Do Video Game Companies Retain Archives of Out-of-Print Games?
The video game industry is rich in history, and often, companies make a concerted effort to maintain archives of their past games. This practice has several compelling reasons, including historical preservation, potential remastering opportunities, and internal use for development. Let's delve deeper into this fascinating aspect of game development.
Historical Preservation
One of the primary reasons video game companies retain their archives is historical preservation. Games are not just pieces of software; they are also cultural artifacts that reflect the era, technology, and creative skill of their developers. By keeping these games, companies ensure that future generations can still experience historical games and learn from the industry's evolution.
Remastering and Re-releasing
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in classic games. Game developers and publishers often revisit and remaster these titles to provide new generations of players with the opportunity to experience these works with modern hardware and updated features. This can significantly increase the value of these games and bring renewed excitement to the fan base.
Legal and Contractual Obligations
Another important reason for maintaining archives is the legal and contractual requirements. Contracts with distributors, end-users, or other stakeholders may require the preservation of certain game versions or data. Additionally, copyright and licensing agreements often stipulate that companies must retain certain materials or products, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
Internal Use and Inspiration
Ancient games that are no longer in print can still be incredibly useful to current developers. These archived games serve as invaluable resources for research, testing, and inspiration. Developers can study the coding techniques, design decisions, and user experience of older games, which can inform new projects and innovations in modern gaming.
Ancient Games: A Personal Narrative
From my own experience in the video game industry, I can confirm that companies do indeed retain archives of their past works. During my time at Accolade, a prominent video game developer and publisher, I witnessed firsthand how these archives were stored and used.
One of my earliest experiences involved a visit to the storage room where the back catalog of games was kept. Among these titles were classic games such as Law of the West and Mean 18 Golf. However, the most memorable for me was the rare SunDog: Frozen Legacy, the first ZoomAction Adventure Game. The game had a unique packaging style, similar to that of Electronic Arts “record album” games, reflecting the creative efforts to mimic the music industry.
While I no longer had my Apple II computer, I was intrigued by the possibility of playing this game. The storage room was quite intriguing, and I found a game labeled with a price tag – 50 49.95. This sparked an old memory from my previous job at a software store, making me wonder if I was the one who originally placed the price tag on the game. It was a small but significant moment in my career, highlighting the historical importance of these preserved games.
The Accolade Encounter
Subsequent to my encounter with SunDog: Frozen Legacy, I played Star Control II, a DOS game that was still very engaging in the era of Windows 3.0. The game's quality and compelling storyline set a high bar that its sequel, Star Control III, failed to meet. This experience further reinforced my belief in the value of preserving and re-evaluating older games.
When later negotiations between Accolade and Toys for Bob Inc. failed, it led to the development of a new sequel, which disappointed fans who were eager to return to the original franchise. This underscores the significance of maintaining archives, as developers often face challenges in recreating the magic of historical games.
In conclusion, video game companies do indeed retain archives of their out-of-print games for a multitude of reasons. From historical preservation to internal inspiration, these archives play a vital role in the ongoing evolution of the gaming industry.