So far, no-one has mentioned this archival method:
Bundled Simulator + OS + Application + File
The idea is that the file could be viewed with the actual
creating software, in a "ship in a bottle" VR-computer
sence.
What would be useful here is a Universal platform on
which to build simulators, and this platform would be
supplied on any new architecture through to any future.
Otherwise, people might be stuck with 90 levels of
simulator running simulator, etc.
And you thought You had nightmares.
John A.