Video games are not just entertainment they are also cultural artifacts that reflect the values and interests of their time. The importance of preserving video game history cannot be overstated. The closure of Forest of Illusion only adds to these concerns. The recent closures of the PS3, Wii U, and 3DS storefronts have left gamers worried about the future of video game preservation. This news comes at a time when the gaming industry as a whole is struggling to preserve its history. The decision to shut down the site was not an easy one, as the announcement explains: “We’ve come to the decision that we can no longer keep the site running…primarily due to not being able to provide the necessary time and energy needed to maintain our cherished platform.” The site was run by only three people, and the donations were not enough to keep up with the server costs. The site was known for preserving not just Nintendo’s history, but all games, and it had become an important resource for gamers and historians alike. The announcement was made on Twitter to its over 49,000 followers, with an attached statement hosted on the Internet Archive. Forest of Illusion, a beloved video game preservation site that has been running for six years, has announced its closure.

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