The Slippery Slope of Preservation in our Industry & in General
Good points, but what I'm trying to say is, preservation involves more than keeping a physical item in a pristine and protected state when it comes to computers and videogames. Let's say there's a sealed copy of "Ultima IV" for the Apple. I can read the back of the box to get an idea of what the game is about and what's described as being inside the box. I can relate that information to others. Other people can look at the box and appreciate it and get an idea of what's inside too. However, if we actually OPENED the box and played it and laid out the cloth map and felt the metal ankh and heard the clicks of the disk drive and the beeps of the Apple II's internal speaker, etc., then we'd REALLY be experiencing and understanding the game. It's one thing to look at a picture of a painting - you don't touch those and you'll get the same basic effect - or even a historical object like an Egyptian bracelet from the time of Ramses - physically handling it would only enrich your understanding and experience slightly. With computers and videogames, these things need to be used to ramp up your "experience" to the fullest. You gain little by admiring them from afar. Collecting in our industry to me is an active past-time, not a passive one. It's what makes our industry unique.
Bottom line, I agree that museums serve a valuable function for preservation and there's generally less that can go wrong there versus a private collection. But at the same time I think they should be limited to one display copy and one stored and protected copy. The rest should be fair game to those interested in owning them, particularly those, such as myself, who believe they can play an important societal role.
Also, let's say that your copy of that Ren & Stimpy comic is the last one in the world. Should we go kick your ass for already opening it and *gasp* reading something meant to be read? I wouldn't. It's still there and can still be appreciated even if it's not in pristine condition. I have to give the same consideration to computer and videogame stuff. Even if that computer I'm using breaks from usage, it can still sit in that museum and look just as pretty even if it were never used again. In other words, from a museum's standpoint, it's the same effect, since a museum is likely not interested in demonstrating the functionality, only the shell and some related historical information.
Finally, if a game, system, etc., are already digitally preserved with ROM images, photographs, scans and written historical data, do videogame historians in the year 2500 really need a sealed, original copy? I think not, again, which argues for usage NOW. While this stuff DOES still work and is still viable, let's all use it, spread our knowledge about it and not be so hung up on it "breaking". Physical things deteriorate over time anyway. Even if we keep that computer or software sealed, will it still work in 50 years? If someone opens it now and enjoys it for the next 20 years and is able to talk about it with others and contribute to the community, doesn't that serve a better purpose?
Good points, but what I'm trying to say is, preservation involves more than keeping a physical item in a pristine and protected state when it comes to computers and videogames. Let's say there's a sealed copy of "Ultima IV" for the Apple. I can read the back of the box to get an idea of what the game is about and what's described as being inside the box. I can relate that information to others. Other people can look at the box and appreciate it and get an idea of what's inside too. However, if we actually OPENED the box and played it and laid out the cloth map and felt the metal ankh and heard the clicks of the disk drive and the beeps of the Apple II's internal speaker, etc., then we'd REALLY be experiencing and understanding the game. It's one thing to look at a picture of a painting - you don't touch those and you'll get the same basic effect - or even a historical object like an Egyptian bracelet from the time of Ramses - physically handling it would only enrich your understanding and experience slightly. With computers and videogames, these things need to be used to ramp up your "experience" to the fullest. You gain little by admiring them from afar. Collecting in our industry to me is an active past-time, not a passive one. It's what makes our industry unique.
Bottom line, I agree that museums serve a valuable function for preservation and there's generally less that can go wrong there versus a private collection. But at the same time I think they should be limited to one display copy and one stored and protected copy. The rest should be fair game to those interested in owning them, particularly those, such as myself, who believe they can play an important societal role.
Also, let's say that your copy of that Ren & Stimpy comic is the last one in the world. Should we go kick your ass for already opening it and *gasp* reading something meant to be read? I wouldn't. It's still there and can still be appreciated even if it's not in pristine condition. I have to give the same consideration to computer and videogame stuff. Even if that computer I'm using breaks from usage, it can still sit in that museum and look just as pretty even if it were never used again. In other words, from a museum's standpoint, it's the same effect, since a museum is likely not interested in demonstrating the functionality, only the shell and some related historical information.
Finally, if a game, system, etc., are already digitally preserved with ROM images, photographs, scans and written historical data, do videogame historians in the year 2500 really need a sealed, original copy? I think not, again, which argues for usage NOW. While this stuff DOES still work and is still viable, let's all use it, spread our knowledge about it and not be so hung up on it "breaking". Physical things deteriorate over time anyway. Even if we keep that computer or software sealed, will it still work in 50 years? If someone opens it now and enjoys it for the next 20 years and is able to talk about it with others and contribute to the community, doesn't that serve a better purpose?
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[ My collection ]
[ http://www.MythCore.com ]
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.