Abandonwarez: the pros outweigh the cons

Posted by Jeremiah Kauffman.
First posted on 24 July 2000. Last updated on 10 September 2013.
Articles  »  Features
Want more information? Read the article!

When a person creates something, whether that creation is a building, a novel, a poem, a song, or a film, that person is doing so for 2 reasons. First, that person is satisfying a personal desire to create. It is not possible to point out exactly what it is that drives creation, but if you ask someone who creates the answer you probably receive is that it is somewhat like an itch that demands to…

• (35) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Enter Your Comments

Name

Email (optional)

City, Country

Rate this article
1 (Poor) 2 (Fair) 3 (Good) 4 (Very Good) 5 (Excellent)

Message

Submit the word below for security verification


Previous Comments

I think people should be able to play the games.

By Roy Gonzalez • On 07 March 2002 • From Tx ,San Antonio

I agree, I have lost a whole lot of media over the past years in hdd crashes, and without abandonware sites like uyours I will probably never be able to play my favourite games again, and this is probably the opinion of most people who play or used to play games.

By Johan T • On 21 January 2002 • From Sweden

I totally agree that abandoned games should be preserved, the idea of victimising alleged pirates for their desire to protect old games is ridiculous in my eyes.
these games are an important part of our youth and culture, they provide a good nostalgia release for veteran gamers and a source of history for any budding student of computer games and their development since the days of pong and space invaders.
Where else can you find old classics like monkey island and beneath a steel sky? No shops i know of stock them and any sources of games like this on hardcopy are obscure at best, if available at all!
Surely the loss of these games must be a greater concern to the entire games industry than a few lost coins, they must realise that there is no profit in games they no longer market.

These games must be saved, they have the potential to be as much a part of history as classic film, literature and music. I know this to be true as while older games may not be considered very important now they will be as important as lost tv footage (the lost bbc archives for example) in the fullness of time and how much will be lost forever if it is not preserved now?

okay....rant over...;)

By Nick • On 09 January 2002 • From london

I agree that "old games, adventure games" should be free and preserved. One of my first computer games was Scorched Earth, very simple game but I enjoyed it.
Cheers, Larry

By Larry Koss • On 18 December 2001 • From Florida

I too have worked with computers and played games to long to admit. My children (who are all out of their teens) grew up with computers and now beat my pants off at the games. I have been collecting older games just for the fun of it and so that my kids and theirs can enjoy them to.
(If I seem to ramble, sorry, but please bear with me.)
I therefore find nothing more frustrating then finding good games that are second or third in a series but cannot find the previous games anywhere!!!! (i.e. Lords of the realm II, warlords III)
I had made it a policy to purchase a game or program as a compliment of the person who wrote, proofed, tested and made them worthwhile, but how can you do that when they no longer even acknowledge them (Broderbund-Castles of Dr. Creep).
Until a friend told me of abandonware I had sadly written the games off.
With all this in mind, how can anyone complain of someone sharing the past that is unavailable any other way!!
Thank you for walking proudly into the wind for the rest of us.



P.S. I would not mind your sharing my opinion with others, but please only credit it to the name "Drifter" with no address.

By MD Henderson • On 03 November 2001 • From Idaho Falls/USA

I think your opinion on Abandonware etc has been mis-informed....goto my site, and you tell me that I am not doing a service to old software houses by putting their games for all to download and see what real computer gaming was all about in the 80's and early 90's. The games not only are no longer distributed by SSI, SSG, Microprose etc, but they are at times impossible to find anywhere, for any price! If it wasnt for sites like mine, these CLASSIC games would die, disappear, and be superceded by the next best thing.
Have some fun, and enjoy the WAR!!

By Warmonger • On 03 July 2001 • From Canada

I think that games older than 10 years should be available for download free.
Who would buy them anyway?!

By jonathan • On 08 April 2001 • From malta

How about doing an article on Home the Underdogs' (http://www.theunderdogs.org) current argument with the IDSA. Also, I thought I'd let you know the SPA and IDSA are currently cracking down on abandonware sites while they don't touch 0-day warez sites... Fair? I think it would make an interesting article for you guys.

By Cqde Red • On 23 February 2001 • From Tasmania, Australia

Strongly agree, especially as the established abandonware sites (TUOL, Underdogs, etc.) STRICTLY establish guidelines for abandonware.

By Thomas Tung • On 09 August 2000 • From U.S.

In reference to the article about Abandonwarez:

I totally agree with it, but it isn't just about adventure games.... there are many many decent old games which are no longer available in shops etc.

I must admit I've been going to abandonware sites for about 3-4 months now, and just getting some of those old jems!!!

By Matthew Marden • On 08 August 2000 • From Gloucester, England, UK
Page < 1 2 3 4 >