Game Preservation SIG/Resources
International Game Developers Association
These resources are a collection of information on game preservation (articles, books, conferences, news, research) not contained within this wiki or on the Projects page.
Contents |
News Articles
General Preservation
- Classic Gaming Expo 2007 Reports Game|Life, Wired, July, 2007
- Library Of Congress Discusses Video Game Preservation Gamasutra, May 3, 2006
- Midwest Gaming Classic: A Retrospective in Video (Video of Midwest Classic Games conference) Mobygames 2004
- Arcade Addicts Joust With Past (on the Classic Gaming Expo) Wired, September 8, 2003
- Preserving old games is a service to humanity Keith Stuart, Guardian Unlimited, July 12 2007
- National Archives squares the data circle (Burgeoning demand for public sector information has prompted controversial cost-cutting measures), Michael Cross, Guardian Unlimited, September 14 2006
Preservation obstacles
- Preserving a copy of the future (The British Library and the recording industry are arguing about proposals to extend the lifespan of copyright. Wendy M Grossman looks at the issues behind the row), Wendy M Grossman, Guardian Unlimited, October 19 2006
Preservation Lists
- Telespiele 1972-2007 Most Influential Games - a collection of German journalists voted on the most important and influential games of all time. Nominations. English writeup, August 25 2007
Newspapers
- Check this informative post about newspaper archives, if you're looking for videogame articles.
General Articles
For a full Gamasutra archive of articles, see here
- Forget Me Not (Playing with posterity) by Matthew Sakey IGDA Culture Clash, August 2004
- GDC Conference Report I: Preserving Videogame History (GDC 2004) insert credit, March 24, 2004
History Articles
Self-contained articles from Gamasutra and other places on the history of companies, games and the industry.
Companies
- The History of Atari: 1971-1977 by Steve Fulton, Gamasutra, November 6 2007
- The History of Activision by Jeffrey Fleming, Gamasutra, July 30 2007
- We See Farther - The History of Electronic Arts by Jeffrey Fleming and Frank Cifaldi, Gamasutra, February 12, 2007
- The Secret History of Lionhead: Molyneux, Webley Get Honest by Simon Carless Gamasutra, October 16, 2006
- The Art Of LucasArts - Michael Rubin On Droidmaker by Simon Carless, Gamasutra, December 21, 2005
People
- Woz Was Here - Steve Wozniak On His Gaming Past (Interview with Steve Wozniak) by By Benj Edwards, Gamasutra, May 4 2007
- Interview: Bruce Shelley — The Mythology Of Empires by Simon Carless, Gamasutra, November 26, 2003
- Interviews with Classic Computer and Video Game Programmers Compiled and edited by James Hague. Now free (was $20), and a large set of interviews.
Games / Genres / General
- A History of Gaming Platforms: The Commodore 64 By Matt Barton and Bill Loguidice, Gamasutra, October 24 2007
- The The History of Computer Role-Playing Games by Matt Barton, at Gamasutra:
- Part 1: The Early Years (1980-1983), February 23, 2007
- Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993), February 23, 2007
- Part III: The Platinum and Modern Ages (1994-2004), April 11, 2007
- The The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards at Gamaustra detail reader opinions on quantum leaps in different areas, by by Brandon Boyer and Frank Cifaldi.
- The Most Important Multiplayer Games of All Time, February 2, 2007
- Most Important Games, 2006, December 20, 2006
- Storytelling, November 3, 2006
- Role-Playing Games, October 6, 2006
- First-Person Shooters, September 1, 2006
- In the Beginning: A (Very) Brief History of Videogaming by Marc Mencher, Gamasutra, July 24, 2006
- Educational Feature: A History and Analysis of Level Design in 3D Computer Games by Sam Shahrani, Gamasutra, April 25, 2006
- The Rise of ARGs by Adrian Hon, Gamasutra, May 9, 2005
- GDC 2004 Visual Arts Keynote: The History of Animation by Jamil Moledina, Gamasutra, March 26, 2004
- Master's Thesis: Evolution of Interaction Schemes in Computer Role-Playing Games by Charley Price, Gamasutra, September 29, 2003
Other
- Litigations that Changed the Games Industry by By S. Gregory Boyd, M.D., Gamasutra, December 18, 2006
Research
- Preservation Devin Monnens, February 9, 2006 - A look at the need for video game preservation.
Books
No order (might be tagged later). Some are reference books, specific periods or genres, interview books or related reading.
- Playing to Win by David Sirlin, 2000 - Released for free, it details competitive game play and styles.
- Dungeons and Desktops, by Matt Barton. Probably the most comprehensive history of role playing games ever written - he literally reviews a huge number of games, talks about their design, style, etc.
- Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture, by David Kushner. The history of id software - very good storytelling, and insights into the personalities of the two Johns.
- The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon, by Steven L. Kent. Videogame reference book.
- Dungeons and Dreamers: The Rise of Computer Game Culture from Geek to Chic, by Brad King & John Borland. Some good storytelling that follows the life of Richard Garriott among others.
- Halcyon Days: Interviews with Classic Computer and Video Game Programmers, by James Hague. Available for free. Interesting, interviews with some of the big names of the 80s and early 90s.
- The A to Z of Cool Computer Games, by Jack Railton. Videogame reference book, more UK centric.
- The Rough Guide to Videogames, by Kate Berens and Geoff Howard. Videogame reference book.
Related reading:
- Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution, Steven Levy
- On The Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore by Brian Bagnall
- Racing the Beam The Atari Video Computer System, by Nick Montfort & Ian Bogost. Atari Video Computer System (VCS) (aka Atari 2600) history book.
- Vintage Games: An Insider Look at the History of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the Most Influential Games of All Time, by Bill Loguidice and Matt Barton. Videogame reference book, selected videogames.
Conferences and Events
- Game Developers Conference (GDC) - USA. Hosts talks, discussions and roundtables on game preservation usually run by SIG members.
- Classic Gaming Expo - Las Vegas, USA.
- Midwest Gaming Classic - USA.
- Austin Gaming Expo - USA. Has not been on since 2004.
- California Extreme - San Jose, California, USA. "California Extreme is the "Classic Arcade Games Show". In a nutshell, it's an annual celebration of coin operated pinball machines, video games and other novelties you once found in game arcades."
Websites
- Digital Game Archive - Digital Game Arching for scientific and research purposes organisation
- Video Arcade Preservation Society
- Game Innovation Database - Database of innovations in the industry, and which game innovated the concept. Currently in a flash site.
Other
See the preservation SIG Projects page for external projects doing preservation work.
