Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
Save Mass Effect Petition Hits 50,000 Signatures, Just Days After BioWare Closure
Following the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of its upcoming Mass Effect game, a fan petition to save the franchise has garnered over 50,000 signatures. The petition gained traction after a trailer for what is now referred to as Mass Effect Universe leaked online.
An alleged former BioWare dev leaks the 'Mass Effect Universe' trailer following studio closure, and fans believe this could be a 'Deadpool-style' move 'intended to generate public pressure and potentially give the cancelled project a second chance'
An alleged former BioWare developer leaked a trailer for the cancelled "Mass Effect Universe" game, showcasing in-engine footage and pre-production assets. The leak has intensified fan backlash against Electronic Arts following BioWare's closure and has sparked a '#SaveMassEffect' petition, with some speculating it's a "Deadpool-style" move to generate public pressure for a revival.
Games Inbox: Is the video games industry dying?
Multiple readers express concern over the current state of the video games industry, citing high development costs, studio closures, and a perceived decline in quality. There is a debate about whether the industry is truly dying, particularly in the West, with some readers finding solace in Nintendo's unique approach and the enduring appeal of physical media.
VR MMO Zenith confirms its shutdown date of December 18 after over two years of maintenance mode
Ramen VR has announced that the virtual reality MMORPG Zenith will officially shut down on December 18th, after over two years in maintenance mode. Sales of the game and its premium currency have already ceased, though existing in-game currency can still be used. The developers cited financial unsustainability as the reason for the closure, stating they could no longer run the servers at a loss.
Mass Effect TV Show Still Going Ahead After EA Cancels Mass Effect 5 And Closes BioWare, Report Says
A report indicates that Electronic Arts has closed BioWare and canceled the development of Mass Effect 5, despite the ongoing production of a Mass Effect TV show for Prime Video. Key creative personnel remain attached to the television project, which has been in development since 2021. The studio closure and game cancellation follow EA's privatization and subsequent cost-saving measures, which also led to layoffs and the halt of other projects like a new The Sims game.
Games Inbox: What is BioWare’s best game?
Readers express concern over the future of BioWare, with many citing EA's management as a detrimental factor. Mass Effect 2 is highlighted as a past peak for the studio, while other readers discuss the aging mechanics of The Witcher 3 Remastered and the uncertain future of console gaming.
Games Inbox: What is the best Nintendo game of 2026?
Readers discuss the best Nintendo games of 2026, with Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave emerging as a strong contender. Concerns are raised about the high cost of current-generation consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and their potential impact on the industry's future. The discussion also touches on the evolution of graphics, digital versus physical media, and the ongoing debate about console generations.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, The Séance of Blake Manor, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding several new titles throughout October and early November, including Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, The Séance of Blake Manor, and Terrible Lizards. Additionally, The Elder Scrolls Online and The Finals are receiving updates, and The Finals is offering a Welcome Pack. Several games are also scheduled to leave the Game Pass library by the end of October and mid-November.
Ys 8 coming to Nintendo Switch 2
NIS America and Falcom have announced that Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 25, 2027. This version will feature upgrades including 120 FPS support and a new GameShare co-op mode. The article also mentions the original Nintendo Switch version and its review.
The Rescue Mission That Saved Flash Games - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Following Adobe's discontinuation of Flash Player on December 31, 2020, volunteers and projects like Flashpoint and Ruffle have worked to preserve thousands of Flash games and animations. Despite Adobe's warnings and the security issues associated with Flash, many games were lost due to the shutdown. However, initiatives like Flashpoint have archived over 220,000 titles, and Ruffle provides browser-based emulation, ensuring that a significant portion of this digital history remains accessible.
New World fans have already begun work on a rogue server called Project Azoth
Fans of the MMORPG New World have begun developing a private server called Project Azoth to preserve the game ahead of its planned shutdown in January 2027. The volunteer developers are working to replicate core systems like combat, progression, and character logic, and are seeking player assistance in recording server data. While the project requires the original game client, preservation efforts are underway.
Xbox is appointing someone to focus on physical games just to spite PlayStation
Microsoft is reportedly hiring a strategist to focus on the launch of physical Xbox games, a move seen as an attempt to gain a public relations advantage over Sony. This comes as Sony plans to phase out physical game support after 2027, a decision that has faced backlash. While Xbox has historically favored digital releases, Microsoft appears to be capitalizing on Sony's controversial decision.
US Congressman unveils legislation to protect digital games ownership
U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres has introduced the "Power to the Players Act," a bill aimed at protecting digital game ownership rights. The legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create regulations ensuring that purchased games are truly owned, not just licensed, and would require offline modes for online games.
Ghostwire: Tokyo joins GOG Preservation Program, which means you don't have to deal with Bethesda.NET anymore
Ghostwire: Tokyo has been added to GOG's Preservation Program, removing its Bethesda.NET integration and ensuring future stability patches. This move is notable given the recent closure and potential acquisition of developer Tango Gameworks. The game has achieved over 6 million players since its release.
Xbox is crazy if it thinks making Fallout and Minecraft exclusive will work - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Microsoft's consideration of making major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Minecraft exclusive to Xbox consoles is a desperate and flawed strategy. The author criticizes Xbox's inconsistent decision-making and believes such exclusivity would alienate players and fail to revive the brand's former glory.
You Can Play WoW: Forever For Free Next Week (But There’s A Catch)
Blizzard Entertainment is offering a free, limited-time stress test for World of Warcraft: Forever starting October 19th, allowing players to test servers without needing a subscription or beta access. While the stress test is free, it will only last a few hours and characters will be deleted. The beta itself runs until October 21st, with the full game launching on November 4th. Despite high anticipation and record-breaking popularity, the beta has faced controversies regarding gold buying and streamer influence.
Toy Story: Retro Roundup! Review – Some Toys Age Better Than Others
Toy Story: Retro Roundup! offers a collection of games from the Toy Story and A Bug's Life franchises, with enjoyment varying significantly between titles. While the PlayStation 1 version of Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue is a highlight, many of the older Game Boy and even some PlayStation 1 titles feel primitive and suffer from technical issues like input lag and poor camera controls. The collection serves as a decent preservation effort, providing nostalgic value and some enjoyable diversions, but a rough presentation and the dated nature of some games limit its appeal to a broader audience.
Why Do Big Games Keep Being Made Playable In Browsers? A Guide To Vibe-Coded Ports
Recent advancements in AI, particularly large language models, are enabling the reverse-engineering and porting of classic video games to run directly in web browsers. This trend, often referred to as 'vibe-coding,' allows players to access titles like Call of Duty and Halo without downloads or emulators, posing a significant challenge to traditional game publishers who are actively trying to shut down these ports. Companies like Microsoft are reportedly exploring similar browser-based initiatives, while others like Sony and Nintendo are issuing takedowns.
Valve roll out Steam Achievement Sets in beta, splitting up games’ perpetually growing trophy masses into DLC and season buckets
Valve has introduced Steam Achievement Sets in beta, allowing developers to group achievements into DLC, seasonal, or other categories. This feature aims to help players manage their completion progress more effectively, especially in games with ongoing content updates, and also includes an overhauled achievements page with improved filtering and comparison options.
Games Inbox: Was the GTA 6 launch trailer the last one?
Readers discuss the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch trailer, with some feeling it revealed little new information and expressing concern over Rockstar's marketing strategy. Other topics include the generic nature of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's advertising, the challenges of adapting video games into movies, and frustration with Sony's refund policy compared to Steam's.
