: Beyond just games, the thread provides essential BIOS files required for certain emulators to function, making it a one-stop-shop for setting up a retro gaming rig. How the Megathread is Organized
This paper examines the "Megathread" of the internet community r/roms, a popular subreddit dedicated to the discussion and acquisition of ROM (Read-Only Memory) files. While superficially a repository of links for video game piracy, this paper argues that the r/roms Megathread functions as a complex, community-curated archival tool. It represents a grassroots response to the "abandonware" problem and the "Delisting" phenomenon, where digital cultural heritage becomes inaccessible due to copyright enforcement and hardware obsolescence. By analyzing the structural evolution of the Megathread, its migration habits in the face of DMCA takedowns, and its role as an unauthorized library, this study explores the tension between intellectual property law and the public interest in preserving video game history. r/roms megathread