Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
SNEG to bring 6 classic PC titles to Steam and GOG, including Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor and Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria
Publisher SNEG is bringing six classic PC titles to Steam and GOG, including Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria, Soldiers at War, Dark Earth, Ecstatica, and Ecstatica 2. This initiative aims to preserve and re-release older games for modern audiences, coinciding with a SNEG Publisher Sale on Steam.
PlayStation is ditching a $402 million market and destroying consumer "freedoms" by abandoning physical games,…
The Entertainment Retailer's Association (ERA) criticizes PlayStation's plan to phase out physical game discs by 2028, citing significant market value and consumer "freedoms" associated with physical media. ERA CEO Kim Bayley highlights that 25% of under-25s still use discs, and the UK disc-based games market was valued at over £300 million in 2025. The association argues that removing discs limits choice, harms retailers, and negatively impacts game preservation and the industry's long-term health.
Game History and Preservation
The article discusses the history and preservation of video games, touching on the upcoming shutdown of a Mario Kart game and the broader implications for game preservation. It highlights concerns about digital game longevity and accessibility.
Something for the Weekend – 11/07/26
This week's news includes Microsoft confirming significant layoffs affecting multiple studios, Palworld's 1.0 launch with a large patch, and matchmaking issues for Black Ops players on PlayStation 4 and 5. God of War Laufey is slated for a 2027 release, and a petition to save physical games has garnered over 285,000 signatures.
A piece of GTA modding history that was considered lost has been rebuilt from scratch and fixed 22 years later
A significant piece of Grand Theft Auto 3 modding history, the 'Ghost City' bridge mod created by Eliano86 in 2004, has been meticulously recreated and improved by hobbyist Mod_Saver. This resurrected mod, considered lost media for over a decade, now includes functional collision files, making the previously inaccessible area fully playable for the first time.
Sony Santa Monica confirms "God of War Laufey will be available on disc" despite PlayStation's war on…
Sony Santa Monica has confirmed that God of War Laufey will be released on physical disc, a significant detail given PlayStation's ongoing shift away from physical media and the trend of digital-only releases. This news is particularly relevant for collectors and suggests the game will launch on PlayStation 5 before the anticipated digital-only PlayStation 6.
Garfield Kart slams Nintendo over Mario Kart Tour shutdown, jokingly takes its place as the "better" racing game: "We will not randomly kill your game license"
Garfield Kart's official Twitter account has criticized Nintendo's decision to shut down Mario Kart Tour, jokingly claiming Garfield Kart is superior and will not "randomly kill your game license." The account also engaged with users regarding the franchise's quality and the company's approach to game preservation.
Last time PlayStation threatened to close PS3 and Vita digital stores, the players revolted: "As gamers and collectors this is a hard pill to swallow"
The potential closure of digital storefronts for PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita has sparked concern among gamers and collectors. Experts note that this could significantly increase the value and scarcity of physical copies for many digital-only or hard-to-find titles. The discussion highlights the ongoing debate between digital convenience and the long-term accessibility and ownership provided by physical media.
Games Inbox: Which is worse out of Xbox and PlayStation?
Readers debate whether Microsoft's Xbox or Sony's PlayStation is worse, criticizing both for customer-unfriendly practices like microtransactions and the move away from physical media. Concerns are raised about EA's continued push for in-game purchases and the potential impact of digital-only games on preservation and long-term access.
PlayStation’s Digital Future Is Turning Into a PR Disaster
Sony's decision to phase out physical game production for PlayStation by January 2028 has sparked significant backlash, with over 240,000 signatures on the "Don't Kill The Disc" campaign. While Sony cites a shift towards digital ownership, critics raise concerns about game preservation, ownership rights, and the impact on retail competition. The company's silence amid widespread criticism and boycotts is exacerbating the situation, leading to a crisis of consumer trust and reputational damage.
PSA: Book of Travels is still sunsetting at the end of July, so go download your toons for offline play
The tiny MMO Book of Travels will shut down its servers on July 31st, but developer Might and Delight is transitioning the game to an offline, playable legacy version. Players are urged to download their characters before the server shutdown to retain them for local play. The studio apologized for not meeting initial Kickstarter promises for the MMO component but is working to preserve the game for its community.
Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis shutting down means its Japan only, prequel phone game will remain unplayable
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will cease service on October 6th. The mobile game, which included a remake of the Japan-exclusive prequel Before Crisis: Final Fantasy 7, will become inaccessible, raising concerns about game preservation. The first chapter of the Before Crisis remake was released alongside the announcement, with two more planned before the shutdown.
Game History and Preservation
Former Dragon Age lead writer Mike Laidlaw believes the series is likely dormant but expressed interest in reviving it under new management. He suggested taking the franchise in a new direction, away from Electronic Arts.
"A hammer blow for games retail" - Experts weigh in on PlayStation's discless future, and the impact it will have on traditional game stores
Sony will cease large-scale production of new physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts are calling a "hammer blow" to the already struggling physical game retail market. This decision significantly impacts brick-and-mortar stores and the pre-owned games market, as physical copies lose their resale value and collectability. Experts suggest retailers will need to innovate with digital sales in-store to survive.
Games Inbox: Is The Elder Scrolls 6 going to be worth the wait?
Readers express concerns about the lengthy development of The Elder Scrolls 6, criticizing Bethesda's recent game output and treatment of developers. The discussion also touches upon the shift to digital-only distribution, the impact of layoffs at Microsoft and Bethesda, and the future of subscription services like Game Pass.
Sony’s No More Discs Debacle Was Inevitable, But The Worst Is Yet To Come
Sony has announced the end of PlayStation disc production by 2028, implying the PlayStation 6 will be digital-only. This move, driven by market trends favoring digital sales, raises concerns about game preservation and long-term accessibility, especially with the upcoming closure of the PlayStation Store for PS Vita and PS3. The article draws parallels to Nintendo's digital storefront closures, highlighting the risks of relying solely on publishers for game access and questioning future consumer rights.
Mario Kart Tour Servers to Go Offline on September 30th, No Plans for Offline Mode
Nintendo has announced that the servers for Mario Kart Tour will be shut down on September 30th. Players will still be able to access their past statistics until January 2027, but there are no plans for an offline mode.
The retreat from mobile games continues as Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will be taken offline later this year
Nintendo and Square Enix are shutting down their mobile games, Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis, respectively, later this year. Mario Kart Tour will cease service around September 29-30, while Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will end on October 6. This follows a trend of major companies retreating from ambitious mobile adaptations of big intellectual properties.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis is shutting down after 3 years, as Square Enix twists the knife for fans of a lost 2004 spin-off that's only just making a comeback in the RPG
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis will cease operations on October 6, 2026, citing difficulties in maintaining the service. The gacha game, which retells the entire Final Fantasy 7 compilation, launched on mobile and Steam in September and December 2023, respectively. In an ironic twist, a remake of the 2004 mobile game Final Fantasy 7: Before Crisis, which never released outside Japan, has just launched within Ever Crisis.
Mario Kart Tour is shutting down after 7 years, but Nintendo isn't planning on a Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp-style…
Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart Tour will cease operations on September 29, 2026, after nearly seven years. Unlike Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, there are no plans for an offline version of Mario Kart Tour. Sales of in-game currency and the Gold Pass subscription have already ended.
