# How are video games preserved?

> Games are preserved through archives of hardware and software, emulation and re-releases, but many older and online games are already lost.

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.

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https://gamevoyages.com/how-are-video-games-preserved/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30