Every Video Game Enthusiast Should Delve into this Depository of Game Past
Gaming history continues to fade away each year, with flooding basements, dissolving papers, and the passing of gaming industry titans. The Video Game History Foundation has stepped up to the plate, offering the most extensive and searchable library of video game documentation yet. Delving into the depths of old magazines and design docs, you'll begin to comprehend the profound impact of physical media on an entire generation of gamers.
I, like many others, discovered my escape in the form of gaming magazines. Remember those weekly supermarket trips with my mom? Filled with anxiety and boredom, I would head straight for the magazine aisle, swooping up every issue of Game Informer or EGM that I could lay my hands on. As a kid, I didn't realize the therapeutic effects of these publications, but they certainly managed to keep me sane as I weaved my way through the mundane supermarket experience.
Fast forward to present day, and physical media and magazines are no longer as readily available as they once were. With the discontinuation of Game Informer and the withdrawal of booklets and guides by game companies, gamers have lost more than just access to their beloved physical media. We've also lost our personal connection to the medium that once felt so tangible within the gaming sphere.
Step up to the plate and become an amateur video game historian with the VGHF archive. This comprehensive digital library is packed with more than 30,000 curated files, including over 1,500 fully searchable issues of out-of-print gaming magazines, guidebooks, and promotional materials from gaming events such as E3. The library also offers never-before-seen game development assets, artwork, and promotional materials. And let's not forget the 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage from the Myst series!
The VGHF archive is not just a treasure trove of gaming history, but it's a tool that allows users to conduct research with ease. Users can filter by author, specific games, publishers, and other categories, making it simple to find what they're looking for. Users can also explore sections such as magazines, event guides, development assets, and footage.
Access to the library may be limited initially due to high demand, so be patient as the VGHF continues to expand and improve the service. And, of course, don't forget to support this non-profit organization to ensure their efforts in preserving video game history continue.
In an interview with Gizmodo, VGHF Library Director Phil Salvador mentioned the archive was made to be accessible for anyone to utilize. Whether you're trying to find keywords for the right documents, or you're simply reminiscing about defunct gaming shows alike, the VGHF archive is the place to be.
Enrichment data:
- Library Access: The VGHF digital library is available at library.gamehistory.org.
- Content Overview: The library contains over 30,000 files, including over 1,500 searchable issues of out-of-print gaming magazines, event guides, development assets, and promotional materials.
- Search Tools: Powerful search tools are available to filter by author, games, publishers, and other categories.
- Navigating the Library: Users can explore sections such as magazines, event guides, development assets, and footage.
- Supporting the Foundation: Donations can be made to help preserve video game history and make it more accessible.
- Potential Issues: Limited access may be available due to high demand and users may experience timeout errors.
In the future, tech-savvy historians will greatly benefit from technologies like the VGHF archive, ensuring the preservation of video game history for generations to come. The vast array of tech-related resources, such as game development assets and promotional materials, provides invaluable insight into the tech innovations that shaped the gaming industry.
As technology continues to evolve, so too does the format in which gaming content is delivered. In the not-so-distant future, online archives like the VGHF library will likely replace traditional physical media, providing gamers with a more convenient and accessible way to relive their favorite game moments.
