Will your game still be playable 100 years from now? That’s the big question we explored last Wednesday during another successful DGA Talks —this time fully hosted by Beeld & Geluid (The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision) in Hilversum.
Willem Hilhorst of Beeld & Geluid kicked off the event with an insightful talk on the importance of preserving video games in a playable state for future generations. He shared how they select Dutch games for their archive and what game studios can do today to ensure their work survives for decades to come. Joost Lubach then took us through the fascinating story of his web game Kamergotchi, which went viral after being featured on TV in Zondag met Lubach. He explained the technical and creative steps he took to keep the game alive and playable years after its original release.
We wrapped up with a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of Beeld & Geluid’s archives —deep in the ‘cellars’ where they preserve not just Dutch TV and radio history, but also classic video games, retro consoles, and other key pieces of Dutch gaming heritage. Attendees also enjoyed a private museum tour, which now includes a full interactive section dedicated to game development. (Yes, you can touch, play, and even make your own games there!)
Final thought for DGA members: Think about the legacy of your games. What will happen to them if your studio ceases to exist—or when you’re no longer around in this world? Consider adding game preservation as the final milestone in your development process.
A big thanks to Willem and the amazing team at Beeld & Geluid for making this inspiring event possible. You guys truly keep Dutch game history alive!
