Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
The European Commission will not legislate Stop Killing Games, but the campaign isn't dead yet, say its organisers
The European Commission will not legislate to mandate that video games remain playable after commercial support ends, citing intellectual property rights. Instead, they will initiate discussions with the industry and consumer representatives to create a code of conduct for managing game 'end of life' and raise awareness about existing consumer rights. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign plans to continue advocating for similar protections through the European Parliament's Digital Fairness Act.
EU rules against Stop Killing Games, but after 2 years of campaigning founder insists change is coming: "Our position almost seems too good to be true"
The EU Commission has decided against recommending new legislation to prevent publishers from revoking access to online-only games, a setback for the Stop Killing Games campaign. Despite this, campaign founder Ross Scott remains optimistic, stating that they have secured support within the EU Parliament to amend the Digital Fairness Act and pass legislation independently of the Commission's decision. The Commission will instead convene industry and consumer representatives to draft a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
EC "Cannot Propose a Legal Obligation to Keep Video Games Playable"
The European Commission has stated it cannot propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable, following hearings related to the Stop Destroying Videogames European Citizens' Initiative. The EC plans to engage with the industry on this matter.
A lost Dragon Ball Z fan RPG has resurfaced after mystery user drops it in a seven-year-old forum thread
A lost MS-DOS Dragon Ball Z fan RPG, titled Dragon Ball Z - Wish for Immortality, has resurfaced after a user found a backup CD containing the game. The fan-made title, which utilized sprites from the Super Butōden games, was previously only known to exist on the now-defunct Planet Namek website. The game has since been uploaded to archive.org, ensuring its preservation.
Blizzard issues complaint against Project Ascension WoW private server as Classic Plus rumors build ahead of BlizzCon
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against the operators of Project Ascension, a popular World of Warcraft private server, alleging copyright infringement and other violations. This legal action comes amid growing anticipation for official Classic Plus content from Blizzard, with speculation centering on an announcement at BlizzCon 2026. The lawsuit against Project Ascension, which claims over one million players and generates revenue through donations, follows Blizzard's previous actions against other private servers like Nostalrius and Turtle WoW.
Sonic Team lead would love to "magically" remake every Sonic game but says it would take as much time "as…
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to remake every classic Sonic game for modern platforms but stated that the resources required would be better allocated to developing new titles. He noted that remaking older games to the standard of new releases would demand similar time, money, and effort. While many older Sonic titles are not readily available on current consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, some are accessible on PC, and fan communities have created updated versions.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses the importance of game preservation, referencing content from Accursed Farms and Stop Killing Games. It criticizes the ESA for alleged misinformation regarding industry practices and the ongoing issue of games being delisted or made unplayable.
Sega explains why Sonic classic games aren’t coming back anytime soon
Sega's Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka explained that re-releasing classic Sonic games is complex due to modern player expectations for improved visuals and controls. This complexity leads Sega to prioritize new game development over extensive remasters. Despite this, the franchise is experiencing a strong period with successful movies and games.
Sonic Team head wants all Sonic games on modern platforms, would “magically do it” if possible
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to make all past Sonic games playable on modern platforms, but acknowledged the significant resources required, comparing the cost to developing a new title. He indicated that the focus remains on creating new experiences rather than remaking old ones, though SEGA has released remasters like Sonic Generations recently. The possibility of a third year of DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is also dependent on the game's continued success and fan demand.
Sonic Team head says he wants every Sonic game playable on modern hardware
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to make every Sonic game playable on modern hardware, addressing fan requests for better backward compatibility. This initiative aims to preserve the franchise's legacy and make its extensive library accessible to new and returning players.
Game History and Preservation
A politician behind a California bill aimed at preventing the shutdown of online games acknowledges that enforcement will be challenging. The bill, supported by the organization Stop Killing Games, seeks to address issues surrounding game preservation.
Klei Entertainment classic Eets is now free and updated for modern PCs with a Linux version
Klei Entertainment has updated its classic puzzle game Eets, originally released in 2006, to be playable on modern PCs and has made it available for free to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary. The update includes a native Linux version, with the game also now compatible with macOS. The title was previously delisted in 2015 due to compatibility issues.
"Too good to become unplayable": Final Fantasy Resonance exists because a JRPG veteran was "frustrated" players ignored their game the first time
Producer Keisuke Nakashima revealed that Final Fantasy Resonance is being developed to give the "too good to become unplayable" mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius a second life on consoles. Nakashima expressed frustration that players previously ignored Brave Exvius due to its mobile platform. The upcoming JRPG, developed by the team behind Octopath Traveler, aims to capture the classic Final Fantasy feel and may also serve to preserve the experience of Brave Exvius, which has since ended service.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses the ongoing trend of game remakes and sequels, questioning the necessity of so many remakes. It touches upon the broader topic of game preservation in the industry.
Square-Enix Should Resurrect Its Graveyard Of Mobile Games After Final Fantasy Resonance
Square Enix's announcement of Final Fantasy Resonance, an HD-2D remake of the mobile game Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, highlights the potential for reviving its numerous shut-down mobile titles. The article argues that the company should consider repurposing its entire mobile catalog, including games like Chaos Rings and Demon's Score, into offline console and PC experiences to preserve their legacies and reach new audiences. This discussion is framed against the backdrop of fan-led revival efforts for games like Nier Re[in]carnation and differing views on game preservation.
Gaudi: Winds of Barcelona Emerges from Obscurity with a New Translation and Physical Collector’s Edition
Gaudi: Winds of Barcelona, a graphic noir adventure game originally released in Japan in 1989, is being brought to North America with full English, Spanish, and Catalan translations by Shinyuden. The game is set in Barcelona during the 1992 Olympics and features meticulously recreated environments and monuments. A physical collector's edition with multiple languages, a manual, soundtrack CD, and USB game card will be available for pre-order, with a release date set for October 9, 2026.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Is Another PS5 Disc That Requires a Download to Actually Play
The physical PlayStation 5 version of Halo: Campaign Evolved requires a mandatory download to be playable, a common trend that raises concerns for game preservation. This means the disc itself is insufficient to play the game, making physical copies potentially useless if online support is ever removed.
Game History and Preservation
The article discusses the history and preservation of games, specifically mentioning the Total Replay version 6.01 and an Apple II anthology. It highlights the importance of preserving gaming history for future generations.
There's never been an easier time to boycott Microsoft, the most boring video game publisher in the business
This opinion piece argues that Microsoft's gaming division lacks innovation and momentum, making it an easy target for boycotts. The author criticizes recent game announcements like Halo and Gears of War remakes, and highlights the company's perceived stagnation despite owning numerous studios and franchises. The article suggests that boycotting Microsoft is a small sacrifice given the company's broader business practices and the abundance of alternative games available.
Kingdom Hearts IV drops new trailer and ends the Switch cloud versions
Square Enix has released a new teaser trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV, showcasing new story elements and confirming its multiplatform release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Concurrently, sales of the Nintendo Switch cloud versions of Kingdom Hearts titles have ceased, though existing owners can play until June 2027, with options to transfer save data to new digital Switch 2 versions.
