Myrient, a prominent archive for retro video games, announced it will cease operations on March 31, 2026, primarily due to rising costs associated with storage technology. The total size of the Myrient archive is 385 TB, containing verified ROMs that have been a valuable resource for gamers and developers alike.
In response to the impending closure, members of the gaming community mobilized to back up the entire archive. The backup effort was confirmed to be “100% complete” by a member of the Save Myrient community, ensuring that the vast collection of games will remain accessible even after the original site goes offline.
The rising costs of RAM, SSDs, and hard drives have significantly impacted Myrient’s ability to sustain its operations. As a result, the decision to close was made to prevent further financial strain. The original Myrient site will remain operational until the end of March, allowing users to access the archive one last time.
Following the completion of the backup, the team is now focused on generating torrents for the archive, which will serve as a temporary solution for users looking to access the content. “We’ve been kicking major ass in the background getting downloads completed and validated,” stated a member of the backup team, highlighting the dedication of volunteers involved in this effort.
While the torrents will provide a means to access the archived content, the SaveMyrient mod noted that this is only a temporary solution, emphasizing the need for a more permanent arrangement in the future.
Myrient has long been regarded as the go-to archive for easy access to ROM files used in emulation, making its closure a significant loss for the retro gaming community. The backup team’s efforts to preserve this extensive collection reflect the community’s commitment to safeguarding gaming history.
As the deadline approaches, many users are expressing their gratitude for the resources provided by Myrient over the years. The closure marks the end of an era for a platform that has played a crucial role in the preservation of retro gaming.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential future initiatives to continue the work of Myrient or to host the archived content in a different format. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the 385 TB of data is accessible to those who cherish these classic games.
