By Sagar V. Mankar 
The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has officially launched its digital library in early access, making a vast collection of video game-related materials available to the public. The initiative, aimed at preserving gaming history, can now be accessed through the foundation’s website.
A Massive Archive for Video Game Enthusiasts
According to the official website, the digital library currently hosts more than 30,000 curated files. This includes over 1,500 out-of-print magazines that have been fully digitized and made text-searchable. The collection is expected to expand further in the future, offering an even richer resource for researchers, historians, and gaming enthusiasts.
Some of the highlights of the early access launch:
- Guidebooks from the first 12 years of the influential E3 trade show
- A collection of promotional materials from renowned Japanese developer FromSoftware
- 100 CD-ROMs containing the complete archives of GamePro magazine
- Over 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage from the iconic Myst series
- The “Mark Flitman papers,” a collection of documents from his time at industry giants Konami, Acclaim, and Atari
A Step Forward in Preserving Gaming History
The Video Game History Foundation, founded in 2017 by game preservationist Frank Cifaldi, is a non-profit organization dedicated to cataloging, digitizing, and safeguarding gaming history. The project heavily relies on donations to sustain and expand its growing archive.
In a statement last week, the foundation expressed its enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “There has never been a better way to research video game history. By putting our rich collections in conversation with each other in a curated, text-searchable archive, we’ve turned them into a powerful, one-of-a-kind resource.”
The library is designed for a wide audience, including scholars, content creators, and gaming enthusiasts who wish to explore the history of video games. Whether for academic research or content creation, the foundation believes this digital archive will significantly impact how video game history is studied and understood.
Industry Perspectives on Game Preservation
The launch of the Video Game History Foundation’s (VGHF) digital library has renewed discussions around the preservation of video games. For some time, industry experts have been debating whether developers and publishers should take more responsibility for maintaining access to older games. There are also concerns about the feasibility of preserving mobile games and online services in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Last year, several high-profile video games and mobile games were canceled without preservation efforts. Notably, Sony’s Concord was taken offline just two weeks after release. Ubisoft’s decision to shut down servers for The Crew surprised many, even leading to legal action by two gamers. Additionally, the 33-year-old Game Informer magazine ceased operations, with its website now displaying a simple appreciation message only.
The VGHF’s new digital library marks a significant step toward ensuring the rich legacy of video games remains accessible to future generations. Platforms like GOG also deserve appreciation for their efforts in preserving classic games.
Will these efforts inspire other organizations for game preservation? Let me know your thoughts.