Preserving a game is not as simple as throwing a copy of the code onto GitHub. Current operating systems tend to sacrifice backward compatibility, and even under optimal conditions, the title in question likely needs a lot of help to work correctly. The community accepted that challenge, creating all sorts of patches, wrappers, forks, and alternative launchers. However, GOG announced a new Preservation Program that aims to reinforce support for hundreds of classics in its catalog.
Why Classic Games Need Preservation
The compatibility guarantee for classic games is one of the most important reasons many retro hardware enthusiasts keep old machines... but that guarantee is not perfect. Even with 486 or Pentium systems, there will always be titles that show "speed leaks" (e.g., the first Wing Commander) or throw errors because the processor is too fast (Monkey Island 1).
Logically, problems multiply when we move to modern computers, and we already find a large number of games "designed for Windows" that for various reasons don't work on its latest editions (lack of 16-bit support, a DRM module that depended on external servers, etc.). The community has done (and continues to do) great work to resolve those conflicts, however, now GOG joins preservation efforts, launching an official program.
GOG Preservation Program: Classic Games on Modern PCs
The oldest among us remember that GOG comes from "Good Old Games", but the company decided to compress its name and expand its borders more than a decade ago. In fact, over time many modern games have been added, including some we never would have imagined in its catalog. Now, GOG has not forgotten its classics and this brand-new Preservation Program starts with a total of 100 games, whose compatibility on current systems has already been verified.
This selection may seem a bit limited on the surface, but we must admit it is of very good quality: From Rollercoaster Tycoon Deluxe to System Shock 2, passing through Diablo with the Hellfire pack, Theme Hospital, Fallout: New Vegas, and the original Resident Evil trilogy, we are talking about hundreds, or why not, thousands of hours of gameplay. Within the program we also find "preservation stories", small articles that provide additional details about some of the chosen games, and a log with the adjustments they have received. Personally, I think the article dedicated to Diablo deserves special attention.
The Limits of Preservation
Of course, the program has limits, since GOG does not have the rights necessary to modify a game's build. Although there are exceptions in the list (The Elder Scrolls - Daggerfall Unity - GOG Cut), in many cases DOSBox has to come to the rescue, but knowing that GOG actively works to guarantee its execution on modern equipment is undoubtedly something positive.
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