About the project

So, what is it about?

My current goal is to scan (and preserve digitally) everything included in a game package: front/back boxes/cases, manuals, discs/cartridges/tapes, registration cards, spine cards, inserts, warranty stuff ...etc

Why is it sooo important for me? Well, if we don't archive video game packagings now (especially the oldest and more obscure ones), they may be lost forever! Actually, I'm sure that many game boxes and manuals completely disappeared already. And it's a shame! This is why I'm totally involved into this project.

So, I decided to write down several guidelines and requirements to ensure quality, productivity and flexibilty. Of course, anyone is welcome to contribute to the project: sending scans, tips or money - everything that helps the project is important.

If you want to send scans, here's a list of requirements I'm using myself:

[Required] Scan @ 600 DPI (or more!)
[Required] Disable all your scanner's options (color correction ...etc)
[Required] Do not descreen!
[Required] Do not rotate or modify the size of the scanned material. Please leave everything untouched
[Required] Save your scan in lossless .png (or .tif/bmp if you can't do .png)
[Required] Keep a security border all around your scan
[Required] When you are scanning a box (GBA, NES ...etc), please open the box and scan everything front/back
[Required] The filenames should include the following informations:
• What is it? (manual, insert, CD/cart …etc)
• What part is it? (ex: front/back, page#XXX & YYY …etc)
• Your pseudo and any valuable info about you or the game
[Required] With the unusual stuff, you should add the size of the scanned material in the filename (ex: "4.2 x 6 cm")
[Required] Do not watermark anything
[Required] Please unstaple your manuals. Everything you scan should be as flat as possible.
[Required] You should put a black paper (instead of a white one) behind the stuff you are scanning. This will kill the awful bleed-through effect.
[Recommended] Scan everything straight.
[Recommended] When you are scanning a disk, scan both sides (label & data).
[Recommended] When you are scanning a disk, try to rotate your disc so that the "hidden" information in the ring is visible.
[Recommended] Take high quality pictures of the whole packaging

Thank you for reading this long message ^_^