PC game platform GOG has unveiled an innovative preservation program aimed at ensuring that cherished retro games remain playable for both current and future generations. The initiative is a commitment to safeguarding the legacy of gaming, as articulated in their announcement: “If a game is part of the Preservation Program, it means that we commit our own resources to maintaining its compatibility with modern and future systems.”
The Launch of the Preservation Program
Launching with an impressive lineup of 100 titles, the program features iconic games such as Diablo, System Shock 2, and Resident Evil 1-3. GOG has plans to expand this collection in the months ahead, further enriching the gaming experience for enthusiasts of classic titles.
Purchasing a game from the Preservation Program comes with a host of benefits designed to enhance the player experience:
- Compatibility Assurance: Players can “expect it to work on current and future popular PC configurations.”
- Comprehensive Content: Buyers can “be sure that this version is the best and most complete available anywhere, including compatibility, manuals, and other bonus content, but also DLCs and even features that are missing in other editions.”
- Technical Support: Access to GOG’s Tech Support is provided for any technical issues encountered while running the game.
- Offline Access: As with all titles in GOG’s catalog, players will always retain access to their offline installers, empowering them to safeguard their games as they see fit.
GOG’s ambitious goal is to acquire “all games no longer updated or maintained by their original publisher,” regardless of their release date. A recent study by the Video Game History Foundation revealed a staggering statistic: 87 percent of games released before 2010 are no longer playable. This alarming trend is compounded by the increasing frequency of classic games being delisted from digital storefronts or entire platforms being shut down. Even newer titles face similar fates, as evidenced by Sony’s Concord, which went offline just weeks after its launch earlier this year.
With the introduction of this preservation program, GOG distinguishes itself as one of the few major gaming platforms to confront the pressing issue of video game preservation head-on. Their message resonates deeply: “Games shaped us. Being able to play them is an essential part of reconnecting with ourselves. They must stay accessible, playable, and alive.”
