Game preservation has long been centered around the scarcity of history's most cherished games. While it's understandable that a significant portion of past games are no longer available for purchase, GOG, a DRM-free game distributor, has stepped in to address the next inevitable question: how to make these games compatible with modern systems?

Preserving Gaming History for the Modern Age

Game Preservation Focus on Limited Availability

Game preservation has primarily focused on the limited availability of history's most beloved titles. This is a valid concern as the vast majority of past games are no longer accessible. GOG, with its "Good Old Games" preservation program, aims to change that.For instance, the 2001 CRPG Arcanum of Steamworks and Magic Obscura is one of the best RPGs ever made but is difficult to run on modern machines. Under GOG's program, it is now compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the first install.

Unveiling the "Good Old Games" Program

Last month, GOG unveiled its first slate of 100 games in the "Good Old Games" preservation program. The company, which hasn't used its full name in over a decade, uses this moniker to denote titles that receive special treatment directly from the distributor. GOG has confirmed that these games are playable on modern PCs with the latest versions of Windows and graphics drivers. Additionally, the team will continue working on bug fixes to ensure a smooth gaming experience.As Bartosz Kwietniewski, GOG's head of business development, said in a video interview with Gizmodo, "We very quickly realized that we're only partially participating in preservation efforts by releasing games. You need to ensure that the games remain playable and compatible."

Support Service for Players

GOG is offering a support service for players who encounter issues with their games. This is similar to the defunct Nintendo hotline of old. The program isn't a return to the past but a way for modern players to discover that these older games are not only good for their time but also relevant today.For example, earlier this week, Blizzard removed Warcraft and Warcraft II from GOG on December 13. Despite being classics that still sell, Blizzard has its own $40 Warcraft Battle Chest. However, GOG will continue to support both games with updates even after they are no longer available in the store.

Making Old Games Playable on Modern Systems

For older, DOS-based games, GOG uses open-source emulators to ensure compatibility. For other games, it requires a lot of effort and time. There are 15 staff members, including developers and technicians, working on releasing and rereleasing games.Take Dragon Age: Origins, for instance. It is notoriously hard to run on modern PCs due to a memory leak issue. GOG has spent years working on patches to fix it, and it just launched its latest patch. It is the only professional outlet outside Bioware to release a patch for the game in 15 years.

Adding More Games to the Program

GOG plans to launch more games to the Good Old Games program every month or even more frequently. Bartosz Kwietniewski, a big fan of Heroes of Might and Magic 3, wants to add all the Might and Magic titles to the list. The number of games added may vary, but the head of business development assures that it will be consistent.In conclusion, GOG's efforts in game preservation are crucial in making history's beloved titles playable on modern systems. With its various programs and services, players can continue to enjoy these classic games and discover new ones.