Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
LCD emulation could preserve a bunch of iconic Nintendo handhelds and their cursed rivals
The BrickEmuPy project aims to preserve classic handheld LCD games through emulation, having already archived over 60 titles including Nintendo's Mini Classics keychain games. This initiative seeks to maintain access to these older, often obscure, gaming devices as physical hardware degrades and the industry moves towards digital distribution.
Unofficial fan port of Gears of War 2 finally comes to PC – for now at least
An unofficial fan-made PC port of Gears of War 2, titled 'Hollow', has been released by developer Helios. This community build includes the full single-player campaign, cooperative play, and all original multiplayer and DLC maps, running natively on PC without emulation. While offering modern features like higher resolutions and uncapped frame rates, its continued availability is uncertain as it is an unauthorized project.
There's an unofficial PC port of Gears of War 2 based on a leaked build from 2008
An unofficial PC port of Gears of War 2, based on a leaked 2008 build, has been created by developer xHeliosx. This port includes the Road to Ruin DLC and allows for single-player progression, though multiplayer functionality is not guaranteed. The release highlights the lack of official PC versions for Gears of War 2 and 3, a decision potentially influenced by then-current views on PC piracy.
Games Inbox: What new Fallout game will be the best?
Readers discuss the future of the Fallout franchise, expressing excitement for potential remasters and a sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, while also lamenting the long wait for new entries. The conversation touches on Microsoft's influence, studio management, and the broader state of game development and preservation.
Forbidden Solitaire is a wonderful reminder games are powerful cultural artefacts that demand to be preserved
Forbidden Solitaire is a recent game by Night Signal Entertainment and Grey Alien Games that serves as a pastiche of 90s multimedia gaming and a unique take on solitaire. The game also functions as an analogue horror experience, weaving a meta-narrative around rumors of unexplained deaths linked to a fictional 1995 release. Ultimately, the article argues that games like Forbidden Solitaire highlight the importance of game preservation as cultural artifacts.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses the challenges of game preservation, highlighting five classic PC games that have become unplayable due to outdated technology or lack of support. It touches upon the broader issue of ensuring historical games remain accessible for future generations.
The new Marvel's Wolverine cinematic trailer has been swarmed by PlayStation fans still angry at Sony ditching discs
A newly released cinematic trailer for Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine has been inundated with comments from PlayStation fans expressing anger over Sony's decision to phase out physical disc media. Despite the trailer showcasing new gameplay elements and characters like Lady Deathstrike and Sabretooth, the comment sections on YouTube and X are dominated by criticism of Sony's move towards digital-only distribution, with many drawing parallels to Wolverine's struggle to protect a physical photo in the trailer.
FZ Play: ISK Side Quest Unlocked – Mirklurk
Mirklurk: Every Step Matters, a turn-based survival RPG, is now available as a bonus game for ISK members. The game challenges players to survive by building camps, gathering resources, and engaging in strategic combat within ancient ruins and against strange creatures.
After 15 years, I've got Microsoft's shunned Fable 3 port to work on PC – and it feels like a new RPG
Despite being 16 years old, the PC version of Fable 3 offers a surprisingly fresh RPG experience, especially when run at 4K resolution. The author argues that this version surpasses the current Xbox Game Pass streaming option and advocates for its preservation, suggesting it could serve as a suitable replacement for fans awaiting Fable 4.
Closed game studio returns to un-live service its game with community servers before shutdown: 'We don't believe Deceive Inc. should quietly disappear'
Developer Sweet Bandits, despite closing its doors, is working with Tripwire Interactive to ensure Deceive Inc. remains playable indefinitely through community-hosted dedicated servers. This initiative includes rebuilding the game's backend for long-term sustainability and introducing a server browser. The update also aims to reduce technical barriers to modding, empowering the player community to maintain the game's future.
Diskutera – Vilka surdegar har du i din backlog?
This article discusses the concept of a gaming backlog, questioning whether games need to be universally acclaimed or perfectly timed to be worth playing. It explores the idea that games, whether large RPGs or smaller, unique titles, can hold value simply by waiting to be experienced.
Thief Gold with updated graphics and integrated modern controller support is the latest addition to GOG's preservation program, ahead of Nightdive's full remaster
GOG has released an updated version of Thief Gold through its preservation program, featuring enhanced graphics, audio, and interface scaling for modern hardware. This version includes full controller support via an integrated mod and multiple language localizations, alongside access to the original pre-Gold game. This release precedes a full remaster of Thief: The Dark Project by Nightdive Studios.
Game History and Preservation
GOG has added Thief: Gold to its Game Preservation Program following the first-ever Patron Vote. This initiative aims to ensure classic games remain accessible to players.
As Sony prepares to end game disc production, GOG jumps up to remind PC gamers that you can just make your own
GOG is reminding PC gamers that they can create their own physical backups of purchased games, especially in light of Sony's decision to end game disc production in 2028. The company highlights its DRM-free installers as a way to ensure long-term access to owned titles, suggesting users can burn them to discs or save them to other media for permanent safekeeping.
Game History and Preservation
GOG is exploring ways for users to create their own physical game releases. This initiative aims to engage the community in preserving and distributing games in a tangible format.
Games Inbox: Will you be buying a PS5 to play GTA 6?
Readers discuss whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a system seller for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, given the current downturn in console sales and perceived lack of compelling exclusive titles. The conversation also touches on the decline of physical media, the importance of game preservation, and the future of digital distribution.
As Sony prepares to shut down the PS3 store, RPCS3 devs promise “75% of all PlayStation 3 games are now playable…
As Sony prepares to close the PlayStation 3 and Vita digital stores, the developers behind the RPCS3 emulator have announced that 75% of all PlayStation 3 games are now playable on PC. While many major titles are still in progress, the emulator has reached a significant milestone in preserving the console's library.
GOG Wants You To Make Your Own Physical Games
GOG.com has released a tutorial demonstrating how players can create physical backups of their digital PC games to ensure long-term preservation. This initiative addresses concerns about digital-only libraries and the potential disappearance of storefronts, offering a method to 'own' purchased games indefinitely by downloading offline installers and saving them to discs.
Game History and Preservation
A teacher has successfully revived the classic game Backyard Baseball, highlighting the importance of game preservation. This effort underscores the challenges and rewards associated with keeping older titles accessible.
PS5 fans fast-track PC emulation in response to Sony ditching physical games
In response to Sony's move towards an all-digital future, PlayStation 5 emulation efforts on PC have accelerated. Recent progress includes booting exclusive titles like Astro Bot and Demon's Souls on PC using experimental emulators such as SharpEmu. These developments are seen as a win for game preservationists, allowing games to remain playable even if official support is withdrawn.
