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Remastered Games: A Rightful Homage to the Classics? Or a Lazy Marketing Tactic?
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ostalgia is a powerful emotion, and it seems video game developers have figured that out. Remastered iterations of gaming classics are rolling out in bunches now, giving old-school gamers all the feels for their favorite titles but with crisp graphics and quick processing. But are gamers being played by developers logging into human’s draw to nostalgia to make a quick buck on memories?
Here are three arguments making the case that remastered video games are a welcomed legacy, and three stating it’s mostly a marketing ploy.
Throwbacks Are Cool
Cost Effectiveness
Remastered titles are a cost-effective way to get hours of playable game time. They are usually sold at a cheaper rate than new releases, or more frequently sold in bundles at the industry standard $60. It’s smart money for developers as well. The price and time to develop new games continues to climb--Grand Theft Auto V notably cost a staggering $265 million to make. Developers can quickly upgrade old games, sell them for a quick profit and reinvest in new games. A successful remastered classic could be what funds the next new hit.
Bridging Generations
Remastered games not only rekindle lost passion for gamers who remember the original, it allows for a whole new generation to enjoy them, and on consoles they’re familiar with. Games like Crash Bandicoot had a profound impact on gaming culture some 20 years ago, and now they can reach a whole new audience by bringing their specs up to speed. What’s more, developers are starting to remaster games, like Halo and the Legend of Zelda, with a feature that allows gamers to toggle between old and new graphic displays.
Popular for a Reason
Gamers are voting with their wallets that they will buy old games updated for new consoles. That’s why there is no end in sight for which pixelated games of yester-year will next appear in full 1080p. The top selling video games released in 2016 features a Hall of Fame-type list including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Ratchet and Clank. And the enthusiasm isn’t all about the memories. A frequent complaint of new video game releases is dwindling story modes Older titles, where more effort was put in to crafting an engaging solo campaign, can still provide gamers this need.
It's a Way to Play Gamers
Overkill
The popularity of some remastered titles has led to an overabundance, where every game that once enjoyed success is being repackaged for new consoles. Repeatedly releasing updated games erodes the charm of the original creations. Does every game need an update every few years? Did the 2013 edition of Tomb Raider really needed a reappearance for next generation consoles in 2014.
Easy Way Out
Instead of investing the money, time and manpower on a remaster strategy, developers should focus on finishing long awaited new releases or fixing issues with current popular games. There is plenty of sequel opportunities for legacy titles like the Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts series, or even the recently upgraded Minecraft, that developers opting to remaster old games instead are taking the easy way out.
Digging Up the Past
For some remastered games, anticipation for its release rivals titles that are making their debut. Some gamers are wondering if the abundance of old classics will take attention away from games that one day in the future could be considered this era’s legacy titles. Some consider it unfair that the hottest new releases of last year have to compete for attention with remastered games like Halo and Zelda, which have years of building a brand awareness.
The Bottom Line
Video game developers have tapped into a market with remastered games that old school gamers clearly will buy. That being said, the increased increasing frequency of reboots makes it harder for new titles to compete for attention. In the end, market forces that shape the industry, so next time you buy a game will you purchase a remastered classic or would you rather give a new release its fair shot?
This article was written by Jordan Stutts in collaboration with The Perspective, where you can get both sides of the big debates and trending news stories.
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Jun 28, 2017 at 02:56PM EDT