EFGAMP Offers Its Expertise in Game Preservation to the EU

The European Federation for Game Archives, Museums and Preservation Projects (EFGAMP) has published a statement on the so-called Stop Killing Videogames Initiative. In it, EFGAMP welcomes the debate sparked by the initiative and offers the EU its advice and expertise as a partner.

As an association committed to the preservation of games, EFGAMP naturally welcomes the debate that has arisen in response to the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative, which is being discussed in the community primarily under the name Stop Killing Videogames. "While this citizen’s initiative is not focused on the preservation and cultural protection of games as cultural heritage, it still provides further impressive evidence of the cultural significance of games. In that regard it is a promising fact that a considerable number of memory institutions across Europe are collecting our gaming cultural heritage", the statement says. "Cultural preservation is an important and long-term goal because if games should be kept accessible after their commercial exploitation phase various measures have to be established, in technical, legal and social terms."

According to EFGAMP some legal hurdles to the preservation of video games have been already removed, but there are still important juridical measures that need to be negotiated with policy makers and the representatives of all segments of the game industry. "EFGAMP and its members would like to offer their insights and expertise on this subject to the European Commission", the organisation says. "With our diverse membership ranging from GLAM institutions and grassroots initiatives to companies from game industry and digital preservation sectors, we are confident to enrich the discussion around ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ with our experience and suggestions. On that background we recommend that you consider the entire situation first before making a decision on that special issue."