The video game industry has always been particularly creative. We've never had a problem creating new IPs, trying different things, and going against standards.. Even if imitations were made, there was always a search for something unique. It's an essential part of video games. We all know that not everyone wants to play the same game with a slightly different aesthetic. That's why so many games from other eras still continue to surprise us.
It's important to focus on “another era” because “another era” happens less and less often. Originality still exists in the indie space, but it's not as plentiful. Because if there's one thing that, for whatever reason, the video game industry is full of, it's remakes and remasters of games that have already been released.
This is nothing new. Even the Super Famicom generation has already experienced numerous remakes across generations. But the difference is that they seem to be more common now. More constant. If you look at the directs from the big three companies, it feels like more than half of your time is spent on games you already know. For a remake. What is the reason? And above all, why does it seem to be happening more often now than ever before?
It looks that way because it happens. The amount of remakes and remasters that have hit the market over the last few years is absolutely ridiculous. And just look at what was announced in 2024 to see that this percentage is only going to increase.
Of the games released so far, 10 high-profile remasters or remakes were released between January 19th and March 14th alone. Six more have already been announced between now and June. Across 2024, there are already over 30 remasters and remakes listed for release between games already released and games scheduled for release this year.. It's an alarming number, especially considering many of these games could pass for ports or re-releases.
What's the reason? The fact that games are becoming more expensive to produce. Its development takes longer, involves more people, and requires more investment. Why most studios don't want to take any risks. If you can save time and money by redoing something you already know will work, you'll choose that instead of trying a new project.
Especially since the audience is also a factor. It's hard to get people to pay for a brand new game. You need to let them know it exists, what it is, how to play it, and why they should be interested.. This is not the case with well-known licenses. And even less so when talking about games that they already know.
It's much easier to know if a game will sell if it already has a reputation, we know how to play it, we know what it's about, and we like it. Maybe Final Fantasy 7 Remake or The Last of Us 2 Remaster aren't new games, but they're games that most people know they want to play. If you look at them, you can tell that they are interested in them and have no problem remembering their existence. All the problems associated with creating a new game will evaporate. It's much easier to ensure that the current disproportionate costs of video games don't become a huge loss for studios.
Ironically, the best-performing games this year aren't remakes or remasters. His 2024 hits as of this writing are Palworld, Content Warning, and Helldivers II. These games have one thing in common: they're replayable and more fun to play with friends, but they're also cheaper than average..
Most AAA, The most advertised games cost between 60 and 80 euros, and this year's blockbusters cost between 7 and 40 euros.. A price at which people feel more comfortable taking risks and buying something simply because it attracts attention and might be good.
It shows where the key to breaking the vicious cycle of making everything bigger is. More expensive. Reduce the size of the game. Invest less time and less money in games with smaller perspectives and more reasonable costs. If the industry were to go in this direction, it's very likely that we wouldn't have to remake or remaster everything.. Never take any risks. But as long as that happens, we have to keep playing the same game over and over again.
