Is MyAbandonware Still Safe to Use?

MyAbandonware is a website offering over 28,000 classic games from 1965 to 2012 for free download. It features popular titles like Sid Meier’s Civilization and Oregon Trail Deluxe. You can browse by name, year, platform, genre, or use advanced search. The site also provides screenshots, reviews, instructions, and manuals.

Abandonware refers to software no longer supported or sold by its original creators, often due to age or lack of profitability. Common examples include DOS games and early Windows titles. While not a legal term, it signals a game’s availability and popularity.

Before downloading, consider the safety, trustworthiness, and legal implications of abandonware. This guide explores these aspects and offers safe enjoyment tips, along with alternatives to satisfy your nostalgia.

↪ Key Characteristics of Abandonware:

• Not for Sale: Abandonware is no longer available for sale.
• No Official Support: There’s no official customer support or updates.
• Copyright Status: Despite its status, abandonware still falls under copyright protection, even if the copyright holder isn’t actively enforcing it.

↪ Instances of Abandonware:

• The original copyright holder has ceased to exist.
• The holder still exists but no longer sells or defends the copyright.
• Uncertainty about the current copyright holder’s identity hampers transactions or claims.

↪ Notable Abandonware Titles:

• Prince of Persia: Classic platformer following a prince’s quest to rescue his princess.
• Diablo: Action RPG set in a dark fantasy world battling demons.
• The Secret of Monkey Island: Humorous adventure featuring a wannabe pirate.
• Doom II: Hell on Earth: First-person shooter against a demonic invasion.
• Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth: Real-time strategy based on Tolkien’s novels.

However, not all abandonware games are free to download and play. Some of them may still be protected by copyright laws, which can raise legal issues for both the websites that host them and the users who download them. This raises a serious question.

Is It Legal to Download Abandonware?

Let’s explore abandonware’s legal implications. But first, let’s familiarize ourselves with some common software categories.

↪ Abandonware vs. Freeware vs. Public Domain

• Freeware: Some software licenses grant specific permissions without requiring individual approval from the copyright holder. However, abandonware doesn’t fall under these licenses.
• Public Domain: Abandonware is not equivalent to the public domain. If it were in the public domain, anyone could use it freely, but abandonware still retains its copyright.

Now, is it legal to download abandonware? In most cases, hosting and downloading abandonware is considered illegal. While there are no specific laws using the term “abandonware” in the US, distributing abandonware falls under the definition of software piracy, which is certainly against the law.

Remember, even if a creator abandons a copyrighted work, it doesn’t automatically become public property. The copyright remains in effect until it expires, and the duration varies from country to country. While abandonware may seem like a hidden treasure, it’s essential to recognize that its distribution often violates copyright laws. Proceed with caution!

But before you download these classics, you might be wondering: Is MyAbandonware safe? Let’s find out!

Is MyAbandonware Safe?

MyAbandonware is widely regarded as a safe platform for accessing old games. It hosts a vast collection of abandonware titles, making it a convenient choice for nostalgic gamers. We will evaluate the safety of MyAbandonware based on the following criteria:

1. User experiences and opinions from forums and Reddit threads
2. The history and reputation of the website
3. The quality of the game files
4. The compatibility and performance of the games
5. The availability and usefulness of game support and guides

1. User Experiences and Opinions from Forums and Reddit Threads

One of the best ways to assess the safety of a website is to look at what other users have to say about it. Fortunately, there are many online forums and Reddit threads where people share their experiences and opinions about MyAbandonware. Here are some examples:

• On r/abandonware, a user asked “Is myabandonware safe?” and received several positive responses from other users who had used the website without any issues.
• On Scam Detector, a website that analyzes the trustworthiness of online businesses, MyAbandonware received a 100 rating, indicating that it is safe and secure.
• On MUO, a website that provides tips and guides on technology, a user wrote an article explaining what abandonware is and whether it is legal. The article mentioned that MyAbandonware and Abandonia are safe and reliable sources of abandonware games.

These examples show that MyAbandonware has a good reputation among its users and is generally considered safe. However, there are also some potential risks and drawbacks that users should be aware of, which we will discuss in the next sections.

2. The History and Reputation of the Website

Another factor that affects the safety of a website is its history and reputation. How long has the website been around? Who runs it? What is its mission and vision? These questions can help us determine whether the website is trustworthy or not.

