The exponential growth of the number of mostly digitally-stored video games highlights the need for effective preservation strategies to ensure its longevity and accessibility. Given the short lifespan of digital media, defining what should be archived remains a fundamental challenge for both individual curators and institutions such as archives, libraries, and museums. This article examines the unique obstacles faced by video game preservation initiatives, emphasizing the need to recognize games as cultural heritage while accounting for their distinct medial properties and complex industrial and economic contexts. It begins with an overview of key discussions in video game preservation before identifying three major challenges that any comprehensive video game archive must navigate. The article concludes by exploring the broader implications of how these challenges are addressed.
