Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
One of the biggest ROM sites around calls it quits as RAM prices surge and donations plateau: 'I have been paying…
Myrient, a large ROM site operating as a game preservation service, is shutting down on March 31 due to unsustainable operating costs. The site's sole operator cited a lack of donations to cover increasing expenses, forcing him to pay over $6,000 out of pocket monthly. Donations received after the closure will be forwarded to hShop, a Nintendo 3DS piracy site.
Games Inbox: Is Resident Evil Requiem worth getting?
Readers discuss the merits of Resident Evil Requiem, with some hoping it recaptures the spirit of earlier titles like Resident Evil 4. Other topics include speculation about a new Pokémon announcement, Sony's strategy regarding PC exclusives, and the financial implications of Paramount's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. gaming assets.
SGJ Podcast #510 – Video Gaming’s Lost Arts
This podcast episode discusses elements of video gaming that have become lost over time, with a particular focus on physical strategy guides. The hosts express nostalgia for these guides, contrasting them with modern digital resources like wikis and Steam guides, and share their personal experiences with collecting them.
The Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered restores lost content and demo, out March 3
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is set to release on March 3 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This updated version includes restored content, such as a playable demo of the unfinished game The Dark Prophecy, alongside graphical improvements, a new free camera option, enhanced lighting, and a reworked interface.
Do you need to play any other games before Resident Evil Requiem?
Resident Evil Requiem is a standalone experience that does not require prior knowledge of the series, according to Capcom. The game's plot offers some new lore but is largely self-contained with only vague hints about the future. Readers also discuss other upcoming games, character appearances in the Resident Evil franchise, and platform exclusivity concerns.
Why has Square's new version of old Final Fantasy 7 been met with a "mostly negative" reaction? - Steam reviews have the answer
The recent Steam re-release of the original Final Fantasy 7 has been met with a "mostly negative" player reaction due to technical issues and questionable changes. Despite quality-of-life improvements, players are reporting problems with frame rate desync, blurry visuals, and game launch failures, raising concerns about Square Enix's remastering and quality assurance processes.
Stop Killing Games campaign offer update on latest EU meeting in livestream from parliament, while emphasising bipartisan MEP support
The Stop Killing Games campaign provided an update on their latest meeting with the European Commission, emphasizing bipartisan support from Members of the European Parliament. They hope their proposals to prevent publishers from shutting down servers of online games will be incorporated into upcoming legislation like the Digital Fairness Act.
Chris Wilson Defends Diablo 2 DLC Paywall as Preservation Move
Chris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, defended Blizzard's decision to release new content for Diablo II: Resurrected as a paid DLC, citing it as a move for game preservation rather than profit. The $25 'Reign of the Warlock' expansion includes a new class, updated zones, and endgame content, sparking debate among players about paid updates versus free quality-of-life improvements.
"What's 100% of zero? Like, who gives a shit?" New Blood boss unimpressed by Epic sharing more revenue with devs than Steam
New Blood Interactive's Dave Oshry expressed skepticism about the Epic Games Store's value proposition, arguing that its free giveaways primarily serve as advertising for games on Steam rather than driving direct sales. He criticized Epic's failure to improve its store experience over a decade, despite offering a more generous revenue share to developers than Steam. Oshry also discussed GOG's preservation efforts, acknowledging their value but noting a lack of compelling reasons for users to choose it over Steam.
"Game preservation only works if people care" As GOG doubles down on its commitment to saving old games, it's asking players "who give a s**t" to support its crusade
GOG is doubling down on its commitment to game preservation, with its new owner Michał Kiciński emphasizing the importance of players supporting the platform. The company is asking players to vote on its Dreamlist, join GOG Patrons, and purchase DRM-free titles to ensure the survival of older games. This initiative aims to keep original releases available and playable on modern systems.
The Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch re-release is already topping the eShop charts, even as Nintendo mysteriously removes mention of Home compatibility
Despite Nintendo mysteriously removing mentions of Pokémon Home compatibility, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen re-releases for Nintendo Switch are topping eShop charts. The paid re-releases, priced at $20 each, have sparked debate due to the lack of graphical upgrades and online play, with Home integration being the only potential new feature.
Stop Killing Games campaign hope to "signal that we're not just going away" by setting up online game preservation NGOs
The Stop Killing Games campaign is establishing two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Europe and the US to advocate for game preservation and counter-lobbying efforts. These NGOs aim to signal long-term commitment to the issue and enable watchdog actions, such as players reporting game shutdown situations to consumer protection agencies. Organizers are also awaiting a meeting with European Union politicians regarding server shutdowns that render online-only games unplayable.
Psycho Dream Switch Review
Psycho Dream, originally released in Japan in 1992, has been ported to the Nintendo Switch by Ratalaika Games. Despite being marketed as a hidden Japanese gem, the game is considered mediocre with a low Famitsu score and mixed player reception. The review concludes that the game is not recommended due to its uninspired gameplay and questionable porting practices.
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption has been re-released on current-gen consoles, offering players the chance to revisit John Marston's story. While the game's core experience remains captivating, its $50 price tag for a decade-old title without significant enhancements has sparked debate regarding game preservation and the value proposition of re-releases.
Publishers old and new bring me games old and... - Tiny Cartridge 3DS
Embracer Group's new subdivision, Embracer Freemode, is focusing on retro games, with Bitwave developing a port of Gimmick! for multiple platforms. Sunsoft is re-entering the gaming space with a soundtrack release, a port of Ufouria, and a new roguelike based on Ikki. Additionally, ININ Games announced three Ninja Jajamaru-kun collections, including platformers and RPGs.
Nintendo Switch Online 2021 Predictions
This opinion piece discusses the current state of the Nintendo Switch Online service and offers predictions for 2021. The author suggests potential additions to the retro game library, including NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance titles, while expressing skepticism about Nintendo 64 and GameCube games. Improvements to voice chat and the removal of friend codes are also desired.
