Archive.org acts as the custodian of this orphaned history. When you download Project IGI from there, you aren't just pirating a game; you are engaging in digital preservation. You are ensuring that the code written by a now-defunct Norwegian studio continues to exist. It is a testament to the idea that art (even janky, polygonal, 2000s shooter art) deserves to survive beyond its corporate lifespan.
However, for educational and preservation purposes, Archive.org hosts the file. From a user perspective, if you already owned the game physically (the CD), downloading a backup is legal under Fair Use. If you never owned it, you are technically pirating abandonware. Caveat emptor. However, given the impossibility of purchase, the community generally accepts Archive.org as the ethical source. project igi archive.org
1 vs IGI - 2 . Which edition was a better game overall - Facebook 18 May 2017 — Archive