According to its FAQ page, MyAbandonware was created in 2009 by a French web developer named Xavier, who wanted to share his passion for old games with the world. The website is not affiliated with any company or organization, it is run by a small team of volunteers who are also fans of abandonware games.

The website’s goal is to preserve and archive old games that are no longer available through legal channels, and to provide them for free to anyone who wants to play them. The website also respects the rights of the original developers and publishers, and removes any game that is re-released or requested to be taken down.

Based on this information, we can see that MyAbandonware has a long history and a clear purpose. The website is not a scam or a fraud, but a genuine project that aims to keep the legacy of old games alive.

The website also respects the intellectual property of the game creators and does not host any game that is still being sold or supported. Therefore, we can conclude that the website has a good reputation and is not likely to harm its users or the game industry.

3. The Quality of the Game Files

Another aspect that influences the safety of a website is the quality and legality of the files that it offers. Are the files authentic and original, or are they modified or corrupted? Are the files legal and ethical, or are they illegal and immoral? These questions can help us evaluate whether the files are safe or not.

According to its FAQ page, MyAbandonware only hosts game files that are original and unmodified unless they are patched or fixed by the community to improve their compatibility or performance.

The website also scans all the files for viruses and malware and removes any file that is infected or suspicious. The website also provides information and screenshots for each game, so that users can verify the authenticity and quality of the files before downloading them.

4. The Compatibility and Performance of the Games

Another factor that affects the safety of a website is the compatibility and performance of the games that it offers. Are the games compatible with modern operating systems and devices, or do they require special software or hardware to run? Are the games stable and smooth, or do they crash or lag frequently? These questions can also help us determine whether the games are safe or not.

According to its FAQ page, MyAbandonware provides games for various platforms, such as DOS, Windows, Mac, Amiga, Atari, etc. However, not all games are compatible with modern operating systems and devices, and some may require special software or hardware to run.

For example, DOS games may need an emulator like DOSBox to run on Windows 10, and Windows games may need a compatibility mode or a patch to run on newer versions of Windows. The website also provides guides and tips on how to play abandonware games on different platforms.

5. The Availability and Usefulness of Game Support and Guides

The last aspect that influences the safety of a website is the availability and usefulness of game support and guides. Does the website provide any support or assistance to its users, or does it leave them on their own? Does the website provide any guides or resources to help users play the games, or does it expect them to figure it out by themselves?

According to its FAQ page, MyAbandonware does not provide game support through mail or social networks, but it does provide a guide on how to play abandonware games, which covers the basics of downloading, installing, and running the games on different platforms. The website also provides links to other websites and forums where users can get more tips and programs to fix and improve the games.

It also allows users to comment on each game page, where they can share their experiences, opinions, and questions with other users. However, the website does not have a dedicated support team or a comprehensive FAQ section, and the guide is not updated regularly.

↪ Cautionary Notes:

• While MyAbandonware is generally safe, there are a few things to keep in mind:
• Some games may require community patches to work correctly.
• Be cautious with newer games that need a “no CD” crack for playing without a CD-ROM.
• For MS-DOS games, the risk of viruses is minimal since they run in an emulator like DOSBox.
• Always scan any potentially suspicious files before executing them.

↪ Additional Tips:

• Check user comments on the site before downloading a game.
• Consider using tools like DXWND to configure play settings for trouble-free gaming.
• Remember that downloading anything from the internet carries inherent risks, so exercise vigilance.

While MyAbandonware is a reliable source for downloading classic games, if you’re interested in exploring other sources that offer abandonware, you can move on to the next section.

Tips for Safely Using Abandonware

1. Stick to reputable sites like MyAbandonware, Old-Games, or Abandonia.
2. Check user reviews for insights into game legitimacy and safety.
3. Understand abandonware often violates copyright laws.
4. Recognize the legal grey area surrounding abandonware.
5. Scan downloaded files for malware before running them.
6. Exercise caution with executable files (.exe) and verify their safety.
7. Use emulators like DOSBox for MS-DOS games.
8. Research and follow installation instructions for community patches.
9. Regularly backup game saves, especially for unstable abandonware titles.
10. Run older games in a separate environment to prevent conflicts with newer software.
11. Join abandonware forums for advice and recommendations from fellow enthusiasts.

It should be noted that abandonware is a delightful journey into gaming history, but it’s essential to balance nostalgia with safety.