The National Diet Library which collects and preserves Japanese physical media says that the Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards are not eligible for collection as they are basically digital copies. The National Diet Library began collecting physical video games in proper archival conditions in October 2000 and has over 9,600 video game titles. It should be noted that the National Diet Library has recently begun archiving digital books and magazines, meaning things could potentially change in the future.
When asked about Switch 2 game-key cards, NDL representatives say that “only physical media that contains the content itself” is considered eligible for preservation. “Since a key card, on its own, does not qualify as content, it falls outside of our scope for collection and preservation.”
Thanks to Greatsong1 for sending in the news tip!
Makes sense. The only thing you’re preserving by holding copies of these games is the box and the cartridge, not the actual game. Game key cards don’t even count as “digital copies” as mentioned in the article. Digital copies of games are actually worth preserving as they allow you to play the game. Game key cards are simply licences to download and play a digital copy of the game, but noting if you haven’t got the game downloaded then Nintendo can stop honouring those licences at any point. At that moment they become a worthless piece of plastic.
Despite the game key cards criticism, this makes good sense.
What’s the purpose of what they’re doing? They collect the games for what? To let them collect dust? Can you go there and buy/borrow them? 🤔
It is a library that you can visit. I like seeing old stuff, history is important.
🤨Can you play/look at the games itself, or just at the medium containing the game?
Literally what it says , preservation.
Yes why can’t I hang the Mona Lisa in my living room or cook with ancient Egyptian utensils?
The Mona Lisa is the art itself. Can I play/look at the games itself there, ir just at the “package”?
It is not about you or the general public being able to experience it. Paintings can be preserved while displayed, but it is obviously a different case with videogames. You can’t take the mona lisa with you to stare at it in your home, just as you won’t be able to take a prrserved game and play it at your home.
Presumably to collect and preserve them for future generations. The US Library of Congress does/did something similar. A video game is not necessarily that important a thing to preserve by a national library in this day and age where there’s tons of copies of everything but still they collect it anyway because that is what libraries are for.
Do not buy these things, let Nintendo know we want physical copies
Given the recent tactics of their dubious litigious claims and this practice of selling you a key on card at full game retail price I’ve decided to just not buy nintendo products again.
I don’t accept them for preservation in my library either.
The whole idea turned me off from getting a switch 2. As soon as I saw Nintendo try this method I began protesting.
As soon as it was noted that “You do not “OWN” your system/games” I said if I paid for it, I own it. If you tell me I cant do what I want with my property that I paid for then its simple I will NEVER buy or support you or your company and I WILL badmouth it and deter others from your company.