Archiving computer games in Poland – introduction to the issue

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reflect on the idea of archiving computer games and to identify solutions, enabling this process, on the basis of existing research in the field of archival methodology and practical solutions applied to games. Starting with a brief outline of the development of computer game technology, the authors pointed out the legitimacy and necessity of archiving computer games. They also briefly touched on the emergence of games as a records-creating process. They also considered the problems of the collecting institution, the place and conditions of storage, access and copyright of game developers. The presentation of known practices of game archiving and the consequences of their abandonment provide additional justification for this issue. Authors also analyze themes emphasized by German and Polish laws. The article pays attention to those features that distinguish games from other types of documentation, i.e. capturing through technology aspects unavailable to traditional forms of documentation. On the basis of this information, as well as general selection criteria known in archival methodology, specific criteria were proposed that should be paid attention to when assessing the value of a game. The subject of establishing a list of records-creators was also addressed as a refinement of the problem of collecting games. Then, using the achievements of archival methodology on processing films, recordings, oral accounts, as well as a German-language analysis of game archiving, the next steps in their development are described. The proposal of a standard for describing a game as an archival unit is the culmination of our considerations, developed mainly through the comparative method. Solutions from other geographical and formal areas (audiovisual documentation, the standard for describing oral accounts) were used for this purpose. The authors stipulated that the present subject is a novelty, so it is an outline and an encouragement to consider the recommendations they made.