As a seasoned gamer with memories of countless late nights huddled around CRT televisions, controllers in hand and hearts pounding with excitement, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia when it comes to the games of yesteryears. The era before digital libraries has left many of these classics stranded, locked away on obsolete hardware or buried under mountains of digital dust. That’s where GOG steps in with their Game Preservation Program, like a modern-day Indiana Jones, unearthing hidden treasures and preserving them for future generations to enjoy.
Game preservation is an issue that anyone passionate about gaming should care about. Countless releases from previous decades, especially before the era of digital libraries, are virtually inaccessible on modern machines, so it’s up to both players and companies to step in and ensure their longevity and accessibility. This is where organizations like GOG, CD Projekt Red’s online storefront, have come into play, launching programs like the GOG Preservation Program that strive to keep older titles from fading to obscurity in an ocean of new content.
As time passes, it becomes increasingly challenging to obtain older video games, particularly those released before 2010, through legal channels. Since many of these games are tied to their original hardware, which can be hard to find and expensive, gamers often find themselves resorting to emulation on PCs and unauthorized ROM downloads if they want to play them. This situation benefits intellectual property holders, especially large corporations, who can re-release or remake these games for modern devices, capitalizing on their scarcity. However, this practice is exploitative towards audiences and discards the original versions of these games, which are significant in gaming history. GOG’s new Game Preservation Program is a positive step forward.
Why GOG’s Game Preservation Movement Is Important
Thousands of Classic Games Are At Risk of Becoming Permanently Inaccessible
A research conducted by the Video Game History Foundation unveiled a striking fact: approximately 87% of video games launched prior to 2010 are difficult for current audiences to access. Essentially, this implies that countless older games – those without ports, re-releases, or backward compatibility – may fade into oblivion permanently. This problem is more prevalent in the age of digital marketplaces, where these original games are rarely sold. Even when available, continued access to them isn’t always guaranteed due to Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems.
As a gamer, I often find myself yearning for a chance to revisit some of those long-lost, hidden gem games from my past. Unfortunately, it’s up to the intellectual property holders whether these classics see the light of day again. However, more times than not, these obscure titles just don’t have enough financial allure to make a re-release worth their while.
Regrettably, this predicament is escalating. Organizations such as the Software Preservation Network strive to challenge antiquated copyright regulations that hinder the non-commercial distribution of old video games, with the aim of cultural conservation and research. However, they frequently encounter obstacles from entities like the US Copyright Office and others. Despite the fact that major gaming corporations may not plan to reintroduce every classic game in their inventory, they still have a stake in obstructing this decentralization effort. This struggle for video game preservation proves to be a challenging climb.
How GOG Is Helping Preserve Classic Games
But the fight is far from over, and GOG is doing its part. The newly minted Games Preservation Program allows customers to download 100 classic games without DRM, meaning that the software is actually owned by the consumer, not simply licensed to them. Essentially, if a network like PSN were to go permanently offline for whatever reason, players would lose access to the games they purchased through the PlayStation Store—this is not the case with DRM-free downloads, like those offered by GOG. Some of the notable classic games that the Games Preservation Program offers include:
- System Shock 2
- Myst: Masterpiece Edition
- Alpha Protocol
- Resident Evil 3
- Riven
- The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall
As an enthusiast, I’m thrilled by the goal of this program: it’s all about safeguarding classic games from yesteryears and modern ones left behind by their creators. GOG boasts over 500 upgrades and tweaks spanning its entire collection, ensuring these games run smoothly on contemporary hardware. This seems a significant stride towards ensuring our cherished games are not just temporarily loaned but genuinely preserved for future generations. Plus, with no Digital Rights Management (DRM), we can trust that these games are truly ours to keep, free from the worry of access being revoked unexpectedly.
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2024-11-17 01:54