We desperately need something in place that guarantees that the roms, the files, everything, that constitutes the history of this medium shall be available forever more and for free for all those who wish to experience what my parents did, and in the future, what I did, without forking over $500 or more for an old console and ridiculous amount for games that get their valued shot through the roof by false speculation.

I agree that there should be a place where people can freely access ROMs, emulators, and retro games in the modern world without having to fork out heaps of money, but I think the point that it should be free is contentious. Just like how books printed 30 years ago still cost money to buy (consider their digital renditions), I think retro gaming can still hold a price tag.

Before Netflix, people pirated movies and TV shows all the time because it was easier to pirate them, plus it was free. Netflix brought convenience to the masses and people became willing to pay for it.

Similarly, I think retro gaming can have paid subscription services akin to Netflix, but the thing is that they have to make it more convenient for users to access it, rather than less, for it to be successful.

Just my two cents!