In this episode of the Video Game History Hour, host Phil Salvador interviews Willem Hilhorst, Media Manager for Games and Online at the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision regarding their video game preservation efforts within the context of an audiovisual media archive. Established in 1997, the institute manages a growing collection of over 500 digital and physical Dutch-connected games. Hilhorst outlines key initiatives like the Dutch Games Canon and the Treasure Room portal for out-of-commerce media. The discussion addresses the legal and structural challenges of long-term preservation alongside the role of national identity in software design. Using Ubisoft’s early French influence on Rayman as a case study, Hilhorst highlights how local cultural elements translate to international audiences. Also in this episode: the non-game material held in the archive, the potential canon inclusion of Moon Child, and Hilhorst’s external work for Nintendo World Report and EFGAMP.
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Mentioned in the Show:
The Dutch Games Canon (please use translation for an English version): https://gamescanon.beeldengeluid.nl
“The Treasure Room” (Schatkamer) (requires a Dutch IP address or VPN): https://schatkamer.beeldengeluid.nl
The European Federation of Game Archives, Museums and Preservation Projects: https://efgamp.eu
Nintendo World Report: https://nintendoworldreport.com / https://youtube.com/@NinWRTV
Out of Commerce Works Portal: https://euipo.europa.eu/out-of-commerce/
Home Computer Museum: https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/en/#intro
See more from Willem Hilhorst:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whilhorst.bsky.social
Sound & Vision Website: https://beeldengeluid.nl/en/
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: podcast@gamehistory.org
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg