The Disheartening Reality of Game Preservation in the Digital Age

The recent announcement that some Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges will be Game-Key Cards has sparked concern among game preservationists. These cards, which act as keys to unlock game downloads rather than storing the game itself, have raised questions about the long-term accessibility of games. Stephen Kick, CEO of Nightdive Studios, expressed disappointment at Nintendo's approach, stating that a company of its size and history should take preservation more seriously. The worry is that when the Switch 2 eShop eventually closes, these Game-Key Cards will be reliant on Nintendo's servers to support downloads, leaving the games vulnerable to disappearance. Jon-Paul Dyson, director of the International Center for the History of Electronic Games at The Strong Museum, acknowledges that the shift towards digital games is inevitable, but notes that preserving games in this new landscape poses significant challenges. Professor James Newman, co-founder of the Videogame Heritage Society, suggests that the focus should be on preserving the history and cultural significance of games, rather than just the games themselves. He argues that preserving the stories and experiences surrounding games is just as important as preserving the games themselves. The Strong Museum has been working to preserve digital games, but it's a complex task, particularly when it comes to games that require external servers to function. Dyson notes that no institution can preserve every game, and that a more holistic approach is needed, one that takes into account the history and cultural context of games. Newman agrees, stating that game preservation should be a distributed effort, with different organizations working together to preserve different aspects of game history. While some companies, such as Square Enix and Sega, have made commitments to archiving development materials, Dyson believes that more needs to be done to prioritize preservation. Kick notes that there is now a financial incentive for companies to preserve their old materials, thanks to the popularity of remasters, but Dyson argues that preservation will always be a secondary commitment for companies, given the pressure to make a profit. Ultimately, a joint effort is required to preserve game history, with companies, institutions, and fan communities working together to ensure that the history and cultural significance of games are preserved for future generations.