Preserving and archiving arcade game software presents unique challenges that complicate efforts to safeguard gaming history. One major issue is hardware decay—many arcade systems rely on aging components like CRTs and custom chips, which degrade over time. Software obsolescence is another hurdle, as proprietary formats and encryption methods make data extraction difficult. Legal barriers also arise, with unclear copyright ownership and licensing restrictions limiting access to source code. Additionally, the lack of standardized documentation for older games complicates accurate emulation. Finally, the sheer volume of titles and regional variants demands significant resources for comprehensive archiving. These challenges highlight the urgent need for collaborative solutions to protect this cultural heritage.
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