The Japan Game Preservation Association turns to crowdfunding after its subsidies were cut.
Facing cuts in government funding due to digital archiving regulations, the Japan Game Preservation Association launched Patreon and plans to expand into the US.
The Game Preservation Society of Japan (GPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the legacy of classic video games, has officially launched a Patreon campaign to achieve financial independence. This move comes after the organization's government subsidies were abruptly cut following allegations of violations of regulations related to digital storage methods.
Challenges from storage regulations and financial barriers.
For many years, the Japan Game Preservation Association has played a vital role in protecting rare game titles and vintage computer hardware from deterioration over time. However, the organization's digital archiving activities have faced legal obstacles from the government. According to reports, budget cuts were implemented after authorities discovered flaws in the association's digital archiving process.
The loss of state funding has put the organization in a difficult position, forcing them to seek direct support from the community through the Patreon platform. The goal of this campaign is not only to maintain operations in Tokyo but also to ensure the integrity of the curatorial process and long-term conservation efforts without being dependent on administrative decisions.
Expanding in scale and aspiring to reach international levels.
Despite facing financial difficulties, the Japan Game Preservation Association continues to push forward with its expansion plans. In Tokyo, the organization is working to upgrade its infrastructure to accommodate thousands of game titles and related materials. More notably, the association is pursuing plans to establish a partner organization in the United States.
Establishing a branch in the US is seen as a strategic move to diversify resources and take advantage of more lenient copyright and archiving regulations in Western markets. This will help the association build a global game preservation network, mitigating risks when a region experiences policy or economic upheavals.
The importance of preserving digital cultural heritage.
Preserving classic games isn't simply about keeping old data files; it's about protecting a part of humanity's cultural and technological history. Many games produced on physical formats like floppy disks or magnetic tapes are gradually deteriorating. Without sophisticated digital storage methods, these valuable assets will be lost forever.
The shift towards a crowdfunding model by the Japan Game Preservation Association reflects a new trend in heritage preservation: the proactive role of civil society organizations in responding to changes in public policy. By connecting directly with video game enthusiasts worldwide, the association hopes to create a solid platform to continue its mission of rescuing "digital treasures" that are at risk of being forgotten.
