How are video games preserved?
Video games are preserved in several ways: museums, libraries and archives collect original consoles, cartridges, discs, source code and design documents; emulation lets old games run on modern machines; and publishers keep some games alive through re-releases and remasters. Still, preservation is hard, and a large share of older games are no longer commercially available.
Main preservation methods
- Physical collections. Institutions like The Strong National Museum of Play, the Video Game History Foundation and national libraries store hardware, software and printed materials.
- Digital imaging. Cartridges and discs are copied ("dumped") so the data survives after the original media degrades.
- Emulation. Software that imitates old hardware, such as MAME for arcade machines, makes old games playable on new devices.
- Source code and documentation. Design documents, art and code reveal how games were made and allow ports later.
- Re-releases. Remasters, retro collections and subscription libraries bring classics back legally.
Why it's so difficult
- Media decay. Disc rot, failing batteries in cartridges and dying hardware.
- Online-only games. When servers shut down, many games stop working entirely.
- Digital storefronts. When a store closes or a license expires, games can disappear from sale.
- Copyright. Laws limit how archives can copy and share games, even for research.
The "Stop Killing Games" campaign
Stop Killing Games is a consumer campaign, including a European Citizens' Initiative, asking that games people have paid for remain playable in some form after publishers end support. Its supporters argue for offline modes or server releases; critics point to the cost and complexity for developers.
FAQ
How many classic games are out of print?
A 2023 study by the Video Game History Foundation found that most classic games released in the US, roughly 87%, were not commercially available.
Are game backups legal?
It depends on the country. Some laws allow personal backups of software you own, but breaking copy protection may still be illegal.
Do ROMs count as piracy?
Downloading ROMs of games you don't own is generally copyright infringement. Making a copy of a cartridge you own falls into a grayer area that varies by country.
Is it illegal to decompile a game?
It depends on jurisdiction and purpose. Decompiling can breach license agreements, and distributing the results is usually infringement, though some uses for interoperability are protected in certain countries.