Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
The Witcher 3’s Nintendo Switch Cartridge Gives Users Free Digital Copy of Remastered on Switch 2
Physical copies of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch grant owners a free digital copy of the Remastered version on the Nintendo Switch 2. This generous move by CD Projekt RED, which also allows the cartridge to unlock the game for multiple accounts, contrasts with other companies that charge for current-gen upgrades. The Remastered version, which includes visual and gameplay improvements, has also seen success on PC and is available as a free update on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Ace Combat 8 Steam reviewers are steaming mad about its pre-order bonus not being a standalone app
Players are expressing significant dissatisfaction with the pre-order bonus for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on Steam, leading to a surge of negative reviews. The inclusion of Ace Combat Zero as a DLC requiring the installation of the full 140GB Ace Combat 8 has been criticized as a bait-and-switch, especially compared to its standalone presentation on consoles.
PS5 Ports of Beloved Classics Delisted From PlayStation Store
Several classic PlayStation games based on the Toy Story franchise, including Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, have been delisted from the PlayStation Store and removed from the PS Plus catalog. While existing owners can still access their purchased copies, new purchases are unavailable. Updated versions of these games, along with other Disney and Pixar classics, will be re-released on October 15, 2026, as part of the collections "Toy Story: Retro Roundup!" and "Toy Story 3 Complete Edition."
Remothered: Tormented Fathers Remastered and Broken Porcelain Remastered will have free Nintendo Switch to Switch 2 upgrade for a limited time
Stormind Games announced that Remothered: Tormented Fathers Remastered and Remothered: Broken Porcelain Remastered will launch in Q1 2027. Owners of the original games will receive a free upgrade to the remastered versions for a limited time after launch. The remasters will feature Unreal Engine 5, improved lighting, higher detail environments, updated character models, and a redesigned UI.
National Videogame Museum launches UK-wide survey on game preservation
The National Videogame Museum has launched a UK-wide survey called 'Behind the Screens' to map existing video game collections and preservation efforts. In partnership with Ukie and funded by the BFI, the survey seeks information from developers, publishers, and collectors to inform discussions on preserving the UK's video game legacy.
Games Inbox: Is the next Super Mario game open world?
Readers discuss the potential for the next 3D Super Mario game to be open world, drawing parallels to Zelda and Bowser's Fury. Other topics include the 30th anniversary of Super Mario 64, the gameplay of Marvel's Wolverine, criticism of Xbox executives, the viability of a Ganondorf game, Sony's potential U-turn on game discs, the decline of Rare, the unchanging nature of EA Sports FC, and performance issues in Star Wars Zero Company.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
Diablo 4: Age of Hatred Collection review for Nintendo Switch 2
The Diablo 4: Age of Hatred Collection offers a satisfying narrative and engaging gameplay on the Nintendo Switch 2, making it a strong contender for the action RPG genre. However, the mandatory online requirement and live service model detract significantly from the experience, especially on a portable platform designed for flexibility.
Guess who patented a new system for in-game ads
Microsoft has patented a new system that would dynamically pause gameplay to display advertisements, potentially using a credit system to allow players to earn ad-free time. The author expresses strong negative sentiment towards this concept, calling it 'god-awful' and a worst-case scenario for modern gaming. While patents don't always become reality, the article notes Microsoft's continued interest in in-game ads and EA's recent launch of its own advertising platform.
Castlevania Turns 40, And Konami May Have Just Teased A 3D Collection
Konami celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Castlevania series with a tribute video that may be teasing a new 3D collection. The video featured artwork from several 3D-era titles, sparking speculation about a compilation of PS2 and Xbox 360/PS3 games. Konami also announced sales for select Castlevania titles and new vinyl soundtracks.
Games Inbox: What is the best Rare game?
Readers discuss Rare's best game, with opinions ranging from GoldenEye 007 and Banjo-Kazooie to the more modern Sea of Thieves and Blast Corps. Other topics include criticism of the Grand Theft Auto 6 collector's edition, Microsoft's corporate strategy, and the perceived decline of Xbox first-party software.
After mainlining 30 hours of 1440p Bloodborne, I know in my heart it belongs on PC
The author details their experience playing Bloodborne on PC via emulation, expressing frustration with the game's original PlayStation 4 exclusivity while praising the PC experience. Despite some jankiness and the challenging process of setting up emulation, the author highly recommends playing Bloodborne on PC, criticizing Sony for its lack of official support and potential for game preservation issues.
Righting old wrongs: MobyGames on letting developers claim games they weren't credited for
Atari-owned MobyGames has launched MobyGames Professional, a new tier aimed at industry professionals that allows developers to claim their game credits and build personal portfolios. Product manager Reece Denzel highlighted the feature's importance for industry accountability and transparency, noting that thousands of developers have already claimed their pages. The service also aims to provide analytics on the job market and promote stability within the industry.
Games Inbox: Will the PS6 release be delayed?
Readers discuss the upcoming console generation, with skepticism regarding the PlayStation 6's 2027 release due to cost and component shortages, suggesting a delay to 2028. There's also commentary on Xbox's strategic shifts, potential studio closures, and the future of the Xbox brand as a more PC-centric platform. Additionally, discussions touch on game design choices in Fire Emblem and the importance of character design in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Games Inbox: Are you still an Xbox fan?
Readers express deep concern over recent layoffs at Xbox and the perceived decline of the brand's relevance and developer support. While some praise Capcom's successful year and positive employee treatment, others question Microsoft's strategy and the future of its studios.
Activision was playing the long game – the Call of Duty dev lost a bidding war to acquire Rare over 20 years ago,…
Activision is now the home of Rare, 24 years after Xbox outbid the publisher for the studio in 2002. This move comes as part of Microsoft's recent reshuffling and job cuts. Rare, known for titles like Sea of Thieves and the Banjo-Kazooie series, now falls under the Activision banner alongside other classic platforming icons.
Bungie unvaulting Destiny 2 content was a studio-saving emergency decision, because Marathon updates were never going to…
Bungie's decision to unvault older Destiny 2 content was an emergency measure to save the studio, as updates for their new game Marathon were not sufficient to sustain operations. The controversial content vaulting, which removed campaigns and raids, eroded player trust and broke the game's narrative continuity. While unvaulting content is a positive step towards rebuilding that trust and offering a rich FPS experience, the studio's future remains uncertain given recent layoffs and the ongoing challenges with Marathon's development.
‘We are not done with Destiny’: Bungie resolves to unvault legacy content and ‘build its future’
Bungie has announced plans to unvault legacy content for Destiny 2 and "build its future" after previously stating the game was moving into maintenance mode. The studio acknowledged player feedback regarding past decisions and committed to rebuilding trust through action. Bungie also provided an update on its upcoming game, Marathon, indicating it will evolve into a deeper survival experience.
Games Inbox: Will GTA 6 have a co-op mode?
Readers discuss potential co-op modes for Grand Theft Auto 6, the merits of physical game ownership for PlayStation 5, and the success of video game adaptations in film. Other topics include Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake features, Tim Sweeney's forest purchases, and budget-friendly Nintendo Switch puzzle games.
It rules that a 27-year-old RPG, one of the greatest of all time, is still getting patches
Beamdog continues to support classic RPGs with a new beta patch for Planescape: Torment, nearly three decades after its original release. This update, which follows similar patches for Baldur's Gate, introduces UI scaling for modern monitors, improved Steam and GOG cloud save functionality, and easier dialog modding.
