Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
“Profoundly Disappointed” Is This Company’s Response To Sony’s Decision To End Disc Support
iam8bit has expressed profound disappointment regarding Sony's decision to end support for physical PlayStation discs in 2028, emphasizing the importance of physical media for game preservation and consumer choice. Independent developer Aeternum Game Studios also pledged to continue releasing physical editions before the deadline. This move by Sony, alongside potential similar decisions from Microsoft, signals a significant shift away from physical game distribution.
PlayStation killing discs is bad for everyone, whether you care about physical games or not
Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs in 2028 is a significant loss for consumers, impacting game preservation and the used games market. While digital distribution benefits publishers, the end of physical media raises concerns about long-term game access, potential surveillance pricing, and Sony's complete control over its ecosystem.
PS3 & PS Vita PlayStation Store Shutting Down 2027 — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Sony Interactive Entertainment will be shutting down the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in July 2027, preventing new digital game and DLC purchases. Previously purchased content will remain downloadable. Some regions will see earlier closures due to payment processing standards.
PlayStation’s Disc-Based Game Sales Have Dropped Dramatically In Recent Years
Sony will cease support for physical discs for all PlayStation games starting January 2028, a move driven by a significant decline in physical software sales and a shift towards digital distribution. This decision, which aims to cut costs and eliminate the resale market, is seen as a major turning point for the industry and raises concerns about game preservation.
The ESA quietly starts walking back baffling statements about private servers being 'illegal', though it's still tutting and wagging its finger
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has softened its stance on private game servers, clarifying that concerns primarily relate to those that host or distribute copyrighted content without authorization. While still asserting publishers' rights to enforce intellectual property, the ESA's updated statement acknowledges that private servers are not inherently illegal and that publishers may approach them differently. This follows earlier, more condemnatory statements made by the ESA regarding private servers for games like Minecraft.
Why Sony Is Killing Disc-Based PlayStation Games And The Implications For PS6 And Beyond
Sony will cease releasing PlayStation games on physical discs starting in 2028, a move industry expert Piers Harding-Rolls suggests will likely delay the PlayStation 6's launch until at least that year and will result in a disc-less base model. This transition to all-digital is driven by shifting consumer preferences towards digital downloads, which now account for 80% of PlayStation game sales, and aims to streamline retail and improve profit margins by reducing costs associated with disc manufacturing and physical distribution.
Sony is closing the PlayStation Store for PS3 and Vita… again
Sony is permanently closing the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita consoles in July 2027, with some regions seeing earlier shutdowns starting in August 2026. While previously purchased digital content will remain downloadable, no new purchases will be possible. This decision is attributed to the need to support modern commerce systems and focus resources on newer platforms.
Private Minecraft servers are "illegal," game industry lobbyists declare as another Stop Killing Games effort…
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has declared private Minecraft servers illegal, arguing they infringe on Microsoft's intellectual property rights and lack safety standards. This statement comes as the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign faces setbacks with the failure of the Protect Our Games Act in California and similar legislative inaction in the EU. Despite these challenges, 'Stop Killing Games' remains determined to pursue legislation for community server support.
Minecraft, Call Of Duty Community Servers Are “Illegal,” Claims ESA Rep
An Entertainment Software Association (ESA) representative claimed that private community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are illegal and constitute piracy. Jennifer Gibbons, the ESA's vice president of state government affairs, argued that these servers are not affiliated with Microsoft and do not adhere to the same safety standards as official servers. The 'Stop Killing Games' movement has vowed to continue advocating for game preservation and the legality of community servers in future legislation.
The ESA is up to its tired old tricks in helping to block a California games preservation bill
The Electronic Software Association (ESA) is reportedly lobbying against California's AB 1921, the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to preserve online games. The ESA is accused of using misleading claims to deter lawmakers, including calling private servers for games like Minecraft and Call of Duty illegal. Despite the bill failing to pass committee, the 'Stop Killing Games' initiative plans to continue advocating for game preservation.
