Dr. Flori Pierri, Associate Curator of Science and Technology at the MIT Museum, recently shared insights into the evolving field of video game preservation, highlighting the institution’s commitment to safeguarding digital heritage. In an interview on the Video Game History Hour podcast, Dr. Pierri detailed the MIT Museum’s expanding focus on computer games and the broader concept of play, underscoring the unique challenges and opportunities presented by preserving a medium that has rapidly transformed from rudimentary vacuum tube experiments to complex virtual worlds.

The MIT Museum, renowned for its extensive collections spanning scientific photography, physics homework, and historical technological artifacts, has increasingly recognized the cultural and historical significance of video games. This burgeoning interest is not a recent development but rather a culmination of years of academic inquiry and a growing understanding of the medium’s impact on society and technology. The museum’s strategic direction includes a significant focus on computer games, a commitment exemplified by the acquisition of the Michael Dornbrook Collection. This collection represents a substantial contribution to the museum’s archival efforts, offering a rich trove of materials that document the early history of computer gaming. Furthermore, plans are underway for a major computer game exhibition scheduled for 2028, which promises to showcase the breadth and depth of this vital cultural domain to a wider audience.

A Legacy Rooted in Early Computing and Play

The journey into video game preservation at the MIT Museum is deeply intertwined with the history of computing itself. Early forms of interactive electronic entertainment emerged alongside the development of the first computers. One notable precursor, the Whirlwind I computer, operational in the early 1950s at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, demonstrated early computational capabilities that hinted at future interactive applications. While not a video game in the modern sense, its complex systems laid groundwork for digital manipulation and display.

Another fascinating, albeit less direct, antecedent to interactive digital entertainment can be found in historical games that explored complex systems or strategic thinking. The "Royal Game of the Dolphin," dating back to 1821, is an example of an intricate board game that, in its own way, engaged players with strategic challenges. While separated by centuries from digital games, such historical artifacts highlight a continuous human drive for engaging, rule-based interactive experiences.

The intellectual foundations for understanding and preserving digital information were significantly shaped by pioneers like Claude Elwood Shannon, often referred to as the "father of information theory." His groundbreaking work at Bell Labs in the mid-20th century established the mathematical principles underlying data transmission and storage, concepts crucial for comprehending the technical challenges of preserving born-digital artifacts. The museum’s collection, by encompassing both early computing history and the evolution of play, seeks to create a holistic narrative of technological innovation and human engagement.

The Intricacies of Preserving Born-Digital Objects

Dr. Pierri emphasized the critical importance of using original equipment for museum exhibits, a practice that offers an authentic experience and preserves the integrity of historical technology. This approach extends to video games, where the hardware and software are inextricably linked. Playing a classic game on an emulator, while functional, cannot fully replicate the experience of interacting with the original arcade cabinet, console, or personal computer. The tactile feel of the joystick, the specific visual output of a CRT monitor, and the unique sound profiles are all integral components of the historical artifact.

However, preserving born-digital objects, such as video games, presents a unique set of challenges that differ significantly from those of analog artifacts. Unlike a physical object that degrades over time, digital data faces obsolescence. Software becomes incompatible with new operating systems, file formats become unreadable, and the hardware required to run them becomes increasingly rare and difficult to maintain. This phenomenon, known as "digital decay," necessitates a proactive and adaptive preservation strategy.

"The challenges of preserving born-digital objects are substantial," Dr. Pierri explained in the interview. "We’re dealing with a medium that is inherently ephemeral. Software needs specific hardware and operating systems to run, and these dependencies can become obsolete very quickly. We’re not just preserving a piece of code; we’re preserving an entire ecosystem."

This requires not only secure digital storage but also the development of sophisticated emulation techniques and the meticulous documentation of hardware configurations, software versions, and even the environmental conditions under which these games were originally experienced. The MIT Museum’s commitment to this area involves investing in specialized digital preservation tools and expertise.

The Michael Dornbrook Collection: A Cornerstone of Game History

The acquisition of the Michael Dornbrook Collection marks a significant milestone in the MIT Museum’s efforts to build a comprehensive archive of video game history. While specific details of the collection’s contents were not fully elaborated upon, such collections typically include a vast array of materials that offer a granular view of game development and cultural impact. This can range from early design documents, source code, marketing materials, and playtest feedback to original hardware, peripherals, and even contemporary reviews and fan artifacts.

Michael Dornbrook, a notable figure in the early computer game industry, was instrumental in the development and publication of many influential titles. His collection likely represents a crucial primary source for understanding the creative processes, business decisions, and technological innovations that shaped the nascent video game landscape. The inclusion of this collection signifies the museum’s dedication to building a robust research resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Engaging with the Public and Researchers: A Dual Mandate

The MIT Museum operates with a dual mandate: to engage and educate the public while also serving as a vital resource for researchers. In the realm of video game preservation, this translates into making collections accessible and understandable to a broad audience, while also providing the necessary tools and data for academic study.

The planned 2028 computer game exhibition is a prime example of public engagement. Such exhibitions have the power to demystify complex technologies, showcase the artistry and cultural significance of video games, and inspire new generations of creators and historians. By presenting these games within the context of technological and societal evolution, the museum aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the medium’s impact.

For researchers, the museum’s archival efforts provide invaluable primary source material. The collection of unreleased Infocom game materials, for instance, offers a rare glimpse into the development of some of the most iconic text-adventure games in history. Infocom, known for its innovative narrative design and challenging puzzles, produced titles like "Zork," "Planetfall," and "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy." Access to unreleased materials can shed light on design decisions, abandoned concepts, and the iterative process of game development, providing crucial data for understanding the evolution of interactive storytelling and artificial intelligence in games.

The museum’s website, which includes a collections search function, allows for public and academic exploration of its holdings. This digital accessibility is paramount in ensuring that the knowledge contained within the archives is disseminated effectively. By providing online access to cataloged items and descriptions, the museum extends its reach far beyond its physical walls.

Future Directions and the Evolving Narrative of Play

The MIT Museum’s commitment to video game preservation is indicative of a broader trend within cultural institutions to recognize and protect digital heritage. As technology continues its relentless march forward, the need to document and preserve the artifacts of our digital past becomes increasingly urgent. The journey from vacuum tubes to virtual worlds is a testament to human ingenuity and the ever-evolving nature of our interaction with technology.

The ongoing work at the MIT Museum, under the guidance of Dr. Flori Pierri and her colleagues, is crucial for ensuring that future generations can understand and learn from the rich and complex history of video games. This includes not only preserving the games themselves but also the cultural context in which they were created and experienced. The museum’s efforts are laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of a medium that has profoundly shaped our entertainment, our culture, and our relationship with technology.

The Video Game History Hour podcast, where these insights were shared, plays a vital role in this ecosystem by providing a platform for curators, historians, and developers to discuss their work and advocate for the importance of game preservation. The podcast’s availability on platforms like Patreon, Spotify, and the Video Game History Foundation’s website ensures that these conversations reach a wide and engaged audience, fostering a community dedicated to safeguarding this essential aspect of our digital heritage. The collaboration between institutions like the MIT Museum and organizations like the Video Game History Foundation is essential for building a robust and accessible archive of video game history for generations to come.