Sony Has Already Preserved Over 650 Terabytes of PlayStation Games and Information
In 2022, Sony launched a preservation program led by a dedicated team focused on recovering and saving any document, file, or information related to the development of PlayStation video games. After three years, the program has successfully preserved 650 terabytes of data so far within its servers.
During the recent Game Developers Conference (thanks Engadget), Garrett Fredley, the head of PlayStation’s preservation project, shared insights into the progress Sony has made in this field.
Goal of Complete Game Development Preservation
Sony’s goal is clear: save everything related to game development within its teams. This includes everything from the source code of games to photos of developers, all in an effort to create the most complete archive possible. The data is stored in servers located in Las Vegas and Liverpool and continues to grow rapidly, with the program on track to reach over one petabyte of data soon.
Expanding and Growing Archive
This archive holds a vast collection representing 30 years of PlayStation history. It includes over 1,000 software builds, covering various versions of games that have been recovered. But the preservation effort doesn’t stop at files. The archive also includes promotional materials, artwork, and photographs.
The oldest document in the collection dates back to 1994, associated with the game Arc the Lad for the original PlayStation. The archive also includes PS5 game builds, capturing both the older and more recent productions.
The preservation team uses unique tools, like a robot called Vaultron, which can quickly identify and retrieve documents stored in optical media. However, as the amount of data continues to grow exponentially, Fredley noted that there are several challenges ahead, particularly in finding the right system to index and catalog all the elements in the archive.
