New Study Reveals 87% of Classic Video Games in the US are Critically Endangered
Accessing older video games has always been a challenge, but a new study from the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) and the Software Preservation Network sheds light on just how difficult it really is. According to the study, 87% of classic video games released in the United States are critically endangered.
The report defines “classic games” as those released before 2010, which marks the beginning of an era when digital distribution for retail-scale video games became viable and widely adopted on home video game consoles. To determine the availability of these games, the study focused on a sampling of 4,000 games released in the US on three different consoles: the Commodore 64, the Game Boy family (from the original Game Boy through the Game Boy Advance), and the PlayStation 2.
Across all three categories, the study found that the number of available games never exceeded 20%, meaning that approximately 80% of games published before 2010 are not accessible. The Game Boy family, in particular, has been hit hard, with only 25 out of the 1,873 total games released during its lifetime still available for purchase. This number used to be significantly higher before Nintendo shut down the 3DS and Wii U virtual storefronts earlier this year.
The report highlights the need for preservation efforts to prevent the loss of video game history. Video game history is more than just the bestsellers, and if we want to understand and appreciate the history of video games, we need more than a curated list of commercially valuable games, according to Phil Salvador, library director for the Video Game History Foundation.
However, strict copyright restrictions, such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), have hampered preservation efforts. Libraries and archival institutions have faced challenges in expanding preservation and access-related activities for video games due to these restrictions. The cultural heritage sector has petitioned the U.S. Copyright Office for greater exemptions to the DMCA, but the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the lobbying arm of the video game industry, has opposed these expansions, citing potential harm to publishers’ bottom line.
Limited Run Games, a company specializing in re-releasing classic titles, recently announced the release of over 20 classic games, including favorites like Jurassic Park for the NES, Tomba!, and Gex. Limited Run is also releasing a previously canceled Game Boy Advance game called Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, which will be available on a Game Boy cartridge.
The ESA has pushed back against the notion that it hinders preservation efforts, stating that preservation can and should be accomplished without jeopardizing video game companies’ rights under copyright law.
The goal of the report is to urge the game industry to acknowledge that most classic games are out of print and that the commercial market alone cannot solve this issue. The study calls for greater preservation efforts to ensure the accessibility and preservation of video game history.
Why is digital preservation essential to prevent the loss of classic video game history
A new study has revealed that 87% of classic video games in the US are critically endangered, making the accessibility of these games increasingly challenging. The study, conducted by the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) and the Software Preservation Network, focuses on games released before 2010, which was the beginning of the era when digital distribution for retail-scale video games became widely adopted.
The research examined a sample of 4,000 games released in the US on three different consoles: the Commodore 64, the Game Boy family (including the original Game Boy through the Game Boy Advance), and the PlayStation 2. The findings showed that across all three categories, the availability of games never exceeded 20%, leaving approximately 80% of pre-2010 games inaccessible.
The Game Boy family, in particular, suffered the most, with only 25 out of the 1,873 total games released during its lifetime still available for purchase. This number used to be much higher before Nintendo discontinued production of Game Boy hardware and software.
These findings highlight the urgent need for preservation efforts to prevent the loss of video game history. With a vast majority of classic games at risk of becoming unplayable and forgotten, organizations like VGHF and the Software Preservation Network play a crucial role in safeguarding the cultural heritage of the gaming industry.
While retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors may still have access to physical copies of these games, the study emphasizes the need for digital preservation to ensure wider accessibility. As technology advances and platforms change, there is a risk of losing these games forever if efforts are not made to preserve them digitally.
Preservation efforts often face legal and technical challenges, with copyright issues and outdated formats posing significant obstacles. However, the study’s findings underscore the importance of finding solutions to these obstacles to ensure that future generations can experience and learn from the rich history of classic video games.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the critical state of classic video games in the US, with 87% of them being classified as endangered. With the majority of pre-2010 games inaccessible, preservation efforts are crucial to protect the cultural heritage of the gaming industry and provide wider accessibility to these iconic titles.
This study highlights the urgent need to preserve classic video games in the United States. It’s alarming to see the endangered state these games are in, and action should be taken to ensure future generations can experience and appreciate these iconic pieces of gaming history.
This study highlights the urgent need to preserve classic video games in the United States. The declining numbers are alarming and serve as a reminder to cherish these cultural artifacts.