Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
Games Inbox: Is Nintendo Switch 2 and PC the perfect combination?
Readers discuss the potential of the Nintendo Switch 2 combined with PC gaming as a strong alternative to PlayStation and Xbox, especially in light of Sony's move towards digital-only releases. The conversation also touches on the importance of physical media for game preservation and the rising costs of PC hardware components like RAM and SSDs.
PlayStation to Allow Publishers to Re-Order Discs for Existing Titles After January 2028 – Rumor
A rumor suggests that PlayStation will allow publishers to re-order physical disc copies of existing games after January 2028, despite plans to cease new disc production. While some publishers are shifting to digital, this alleged policy change offers a potential lifeline for older titles. However, questions remain about the long-term availability and Sony's commitment to physical media preservation, especially as Xbox continues to support disc releases.
Crossfire is actually the second singleplayer shooter named after Korea’s Counter-Strike—and the last one…
This article discusses CrossfireX, a singleplayer shooter campaign developed by Remedy Entertainment, and its unfortunate shutdown. It highlights the unique narrative elements Remedy brought to the Call of Duty-style shooter, contrasting them with the more generic military action. The piece also touches on the broader issue of live-service game shutdowns and the potential loss of singleplayer content.
Now is the winter of your discontent, console blaggards: the RPS team reflect on PlayStation going digital-only
Sony's decision to cease physical game sales on PlayStation in 2028 has sparked discussion about the implications for game preservation and digital distribution. While PC gamers have long adapted to digital-only, concerns are rising about the long-term accessibility of purchased digital titles and the control companies have over them.
Something for the Weekend – 04/07/26
This week's gaming news includes Sony phasing out physical disc production by 2028 and closing PlayStation Store access for PS3 and Vita again. Xbox is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature. Several games received release date changes or confirmations, including Onimusha: Warlords and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Reviews were published for Rhythm Paradise Groove and WILL: Follow The Light, alongside previews for Fatekeeper, Witchspire, Dziady, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Splatoon Raiders.
Sony reportedly already has another use for its disc factory after announcing end of physical PlayStation games
Sony is reportedly ending the production of new physical discs for PlayStation consoles in 2028. The company's disc factory in Thalgau, Austria, which currently produces around 300,000 PlayStation discs daily, will shift focus to manufacturing microlenses. This change, with a €30 million investment in the technology, is planned to begin mass production as early as next year, though the future of game preservation remains a concern.
PlayStation's disc-less future could "heavily influence" Xbox and Nintendo's approach to physical games, former Sony boss says, calling the decision "dramatic"
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios head Shawn Layden stated that Sony's decision to discontinue physical disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2026 will heavily influence Xbox and Nintendo's future strategies. This move, described as dramatic, has sparked industry-wide concerns about game preservation and consumer rights, despite a recent increase in physical game sales in the US.
Exclusive interview: How Sam Dyer built Bitmap Books into a shrine for your gaming memories
Sam Dyer, founder of Bitmap Books, discusses how his passion for graphic design and retro gaming led to the creation of a premium publishing house focused on preserving gaming history. The company emphasizes meticulous packaging and high-quality production, treating each book as a collectible artifact. Dyer also highlights the importance of original content and human curation over generative AI, aiming to capture the essence of gaming memories and culture.
The Video Game History Foundation sees piracy as the future after PlayStation’s abandonment of physical media
Following Sony's announcement of closing digital storefronts for PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, and ceasing physical disc production by 2028, the Video Game History Foundation has criticized the move. Director Frank Cifaldi stated that piracy is currently the primary method of game preservation, as the industry trade organization refuses to offer legal alternatives for preserving digital-only content.
PlayStation just struck a hammer blow to game preservation
The article criticizes Sony's move to discontinue game discs, labeling it an anti-consumer decision that primarily benefits the company. This action is seen as detrimental to game preservation efforts.
