Statement on ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ European Citizen’s Initiative- EFGAMP
As the European Federation for Game Archives, Museums and Preservation Projects, we first appreciate the debate around the ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ citizen’s initiative which underlines the importance of the preservation of games. As a federation dedicated to the preservation of games EFGAMP is pleased to see that this topic is becoming more relevant within Europe and that more than one million European citizens have expressed their interest into playing games even after their commercial exploitation phase.
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. 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. Much groundwork has already been laid and some legal hurdles to the preservation of video games have been removed. Still, there are 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. In previous collaborations EFGAMP has given input on previous laws and initiatives, including the Out of Commerce exemption for archives.
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. We welcome the opportunity to discuss our ideas with policy makers, those who have led the European Citizens Initiative and all parties interested in the cultural significance of games, taking into account the interests of both games community and rights holders.
With cultural institutions all over Europe approaching this topic with their own expertise, it would improve the games industry, cultural institutions and European citizens to explore options to start saving games for future generations.
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