SSI Preservation Archive
A curatorial framework for preserving SSI boxes, disks, manuals, maps, catalogs, patches, and oral histories.
Curated by Tronsoft Museum
Overview and Release Context
A curatorial framework for preserving SSI boxes, disks, manuals, maps, catalogs, patches, and oral histories.
Museum collection plan | Physical and digital preservation
Gameplay and Design
The archive organizes material by release, platform, series, designer, historical period, and artifact type. It prioritizes disk imaging, manual scanning, version identification, patch retention, and documentation of copy-protection or hardware requirements.
Topics to Explore
- Rules, interface, and player decision-making
- Historical or fictional setting
- Platforms, versions, and technical constraints
- Designers, developers, and publishing context
- Links to related SSI titles
Historical Significance and Legacy
SSI’s catalog spans fragile media, many computer platforms, complex manuals, licensed properties, and multiple corporate eras. A structured archive is essential for studying not only games but the business and culture of specialist software publishing.
Artifacts and Preservation
The planned collection for SSI Preservation Archive includes packaging, manuals, reference cards, disks or disk images, screenshots, maps, advertisements, reviews, patches, and development commentary where legally available.