lucadelladora – Japan’s Game Preservation Society has launched a Patreon campaign to secure independent funding following reduced government support tied to regulatory concerns. The nonprofit organization, commonly known as GPS, focuses on preserving video game history through physical and digital archiving efforts. The move reflects a strategic shift toward financial autonomy and long-term stability.
The decision follows action taken by the Japanese government in July 2025. At that time, authorities halted future subsidy allocations to GPS. Officials cited alleged regulatory violations related to the organization’s digital archiving practices. These issues reportedly involved the scanning and storage of magazines, printed images, and game-related materials.
According to GPS, the government raised concerns about the procurement and digitization of books, magazines, and game covers. Japanese regulations restrict the creation of private digital archives using full scanned pages. GPS stated that the rules were not clearly explained during initial communications.
Despite the setback, GPS continued operating from its Tokyo headquarters. The organization also began exploring alternative funding methods to reduce reliance on state subsidies. The newly launched Patreon represents a central pillar of that plan.
Josh Redon, head of the Game Preservation Society, addressed the situation in comments to Time Extension. He described the government’s response as abrupt and unclear. Redon said officials informed GPS that subsidies would be cut unless corrective actions were taken. However, no detailed explanation was initially provided.
Following internal discussions, GPS hired legal counsel to review the matter. The organization then engaged with Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. After those proceedings, partial funding was restored. However, GPS said the reinstated support came with a 20 percent reduction.
The remaining budget gap was filled through private donations beginning in April 2025. While this allowed GPS to continue its work, leadership concluded the funding model was unsustainable. The Patreon initiative aims to eliminate similar risks in the future.
Preservation Goals Drive Push for Financial Independence
Despite regulatory challenges, the Game Preservation Society expanded its operations throughout the past fiscal year. The Tokyo headquarters grew its physical footprint and cataloging capacity. GPS reported indexing more than 855 Famicom strategy guides. The organization also preserved over 7,000 magazine advertisements during the same period.
These activities underscore the scale of GPS’s preservation mission. The group actively collects, catalogs, and safeguards video game–related materials that might otherwise disappear. Its work covers manuals, print media, promotional assets, and a wide range of historical documentation.
GPS designed the Patreon campaign to support these core efforts directly. The organization offers a free tier that delivers regular project updates. A five-dollar monthly tier provides email newsletters featuring curated news, while GPS plans to introduce higher membership tiers in the future.
According to GPS, upcoming benefits may include livestreams from its facilities. The organization also plans to publish long-form features that document its preservation work in detail. Through these initiatives, GPS aims to improve transparency and strengthen public engagement.
Redon stressed that GPS will not use Patreon funds to purchase new commercial content. Instead, the organization will allocate all proceeds to archiving, conservation, and operational expenses. He emphasized that maintaining financial independence remains critical to protecting GPS’s curatorial integrity.
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The organization estimates that support from approximately 300 patrons would be sufficient. Reaching that number would allow GPS to operate without government subsidies. It would also reduce dependence on a small number of large donors. Redon described autonomy as a critical milestone. He said independence would allow GPS to make decisions in the public interest.
In addition to its Japanese operations, GPS is planning a sister organization in the United States. This expansion aims to broaden international collaboration and preservation coverage. No specific timeline has been announced. For now, GPS continues its work in Tokyo while seeking broader community backing. The Patreon launch signals a shift toward grassroots support. The organization hopes this model will safeguard its mission for the long term.
