American Legion Gaming logo

The Video Game History Foundation Opens Its Digital Library to the Public

by | Feb 1, 2025 | News | 0 comments

Video Game History Foundation

The Video Game History Foundation, VGHF, has officially launched its digital library, offering free access to a vast archive of video game history. Designed as a resource for researchers, historians, and gaming enthusiasts, the library contains more than 30,000 curated files spanning 50 years of video game history. The library offers powerful search tools, allowing users to filter by author, specific games, publishers, and other categories, making research easier than ever.

Due to high demand, access may be limited initially, but visitors will find out-of-print video game magazines, never-before-seen development assets, artwork, promotional materials, and other rare gaming relics, with over 1,500 of them being fully text-searchable.

One of the most significant additions is Game Informer, one of gaming’s most popular publications. First published in 1991 by FuncoLand and later acquired by GameStop in 2000, Game Informer became known for its previews, in-depth interviews, and extensive industry coverage. Sadly, the magazine announced its closure in August, removing 33 years’ worth of content, including coverage for the then-upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Efforts to restore and preserve Game Informer’s legacy have been underway, with former video producer Ben Hanson calling on fans to share scans of past issues. Now, thanks to VGHF, every issue ever published is available to read, alongside other classic magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, and PC Gamer.

Beyond magazines, the VGHF Digital Library includes event guides and materials from gaming’s biggest conventions, such as the first 12 years of E3. Fans of Myst can explore over 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage from the game’s development, including original FMV filming for Myst and Riven: The Sequel to Myst. The library also features the “Mark Flitman papers,” a collection of documents from the veteran producer’s time at companies like Konami, Atari, Midway, and Mindscape, providing valuable insight into game production and marketing. Additionally, a vast international collection of FromSoftware promotional materials—officially approved by the Elden Ring developer—has been added to the archive, thanks to the contributions of archivist Kris Urquhart.

For military Veterans, many of whom have found gaming to be a source of entertainment, connection, and even therapy, the VGHF Digital Library offers an opportunity to explore the games that shaped their experiences. Whether reliving classic titles from their service days or researching the evolution of military-themed games, veterans can access a wealth of historical gaming content.

“We believe that with the right tools, anyone can be a video game historian, and we can’t wait to see what new stories our archive inspires,” stated VGHF founder Frank Cifaldi emphasized the importance of making video game history accessible. 

With gaming websites and forums replacing print publications as the primary sources of news, many fans remain nostalgic for magazines like Game Informer, which played a key role in shaping the industry’s coverage for decades. Thanks to VGHF’s efforts, readers—including Veterans—can now revisit these articles and discover long-lost interviews, reviews, and previews for free.

As a nonprofit, the Video Game History Foundation relies on public support to continue its work. Those interested in contributing to video game history can donate by contacting the VGHF team at [email protected]

Written By Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a writer for American Legion Gaming. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.

Related Posts

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *