GOG and Video Game History Foundation: Partnering to Preserve Retro Games

29 Mar GOG and Video Game History Foundation: Partnering to Preserve Retro Games

GOG (Good Old Games) has taken on the mission of preserving and honoring classic video games—many of which are at risk of disappearing. To strengthen this initiative, GOG has partnered with the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and educating people about video game history. This collaboration aims to not only ensure continued access to classic games but also to safeguard the historical context surrounding them, which is crucial for understanding the industry’s evolution and its cultural impact.

Frank Cifaldi, founder and co-director of VGHF, emphasizes that “preserving context is just as important as maintaining access to games.” This philosophy drives the organization to collect unique materials, including magazines, business documents, and marketing materials that shed light on the development of these titles. Likewise, Phil Salvador, director of the VGHF library, highlights a shocking statistic: nearly 87% of video games released before 2010 are no longer available—a reality that motivates both VGHF and GOG to work even harder.

This initiative aims to inspire future developers by giving them access to past ideas and concepts that may not have succeeded at the time but still hold significant value. By working together, GOG and VGHF are not only preserving entertainment but also building a cultural memory accessible to future generations, recognizing video games as an essential part of our cultural heritage.