Are 87% of Video Games Missing? The Shocking Truth About Game Preservation
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Yes, shockingly, the answer is largely yes. A groundbreaking study conducted by the Video Game History Foundation in partnership with the Software Preservation Network revealed a stark reality: 87% of classic video games are not currently in release and are considered critically endangered. This means they are incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to legally access and play in their original forms. This alarming statistic isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about the potential loss of an important part of our cultural history. This article dives deep into the implications of this crisis and explores what can be done to safeguard our gaming heritage.
The Dire State of Game Preservation
The 87% figure represents a systemic failure in the way we treat video games as historical artifacts. Unlike books, movies, or music, video games often rely on specific hardware and software environments to function correctly. As these technologies become obsolete, the games tied to them risk vanishing.
What Does “Critically Endangered” Mean for Video Games?
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Unavailability: The primary meaning is that these games are simply not commercially available. They cannot be purchased on digital storefronts or found on store shelves.
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Legal Barriers: Even if a physical copy exists, copyright laws often prevent the creation and distribution of digital copies for preservation purposes.
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Hardware Dependence: Many older games require specific consoles or computers to run. Finding and maintaining this vintage hardware can be challenging and expensive.
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Bit Rot and Data Degradation: Physical media like cartridges and floppy disks are susceptible to decay over time, leading to data loss.
Why Should We Care About Game Preservation?
Video games are more than just entertainment. They are:
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Cultural Artifacts: Games reflect the values, aesthetics, and technological capabilities of the eras in which they were created.
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Artistic Expressions: Games are a unique art form that combines visual design, music, storytelling, and interactive gameplay.
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Historical Records: Games can provide insights into the social and political contexts of their time.
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Inspirational Sources: Games have inspired countless other forms of media, including movies, books, and music. They continue to innovate how we learn, collaborate, and engage with the world, something which organizations such as the Games Learning Society recognize. You can learn more about this from GamesLearningSociety.org.
Losing these games is akin to losing a library filled with irreplaceable books or a museum filled with invaluable artifacts.
Challenges to Game Preservation
Preserving video games presents unique challenges that other forms of media don’t face.
Copyright Law and Intellectual Property
Copyright laws are a major obstacle. Even when preservationists have the technical skills to digitize and emulate games, they often lack the legal right to do so. Copyright holders may be unwilling or unable to grant permission, leaving these games in legal limbo.
Technological Obsolescence
The rapid pace of technological change means that games are constantly being left behind. Emulation, the process of recreating the hardware environment necessary to run older games, is a complex and ongoing effort.
Funding and Resources
Preservation efforts require significant funding and expertise. Libraries and archives often lack the resources to properly care for and provide access to video game collections.
Physical Media Degradation
Physical media like cartridges, CDs, and floppy disks are vulnerable to physical damage and data loss. Even under ideal storage conditions, these materials will eventually degrade.
Solutions and Potential Paths Forward
Despite the challenges, there are steps we can take to protect our gaming heritage.
Legal Reform
Copyright reform is essential to allow for the preservation and non-commercial distribution of abandoned or orphaned games. This could involve creating exceptions to copyright law for preservation purposes or establishing a system of digital rights management that allows for responsible sharing.
Enhanced Emulation
Developing more accurate and accessible emulators is crucial for ensuring that games can be played on modern devices. This requires ongoing research and development, as well as collaboration between developers and preservationists.
Increased Funding
Increased funding for libraries, archives, and preservation organizations would enable them to acquire, digitize, and maintain video game collections.
Community Involvement
Community efforts can play a vital role in game preservation. Fan communities often have extensive knowledge of specific games and platforms, and they can contribute to documentation, emulation, and restoration efforts.
Working with Developers
Encouraging developers to release their older games through digital distribution platforms or to provide source code for preservation purposes can help ensure that these games remain accessible for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further understand the challenges and nuances surrounding game preservation:
1. What exactly does “not in release” mean in the context of the 87% statistic?
“Not in release” refers to games that are not currently available for legal purchase or access through official channels. This includes digital storefronts, physical retail, and subscription services.
2. Are all games released before 2010 considered “retro games” in this study?
The study primarily focuses on games released before 2010 as a cutoff point for what is considered “retro” or “classic,” but the definition can be fluid and depend on the context.
3. Does the 87% figure include mobile games?
The study generally includes all types of video games, including console, PC, and mobile games, if they meet the criteria of being “not in release.”
4. If I own a physical copy of a game, can I legally make a digital backup for personal use?
Copyright law varies by country, but generally, making a digital backup of a game you own is legally ambiguous. Many copyright laws do not explicitly permit this, even for personal use.
5. What is the difference between emulation and ROMs?
Emulation is the process of using software to imitate the hardware environment of a game console or computer, allowing you to run the game on a different platform. ROMs are digital copies of game cartridges or discs, which are used in conjunction with emulators to play the games.
6. Is it legal to download ROMs of games I don’t own?
Downloading ROMs of games you don’t own is generally considered copyright infringement and is illegal in most jurisdictions.
7. How do copyright laws hinder game preservation efforts?
Copyright laws often prevent libraries and archives from making digital copies of games for preservation or providing public access, even if the games are no longer commercially available.
8. What are some organizations actively working on game preservation?
Some prominent organizations include the Video Game History Foundation, the Software Preservation Network, the Internet Archive, and various university libraries and archives.
9. What can I do as an individual to help preserve video games?
You can support preservation organizations, advocate for copyright reform, donate old games and hardware to archives, and participate in community preservation projects.
10. How does the lack of source code impact game preservation?
Without source code, it’s more difficult to understand how a game works and to port it to new platforms or fix bugs. Source code is invaluable for long-term preservation.
11. Are remakes and remasters considered a form of game preservation?
Remakes and remasters can help introduce older games to new audiences, but they are not a substitute for preserving the original versions. They often involve significant changes to gameplay, graphics, and sound.
12. What is “bit rot” and how does it affect game cartridges and discs?
“Bit rot” refers to the gradual degradation of data stored on digital media. Over time, the magnetic or optical properties of the media can deteriorate, leading to data loss.
13. What is the role of game developers and publishers in game preservation?
Game developers and publishers have a crucial role to play by releasing their older games digitally, providing source code, or granting permission for preservation efforts.
14. How can libraries and archives legally preserve and provide access to video games?
Libraries and archives can acquire physical copies of games, provide on-site access to games, and advocate for copyright reform to allow for digital preservation and sharing.
15. What are the long-term implications if we fail to preserve video games?
Failure to preserve video games would result in the loss of a significant part of our cultural heritage, limit our understanding of the history of technology and art, and deprive future generations of the opportunity to experience these games.
The Future of Game Preservation
The challenge of preserving video games is daunting, but not insurmountable. By addressing the legal, technical, and financial obstacles, we can ensure that these important cultural artifacts are available for future generations to enjoy and learn from. We need collaboration among developers, preservationists, gamers, and policymakers to ensure that the gaming world’s rich history is not lost to time.