Why is Video Game Preservation so Difficult And Why is It Important?

Video game preservation is important to protect the medium as an art form, but there are several factors preventing it from being a standard practice.

Video games are art that tell amazing stories, feature gorgeous graphics, and have wonderful musical scores. Plus, it is the only art form that actually allows people to become an active participant in it. People have been moved and inspired by video games for decades now, and video games offer some of the best experiences. Unfortunately, they are not always seen for the art that they are. Games have consistently been treated as merely a means for entertainment. Not only has that tainted the perception of games as art, but it has also prevented games from getting the same preservation options as other forms of art.

While books, music, and films are all considered entertainment, there are also governmental measures in place to ensure their preservation as an art form. The Library of Congress pools new movies every year to be saved and categorized, and this is the same for literature and music. New pieces of art are constantly being preserved so that the art isn't lost, and it is an effort that ensures future generations will have access to a wide variety of art that will keep inspiring new people leading to new art. It is an incredibly hopeful and optimistic cycle. Unfortunately, video games are not afforded the same amount of hopeful optimism, but the Video Game History Foundation aims to change that.

What is Video Game Preservation?

There are many who may not be aware of video game preservation efforts, and there are some who may not even be familiar with the process of preserving forms of art. It is a shame that this process is not better explained for fans everywhere because the results of these efforts benefit everyone. The phrase "video game preservation" is self-explanatory and describes efforts to preserve video games. However, the actual process is much more complicated and difficult, and it requires some knowledge of art preservation to fully understand. Basically, the Library of Congress pools together a large selection of art from different mediums and decide if it is allowed to be entered into the Library of Congress. This ensures that precious art, regardless of the medium, will be around for generations to come. Obviously museums play a part in preservation as well, and some have even featured video games as exhibits. Preservation also extends to copyright laws which allow for libraries at the local level to freely loan out books, movies, and albums to its members.

While the Library of Congress has selected several games to be added to their library, it is a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of games available. The Video Game History Foundation recently reported that 87% of games are not preserved in any form. According to the Foundation's research, only 13% of games are preserved today for fans to play, and that number drops to below 3% for games released prior to 1985. This also does not include games released after 2010. The study points out the Commodore 64 is particularly lacking in terms of game availability. It describes the system as an "Abandoned Ecosystem" due to the extremely limited options for experiencing C64 games. The study goes on to describe the Game Boy family of games as a "Neglected Ecosystem." The family of systems at one point had roughly 6.5% of its library available on the Wii U and 3DS eShop, but now that those services have shut down, that number is much less. The Video Game History Foundation is working find ways to make these historic pieces more available for people and have them regarded as important forms of artistic expression that deserve to be preserved.

Why Is Video Game Preservation Difficult?

Unfortunately, there are several barriers standing in the way of better video game preservation. The chief obstacle facing video game preservation is the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The ESA is the main lobbying group for the video game industry and have repeatedly and successfully argued that the video game industry does enough for video game preservation without outside interference. Based on the new study from the Video Game History Foundation, that could not be further from the truth. Game studios are starting to embrace digital markets, and many games released on recent generations of consoles have been made available on modern systems or received ports or remakes. More console developers have also embraced backwards compatibility, which has made it easier for fans to continue to play games even after upgrading a console. Despite all of this, the study proves that there are still far too many games that are not available on modern platforms, and there are even less options when trying to experience retro games.

The ESA may be the chief barrier for video game preservation, but there are still others. While the secondary market of gaming is thriving and continuing to grow, it poses its own struggles for video game preservation. Anyone who is a retro gaming collector can attest that it is an expensive hobby, and the excessive cost of purchasing retro consoles and games makes it that much more difficult for people trying to experience them. Likewise, there are digital markets available, but they are not as beneficial as some may think. Obviously, the Wii U and 3DS eShops were shut down, and while Sony recently decided to extend support of the PS3 and PS Vita digital stores, they are not upheld with the highest quality. Conversely, licensed games bring an entirely new issue to preservation. Developers seldom hold rights over a licensed game, and that means that the rights' holder of an IP can decide to pull a licensed game from a digital market whenever they see fit. All of these make it more difficult for a reliable way to preserve and protect games for future enjoyment.

Why Is Video Game Preservation Important?

Some fans may be quick to point out that dozens of the most influential video games of all time are very much available in some form on modern platforms. They may also argue that emulation is an option for those who desperately want to experience older retro games that have not been ported or updated. Unfortunately, neither of these offer help to the ongoing effort of video game preservation. Many influential games like Doom and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are available, but the thousands of other games that are not as well regarded, best-selling, or influential are wallowing in limbo. However, that doesn't make them any less important than the bigger games. Furthermore, emulation is not a solution to the problem or a viable option for most people. Frankly, it is a violation of copyright law, but realistically it requires a certain level of technical skill and troubleshooting that is difficult for many people to manage at best and impossible to utilize at worst.

Video games, like books and movies, should be openly available for those looking to experience them. There are dozens of options for people looking for a particular old movie, book, or album, but video games are not afforded that luxury. If a player wants to play an older video game that has not been made available on modern platforms on modern platforms, the only legal ways to accomplish that is to track down the console and a physical copy of the game they wish to play or travel to the actual Library of Congress and hope it is stored there. Obviously, this is neither practical nor helpful. With better video game preservation efforts, it would not only save these pieces of art from being lost but also make these games available for everyone who wants to experience them.

Successful preservation efforts could open the door for even local libraries to have a selection of games for people to check out like books or movies. Beyond that, it could help create a massive digital library that would allow players to log in and "rent" older retro games along with a reliable way to play them from one spot. It would create a way for everyone to reliably and legally experience games from their childhood or play the hidden gems that get lost in a sea of releases. Preservation helps ensure that the most interactive artistic medium is never lost, and, more importantly, it would allow the next generation to experience everything the medium has to offer without having to jump difficult hurdles or spend a function. Video game preservation ensures that video games will always be there to inspire future generations of game designers, developers, and creators.