[game_preservation] AU/NZ "Play It Again" project funded

[Melanie Swalwell]

Hi game_preservationists,

I am writing to share some good news with you: the team of Australian and New Zealand researchers I lead was recently successful in getting a game history/preservation project funded by the ARC (Australian Research Council).  It is what is known as a Linkage Project, where scholars partner with industry, who also contribute significant resources (cash and inkind).  The critical details are pasted below.  Kudos and thanks to all my colleagues who have helped in one way or another with this over the years, particularly Andreas Lange, Henry Lowood, and Helen Stuckey.  Helen and Andreas are both on the project.  Helen will be at GDC and will attend the roundtable so she can provide more details in person to those who are going.  Otherwise, I'm happy to answer questions, on or off list.

To my knowledge, this is one of the first (if not the first) academic digital preservation project funded in this part of the world, so it's a significant breakthrough.  Also, it means that two major cultural institutions in the region -- ACMI and NZ Film Archive -- have both recognised that games matter and need to be taken care of.

cheers,

Melanie


Title: Play It Again: Creating a Playable History of Australasian Digital Games, for Industry, Community and Research Purposes

LP120100218
Swalwell, Dr Melanie L; de Vries, Dr Denise B; Ndalianis, A/Prof Angela; Welch, Dr Ian S; Marshall, Dr Stuart R; Corbett, Mrs Susan; Lange, Mr Andreas; Bergmeyer, Dr Winfred
2012 $52,000.00
2013 $86,000.00
2014 $48,000.00
Total $186,000.00 (this is the funding the ARC awarded the project)

Primary FoR 1902 FILM, TELEVISION AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Partner Organisation(s)
Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Berlin Computerspiele Museum, The New Zealand Film Archive, Victoria University of Wellington
Administering Organisation The Flinders University of South Australia

Summary: The digital future has a history and it needs remembering. Vital human and technical data is in danger of being lost. In the 1980s, the Australian and New Zealand software industries were remarkably active in the production of digital games and yet little is known about this chapter in the history of the moving image. In collaboration with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and other institutional partners, we will: address the need for institutional collecting and preservation solutions; document and preserve the histories of early games and gaming cultures; and create software tools to facilitate both the playing of early games now, and the delivery of benefits to research, industry and community into the future.

Aims: Taking into account ACMI and the NZFA's desire to make visible the presence and impact of computer games on moving image history and culture, the Aims of this project are:
1. To research the production and reception histories of early digital games in 1980s Australia and New Zealand, in conjunction with fan communities.
2. To develop a collection of 1980s Australian and New Zealand digital games software and other items of historic significance related to the production and reception of these game titles, and inquire into what a collection of Australian digital games software more generally would look like,
3. To document and preserve the game titles produced by the Australian and New Zealand digital games industries during the 1980s, for future industry, community and research uses;
4. To create playable multi-platform versions of these games, rendering these items accessible to the community now, and for as long as possible.
5. To enhance appreciation for the creations of the early digital period, through a conference and other dissemination of project outcomes; and
6. To build capacity in both the academic and cultural sectors in the area of digital cultural heritage and the 'born digital'.


--
Dr Melanie Swalwell
Senior Lecturer, Screen and Media,
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001

278 Humanities Bldg

Ph: +61 8 8201 2619
Fax: +61 8 8201 3635
CRICOS Provider: 00114A

melanie.swalwell at flinders.edu.au

about me: http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/melanie.swalwell

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