Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
Console Archives could get pre-Famicom Nintendo hardware games
Hamster has expressed interest in adding pre-Famicom Nintendo hardware games, such as the Color TV-Game series, to its Console Archives. This initiative aligns with the company's goal to archive all home video games. Hamster has previously collaborated with Nintendo on Arcade Archives releases.
Full Metal Gear Solid 2 source code leaks online on 30th April
The full source code for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, including assets for various versions up to the PlayStation Vita, has been leaked online. The leak occurred on April 30th, a date significant to the game's narrative, leading to speculation about its origins. Fans are discussing potential modding possibilities such as VR support and raytracing.
Warhammer Classics Return: SNEG Games Talks Preservation and Re-Releases
SNEG GAMES co-founders Artem Shchuiko and Oleg Klapovskiy discuss their partnership with Games Workshop to bring classic Warhammer titles back to modern platforms. They emphasize the importance of game preservation, the challenges of remastering older games while respecting their original design, and the inspiration these titles can provide to new developers. The interview also touches on specific beloved games like Space Hulk and Dark Omen, and the potential for future re-releases.
GOG bring Polish history to the Preservation Program along with a big sale
GOG has expanded its Preservation Program by adding several classic Polish games, including multiple versions of Robbo, Electro Man, Heartlight, Citadel Remonstered, and the MaSzyna train simulator. Most of these titles are available for free, with Robbo Millennium being a paid purchase. A Polish-themed sale and a video interview are also featured.
Gaming Creators Face YouTube AI Chaos While Publishers Attack Game Preservation | HappyGamer
Gaming creators are facing significant disruption due to YouTube's AI moderation system falsely flagging content, impacting livelihoods. Simultaneously, game companies are intensifying actions against game preservation efforts, raising concerns about digital ownership and the long-term accessibility of gaming history. Both issues highlight the fragility of the digital gaming ecosystem and the need for better systems and protections.
Games Inbox: What is Rockstar’s best video game?
Readers discuss Rockstar Games' best title, with Red Dead Redemption 2 being a strong contender, though some hope Grand Theft Auto 6 will surpass it. The discussion also touches on the merits of remakes, the direction of video game movies like Resident Evil, and the future of Xbox consoles amidst declining sales.
Game History and Preservation
The creators of the Evercade retro gaming console are developing handheld versions of the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. This initiative highlights ongoing efforts in game preservation for classic computer systems.
Feature: "It Is Just One-To-One" - MachineGames Talks Preserving 'Indiana Jones And The Great Circle' On Switch 2
MachineGames Creative Director Axel Torvenius discusses the development of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for the Switch 2, emphasizing that the port is a one-to-one experience with no cut content, only a 30fps cap. He highlights the challenges of optimizing the game for the new hardware and the importance of preserving the original tone and character of Indiana Jones, praising the performances of Troy Baker and the late Tony Todd.
Strictly Limited Partners with Atari!
Strictly Limited Games has announced a new publishing partnership with Atari, focusing on premium physical releases of classic and new titles. The first collaborative release is Jeff Minter's reimagining of the 1984 Atari arcade game "I, Robot," now available as a limited edition for PlayStation 5. This partnership aims to preserve gaming heritage for both existing and new generations of players.
Sony confirms it's added "one-time" DRM to digital PlayStation games requiring you to go online to avoid losing access, but doesn't comment on "CBOMB" issue
Sony has confirmed a new one-time online DRM check for newly purchased PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 digital games to verify licenses. While this aims to prevent refund exploits, the company has not addressed concerns about the 'CBOMB' issue, which could prevent access to games if a console's CMOS battery fails, potentially impacting long-term game preservation.
Nintendo 64 emulator gopher64 gets even easier to use
The Nintendo 64 emulator gopher64 has received several updates, most recently to version v1.1.19, making it easier to use. New features include FPS display, ROM drag-and-drop support, VSync options, and a list of recently opened ROMs. The emulator is noted for its potential as a tool for game preservation, especially on Linux and SteamOS.
Sony Clears Up PlayStation DRM Drama With One-Time Check Promise | HappyGamer
Sony Interactive Entertainment has clarified its Digital Rights Management (DRM) policy for PlayStation games, stating that purchased titles will only require a one-time online check to ensure continued offline play. This announcement aims to alleviate community concerns about always-online requirements and potential interruptions to single-player experiences. The company's approach is seen as a compromise between piracy prevention and player convenience, potentially influencing future industry standards for DRM.
Evening Interviews
Ubisoft discusses the role of video games in historical immersion and preservation. The company explores the creation of fun and plausible worlds for players, highlighting the importance of historical accuracy and engaging narratives.
Fears mount that PlayStation has "re-armed the CBOMB" issue which stops you playing purchased games, amid 30-day DRM and AI chat bot confusion
PlayStation users are reporting a new DRM issue that requires digital games to be connected online every 30 days to remain playable, potentially re-enabling the 'CBOMB' problem. While initially suspected to be intentional, some sources suggest it may be an unintentional bug introduced while fixing an exploit, though Sony has not officially commented. The issue impacts both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, with concerns raised about long-term game preservation and the reliability of AI customer support bots.
Sony May Have Added An Unwelcome DRM Check to PS4 and PS5 Titles – Rumor
A rumor suggests Sony has implemented a new Digital Rights Management (DRM) check for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 titles purchased after March 2026. This new system reportedly requires users to connect to the internet at least once every thirty days to verify game licenses, impacting offline playability. The reason for this change and its potential impact on game preservation remains unclear, as Sony has not yet provided an official statement.
PlayStation triggers game preservation alarm bells as users find new PS5 and PS4 digital purchases have a 30-day lockout timer: "This can screw customers now AND in the future"
Sony has reportedly introduced a 30-day lockout timer for new digital PS5 and PS4 game purchases, requiring users to connect to the internet periodically to verify licenses. This change has sparked significant concern among players and preservation advocates regarding long-term game ownership and accessibility, especially in the event of server shutdowns. While Sony has not officially commented, some reports suggest it may be an intentional 'technical feature' or a result of an exploit fix.
PlayStation’s 30 Day DRM Debate Continues – Sony Still Have Not Issued Statement
A debate continues regarding a potential 30-day DRM policy on PlayStation digital games, requiring online verification for recently purchased PS4 and PS5 titles. Sony has not issued an official statement, leading to user frustration due to conflicting customer support responses and uncertainty about the policy's intentionality or origin.
Sony's New DRM Quietly Changes How PS5 Digital Games Work | HappyGamer
Sony has implemented a new Digital Rights Management system for recent PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 digital game purchases, requiring an online check-in every 30 days to ensure games can be launched. This change has raised concerns within the gaming community regarding digital ownership, game preservation, and the potential impact on offline play, especially for families with inconsistent internet access.
Game History and Preservation
The article discusses the history and preservation of video games, highlighting Zork's 1980 code and the development of "Super SNES," a modern emulator created by the original developers. It touches on the importance of preserving classic titles and the technology behind them.
The sequel to the iconic emulator ZSNES is called Super ZSNES, of course
The iconic Super Nintendo emulator ZSNES has been revived with a sequel called Super ZSNES, developed by zsKnight and Demo. This new version is rewritten from scratch, featuring a GPU-powered "Super Enhancement Engine" for high resolution, overclocking, widescreen support, and improved audio. Super ZSNES is currently available as an early build for Windows, macOS, and Android, with an iOS release planned soon.