The transition of the video game industry from physical media to a digital future has generated a growing interest in the preservation of the medium’s history. This topic becomes especially relevant, as many classic titles are at risk of being forgotten. In this context, video game researcher Bruno de Figueiredo has made an important breakthrough by sharing online the ISO file of the game TRIPITAKA, a sequel to Cosmology of Kyoto, of which only one physical copy was known.
Tripitaka, but what is that?
Cosmology of Kyoto, released in 1993 in Japan by SoftEdge and later in North America, gained some recognition among video game enthusiasts. However, its sequel, TRIPITAKA, had largely remained in obscurity. After an exhaustive search effort, De Figueiredo managed to acquire the existing CD-ROM, which was sold in 2023 for less than $300. The release of the ISO will allow fans to experience the game through emulators, preserving a part of history that might otherwise have been lost forever.
In parallel, major video game companies have begun to recognize the importance of digital preservation. Xbox formed a team dedicated to this effort last year, while Sony took the initiative in 2021. However, Nintendo has taken a more reserved stance regarding the preservation of its titles, raising concerns about how games will be preserved for the next generation, especially with the arrival of new cartridges for the Switch 2.
Additionally, a significant obstacle for this movement is the refusal of the U.S. Copyright Office to allow libraries to share their video game collections online, which limits user access and affects the dissemination of the industry’s legacy. This situation highlights the urgency of concrete actions to ensure that the history of video games is not lost in the transition to digital format.