California bill to preserve online games fails committee vote
A California bill aimed at preserving online games has failed to pass a committee vote for this legislative session. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign faced a setback as the proposed legislation did not advance.
ESA lobbyist claims Minecraft & Call of Duty community servers are illegal
An Entertainment Software Association lobbyist claimed that community servers for games like Minecraft and Call of Duty are illegal during a hearing for California's Protect Our Games Act. The bill, which aimed to provide consumer protections for game preservation and prevent the shutdown of older games, was ultimately voted down in committee. The ESA's stance may surprise players who have long utilized community servers for Minecraft.
ESA VP calls Minecraft Community Servers “illegal,” which is an impressively stupid thing to say in an industry full of impressively stupid things already
An Entertainment Software Association VP called Minecraft community servers "illegal," a statement widely criticized as inaccurate and damaging. While individual servers can violate EULAs, the concept of community servers is officially supported by Mojang and Microsoft. This statement occurred during a California Senate committee hearing opposing the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to ensure players retain access to games after services shut down.
ESA bafflingly declares private Minecraft servers 'illegal' in Stop Killing Games hearing: 'We consider…
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) declared private servers for games like Minecraft and Call of Duty to be illegal and considered piracy during a California State Senate hearing. ESA vice president Jennifer Gibbons stated that these servers infringe on publisher intellectual property rights and do not meet safety standards, despite community pushback and the failure of the Protect Our Games Act to pass in its current form.
"We were only three votes away": Stop Killing Games-backed California bill to keep online games playable fails to win over senate committee
A California bill, the Protect Our Games Act, which aimed to ensure online games remain playable or offer refunds when servers are shut down, failed to pass a senate committee vote. The bill, backed by the Stop Killing Games campaign, was three votes short of advancing. Despite the setback, campaigners plan to reintroduce the bill in future sessions and explore similar legislation in other states and at the federal level.
Diskutera – Vilka spel vill du ha remakes av?
This article discusses the desire for remakes of older video games, questioning whether games should be updated to better reflect their original vision or left as they are. It highlights how successful remakes can revitalize classic titles, using Resident Evil 2 as an example, and asks readers which games they would like to see remade.
Marvel’s Wolverine Studio Confirms Physical Release Will Include a Disc
Insomniac Games confirmed that the physical release of Marvel's Wolverine for PlayStation 5 will include a disc, addressing fan concerns following Grand Theft Auto 6's code-in-the-box approach. This decision aims to satisfy players and those concerned about game preservation. The article also touches on sales predictions and a rumored crossover with Grand Theft Auto 6.
Some Retailers Are Refusing To Carry GTA 6’s Physical Release
Two retailers, Video Games Plus and Loot Box Gaming, have announced they will not carry Grand Theft Auto 6 due to its lack of a traditional physical disc release, opting instead for a code-in-a-box format. Both companies cited policies against selling games with only digital codes and emphasized their commitment to game preservation. While these retailers are small, their stance highlights a growing concern about the decline of physical media in the gaming industry.
GTA 6 physical editions contain a download code, not a disc
Rockstar Games has confirmed that physical editions of Grand Theft Auto 6 will include a download code instead of a disc. The physical copies will be available for pre-load starting November 12, ahead of the November 19 launch. This decision raises concerns for collectors and players with limited internet access, highlighting a growing trend towards digital distribution in the industry.
Panic! GX - A 1986 game by Roland A. Waddilove arrives on the Amstrad Plus/GX4000 by ShaCPC
ShaCPC has released Panic! GX, an updated version of the 1986 retro game originally created by Roland A. Waddilove. This new release is optimized for the Amstrad CPC Plus and GX4000 consoles, featuring streamlined gameplay, modern hardware compatibility, and quality-of-life upgrades like joystick navigation and an infinite lives cheat.
