Game preservation has become a pressing issue for both gamers and developers, as many classic titles are at risk of fading into obscurity. In a positive move for preserving gaming history, the owners of some iconic titles are not only aware that their games are being shared online but are actively endorsing it. This is the case with the classic PC shooter Unreal and its multiplayer successor Unreal Tournament, both of which can now be freely downloaded from the Internet Archive.
For those who might not be familiar with Unreal, it’s both the name of one of Epic Games’ earliest titles and the engine that powers countless modern 3D games. Originally released in 1998, Unreal was a pioneering first-person shooter in the vein of Quake, boasting cutting-edge graphics and gameplay for its time. Although Unreal didn’t achieve the same cultural significance as other seminal shooters like Doom or Half-Life, its multiplayer mode and its 1999 sequel Unreal Tournament developed a strong following. The sequel even made its way to consoles like the PS2 and Dreamcast, helping cement its place in gaming history.
Unfortunately, the original versions of Unreal and Unreal Tournament have been largely unavailable for purchase in recent years, with no official digital release unless you still have access to the original discs. But thanks to the Internet Archive, players can now download and experience these classic games, with recent support from communities on platforms like Discord and ResetEra highlighting the availability of these games.
Technically speaking, downloading these titles could be considered copyright infringement, as they were once commercial products. However, in a refreshing departure from other companies’ approach to game preservation, an Epic Games spokesperson has confirmed that it’s perfectly legal to download the original Unreal and Unreal Tournament from the Internet Archive. Furthermore, users are encouraged to apply community-developed patches to make these games compatible with modern PCs. Epic confirmed this support in an official statement, providing reassurance to fans that these versions are indeed sanctioned by the company.
This gesture by Epic is particularly notable given the aggressive stance taken by some other gaming companies regarding game preservation. For instance, Nintendo has been highly protective of its intellectual property, often taking legal action against sites that host emulators and ROM files, even if the games in question are no longer available through official channels. In contrast, companies like Good Old Games (GOG) are focusing on preserving and updating older titles, ensuring they remain playable on modern hardware and operating systems, with the support of their original rights holders.
While Unreal and Unreal Tournament are not currently part of GOG’s preservation program, this positive move by Epic Games highlights the growing awareness of the importance of game preservation in the modern age.
