game preservation Archives

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

PC game store GOG explains how digital ownership should be as PlayStation announces end of physical discs

PlayStation plans to phase out physical discs for its consoles starting in January 2028, coinciding with the digital-only release of GTA 6. This shift reflects the industry's move toward a digital-only future, impacting collectors and enthusiasts of physical media. Meanwhile, GOG offers a DRM-free gaming experience, allowing users to retain access to purchased games even if they are removed from the store, as long as the files are installed. GOG's model enables personal backups on physical media and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, although online multiplayer may vary. The future of PlayStation adopting a similar DRM-free approach remains uncertain.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

‘They refuse to offer a meaningful alternative’: Game preservation leader agrees that piracy is the only preservation option for a discless future

Sony plans to discontinue the production of physical game discs for the PlayStation 5 by 2028, shifting towards a fully digital licensing model. Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation has raised concerns about the preservation of video game history, stating that piracy may become the only means of safeguarding digital works. He criticized the Entertainment Software Association for resisting efforts to create a legal framework for preserving digital content. Cifaldi highlighted that museums and archives are preparing for this digital future, questioning the industry's expectations for cultural institutions as physical media is phased out. The transition to digital ownership has sparked discussions in the gaming community, particularly regarding the lack of backward compatibility in the PlayStation ecosystem and the challenges posed by the closure of digital stores for older consoles. The urgency for solutions to protect video game history is increasing as the industry moves towards a digital-only future.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

ESA Lobbyist Calls Private Minecraft Servers Illegal During Hearing

Jennifer Gibbons, Vice President of State Government Affairs at the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), stated during a California State Senate hearing that community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are "illegal" and equate to "piracy." She mentioned that the ESA has pending lawsuits against private servers and that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has identified some private servers as notorious markets for piracy. Gibbons' comments were challenged by Assemblyman Chris Ward, who noted the existence of community servers for both games. An ESA representative later clarified that Gibbons was responding to a complex question and that private servers hosting copyrighted content without authorization infringe on the intellectual property rights of game publishers. The ESA reported a total revenue of ,614,556 in the fiscal year ending March 2025, with ,804,681 from member dues.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State Assembly vote

The California State Assembly passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) with a vote of 43 to 16. This bill aims to address game preservation issues, particularly following Ubisoft's decision to de-list its online racing game, The Crew, which affected many players. Stop Killing Games, an organization advocating for game preservation, has established NGOs in the EU and the US to counter lobbying efforts related to game shutdowns. The bill will now proceed to the California State Senate for further support but faces opposition from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which argues it could misallocate developers' resources.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Polymega Remix lets you play original SNES, N64, and PlayStation games on a Windows 11 PC

The Polymega Remix is a 9 USB device from Playmaji that allows users to play retro games on a Windows 11 PC. It connects to laptops, PCs, or gaming handhelds and features a built-in CD/DVD optical drive that also acts as a cartridge reader. The device supports CD-based consoles such as the Original PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Neo Geo CD, TurboGrafx-CD, and Sega CD add-on for the Sega Genesis. Cartridge support is available through separate modules for consoles including NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, and Atari 2600. The Polymega Remix has completed mass production and is set to begin shipping in May 2026.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

Another Iconic Zelda Game Is Dropping On PC For Free Very Soon

A PC version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, titled Twilight Princess: Courage Reborn, is set to debut for free. This version will be compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, supporting both mouse and keyboard setups as well as controllers. It will run at 60fps and offer various graphics options. Players will need to extract a copy from an original Nintendo GameCube disc to play, which may be challenging for newcomers due to the cost of the discs.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Nightdive’s Larry Kuperman retires after 25-year career in games: ‘We never looked at games as products’

Larry Kuperman, Vice President of Business Development at Nightdive Studios, has announced his retirement from full-time work after a 25-year career in the gaming industry. He has held various roles, including publisher at Stardock and retailer at GameStop, but is notably recognized for his contributions to game preservation at Nightdive. Kuperman discussed the complexities of reviving classic games, citing challenges such as intellectual property rights, with specific examples like the rights to "No One Lives Forever" and "System Shock." He joined Nightdive during a crucial period and highlighted the studio's commitment to its community by honoring promises made to Kickstarter backers for the remaster of "System Shock 2." Kuperman emphasized the importance of viewing games as art and has introduced innovative features in remastered games. He plans to remain active in the industry, particularly with the International Game Developers Association, to support newcomers.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Crimson Desert dev says not to worry about Denuvo, because the impressive PC preview builds they’ve shown already had the DRM and are “representative of the final consumer’s experience”

Crimson Desert will incorporate Denuvo anti-piracy technology, which has raised concerns about its impact on game performance among the PC gaming community. Pearl Abyss assured players that benchmark videos and performance specifications released before launch were generated using the same Denuvo implementation that will be in the final build. A benchmark video showed Crimson Desert running at ultra settings in native 4K resolution with a frame rate of "mainly" 60fps on a Radeon RX 7900 XTX graphics card. Some players are wary of Denuvo due to past performance issues, and the presence of the "Denuvo anti-tamper" label on Steam may affect purchasing decisions. Additionally, measures have been taken to secure early-shipped physical copies to prevent spoilers, raising concerns about game preservation.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

GOG agrees with Ultrakill publisher boss that “the future of preservation is decided by players who give a s**t”

Dave Oshry, CEO of New Blood Interactive, questioned the long-term viability of GOG as a competitor in the PC gaming market after its acquisition by a co-founder of CD Projekt Red. He praised GOG's commitment to game preservation and modding but expressed skepticism about its sustainability. In response, GOG acknowledged his concerns and emphasized the importance of community support for game preservation, encouraging players to engage with the platform. GOG has been focused on preserving classic games for nearly 20 years and differentiates itself from competitors like Steam and Epic Games Store through its DRM-free offerings and modding capabilities. Despite these efforts, challenges remain in attracting users away from Steam, which dominates the market.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

10 Classic PC Games Return for Modern Systems Via GOG Preservation Program

GOG (Good Old Games) has expanded its Preservation Program, which was inaugurated in 2025, by adding ten new titles to its collection of over 100 classic PC games that are DRM-free and supported for modern systems. The newly included games are: 1. The Wolf Among Us (2013) – .99 2. The Last Express (1997) – .99 3. The Last Express: Gold Edition (2013) - .99 4. Eric The Unready (1993) – .99 5. Police Quest Collection (1987) – .99 6. Lost Eden (1995) – .99 7. Space Quest 1, 2, and 3 (1989) – .99 each 8. The Dame Was Loaded (1996) – .99 9. Kingdom: The Far Reaches (1995) – .99 10. Little Divil (1993) – .99 These games are actively maintained, ensuring that players receive support for any issues, and they are compatible with Windows 10 and 11, with some titles also supporting Linux and Mac OS.