In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that older games are losing visibility in the gaming industry. games.
Technological advancement, the emergence of new platforms and the constant evolution of games have contributed to older titles being gradually left aside.
There are several reasons for this loss of visibility. Firstly, gaming industry is an extremely dynamic and competitive market.
Every year, new releases hit the market, bringing more realistic graphics, innovative mechanics and engaging narratives.
Gamers are constantly looking for new and exciting experiences, which often leads to older games being left behind.
Furthermore, accessibility is also an important factor in this issue. With the emergence of new platformslike smartphones and tablets, games are more present in people’s daily lives.
The ease of access to the latest games, through digital stores and subscription services, makes players more interested in current titles, leaving older games in the background.
Lost games
The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) is an organization dedicated to preserving the history of video games.
Recently, it announced a partnership with the Software Preservation Network (SPN) with the aim of conducting a study to identify an alarming number: the amount of old gamesreleased until 2010, which are getting lost in the gaming community.
The fundamental purpose of this initiative is to understand the extent of the problem of preserving old games and their visibility in the gaming community.
With constant technological advancement and the rapid obsolescence of hardware and software, many games released in past decades are facing preservation challenges.
‘Yakuza’
(Photo: Combo Infinito/Reproduction)
Among the titles that are facing the risk of being lost in the immensity of time is the acclaimed game “Yakuza”, released in 2006.
Developed by Sega, this iconic title in the video game industry was designed exclusively for the console Playstation 2which dominated the digital entertainment scene at the time.
“Yakuza” is a masterpiece that plunges players into an immersive world of organized crime and drama, set in the vibrant streets of Kamurocho, a fictional city based on the Kabukicho district of Tokyo.
With its engaging narrative, captivating gameplay, and memorable characters, the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase and become a staple of the action-adventure genre.
However, despite its success and impact on the gaming industry, there are growing concerns about the preservation of this title.
More than one…
According to the results of a study conducted by the Video Game History Foundation and the Software Preservation Network, an alarming fact was revealed: approximately 9 out of every ten old games are at risk of being lost.
This implies that only a little over 10% of old games are available to be played easily, while the other 90% are found very rarely or only through foraging practices. piracy.
This statistic is a worrying reflection of the lack of systematic and coordinated efforts to properly preserve old games.
Many of these games were released in physical formats such as cartridges, CDs, or DVDs, which are susceptible to damage, wear, and degradation over time.
Furthermore, rapid technological evolution has led to the emergence of numerous hardware platforms and softwareeach with their own specific compatibility and requirements. This makes it even harder for older games to be accessible and playable on modern devices.
So as awareness of the loss of old games grows, the importance of preserving these digital treasures becomes clear.
If you are a lucky holder of old games in their original form, it is highly recommended that you preserve them, as these games may become extremely rare in the near future.
The value of old games goes far beyond simple entertainment. They are living witnesses to the evolution of the video game industry. video gamescapturing significant moments in the history of this means of artistic expression.
