The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) is a prominent presence at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, dedicating its efforts to advancing the critical fields of video game preservation and educational accessibility. While the organization is not hosting its usual pop-up museum within the expo hall this year, its team will be actively engaged throughout the week-long festival, from March 9th to March 13th, participating in key panels, engaging with attendees, and highlighting crucial research.

"What’s New in Game History: 2026" Panel

A cornerstone of the VGHF’s participation is their presence on the "What’s New in Game History: 2026" panel, scheduled for Monday, March 9th, at 4:30 PM PST. Library Director Phil Salvador will represent the VGHF, offering insights into the latest developments across the spectrum of game history scholarship. This session is designed to be a comprehensive overview, encompassing everything from newly published academic works that delve into the cultural and technological evolution of video games to advancements in emulator development that are crucial for the long-term viability of playing historical titles.

Salvador’s presentation will specifically address the state of "Institutions" within the game history sector. This term broadly refers to organizations such as museums, libraries, and archives that are dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to video game artifacts and information. The year 2025, according to preliminary assessments by VGHF, presented significant challenges for these institutions, particularly concerning funding and operational stability. Salvador is expected to share observations and updates on the ongoing efforts to establish long-term stability for these vital entities, emphasizing the importance of their sustained operation for the future of game historical research and public engagement. The panel aims to foster dialogue among historians, developers, and preservationists on how to collectively navigate these challenges and ensure the continued accessibility of our digital heritage.

Opening Night at the Ballpark: Digital Archive Showcase

The VGHF will also be a featured exhibitor at the highly anticipated Opening Night at the Ballpark, the official kick-off party for GDC 2026, held at Oracle Park. This event offers a unique opportunity for attendees to interact directly with the VGHF and its mission. The foundation will be showcasing a hands-on demonstration of its digital archive, a vast and growing repository of video game-related materials. This interactive exhibit will allow developers and enthusiasts alike to explore the depth and breadth of historical assets being meticulously cataloged and preserved.

Beyond the digital showcase, volunteers from the VGHF will be present to engage with attendees, discussing the intricacies of their preservation efforts and the importance of celebrating and safeguarding the rich history of video games. This informal setting provides an accessible platform for networking and raising awareness about the ongoing need for support and participation in game preservation initiatives. The GDC Opening Night party has historically served as a vital networking event for the game development community, and the VGHF’s presence underscores the growing recognition of game history as an integral part of the industry’s narrative and future.

"Expanding the 13%": Research on Educational Accessibility

A significant portion of the VGHF’s advocacy at GDC 2026 is dedicated to improving the accessibility of video games within educational settings. The organization has been a key collaborator with the University of Washington’s Information School (iSchool) on a comprehensive study examining video game preservation and its integration into educational curricula. This research, informally dubbed "Expanding the 13%"—a nod to the VGHF’s landmark 2019 study, "How Long Will You Remember This Game?" which found that only 13% of video games released since 1983 were still available for purchase—aims to address the persistent challenges in making historical and even contemporary games accessible for learning.

Lane D. Koughan, the lead researcher from the University of Washington iSchool, is scheduled to present the findings of this study on Thursday, March 12th, at 2:40 PM PST. The presentation, titled "Expanding the 13%: Directing Game Access in Game Education," will detail the study’s methodologies and its conclusions regarding the barriers and opportunities for incorporating video games into academic environments. While the VGHF is not directly involved in this specific presentation, they have expressed strong support and anticipation for the findings, viewing it as a crucial step in building upon their foundational research. The VGHF’s 2019 study highlighted the alarming rate at which video games become inaccessible over time, impacting not only players but also educators seeking to utilize these interactive media for pedagogical purposes. The UWash study is expected to provide actionable insights and strategies for educators and institutions to overcome these hurdles, potentially leading to increased adoption of video games as educational tools.

Broader Context: The State of Game Preservation

The Video Game History Foundation’s activities at GDC 2026 arrive at a critical juncture for the field of video game preservation. The industry, now decades into its existence, faces the daunting task of archiving an ever-expanding digital legacy. Unlike physical media, digital formats are prone to obsolescence, file corruption, and proprietary hardware requirements that can render entire libraries of games unplayable. Organizations like the VGHF are at the forefront of combating this digital decay, working to create robust systems for the long-term preservation of software, hardware, and related documentation.

The challenges are multifaceted. Economically, preservation efforts often rely on grants, donations, and the goodwill of volunteers, making sustained operation a constant struggle. Technologically, reverse-engineering obsolete hardware and software, developing accurate emulators, and ensuring the integrity of digital files require specialized expertise and significant resources. Legally, copyright laws and licensing complexities can further complicate efforts to preserve and provide access to historical titles.

The VGHF’s focus on "Institutions" acknowledges that the responsibility for preservation cannot fall solely on one organization. It necessitates a collaborative ecosystem of libraries, museums, universities, and even commercial entities working together. The funding challenges faced in 2025, as highlighted by Salvador, underscore the fragility of this ecosystem and the urgent need for more sustainable models. Potential solutions being explored across the preservation community include developing open-source preservation tools, advocating for more flexible copyright regimes for archival purposes, and fostering stronger partnerships between cultural heritage institutions and the gaming industry.

The "Expanding the 13%" study further illuminates the practical implications of inadequate preservation. When games are not accessible, their potential as educational resources is severely limited. Educators are often forced to rely on incomplete or pirated versions of games, or to abandon the idea of using them altogether. This limits students’ exposure to the rich narratives, complex problem-solving mechanics, and historical contexts that video games offer. By working with institutions like the University of Washington, the VGHF aims to bridge this gap, demonstrating that video games can be valuable tools for learning across a variety of disciplines, from history and literature to computer science and art.

The Evolving Landscape of GDC

The Game Developers Conference, as the premier event for game industry professionals, has increasingly recognized the importance of history and preservation. While GDC has traditionally focused on the future of game development, the growing presence and active participation of organizations like the VGHF signify a maturing industry that is beginning to look back as well as forward. The inclusion of sessions dedicated to game history and preservation signals a broader understanding that a strong foundation in the past is essential for innovation and responsible growth.

The GDC 2026 schedule, beyond the VGHF’s direct involvement, features other sessions that touch upon historical aspects of game development. While the VGHF is not directly involved in these, their attendance at these sessions reflects a commitment to understanding the full scope of historical discourse happening at the conference. These sessions can range from retrospectives on influential game design philosophies to discussions on the evolution of game engines and development tools.

The VGHF’s continued presence at GDC serves as a crucial reminder to the industry that the games being created today are the history of tomorrow. Their work in preserving this legacy ensures that future generations of developers, historians, and players will have access to the cultural artifacts that have shaped our digital world. By actively engaging with the GDC community, the Video Game History Foundation aims to foster a collective commitment to safeguarding this vital part of our cultural heritage. The foundation’s multi-pronged approach—through direct participation in panels, public engagement at events, and support for critical research—underscores their dedication to ensuring that the stories, innovations, and experiences embedded in video games are not lost to time.