In the ever-evolving world of video games, nostalgia has a special place. Established in 2019, Ziggurat Interactive stands out for its dedication to reviving older video games, ensuring they’re playable on modern hardware. As of 2023, they have successfully released over 130 titles. These reintroductions range from cult favorites like "BloodRayne" and "Terminal Velocity," to previously unreleased games such as "American Hero" from the Atari Jaguar CD. They have also partnered with Limited Run Games for several projects, including the "A Boy and His Blob: Retro Collection."
In a conversation with Cole Law, the marketing coordinator for Ziggurat Interactive, we dug into the company's origins, its mission, and the complexities of revitalizing classic games for today's technology. Law detailed the company's beginnings as an initiative solely driven by the desire to collect and preserve video games that would otherwise be forgotten. Shortly after starting, Ziggurat rapidly acquired rights to numerous historically significant titles and sought to make them accessible to modern gamers.
Ziggurat’s emphasis on older games stems from the understanding that every game has unique qualities worth celebrating. By making these games accessible on platforms such as Steam, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox, Ziggurat brings the joy and experience to a wider audience. With stats revealing that 87% of all games could potentially be lost to time, Ziggurat’s work significantly contributes to the gaming world by preventing such losses and preserving the legacy of these titles.
Collaboration with Limited Run Games has been pivotal, as it combines their strengths to resurrect games not just digitally but physically as well. They utilize resources such as the Carbon Engine and share knowledge to create authentic reproductions of cartridges and special deluxe edition packaging.
Out of all the projects handled since their formation, Cole finds "Rendering Ranger: R2" particularly exciting, celebrating the opportunity to release it outside Japan for the first time. Fun interactions like discovering shared sound libraries between "Rendering Ranger: R2" and "Donkey Kong Country" enrich their work with fascinating cross-connections in gaming history.
Pride also shines through when speaking about their small but agile team, which has done considerable work in preserving gaming heritage, including stewardship of titles like "BloodRayne" and "A Boy and His Blob," and the anticipation of the upcoming "Slave Zero X."
Every game presents its own set of technical challenges when adapting it for modern devices. The architecture of older hardware differs greatly, meaning each game can offer unique issues that need to be overcome. As an example, Alex Lotz, a producer at Ziggurat, mentioned the challenges they faced with "American Hero," in which even different versions of the PlayStation required changes to handle streaming full-motion video.
Access to original development materials and staff greatly varies. Some projects provide a wealth of resources, from sketches and notes to final code, while others require a veritable treasure hunt to find anything that will aid the resurrection process.
As for personal dreams, Cole Law would love to see a port or remaster of the "Tenchu" series, especially the first two installments for the PlayStation 1. Despite the technical advancements since their release, Cole sees potential in these games for their atmospheric and tension-building play.
Ziggurat Interactive does more than simply bring games from the past to the present; it ensures that the history of video gaming is tangible for future generations. As they continue to navigate the technological labyrinth of game preservation, the company affirms the timeless value and charm of video games, demonstrating that even as the medium advances, its legacy deserves to be experienced anew.
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