Assemble an Aura

Practical steps, based on the article Assembling Auras by Dany Guay-Bélanger.

Understand the video game as a complex system consisting of software, hardware, user experiences, and cultural contexts.
Begin by documenting all components of the video game, including:
- The physical medium (cartridge, disk, hardware).
- Associated paratexts (manuals, box art, advertisements).
- Cultural influences and intertexts (influences from other games, media, or art forms).
- The broader socio-cultural context in which the game was played (arcades, living rooms, online communities).

Physical degradation is one of the main threats to video game preservation, and securing the original hardware and media is crucial.
Collect and preserve physical items, including consoles, cartridges, controllers, and related paraphernalia.
Create detailed documentation (e.g., high-quality photographs, condition reports) of these physical artefacts.
Where possible, store the artefacts in appropriate archival conditions to slow down degradation.

Digital media (disks, tapes, cartridges) degrade over time and are at risk of becoming unreadable.
Create disk images or clones of game media and store multiple copies on different digital storage systems (following the “three copies in three different locations” rule).
Regularly update these digital copies by migrating them to newer storage technologies as needed.
Store source code if available, or document software behavior through gameplay recording and reverse engineering techniques.

Gameplay experiences are a core part of a game’s aura. These experiences vary across players, time, and context.
Use original hardware (if functional) to record playthroughs.
If the original hardware is unavailable, use emulation as a fallback, but document the differences in gameplay experience.
Record different players’ experiences, including various demographic groups, to capture the diversity of gameplay experiences.

The experience of playing a game is shaped by the context and the memories of the players and creators.
Conduct interviews with game developers, designers, and other key individuals involved in the game’s production.
Interview players about their experiences with the game, focusing on the cultural context in which they played.
Collect oral histories from different periods to document how interpretations and interactions with the game have evolved over time.

A video game is not just the software and hardware but includes marketing, reviews, mods, fan creations, and much more.
Collect paratexts such as strategy guides, reviews, advertisements, and game-related merchandise.
Document fan-made modifications, cheat codes, and community content that has emerged over time.
Archive fan forums, YouTube playthroughs, or “Let’s Play” videos that show how the game is discussed and experienced in community spaces.

The preservation of video games through emulation and other digital techniques is often complicated by legal issues and technical challenges.
Use emulation tools to preserve gameplay experiences when original hardware is unavailable, ensuring that the process is well-documented.
Where legal obstacles arise, work with legal frameworks in place (such as exemptions for research institutions) to negotiate copyright issues.
Stay updated on emerging technologies in preservation and data management (e.g., Trusted Digital Repositories).

Players are central to the experience of video games, shaping their social meaning and cultural relevance.
Work with fan communities and players to gather their experiences and incorporate them into the preservation process.
Encourage public participation in preservation efforts, such as crowd-sourced oral histories or digital archiving initiatives.
Recognize the importance of the fan labor that goes into maintaining game communities, modding, or archiving.

Preservation should not aim to create a static representation of the game but to embrace its dynamic and evolving nature.
Prioritize the preservation of both “official” and “unofficial” versions of the game (e.g., ports, remakes, fan-made versions).
Preserve not just the original hardware and software, but also derivative works, cultural artifacts, and experiences that contribute to the game’s cultural significance.
Embrace the idea that no one preservation technique is final, and be flexible in revisiting the methods as technology and culture evolve.

See Also