"The future of gaming shouldn't come at the expense of ownership" - Anti-DRM champion GOG restates the fundamentals as PlayStation kills off discs
GOG, a digital storefront known for its DRM-free games, emphasizes the importance of game preservation and player ownership in response to Sony's move away from physical media. GOG's joint-CEO Krzysztof Papliński stated that players should have confidence in long-term access to their purchased games, regardless of platform or business model changes. The company's commitment to DRM-free titles and offline installers ensures lasting control for consumers.
"We are profoundly disappointed by Sony's decision" – Game companies express dismay at the end of PlayStation disc production
Sony plans to cease production of new PlayStation game discs by January 2028, shifting to an all-digital model and closing older digital storefronts. This decision has drawn criticism from various game companies and preservationists who view physical media as crucial for ownership, preservation, and consumer choice.
Square Enix doesn't promise to keep games playable forever, but it will "continue to create pathways" for fans to enjoy them "even after service has ended"
Square Enix has stated it will continue to find ways to make games enjoyable after their service has ended, though these methods may not always be what fans desire. While the company shares cutscenes on platforms like YouTube for titles such as Nier, and preserves some remasters, the article argues this is insufficient for true game preservation, citing examples like Kingdom Hearts where entire games are only available as cutscene compilations.
Games Inbox: Giving up consoles because of PS5 going digital-only
Readers discuss Sony's potential shift to an all-digital PlayStation 5, with concerns about game ownership, pricing, and accessibility for those with poor internet. Some readers are considering switching to PC or Nintendo, while others see digital as a convenient and inevitable evolution, provided consumer rights are protected.
Xbox Cancelled a Marketing Campaign of Physical Copies of Games vs Digital in 2025 – Rumor
A rumored marketing campaign by Xbox for 2025, intended to discuss the advantages of physical versus digital game copies, was reportedly cancelled. This decision may hint at future Xbox consoles eschewing disc drives and aligns with a broader industry trend towards digital media, as seen with Sony's recent announcement to cease physical game production for its consoles by 2028.
Donkey Kong 64 PC recompilation rejects "AI vibe coding" as devs try to build a port of "actually good quality before our competitor releases their poorly made one"
Developers working on a PC recompilation of Donkey Kong 64 have announced their project to preempt a potentially lower-quality version being developed by a competitor. The team emphasizes their commitment to high quality, rejecting the use of AI-generated code, and aims to release their version later this summer.
Former Call of Duty frontman launches new studio with a 'Stop Killing Games'-style mission statement: If the…
Former Call of Duty strategist Robert Bowlling has co-founded a new studio called //18.bravo, aiming to "stop killing games" with a focus on "forever play" and community-driven longevity. The studio's debut project will not be a live service game and will feature dedicated servers and optimized P2P architecture. Bowlling also plans to open-source code and assets if the studio ceases operations, promoting a replicable model for game preservation.
Behind the GDC scenes with Beth Elderkin and Sam Warnke
Game Developer Conference content marketing manager Beth Elderkin and conference producer Sam Warnke discuss the extensive year-round planning required to organize the annual event. They highlight the challenges of curating hundreds of panel submissions and coordinating discrete events into a coherent program, emphasizing the importance of game preservation efforts like the Game History Gallery.
Preserving the Past With Charles Cecil
Revolution Software co-founder Charles Cecil discusses the upcoming 4K remake of Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars and the challenges of designing point-and-click adventure games. He shares insights on balancing puzzle difficulty, player-driven narratives, and his personal desire to correct a long-standing visual inconsistency in the original game's artwork.
The Video Game History Foundation calls on the ESA to offer "meaningful solutions" for preserving digital-only games
The Video Game History Foundation, through its director Frank Cifaldi, is urging the Entertainment Software Association to develop meaningful solutions for preserving digital-only games. Cifaldi highlights that physical media is becoming obsolete and even digital patches render physical copies unrepresentative of the final product, calling for legal frameworks to aid archives and museums in preservation efforts.
