Video game preservation and saving games from becoming completely unplayable have been issues since gaming's inception. Now more than ever, new games are being released that have a lifespan that may only last a year or two before they go offline. Much work has been completed to help save modern games from destruction and to preserve retro video games.
Video game emulators are the best method for virtualizing and continuing game consoles long after most consoles have failed or become extremely obscure due to wear over time. Video Game Preservation explains how emulators have been created for systems like the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and many others.
Understanding copyrights, piracy, and the other various legalese of the gaming industry is vital to grasping how certain video games have become more obscure and difficult to access and play in any capacity.
Jailbreaking video game consoles, otherwise known as running custom firmware on a console or homebrew, greatly helps physical systems operate properly after updates are no longer sent out by their original developers. Furthermore, video game homebrew also allows video game consoles to run applications they could not before, such as running FTP servers to move files from the system to other devices on the same network. Numerous consoles have free homebrew games that enthusiast developers have created specifically for the console.
The way to preserve video games is growing more complex, but an extraordinary amount has been accomplished to keep gaming protected for future generations.
