Preservation Python3

Preservation Python3 is a snake-type game where the player controls a continually shrinking python (though you might not always notice!), a metaphor for obsolescence and data loss. The python must ingest, pun intended, content and preservation information while avoiding elements that accelerate data loss. If the python survives a certain length of time, the required elements will change into preservation actions needed to maintain continued access.

The game is meant to introduce the elements of an OAIS Archival Information Package to beginners in a fun and interactive way, as well as to present digital preservation as a continuous activity. The fast-paced nature of a snake game also encourages the player to make decisions on which elements they prefer to prioritize.

The game is directly derived from Preservation Python.

Ingest Preservation Information and avoid preservation failure!

Capture your Data Object and Accompanying PDIs

• Data Object

• Provenance

• Fixity

• Context

• Reference

• Access Rights

• Representation Information

• Packaging Information

Avoid elements that could lead to data loss

• Malware

• Obsolescence

• Accidental Deletion

• Hardware Malfunction

• Software Bugs

• Legal Issues

• Lack of Organizational Commitment

Keep it going and ensure continued accessibility over time!

• Media Refreshment

• Technology Watch

• Format Migration

• Emulation

• Backups

Each PDI or preservation action increases your score. Obsolescence and data loss will halve your current score.

The game ends when your score goes below 1 or when you hit the walls or yourself.

Installations

Execution from the source

Download the project either by cloning it (git clone) or by getting the full ZIP of it.

Make sure you have Python3 installed.

Optionally but highly recommended, activate a virtual environment with:

python -m venv venv

venv\Scripts\activate (Windows)
source venv/bin/activate (Linux)

Add the dependencies (e.g. pygame) using pip.

pip install -r requirements.txt

Navigate to the folder containing main.py and run with Python3:

python main.py

Enjoy!

Generation of an executable (tested in Windows)

In order to generate a preservation-python3.exe, you need to:

• add pyinstaller using pip:

pip install pyinstaller

• run

pyinstaller preservation.spec

The executable will be generated in the dist directory.

Contributing

If you wish to contribute, read the file CONTRIBUTING.md to know how.

Credits

The code is directly derived from the preservation-python code by Jonathan Isip.

The game images come from Flaticon.

The snake image come from OpenGameArt.