Jon-Paul C. DysonInternational Center for the History of Electronic Games

(ICHEG) at The StrongRochester, New York

Collecting Video Games: Questions, Models, and Methods

World’s Largest Play Collection

So How DO You Preserve a Video Game?

So How Do You Preserve a Book?

So How Do You Preserve a Movie?

So How Do You Preserve a Baseball Game?

So How Do You Preserve a Baseball Game?

So How Do You Preserve the History of Books, Movies, and

Baseball Games?

So How Do You Preserve the History of Video Games?

Historiographical Models

History of the Book Constructivist History of Science

http://www.icheg.org/sites/www.icheg.org/files/uploads/ConcentricCircles_020711.pdf

Electronic games are playthings in which a computer mediates the play

Spectrum of Electronic Games

Electronic Games

Not Electronic Games

So Who is Preserving Video Games?

International Center for the History of Electronic Games at The Strong

International Center for the History of Electronic Games at The Strong

• Established in 2009• Preserves and explores the history of video games

worldwide• Approximately 50,000 video games and related

artifacts, including around 200 arcade games• Extensive archival collections – provides access to

scholars• Interactive exhibits like eGameRevolution, Atari

by Design, Boardwalk Arcade

Game Exhibits at The Strong

• Original hardware and software

ICHEG’s Approach to Preserving the History of Video Games

What are acceptable preservation techniques for games?

• Original hardware and software• Archival materials

ICHEG’s Approach to Preserving the History of Video Games

• Original hardware and software• Archival materials• Media about games

ICHEG’s Approach to Preserving the History of Video Games

• Original hardware and software• Archival materials• Media about games• Video capture

ICHEG’s Approach to Preserving the History of Video Games

• Original hardware and software• Archival materials• Media about games• Video capture• Migration and emulation

ICHEG’s Approach to Preserving the History of Video Games

Preservation Develops through Conversations

Video Game Preservation

Producers

Scholars

Consumers

Collectors

Preservation Develops through Conversations

Video Game Preservation

Producers

Scholars

ConsumersCollectors

Technology

Conversations Must Always Continue

Video Game Preservation

Producers

Scholars

ConsumersCollectors

Technology

Video Game Preservation

Producers

Scholars

ConsumersCollectors

Technology

Video Game Preservation

Producers

Scholars

ConsumersCollectors

Technology

Video Game Preservation

Producers

Scholars

ConsumersCollectors

Technology

J.P. Dysonjpdyson@thestrong.org

www.icheg.orgwww.facebook.com/icheg

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