Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
TACS Classic Collection Preserves a Lost Piece of PlayStation History
Rock It Games has released The TACS Classic Collection for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, featuring 10 titles by developer Thomas Hopper. This collection aims to preserve and make accessible Hopper's experimental games, many of which were previously lost media from the PlayStation Mobile era. The collection includes titles like Console Saga, Shuttle Quest 2000, and Super Tank Poker, with assistance from porting studio Poppy Works.
Game History and Preservation
An opinion piece by Entertainment Software Association CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis argues that a California bill could negatively impact the online video game industry. The article focuses on the potential harms to game preservation efforts and the broader industry landscape.
Xbox console exclusives are returning on a 'case-by-case' basis
Microsoft is re-prioritizing Xbox console exclusives, starting with Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, to encourage hardware purchases. This marks a shift from the previous multiplatform strategy, with exclusivity decisions now being made on a case-by-case basis under new Xbox president Asha Sharma. Large multiplayer and live service titles will continue to be multiplatform.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses the ongoing issue of game preservation and the efforts by gamers to prevent titles from being permanently shut down. It highlights the industry's practices that lead to games becoming inaccessible over time.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Farm RPG, Heartwood Online, and Destruction AllStars
This article discusses lesser-known MMOs, including the newly released PC port Farm RPG, the free-to-play early access title Heartwood Online, and the soon-to-be-delisted Sony game Destruction AllStars. The author laments Sony's decision to shut down Destruction AllStars, highlighting concerns about game preservation.
Handheld Gaming 2026: Which Device Fits Your Life | TAG
In 2026, the handheld gaming market offers diverse options like the Switch 2, Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go S, each catering to different user needs. The article emphasizes choosing a device based on real-life usage, such as commute comfort, portability, game catalog, and travel suitability, rather than solely on raw performance benchmarks.
Games Inbox: Will Summer Game Fest 2026 be worth staying up for?
Readers discuss their anticipation for Summer Game Fest, with hopes for announcements like Resident Evil Code: Veronica and Alien: Isolation 2. There's also commentary on Marvel's Wolverine, God of War Laufey, and the ongoing debate about game sales, digital vs. physical releases, and the importance of exclusives.
"The timing is impossible to ignore": Stop Killing Games says Ubisoft attended "invitation-only" meeting with EU Commission ahead of response to campaign sparked by The Crew shutdown, but it "was not invited"
The Stop Killing Games movement alleges that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attended an "invitation-only" meeting with the European Commission shortly before the commission's planned response to their European Citizens' Initiative. The movement, which advocates against games being taken offline after purchase, was not invited to this meeting. This comes after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a decision that has led to legal action and scrutiny from consumer authorities.
This game took over Steam and was accidentally given away for free, now the devs say it "will be removed from the…
Developer Tecopark announced that Pico Park: Classic Edition will be removed from Steam, despite it being accidentally made free-to-keep permanently last year. While players who already own the game can continue to play it, the studio has decided to discontinue the free version to move forward with the Pico Park series. This decision has sparked disappointment and debate online regarding game preservation.
Toy Story Returns With Retro Roundup And Toy Story 3 Complete Edition
Digital Eclipse and Atari are releasing two new Toy Story game collections on October 15th, 2026: Toy Story: Retro Roundup! and Toy Story 3 Complete Edition. These titles will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Toy Story 3 Complete Edition features upgraded visuals and restored content from the 2010 game, while Retro Roundup includes six classic Disney and Pixar games with modern preservation features and bonus content.
33 Games Announces Utopia: The Creation of a Nation Archive Edition for Super Nintendo
Boutique publisher 33 Games, in partnership with Umbra Dynamics, has announced a premium physical "Archive Edition" of the Super Nintendo strategy simulation Utopia: The Creation of a Nation. This release follows their previous Gremlin title, Zool, and aims to preserve classic games with extensive collector components, including a SNES compatible mouse. The Utopia Archive Edition is scheduled to ship in Autumn 2026.
Game History and Preservation
Native PC ports are increasingly becoming the preferred method for preserving older video games, gradually supplanting emulation. This shift highlights a growing trend in how the industry approaches game history and accessibility.
Game Preservation Matters: Why Classic Games Are Disappearing | TAG
A significant portion of classic video games, estimated at 87% released before 2010, are no longer commercially available due to delisting and lack of preservation efforts. The US Copyright Office's denial of a petition for remote access for researchers highlights a systemic issue, with the industry lobbying group ESA actively opposing preservation. Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation and GOG are working to combat this cultural catastrophe, advocating for legal reform and offering DRM-free options.
The California State Assembly passes AB 1921, Stop Killing Games' Protect Our Games Act
The California State Assembly has passed Assembly Bill 1921, the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to improve game preservation. Championed by Assembly Member Chris Ward, the bill requires video game companies to provide advance notice before shutting down server-dependent games and offer options for continued play, such as offline access. The bill now moves to the California State Senate for further consideration.
Destiny 2 Had To Die For The Series To Ever Live Again
The author argues that Destiny 2's prolonged lifespan and evolving issues, including microtransactions and the Destiny Content Vault, necessitated its eventual end for the series to have a chance at future success. Despite the sadness of its conclusion and reported layoffs at Bungie, the article suggests that the game's over-scope and mismanagement led to a decline that made a fresh start for the Destiny franchise necessary. The piece also touches on the impact of Sony's ownership and the challenges of sustaining live-service games.
'This Policy Doesn't Reflect How Games Actually Work Today': Stop Killing Games Gets Big Win, But the Fight Is Far from Over
The consumer movement Stop Killing Games has achieved a significant victory as the California State Assembly passed the 'Protect Our Games' act, which aims to prevent publishers from permanently disabling games by shutting down servers. The bill proposes requiring publishers to provide advance notice of server closures and ensure playable single-player modes indefinitely for commercially available titles. However, the Entertainment Software Association argues the proposal is not feasible and could hinder the development of new games and technology.
California lawmakers advance a bill to protect online games from forever deletion
California lawmakers have advanced AB 1921, also known as the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to protect live service games from permanent deletion. The bill passed a floor vote and now moves to the State Senate, requiring studios to provide 60 days' notice before ending support, offer an offline mode, or issue refunds.
Invariant Officially Re-Announced: A Survival Horror FPS Set in the Frozen Depths of Antarctica
Invariant, a survival horror FPS inspired by 90s and 2000s classics, has been officially re-announced by independent developer Josip Makjanić. Set in a remote Antarctic research facility, the game blends atmospheric exploration, puzzles, and intense combat. It is being rebuilt from Unity to the Godot engine for PC (Windows and Linux) to support game preservation and modding.
The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State…
The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at improving game preservation. The legislation requires companies to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down online servers, offer ways for players to continue playing post-support, or issue refunds. This move by Stop Killing Games marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to ensure digital games remain accessible.
Stop Killing Games consumer protection bill passes floor vote in California
The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at protecting consumer rights and ensuring game preservation. The legislation, motivated by incidents like Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, would require publishers to provide offline access or refunds when server-dependent games are discontinued. The bill now moves to the California State Senate, facing opposition from industry groups like Video Games Europe and the ESA who argue it could increase development costs and stifle innovation.
