The current situation and issues of computer game archives(<Special feature>Preservation: deterioration of media and measures)

Abstract

Computer games are considered a big business as well as an element of contemporary culture; therefore, they need to be archived. Issues concerning computer game archives are short life span of the media and technological obsolescence. Measures such as migration and emulation can address these issues. Emulation is expected to be a good strategy; however, it is not yet perfect and runs the risk of infringing copyrights or patents. Several computer game archives have been developed, but they have not collected all the games ever made. This article suggests that cooperation and coordination between game companies and computer game archives need to be facilitated. In addition, libraries should participate in archiving computer games more than in the current situation.