Where did they go, and why did no one protect them? Gaming preservation halted by the ESA

The "EFF" ( Electronic Frontier Foundation) has been trying to take steps to preserve gaming history, recently, however, the "ESA" (Entertainment Software Association) has done its best to shut down these attempts. What the "EFF" is asking for, is to allow game enthusiasts, museums, and academics certain exemptions, from the "Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s anti-circumvention provisions" so that they can modify certain games to be playable after the servers are shut down or, the systems to play these games become unavailable. What the "EFF" is simply trying to do, is to allow games to be archived and preserved for future gamers and research. The "EFF" contacted the Copyright Office to ask for this exemption, needless to say it did not take long for the "ESA" to send the Copyright Office a letter to try and stop the "EFF".

The "ESA" states that any modification is a form of video game piracy, which is simply untrue and a complete exaggeration. What the "EFF" is trying to do, is keep games playable, games that may become impossible to find or, that need hardware that is unavailable. This is not to create loopholes for piracy, this is about preserving our gaming history and culture. While the "ESA" would try to make you believe their reasons are about piracy, they are in fact only trying to stop this to protect profits. Simply put, the archiving of games using the "EFF's" methods, is not profitable. This is the only reason the "ESA" is against the "EFF's" proposals. Now I disagree with what the "ESA is doing, I do understand trying to protect your earnings, however if these games are no longer produced they are not losing a single cent.

I can understand they do not want things to be given away freely, they do not want to lose out on a chance to make money. The "ESA" is simply trying to protect the industries bottom line. Regardless of the reasons, if the "ESA" does not want our history preserved in this way, they need to find some other way. If they are going to put a stop to the good work the "EFF" is doing, they need to supplement the work with their own preservation measures. Preserving gaming history is the most important issue in our community today. I hate that in 5 years time, some of the games I have played and loved, these wonderful experiences could be gone forever. And while my only concern is for my fellow gamer, I can understand the needs of the industry. 

I do believe much like film, music and written works, that game designers and creators deserve to get royalties and to be compensated for their phenomenal work. And I can understand why people like the "ESA" would not want games to be freely available. So, find another solution, help preserve gaming history and help the industry continue to thrive. Give the people who want to preserve the gaming communities culture, an alternative to archive and protect gaming's history. Would it be amazing if we could freely access classic games? Hell yes, it would be awesome to just download a game I used to love, and be able to play it whenever I want. Nevertheless, I know that is an unreasonable request to place on the industry.

My passion for gaming preservation is why I am a supporter of "remasters". While some people see these remastered ports as a cheap cash in, I simply see them as a way of keeping great games playable on new hardware. I actually enjoy playing most of these re-releases, most of them have been very well done and they do more good than harm. Still, this is not the best way to preserve our games, because it only preserves a tiny portion of our history. Film, music, written works, and even comic books are seen as being worthy of preservation, why is gaming not treated the same way? These other art-forms have been protected for years, yet when someone tries to apply the same protection to gaming, they are rarely taken as seriously. One day some of the games we love may be gone, and we will think, where did they go, and why did no one protect them?

What saddens me the most, is that the majority of gamers are so busy trashing every new or popular game release, that one of the few issues that really matters is pushed to the side and forgotten. Instead of talking about protecting our history, we are busy fighting among ourselves about which game sucks the least. There was a time when gamers just talked about their love of gaming, and I miss that time. Gamers used to talk about the games they loved, we would give each other recommendations about the latest and greatest game we got. Now all I hear is the extreme negativity, about nearly every game that comes out. Where did the fun go? Where did our passion for this incredible industry go?

Gaming has always been a source of fun and good times for me. As a gamer I know I am so lucky to be in this time, all the fantastic technology we have at our fingertips is staggering. The games also only seem to be getting better. Yet all I hear is about how the new game sucks. I think if out history was preserved if you could see what gaming was like 15 years ago, today's gamers might see things a little differently. Especially when you are able to play the games you have so many wonderful memories of. Because then your able to see the memories you have, can be better than the actual experience. Still, it is also good to replay those games, so you can relive those feelings that game gave you. And reliving those experiences can be incredibly meaningful, this is why I believe so strongly in gaming preservation.  

So if the "ESA" has any better ideas on how to protect gaming's legacy I'm all ears, however, if they have no better alternative stand aside and let these passionate gamers save our memories. This is not about "video game piracy", this is about letting the gamers of tomorrow experience the games of yesterday. While I understand the "ESA's" motivations, I also know if they have problems with this solution they need to give us an alternative.

For information on video game preservation and more head to the "EFF's" official site https://www.eff.org/ 

Here is also a list of other groups or organizations focused on gaming's preservation or gaming history. 

Video Game and Arcade Preservation Society http://www.arcade-museum.com/vaps/   

European Federation of Game Archives, Museums and Preservation Projects http://www.efgamp.eu/

International Arcade Museum http://www.arcade-museum.com/

Hardcore Gaming 101 http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/

Unseen 64 http://www.unseen64.net/