The long-term preservation of interactive digital media faces an unprecedented crisis as an increasing volume of cultural artifacts is released exclusively in digital formats. Addressing this growing archival emergency, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) is organizing the upcoming Digital Games in Libraries (DGIL) National Virtual Forum, scheduled to take place online from October 29 through October 30. Designed to tackle the multifaceted challenges of archiving, cataloging, and providing public access to modern interactive entertainment, the event brings together librarians, archivists, researchers, and developers to establish sustainable frameworks for safeguarding digital-only independent video games.

In the latest installment of the Video Game History Hour podcast, host Phil Salvador welcomed Dr. Colin Post and Marisa Marzilli, both representatives from UNCG, to discuss the objectives of the upcoming forum, the foundational origins of the DGIL initiative, and the critical collection models necessary to prevent the permanent loss of contemporary digital culture.

The Genesis of the Digital Games in Libraries Initiative

The transition of the video game industry away from physical media—such as cartridges, compact discs, and digital versatile discs—toward entirely digital distribution models has fundamentally altered how creative works are consumed and retained. While digital distribution offers developers global reach and lowers barriers to entry, particularly for independent creators working with limited budgets, it introduces severe vulnerabilities regarding institutional preservation. Without physical artifacts to store on shelves, digital-only titles exist precariously on proprietary storefronts, cloud servers, and individual hard drives.

Recognizing the urgent need to bridge the gap between academic and public libraries and the rapidly evolving medium of video games, the UNCG team established the Digital Games in Libraries initiative. The project seeks to empower cultural heritage institutions to actively collect, preserve, and circulate digital games, ensuring that future generations retain access to the diverse narratives and technical innovations birthed within the indie development scene.

During their discussion on the Video Game History Hour, Dr. Post and Marzilli elaborated on the initial motivations behind the DGIL project, detailing how modern libraries are uniquely positioned to serve as community archives. Unlike traditional corporate entities that may abandon older titles due to shifting commercial priorities, libraries operate under a public-service mandate to preserve cultural history for educational and research purposes.

Chronology of the Archival Crisis and the Roadmap to October 29-30

The challenges facing digital preservation have intensified over the past decade, driven by rapid shifts in consumer habits and technology hardware. A chronological view of the digital archiving landscape highlights the growing urgency that culminated in the creation of the DGIL National Virtual Forum:

• Early 2010s: The rise of digital distribution platforms like Steam, itch.io, and console digital marketplaces accelerates the release of independent video games, many of which bypass physical manufacturing entirely.
• Mid-2010s: Archival organizations, including the Video Game History Foundation, begin publishing alarming reports regarding the commercial availability of classic and modern games, noting that the vast majority of historical releases are out of print and inaccessible through legal commercial channels.
• Late 2010s to 2020: Academic libraries begin experimenting with isolated video game collections, largely focusing on physical media or educational software, while digital-only titles remain largely unmanaged due to complex licensing and technical hurdles.
• 2023–2024: UNCG launches the Digital Games in Libraries initiative, supported by research grants and collaboration with information science professionals, laying the groundwork for standardized digital collection protocols.
• October 29–30: The DGIL National Virtual Forum convenes virtually to address collection models, legal frameworks, digital infrastructure, and long-term resource sharing among participating institutions.

Supporting Data: The Vulnerability of Digital Media

To understand the necessity of the DGIL initiative, industry data regarding game availability provides sobering context. According to comprehensive studies conducted by the Video Game History Foundation and the Software Preservation Network, an overwhelming majority of historical video games released in the United States are currently considered critically endangered.

While precise figures fluctuate as new studies assess contemporary software, historical data indicates that nearly 87% of all video games released in the United States prior to the modern era are commercially unavailable. For digital-only indie releases, the risk profile is even higher due to several distinct factors:

1. Server Dependencies: Many independent games rely on online servers for authentication, multiplayer functionality, or cloud saves. Once a developer ceases operations or removes a game from a digital storefront, the software often becomes permanently non-functional.
2. Proprietary Digital Rights Management (DRM): Complex DRM frameworks designed to prevent piracy also prevent archival institutions from creating secure, long-term preservation copies or migration formats.
3. Lack of Legal Protections: Current copyright laws present substantial barriers for libraries and archives wishing to bypass digital locks or distribute copyrighted software remotely, even for bona fide research and educational use.

By focusing the upcoming forum on collection models and resource ideation, UNCG aims to address these data-driven realities by fostering collaborative networks that can pool technical expertise and advocate for necessary legislative and policy reforms.

Perspectives and Expert Analysis

The collaboration between UNCG researchers and preservation organizations highlights a broader professional consensus: the preservation of digital culture cannot be left solely to the free market. Creators, archivists, and information scientists share a common stake in ensuring that the artistic output of the independent games sector is not lost to technological obsolescence.

Industry analysts note that independent games often represent the most culturally diverse, experimental, and socially relevant segment of the modern medium. Unlike AAA blockbusters—which are often heavily documented and backed by corporate archiving efforts—indie games frequently emerge from marginalized voices, niche genres, and experimental design philosophies. The loss of these titles represents a significant blind spot in cultural history.

However, implementing effective collection models for digital-only games is fraught with logistical hurdles. Libraries must navigate intricate acquisition agreements, develop secure local storage infrastructure, and train staff in digital curation standards specific to interactive media. The DGIL National Virtual Forum is structured specifically to tackle these operational roadblocks, offering panels and workshops dedicated to practical solutions.

Broader Impact and Implications for Cultural Heritage

The outcomes of the October 29-30 forum are expected to ripple across the fields of library science, digital archiving, and interactive entertainment development. As institutions adopt standardized frameworks for digital game preservation, several long-term implications emerge:

• Standardization of Archival Practices: Developing unified metadata standards and acquisition policies will allow libraries to share resources, avoid redundant efforts, and build comprehensive collective catalogs of independent software.
• Enhanced Academic Research: Providing scholars with reliable access to a broader spectrum of digital games will enrich research in digital humanities, sociology, media studies, and game design.
• Policy and Advocacy: A unified front of academic and public libraries advocating for digital preservation rights may influence future legal exemptions under copyright law, particularly regarding the archival circumvention of technological protection measures.

Listeners interested in a deeper dive into the origins of the initiative and the philosophical approach behind the digital archiving of independent video games can access the full interview with Dr. Colin Post and Marisa Marzilli on the Video Game History Hour, available via Patreon, Spotify, and the official website of the Video Game History Foundation. Further updates, registration details, and ongoing discussions regarding the Digital Games in Libraries initiative can be found directly through the UNCG School of Education portal and the official DGIL Substack publication.