The Struggle of Preserving Video Game History
Video game enthusiasts and historians alike have long known the challenges of enjoying and preserving early games. Unlike the world of film, where countless classic movies are readily available for viewing, a recent study has revealed that the vast majority of video game history remains inaccessible to both players and historians.
According to a report by the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) and the Software Preservation Network, only 13% of games released in the United States prior to the age of digital distribution are legally and commercially available. This means that nine out of ten games from the 1970s to 2009 are out of reach for those interested in experiencing gaming’s past.
The study looked at 4,000 historical video games released before 2010 and found that even popular consoles like the PlayStation 2 have only 12% of their games available. Availability of games released before 1985 was even worse, with only 3% accessible.
Phil Salvador, the library director at VGHF, compared the situation to the film industry, where there is a greater emphasis on preservation. He analogized it to being able to watch the movie Titanic only on VHS and behind a glass case.
Even some of the most popular games remain unavailable, surprising researchers. Titles like Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots can only be played by owning a defunct PlayStation 3 or emulating it on a PC. The closest comparison in availability to other forms of historical media artifacts is audio from before World War II, which is accessible only at a rate of 10%, and silent films at 14%.
The issue lies not only in availability but also in access. While there are centers of video game history like the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, researchers face the challenge of traveling long distances and spending hours playing games to understand gaming’s past.
Some companies, such as Digital Eclipse, have created modern, commercial-grade emulations of classic games. However, others, like Nintendo, remain protective of their content. Since Nintendo closed off access to its eShop, players and archivists have been unable to access a significant portion of the company’s early catalog.
The VGHF, founded by game historian Frank Cifaldi, aims to preserve and disseminate the history of video games. The organization highlights the issues surrounding copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which have led to companies hoarding their intellectual property. While preservation efforts are supported by some major game companies, others argue that they already provide enough commercially available content.
The situation is not necessarily adversarial, but rather a lack of data to demonstrate the scale of the problem. Complicated rights situations, licenses, and dependencies on specific consoles or code often contribute to games not being fully released. Archivists are cautious about potential IP lawsuits, so they prioritize seeking permission rather than forgiveness.
The ultimate goal for video game historians and enthusiasts is a more sustainable solution to preserve gaming history and make it academically accessible. Until then, the struggle to preserve and enjoy early games continues.