Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
"If they won't give you physical games, make your own" - GOG now lets you turn digital games into big box PC releases, and my shelf is already sobbing
GOG has expanded its Preservation Program to allow users to download and print 3D scans of original big-box PC game packaging. This initiative, in collaboration with Big Box Collection, aims to preserve classic titles like Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, Armikrog, Descent, Hitman: Codename 47, and Myst, enabling fans to create their own physical releases at home.
The Rare SNES game that became Banjo-Kazooie has been preserved thanks to a leaker who wants you to "delete…
A leaker has released the ROM files for Project Dream, a canceled Super Nintendo pirate RPG prototype that served as the basis for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie. The leaker cited concerns about the current state of the game industry, including layoffs, anti-preservation tactics, and Microsoft's management of Rare, as reasons for the release. The leaker also expressed strong negative sentiments towards Microsoft and Sony, urging boycotts.
Stargate Worlds, an MMO that never launched, gets its own rogue server that you can play right now
A fan-made rogue server for the unreleased MMO Stargate Worlds is now playable in alpha. The project, named 'The Fifth Race,' aims to preserve the game using the original 2008 beta client by reverse-engineering the network protocol and rebuilding the backend.
Games Inbox: Did the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake live up to expectations?
Readers discuss their expectations and reactions to the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While many are impressed with the visual updates and quality-of-life improvements, some feel it's not ambitious enough and question Nintendo's approach to remakes. The article also touches on other upcoming games like Grand Theft Auto 6 and the potential for future Nintendo releases.
As publishers like Sony kill physical games, DRM-free store GOG preserves classic big boxes with 3D models and box art…
As Sony moves away from physical PlayStation games, the DRM-free storefront GOG is enhancing its preservation program. GOG is now offering interactive 3D scans of classic PC game box art and printable versions for fans to recreate physical boxes at home. This initiative aims to preserve not just the games but also their packaging and included supplements.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Has A Big Problem: Several Major Publishers Aren’t Participating
Xbox's disc-to-digital program is facing significant limitations as major publishers like Sega, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and Bandai Namco are not participating. This means physical copies of many popular games, including Far Cry 4, Final Fantasy 15, and Dark Souls 3, cannot be converted to digital licenses. This lack of participation raises concerns for game preservation, especially given Square Enix's history of requiring repurchase for new console generations.
Sick of Sony killing physical games? Relive the glory days with a PlayStation 3 emulator that can play discs through…
The RPCS3 PlayStation 3 emulator has been updated to allow playing physical PS3 discs on PC, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD. This development comes as Sony phases out physical media, offering a way to preserve and play older games on various platforms, including modded PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
Xbox disc-to-digital missing Elden Ring and Final Fantasy as publishers including Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Ubisoft,…
Microsoft's new Xbox disc-to-digital initiative is facing criticism as major publishers like Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and Sega are reportedly not supporting the program. This means popular games such as Elden Ring and Final Fantasy will not be eligible, raising concerns about its effectiveness as a game preservation tool.
We played the new Terranigma remaster for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, here are our thoughts
A preview of the upcoming Terranigma remaster for Nintendo Switch reveals a faithful adaptation with quality-of-life improvements, including a quick menu for items and magic. Clear River Games emphasizes its commitment to preserving the classic action RPG, which never received a North American release. The demo showcased impressive pixel art and challenging boss encounters, hinting at a 2027 release.
Persona 1 and 2 remakes will "probably" happen for the sake of "cultural preservation," says Persona 4 Revival producer: "It's your duty to take the things you've done and make sure they're not lost"
Atlus producer Kazuhisa Wada stated that remakes for Persona 1 and Persona 2 are likely to happen eventually, viewing such projects as a form of cultural preservation. He believes creators have a duty to ensure their past works remain accessible. This sentiment comes as Atlus continues to remaster older titles like Persona 3 Reload and Persona 4.
As Sony plans to kill discs, PS3 emulator RPCS3 is bringing them back – you can now play physical games on PC…
The open-source PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 now allows users to play physical PS3 games on PC directly from a disc drive, supporting Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. This development comes as Sony plans to cease disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028, raising concerns about game preservation.
Games Inbox: When will GTA 6 be released on PC?
Readers discuss the potential PC release date for Grand Theft Auto 6, with speculation centering around a six-month delay after the console launch. Other topics include the potential for moral choices in the game, concerns over Microsoft's cloud gaming limitations, and a critique of the industry's shift towards digital-only and away from physical media.
Oracle - An unfinished Amiga dungeon crawler finally makes an appearance
Oracle, a long-lost first-person 3D dungeon crawler RPG originally developed for the Commodore Amiga in 1996, has been released in a preserved, ready-to-run state. This unfinished version 0.3d allows modern players to experience the game via emulators or Amiga hardware, showcasing mid-90s development features like a mouse-driven interface and auto-mapping. While it runs well on expanded Amiga 1200 systems, compatibility may be an issue on stock Amiga 500 configurations.
Sony clarifies PlayStation disc production is dropping by 10 percent in 2028, not to 10 percent
Sony has clarified that its PlayStation disc manufacturing output is expected to decrease by 10 percent in 2028, not decline to 10 percent of current levels, correcting earlier reports. This clarification comes as Sony plans to cease producing physical discs for new games from January 2028, though reorders will continue. Former SIE chairman Shawn Layden expressed concern over the shift from ownership to accessibility and its impact on brand value.
Mardrömsmaskinen har slutat mala – nu är det spelhelg!
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, spanning a variety of genres and platforms. Titles mentioned include Metal Gear Solid 4, Secret of Mana, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Fallout 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and StarCraft 2, among others, reflecting diverse tastes in retro and modern gaming.
Inside the Nintendo Museum: The DNA of a Toy Maker
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto highlights the company's enduring 'toy maker' philosophy, contrasting it with Sony's 'data stream' approach. The article emphasizes Nintendo's focus on physical media, tactile experiences, and a broad retail ecosystem, exemplified by the Virtual Boy and its approach to game preservation, while criticizing Sony's reliance on digital distribution and high-spec hardware.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation launches "both physically and digitally" on the same day: "The promise has…
Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch simultaneously on April 8, 2027, for both physical and digital purchase. This release date precedes Sony's planned 2028 cutoff for physical PlayStation discs. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 version will utilize a game-key card instead of a physical disc.
Games Inbox: Will there be a Trailer 3 for GTA 6?
Readers discuss the likelihood of a third trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, express disappointment with Nintendo's Switch 2 priorities and Tomb Raider remake features, and debate the underutilization of the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller's touchpad. Other topics include the commercial struggles of PlatinumGames, the perceived decline of the Turok franchise, and the philosophy of digital ownership versus physical discs.
Devil May Cry co-creator understands why physical games are dying, but wants IP holders to prioritize game preservation
Devil May Cry co-creator Hideki Kamiya expresses concern over the decline of physical games and the industry's apparent lack of commitment to game preservation. While understanding the shift to digital, Kamiya urges IP holders to ensure older titles remain accessible for future generations, citing examples like PlayStation's phasing out of discs and Microsoft's layoffs.
Dizzy - The Dragon Trap - An unofficial ZX Spectrum Dizzy fan game makes an appearance
Dizzy - The Dragon Trap, an unofficial fan game created in 1997 by Dmytro Mosiychuk and Viktor Voloshuk, has been recovered and released for the 48K ZX Spectrum. The game features new levels, graphics, and music, and was recently made playable after a digital recovery effort from its original cassette tape.
