By Patti Thibodeau
Imagine stepping into a vibrant hub of activity, where the air buzzes with excitement and the shared passion for video games. This was the scene at the Save the Games Symposium, held in August in Rochester, New York at the Strong Museum of Play. A diverse group of industry professionals, academics, and avid gamers gathered to tackle a pressing issue: preserving the rich history of video games.
The symposium was more than just a series of talks; it was a melting pot of ideas and a testament to the collaborative spirit of the video game preservation community. Attendees were treated to a deep dive into the multifaceted world of video game preservation, exploring everything from legal and technical challenges to lessons learned from film preservation.
After exploring the museum itself and a behind the scenes tour, were the 2 days of sessions beginning with a session from the University of Washington with a discussion on the accessibility of digital games, setting the tone for a series of thought-provoking presentations. Jonas Rosland’s session, “More Than Just Code,” reminded everyone that preserving games is about more than just the software—it’s about the stories and experiences they encapsulate.
The Video Games Foundation presented on their paper “87 Percent At Risk”, a wake-up call, revealing that a staggering 87% of games released in the US are now out of print. This statistic underscored the urgency of the preservation efforts. Chris Hatala’s talk on fan-driven ROM hacking highlighted the incredible contributions of fan communities, while Garrett Burke’s session on the heritage of video game packaging brought a nostalgic touch, reminding us of the tangible aspects of gaming history.
As the symposium progressed, a recurring theme emerged: there is work being done at the academic and non-profit levels, however legal and intellectual property issues were identified as major roadblocks, preventing the sharing of assets at the studio level thus necessitating work to be done at the level of the creative.
Engaging sessions on emulation, ROM hacking, and solutions for preserving massively multiplayer online games provided valuable insights. A key takeaway was the importance of retaining the cultural context of games, including marketing assets, packaging, and supplementary content. This holistic approach ensures that future generations can fully appreciate the gaming experiences of the past.
The Save the Games Symposium was a fantastic reminder that preserving video games is not just about saving code—it’s about saving culture, memories, and the joy of gaming for future generations. As the event wrapped up, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of knowledge, ready to level up their preservation efforts.
