87% Of Classic Videos Games Are Endangered According To New Study
As technology continues to evolve, the games many players grew up with are becoming increasingly difficult to access.
By Claire Lewis on
A new study conducted jointly by The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) and Software Preservation Network (SPN) has revealed that 87% of classic games in the United States are «critically endangered,» meaning they are either entirely inaccessible or extremely difficult to play, and unable to be purchased in physical or digital form via their publisher's online storefront.
Both VGHF and SPN work to preserve digital media, and the study--which is the first of its kind--demonstrates just how difficult that task is, and how easily much-loved interactive media can disappear into the ether. The study found that the selection of games currently available for official purchase (digital or physical) represent only 13% of video game history, with the rest either being unavailable entirely or requiring the use of unofficial downloads, emulators, and/or fan remakes to play.
«For accessing nearly 9 in 10 classic games, there are few options: Seek out and maintain vintage collectible games and hardware, travel across the country to visit a library, or… piracy,» the VGHF stated in the report it released alongside the data. «None of those options are desirable, which means that most video games are inaccessible to all but the most diehard and dedicated fans. That’s pretty grim!»
So what's the solution? According to the groups behind the study, it's complicated.
«Anyone should be able to easily explore, research, and play classic video games, in the same way that they can read classic novels, listen to classic albums, and watch classic movies,» says the VGHF report. «But outdated copyright laws are
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