**Myrient Shuts Down: The Impact of Rising Costs on Video Game Preservation**
Myrient, a ROM distribution site and self-described video game preservation service, has announced its closure at the end of March 2026. The operator, Alexey, cited the skyrocketing costs of technology, particularly RAM prices driven by demand from AI datacenters, as a significant factor in this decision. The announcement was made via Discord and Telegram, urging users to download any important content before the site takes its final bow.
Launched in 2022, Myrient provided a platform for game enthusiasts to access retro titles, relying on community donations to sustain operations. Unfortunately, while site traffic grew, funding through donations remained stagnant, forcing Alexey to cover over $6,000 of expenses monthly out of pocket—an unsustainable situation.
The increased costs have been exacerbated by what many are calling “RAMnarök,” a term reflecting the recent surge in prices for RAM, SSDs, and HDDs. This rise has not only strained Myrient’s operational budget but has also made necessary infrastructure upgrades financially burdensome. With a large number of servers already in place and the ongoing increase in hosting costs, the financial strain became too great.
Moreover, Alexey pointed to the emergence of specialized download managers that bypass the site’s systems as another challenge, further deteriorating their funding structure. These developments, coupled with existing pressures from copyright issues, contributed to an environment where sustaining a site like Myrient became increasingly untenable.
Typically, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedowns pose the most significant threat to ROM sharing sites. However, the added dimension of rising operational costs due to market dynamics introduces a new layer of vulnerability. The potential shutdown of Myrient underscores the broader implications of technological demand on video game preservation.
As Myrient approaches its closure, the hope remains that game publishers will continue to pursue ethical preservation efforts. Initiatives like those by GOG, which focus on legally re-releasing classic titles, are essential in ensuring that retro games remain accessible to future generations, despite the challenges facing community-driven platforms like Myrient.
