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GOG Joins European Federation Of Game Archives, Museums And Preservation Projects

by Rainier on Jan. 14, 2025 @ 9:53 a.m. PST

Digital game distribution platform, GOG, joins the European Federation of Game Archives, Museums, and Preservation Projects (EFGAMP), the largest organization in Europe dedicated to preserving video games as cultural heritage.

Founded in 2012, EFGAMP represents more than 20 heritage institutions and other organizations, ranging from grassroots initiatives to national libraries, that collect and preserve digital games. Its members include renowned members such as VIGAMUS — The Video Game Museum in Rome, MO5.COM in France, Computerspielemuseum in Berlin, The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision, and Embracer Games Archive. GOG is the first Polish institution to join, marking a significant step in bridging the private sector with cultural organizations across Europe.

GOG was created with video game preservation in mind”, said Maciej Gołębiewski, Managing Director at GOG. “Classic games and the mission to safeguard them for future generations have always been at the core of our work. Over the past decade, we’ve honed our expertise in this area. The GOG Preservation Program, which ensures compatibility for over 100 games and delivers hundreds of enhancements, is just one example of this commitment. We were thrilled to see the Program warmly received not only by our players but also by our partners and the gaming industry as a whole”.

The GOG Preservation Programl aunched in 2024 to ensure that over 100 classic titles remain accessible and playable. Games included in the Program have received  566 enhancements so far and earned an average user rating of 4.2/5. These efforts allow players to rediscover iconic games while ensuring their compatibility with modern systems. The program’s launch received overwhelmingly positive feedback from players, partners, and media, further validating GOG’s mission.

Video game preservation is a pressing topic not only in the video game industry but also in mainstream culture as concerns about the disappearance of digital media grow. PC Gamer’s Rich Stanton noted, "2024 was the year gamers really started pushing back on the erosion of game ownership". Similarly, Game Developer highlighted video game preservation as a key trend in its article, "2024 Wrap-Up: The Top Trends That Defined 2024".

Gołębiewski further explained that GOG’s role in preservation extends beyond its platform. He highlighted, “As a European company, we feel a responsibility to lead in preserving gaming heritage. Joining EFGAMP reinforces this commitment. Our next step is to expand institutional collaboration with museums and governmental and non-governmental organizations worldwide. We hope our experience will contribute meaningfully to their efforts. We are also discussing exciting new game preservation projects, which we look forward to sharing soon”.

GOG brings a unique perspective to EFGAMP as a European leader in digital game distribution”, said Andreas Lange, COO of EFGAMP. “Their experience in making classic games accessible to modern audiences complements the work of our existing members by bringing further digital expertise to our collective efforts. As GOG distributes classic games worldwide, GOG is a fantastic addition to EFGAMP, whose members are primarily rooted in the cultural heritage sector”.

By joining EFGAMP, GOG reinforces its position as one of the global champions in game preservation and a passionate advocate for this critical cause. It remains dedicated to protecting gaming’s cultural legacy and ensuring players worldwide can continue enjoying the titles that shaped the medium.

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