted by IP holder restrictions that it is virtually inaccessible. The study examined a random sample of 1,500 games released before 2010, covering various consoles or 'ecosystems' including the Commodore 64, Game Boy, and PS2.
The foundation defines a re-released game as 'accessible' if a significant portion of the original has been preserved, such as through the use of emulators for specific consoles or HD remakes using the original assets. Drawing a comparison to the Titanic movie, the study suggests that if the only way to watch the movie was to find a used VHS tape and maintain vintage equipment, it would be a considerable challenge.
Preservation Crisis
'Game preservation is in crisis,' state the authors of the study. 'Any gamer who has ever tried to locate a copy of a favorite game from the past will attest to this.' The alarming statistics from the study highlight the urgent need to ensure that no game is left behind.
Debates surrounding game preservation and copyright laws are ongoing, particularly as the US Copyright Office's remote-access exemptions for archived works do not include video games. The video game industry's lobbying group argues that the industry already takes sufficient commercial steps to preserve its own history, opposing additional protections for preservation institutions.
Examples are cited in the study, showcasing the industry's resistance to preservation efforts. For instance, the Entertainment Software Association argues that there is no such thing as an obsolete game. However, while many games do continue to see commercial re-releases, a significant number remain entirely inaccessible.
Challenges for Gamers
The preservation debate holds significant implications for gamers, as many games become increasingly inaccessible over time due to IP holder restrictions. Although video games can be preserved digitally by libraries and archives, access is typically limited to on-premises only, making it challenging for those who do not reside near an archive to play these endangered games.
You can read the full study here.
