Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
Casually Classic: Six ways to stay busy in WoW Classic until BlizzCon
This guide offers players of World of Warcraft Classic various ways to stay engaged until BlizzCon 2026, which is expected to reveal future plans for the game. Suggestions include leveling through older expansions like Wrath of the Lich King Classic and The Burning Crusade Classic, completing achievements in Pandaria Classic, trying hardcore mode, revisiting Season of Discovery, and planning for potential Classic Plus servers.
SN Operator from Epilogue brings SNES carts to modern PCs and its now up for order
Epilogue has released the SN Operator, a device that allows Super Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges to be used on modern PCs and Steam Deck, with Linux support. The device costs $71.99 and is available for order, with shipping expected in July. It works with Epilogue's Playback app, which includes an emulator with features like save states and rewind functionality, aiding in physical game preservation.
Games Inbox: Are you cancelling PS Plus because of the price rise?
Readers discuss the recent price increase for PlayStation Plus, with many considering cancelling their subscriptions due to the rising costs and the perceived lack of value compared to PC online play. Other topics include speculation on Grand Theft Auto 6 announcements, the persistent struggles of the Bubsy franchise, and the surprising sales figures of Dino Crisis compared to Ōkami.
Game History and Preservation
The European Commission has promised a response to the 'Stop Killing Games' petition regarding game server switch-offs before the summer. This discussion highlights ongoing concerns about game preservation and the longevity of digital titles.
Games Inbox: What will be in the June State of Play for PS5?
Readers speculate on the content of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 State of Play, with likely appearances from Wolverine, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and God of War related content. The discussion also touches on the potential for a new Uncharted game and the impact of Warhorse Studios' Lord of the Rings title. Other topics include the state of arcade games, the future of franchises like Deus Ex and TimeSplitters, and comparisons between Forza Horizon 6 and older arcade racers.
Quantic Dream's multiplayer game Spellcasters Chronicles is being shut down and the studio reorganised, but Star Wars Eclipse is unaffected
Quantic Dream is shutting down its multiplayer game Spellcasters Chronicles, which launched in early access in February, due to low player numbers. The studio will undergo reorganization, but development on Star Wars Eclipse remains unaffected. Servers for Spellcasters Chronicles will close on June 19, 2026, with refunds available for early access purchases.
City of Heroes Homecoming says it’s not abandoning Mac players, so stop panicking
The Homecoming team for City of Heroes has stated they have no plans to abandon Mac players, despite concerns arising from Apple's deprecation of Rosetta 2 support. While the future depends on Apple's actions, the developers are actively working on solutions to ensure continued Mac compatibility.
D7VK 1.10 brings even more 2D upgrades for retro Direct3D games on Linux
D7VK version 1.10 has been released, offering further enhancements for running retro Direct3D games on Linux and SteamOS through Wine and Proton. This update focuses on improving 2D game performance by optimizing surface data copies and includes fixes for flickering issues, missing backgrounds, and various other rendering problems across a range of classic titles.
Subnautica 2 devs respond to EULA worries, say they'll "obviously never take any action against" streamers and are "looking into" other concerns
Developers at Unknown Worlds have addressed player concerns regarding the End-User License Agreement for Subnautica 2. They stated that streamers will not face action and that other EULA issues are being investigated, aiming to alleviate worries about potential overreach and legal implications.
I just learnt I've been playing Metal Gear Solid 3 with a broken camera for 15 years
A player discovered that the camera in the Bluepoint HD remasters of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, which form the basis of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1, is incorrectly positioned. This results in a slightly altered camera angle that cuts off the bottom portion of the screen, a detail that went unnoticed by many players for years, including the author.
LEGO 2K Drive suddenly delisted from online storefronts
The kart racing game LEGO 2K Drive, developed by Visual Concepts, is being delisted from digital storefronts on May 19, 2026, with online servers to follow on May 31, 2027. The delisting may be due to expiring LEGO licenses, a common occurrence for LEGO-branded games. This event coincides with the Stop Killing Games movement's advocacy for media preservation in the European Parliament.
Gravity Rush 2 Fans Find a Way to Play Sony's Neglected PS4 Classic at 4K, 60fps
A talented coder has created a modification for the ShadPS4 emulator, enabling Gravity Rush 2 to run on PC at 4K resolution and 60fps. This fan-made enhancement requires an original copy of the game and offers improved performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. The community is keeping the legacy of the neglected PlayStation 4 classic alive, as creator Keiichiro Toyama has left Sony.
The PlayStation 5 Linux project has been upgraded to support more firmware
The Linux project for the PlayStation 5 has been updated to support a wider range of firmware versions, including 5.00 through 6.02. This expansion allows more users with the original "phat" model to transform their console into a capable Linux PC, leveraging its powerful hardware for desktop use, gaming, and emulation. The project continues to improve, with recent additions including a driver for the internal WLAN chip.
MMO Week in Review: The Only Way to the Cradle of War
This week's MMO news roundup covers major announcements from EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion and Star Citizen's alpha 4.8 Tactical Strike. Guild Wars 2 launched The Only Way update, while Amazon's Lord of the Rings MMORPG fate remains uncertain. NCsoft and Pearl Abyss reported strong financial quarters, and various other MMOs like Farever, EverQuest Legends, and Subnautica 2 were discussed.
Mixtape Isn't Going Anywhere, Won't Be Delisted Over Music Licenses
Developers Beethoven & Dinosaur and publisher Annapurna Interactive have confirmed that the PlayStation 5 game Mixtape will not be delisted due to music licensing issues. Permanent licenses were secured for the soundtrack, which is integral to the game's narrative and experience. This ensures the game remains available for purchase despite the potential complexities of using licensed music.
Game History and Preservation
A bill aimed at preventing publishers from shutting down online games has advanced in California. This legislation seeks to address concerns about game preservation and the longevity of digital titles.
After becoming one of the year's best-rated games, Mixtape devs say it won't ever be removed from sale due to expiring music licenses: "That was a lie"
Developers of the critically acclaimed adventure game Mixtape have stated that the game will not be removed from sale due to expiring music licenses, contrary to common industry practices. The team at Beethoven & Dinosaur, published by Annapurna Interactive, claims to have secured perpetual licenses for the game's soundtrack, ensuring its long-term availability.
Console Archives dev talks release plans and goals, wants to release over 800 games
Satoshi Hamada, CEO of Hamster Corporation, discussed plans for Console Archives, aiming to release over 800 games and prioritizing Famicom and PlayStation titles. The company intends to release games at a pace of roughly one per week, surpassing the 500+ titles already released for Arcade Archives.
California lawmakers are working on a bill to preserve access to online games
California lawmakers are developing a bill aimed at preserving access to online games, with guidance from the game preservation group Stop Killing Games. The legislation seeks to ensure players can continue to access and play their digital game libraries.
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition Review | TheXboxHub
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition offers a nostalgic trip back to the original 1995 platformer, featuring multiple emulated versions and a new history mode. While the collection preserves the original's eccentric charm and challenging gameplay, some dated level design elements and a reworked soundtrack may not appeal to all fans.
