Digital preservation

Definition

Digital preservation refers to the processes and activities aimed at maintaining and ensuring the accessibility of digital content over time. This includes strategies for storing, protecting, and providing access to digital artifacts, particularly in contexts where technology is constantly changing. In the realm of video game exhibitions and museums, digital preservation is crucial for safeguarding the history and cultural significance of video games, allowing future generations to experience them as they were originally intended.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Digital preservation efforts focus on both preserving the software and hardware necessary to run classic games, as well as the associated data and documentation.
2. Museums often collaborate with developers and historians to create digital archives that capture not only the games but also their cultural context and significance.
3. The rapid pace of technology advancement poses challenges for digital preservation, as formats and platforms become obsolete quickly.
4. Effective digital preservation requires ongoing maintenance, which includes updating storage solutions and monitoring the integrity of digital files over time.
5. Legal issues surrounding copyright can complicate digital preservation efforts, as institutions must navigate permissions when archiving video games.

Review Questions

• How does digital preservation contribute to the understanding of video games as a form of art?
  • Digital preservation is vital for understanding video games as a form of art because it ensures that these interactive experiences remain accessible to audiences long after their original release. By preserving not just the games themselves but also their cultural context, museums can showcase how video games reflect societal values, artistic innovation, and technological advancement. This helps highlight the artistic merit of video games within the broader landscape of contemporary art.
• What are some challenges faced by institutions in implementing effective digital preservation strategies for video games?
  • Institutions encounter various challenges in implementing effective digital preservation strategies for video games, including rapidly evolving technology that can render older systems obsolete. Additionally, there are significant legal hurdles related to copyright laws, which can restrict access to preserved content. Another challenge is the need for consistent funding and resources to maintain preservation efforts over time. Balancing these factors while ensuring the integrity and accessibility of preserved materials is crucial for successful digital preservation.
• Evaluate the impact of digital preservation on future research and scholarship in the field of video game studies.
  • Digital preservation significantly impacts future research and scholarship in video game studies by providing scholars with access to a wealth of preserved materials that would otherwise be lost. By maintaining both the games and their contextual documentation, researchers can conduct comprehensive analyses of design choices, narrative structures, and cultural significance. Furthermore, preserved artifacts allow for a more nuanced understanding of how video games have influenced and been influenced by societal trends over time. This ongoing accessibility fosters a richer academic dialogue about the role of video games in our culture.

Related terms

Emulation:

The technique of replicating the functions of one system on another system, often used in digital preservation to recreate the environment necessary to run older video games.

Digital Archiving: The process of collecting, storing, and managing digital materials to ensure their longevity and accessibility for future use.

Metadata: Data that provides information about other data, essential in digital preservation for describing the context, content, and structure of digital objects.