Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
The Animal Crossing Where Villagers Bully You Is Now (Unofficially) Available On PC
An unofficial PC port of the GameCube version of Animal Crossing has been released, requiring players to own a copy of the original game to access its assets. While the port suffers from some sound and memory bugs, the developer is actively working on improvements. This fan-made project has garnered interest due to the original game's more challenging villager interactions compared to modern entries.
Unofficial Animal Crossing PC port is here, offering the widescreen 4K experience the 24-year-old GameCube classic…
An unofficial PC port of the original GameCube game Animal Crossing has been released as a playtest, offering features like widescreen support and 4K resolution. This port was made possible through the decompilation of the game's source code, a process that has also enabled similar projects for other classic titles. While some features are missing, the port is considered by early testers to be a significant improvement for playing the 24-year-old game.
Game History and Preservation
A canceled Star Wars first-person shooter is now playable again, with a developer describing the situation as both "amazing and sad at the same time." This event highlights ongoing discussions about game preservation and the fate of unreleased titles.
Limited Run Games Announces Fan-First Focus, Leadership Changes
Limited Run Games is implementing a renewed fan-first focus to improve communication and consistency in its physical game releases and preservation efforts. This initiative includes more regular updates and clearer delivery timelines. Alongside this announcement, President Josh Fairhurst has departed, with Nic Ashford and Brendan Madigan now sharing leadership responsibilities.
Games Inbox: Is Requiem the best Resident Evil game?
Readers discuss their thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem, with some considering it among the best in the series, though slightly behind remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 4. The article also touches on Microsoft's lack of live service games, the potential of Crimson Desert, early gaming memories, and the advancements in graphics technology like ray tracing and upscaling.
Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn Artwork Sparks Wii SRPG Nostalgia
Nintendo shared classic artwork for the Wii strategy RPG Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn, sparking nostalgia among fans. The article highlights the game's significance as a deep tactical masterpiece on a console known for casual games, and discusses the enduring legacy of the Tellius saga. The sharing of the artwork has led to speculation about potential remasters or ports for modern platforms.
Game History and Preservation
Fans have successfully backed up and validated 385 terabytes of video game data from Myrient, a significant effort in game preservation. Separately, the 40-year-old arcade shoot 'em up Gradius has been recreated using pure ASCII characters.
Pocket Camp’ Shutting Down This November, New Paid Game Set To Release With Save Transfer – TouchArcade
Nintendo has announced that Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will shut down on November 28th, after nearly seven years on iOS and Android. A new, flat-fee paid version of the game is in development for mobile, which will allow players to transfer their save data. Details for the paid app are expected around October.
Crimson Desert's Mandatory PS5 Update Sparks Debate About Games Which Break Street Date
Crimson Desert's requirement for a mandatory PlayStation 5 update to play physical copies has ignited debate about game preservation and street date integrity. While some see it as a necessary measure to prevent leaks, others criticize it as anti-consumer and a threat to ownership, especially in light of concerns about game preservation and DRM.
Crimson Desert blocks spoilers by locking down the RPG's physical copies that shipped early, but some players worry it's a "slippery slope" for game preservation
Crimson Desert is taking controversial measures to prevent spoilers by making physical copies unplayable until the official release date, requiring a mandatory update and an internet connection. This has sparked debate among players regarding game preservation, with some concerned about long-term access to offline single-player games if storefronts or internet connections fail.
Legendary Action-Adventure Series The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games Out Now on Nintendo Switch
System 3 has launched The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games for the Nintendo Switch, featuring authentic emulations of original Commodore 64, Amiga, and Spectrum releases. The collection includes The Last Ninja series, International Karate, IK+, and Bangkok Knights, with Mark Cale, Founder and CEO of System 3, highlighting the importance of game preservation for these iconic titles.
Microsoft’s Next Xbox, Project Helix, Won’t Reach Alpha Until 2027
Microsoft revealed details about its next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, at GDC 2026. The console will feature a custom AMD chip with significant improvements in ray tracing and a new machine learning-based FSR upscaling technology. Alpha development kits are slated for release to developers in 2027, with a focus on closer integration between Xbox and PC gaming ecosystems.
Games Inbox: Who will win out of PS6 vs. Project Helix?
Readers discuss the potential competition between the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's Project Helix (likely the next Xbox console), with concerns raised about pricing, naming conventions, and the potential impact of simultaneous releases. Other topics include the effectiveness of game age ratings, the future of the Battlefield franchise, and the perceived arrogance of Microsoft's console strategy.
Highguard Officially Shuts Down, Joins Concord in Digital Graveyard
Highguard has officially shut down, with its servers going offline on March 12th and the game being delisted from all digital storefronts including Steam and PlayStation 5. The closure of this live service game is being compared to the similar fate of Concord, highlighting concerns about game preservation and the disposable nature of online-only titles in the industry.
Crimson Desert PS5 Concern as Physical Copies Won't Run without Download
Upcoming RPG Crimson Desert will require an internet connection and a day one patch download to be fully installed on PlayStation 5, even for physical copies, as the Blu-ray disc does not contain the complete game. While the game can be played offline after the initial update, this requirement is a concern for game preservation advocates. The full game is expected to be around 150GB.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027 | TAG
Microsoft's next-gen console, Project Helix, will not have developer kits available until 2027, featuring a custom AMD chip with advanced ray tracing and upscaling. Separately, Pokémon Pokopia launched strongly on the Nintendo Switch 2, selling 2.2 million copies in three days, while Xbox is teasing "new ways to play" classic games for its 25th anniversary, emphasizing game preservation.
Microsoft has recommitted to its Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program going forward and will be 'rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past'
Microsoft has recommitted to its Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program, confirming it will return in some form later this year. The company plans to "roll out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past" as part of its 25th anniversary. This initiative aims to keep games from four generations of Xbox playable across future consoles and Windows 11.
Modder behind cancelled Star Wars game's unofficial revival has 'no concern at all' about Disney reprisal: 'We pose little to no threat to any upcoming or ongoing titles'
A team of two modders has successfully revived the cancelled Star Wars shooter First Assault, enabling online multiplayer through a custom server and an emulator. Despite the game's original cancellation in 2013, the modders utilized AI and community efforts to overcome technical hurdles, including recreating a profile management server. The modders express no concern about potential reprisal from Disney, believing their project poses no threat to current or upcoming Star Wars titles.
Project Helix Alpha Dev Kits Will Ship in 2027, Xbox Mode Coming To Windows 11
Microsoft Gaming has announced that developer kits for its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will ship in 2027. The console will feature custom AMD hardware with enhanced ray tracing capabilities and will integrate an 'Xbox Mode' into Windows 11 in April 2026, offering a controller-optimized experience. Additionally, Xbox plans to introduce new ways to play iconic past titles as part of its 25th anniversary.
Games Inbox: Is buying physical video games becoming more popular?
Readers discuss the resurgence of physical game sales, drawing parallels to vinyl and other retro media. Concerns are raised about the future of the Fallout franchise under Bethesda and Todd Howard's direction, with a preference for Obsidian's involvement. The success of Pokémon Pokopia is highlighted as a risk rewarded, while the Nintendo vs. Sega rivalry is revisited, noting Nintendo's current dominance.
