Game Preservation More Important Than Format, Says Developer Hideki Kamiya
Game creator Hideki Kamiya believes the long-term preservation and playability of games are more critical than the debate over physical versus digital releases. He expresses concern over future accessibility.
Hideki Kamiya, the game creator behind titles such as "Okami," "Devil May Cry," and "Bayonetta," has voiced concerns about the long-term preservation of video games. He argues that the question of whether games can be played in the future is more significant than the ongoing discussion about physical versus digital formats.
Kamiya himself exclusively purchases digital games, meaning the decline of physical discs does not directly affect his personal consumption habits. However, he fears that as games transition further to digital, something more meaningful might be lost. His primary concern is how older games will remain accessible amidst constantly evolving hardware and distribution platforms.
Kamiya emphasizes that IP rights holders must take responsibility for ensuring that games can be preserved and remain playable for future generations. He recalled an anecdote involving the late Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, bringing him early NES games Iwata had programmed to be signed. Kamiya reflects on how such personal and historical experiences might become difficult to replicate in the future if games are not actively maintained.
The developer points out that many classic games are already unplayable on modern hardware. He hopes that those with IP rights will actively work to bring these titles to contemporary platforms, not only to ensure they can still be played but also to preserve and develop gaming culture itself. For Kamiya, the key issue has always been the persistence of the games, not their release format.