Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
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Game History and Preservation
A former designer for The Elder Scrolls Online expressed dismay over the impact of recent layoffs on game preservation efforts. The designer lamented that the industry's workforce reductions have left insufficient personnel to maintain and preserve game history.
John Romero has a private collection of "critically important" id Software history "including materials and assets that, as far as I know, id itself no longer has"
Following major layoffs at id Software under Microsoft's Xbox division, co-founder John Romero highlighted the critical importance of preserving the studio's history. Romero revealed he has personally archived significant early materials from id Software that the company may no longer possess. The article also touches on the impact of the layoffs on id Software's development teams and the broader discussion of game preservation.
Game History and Preservation
John Romero expressed sympathy for id Software employees reportedly laid off, emphasizing the importance of preserving the studio's game history. He highlighted his own efforts in game preservation before his departure from the company.
It sure feels like PlayStation underestimated the backlash to ending physical games: its first post in a week has been…
Sony's decision to end support for physical PlayStation games and shut down the PS3 and PS Vita storefronts has generated significant backlash. The company's first social media post since the announcement, discussing a fight stick controller, was met with widespread criticism and demands for physical media, indicating a potential underestimation of player sentiment.
John Romero commiserates with ousted id devs as around half the studio reported axed, says he hopes someone is preserving its work like he did before he left
Following widespread layoffs at Xbox, id Software has reportedly lost around half of its studio staff, significantly impacting the QA department. Co-founder John Romero expressed his sympathy for those affected and hopes the studio's legacy and work are being preserved, sharing his own efforts in archiving id's early history.
'My Heart's With All of You' — John Romero Says id Software Has 'Done a Great Job' Moving the Studio's Legacy Forward and Hopes Someone Is Working to Preserve It All Amid Xbox Layoffs
John Romero expressed his support for id Software, stating the studio has done a great job with its legacy and hopes for its preservation amidst recent Xbox layoffs. He commented on the impact of these cuts on the company.
"How much innovation can the end-user handle?" - Shawn Layden explains why he said Sony should have made PlayStation Portable 2 rather than PS Vita
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Sony's PlayStation Vita was over-innovated, leading to increased costs and lower sales compared to the successful PlayStation Portable. He suggests a simpler 'PSP2' with an added analog stick would have been more viable. Layden also discusses the broader industry challenge of game preservation across hardware generations and Sony's decision to close older digital storefronts.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?
Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
Original Nintendo Switch Will Be Discontinued In Europe
Nintendo will discontinue the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED models in Europe by mid-February 2027, citing a new EU regulation requiring user-replaceable batteries. The company will comply with the 'Right to Repair' directive for the upcoming Switch 2, which is expected to launch with replaceable batteries this summer. Nintendo has not yet announced a discontinuation date for North America.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself Alive
Xbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average Gamers
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.
Game History and Preservation
Hideo Kojima expressed concern about the future of game preservation following Sony's decision to end physical disc production for PlayStation. This move raises questions about long-term access to games and the potential loss of digital titles.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article examines the history of Star Wars games, including released titles, cancelled projects, and mods, while also discussing how Sonic Mania revitalized the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise for Sega. It touches on game preservation and the development process behind beloved titles.
After PS5 Disc Controversy, Microsoft Confirms Halo: Campaign Evolved Will Come On A Disc
Microsoft has confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved will include physical discs for its PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S editions, despite Sony's recent announcement to phase out physical media by 2028. This move caters to players who value physical collections and raises discussions about game preservation and the potential elimination of the secondhand market.
'I find it really sad': Hideo Kojima laments the current state of the videogame industry as companies turn…
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness over the impending end of physical game disc production by 2028, citing concerns for game preservation and player ownership. He worries that a shift towards streaming services could lead to a future where players do not truly possess their digital media, drawing parallels to the current state of the video game industry and its potential impact on other media like movies.
Hideo Kojima describes Sony's decision to end physical games as 'scary', warns that you 'won't own the data' — 'There's a server somewhere, and you only have the right to turn on the tap'
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness and concern over Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs, warning about the implications for digital ownership and the potential shift towards a subscription-based streaming future. He fears that players will lose the right to own their data, becoming reliant on companies controlling access to games and media through servers and monthly fees.
Hideo Kojima is "really sad" about PlayStation ending physical disc production, warns against "frightening" streaming-only future: "You don't actually possess the data yourself"
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness and concern over Sony's decision to end new PlayStation physical disc production in 2028, warning of a "frightening" future dominated by streaming-only access. He highlighted concerns about data ownership and the potential loss of access to games and movies if servers are ever shut down or content is removed. Other developers, like Larian Studios, have also voiced disappointment with the move.
Sony clarifies re-order support for existing PlayStation discs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has clarified its plans regarding the end of physical disc production, stating that publishers can still re-order existing PlayStation discs beyond the January 2028 end-of-production date. The company is shifting towards an all-digital future, which will also see the closure of the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita by July 2027. This move has drawn criticism from some companies concerned about game preservation and consumer choice.
Respawn Monday #6: Diablo IV Season 14, Dead by Daylight & Sony's Disc-Less Future — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The author shares thoughts on Diablo IV Season 14, noting its improved state since launch and the excitement of new character builds, despite some changes to unique items. They also discuss their experience with Dead by Daylight, preferring the Killer role and the challenges of learning new characters against skilled survivors, particularly on Asian servers where cheating is also noted. Finally, the article expresses concern over Sony's planned discontinuation of physical game production by 2028, highlighting the potential negative impact on regions like the Philippines with limited digital storefront access and the broader implications for game ownership and preservation.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.