The National Videogame Museum and Video Game History Foundation are working to preserve video game archives, focusing on social and personal context. A digital archive of 1,500 games magazines is set to be released in Oakland, California, providing a valuable resource for researchers and nostalgia seekers. This effort highlights the importance of understanding cultural memory through everyday objects and experiences.
The museums’ approach emphasizes fan perspectives and individual experiences over exhaustive collections. For instance, the National Videogame Museum wants to capture the stories behind why people collect specific items, rather than just accumulating publications. This focus on social context and personal connections makes games mags a vital part of cultural history and nostalgia.
Recent events in the gaming industry, such as Ubisoft’s studio closures, underscore the need for preserving game archives. The digitization of old magazines can help preserve memories and experiences shared between generations. Personal collections become a way to pass on emotional value and significance to others.
In related news, Reuters has featured cosy games like Spiritfarer and Animal Crossing, which offer mental health benefits for stressed or anxious players. Interactive features like Cosy Comfort allow players to engage with the content in a more immersive way.
Recommendations for newcomers to gaming include recommending modern titles like Spider-Man, Uncharted, and Horizon, which have good easy modes. Retro-inspired games like Stellar Blade, The Quarry, Stardew Valley, Tunic, and Roots of Pacha can also provide an enjoyable introduction to gaming with a 90s feel.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jan/29/the-things-we-collect-are-a-message-to-others-what-video-game-ephemera-tells-us-about-ourselves