A Video Game Remake is an Opportunity
Author’s Note: Not that it was the reason for last week being a bye week, but for some inexplicable reason, this one blog topic has been the most ridiculously, unreasonably, INFURIATINGLY difficult one for me to write. Like, seriously: I’ve tried over and over since August make this blog, but no matter how hard or often I tried, it ended up crashing and burning just short of finishing the first draft on account of how often my brain would try to change course and end up derailing into a confused mess. This blog may end up reading a little wonky in light of that, but let me have this little victory in finally writing it to completion so that I can finally move on from it. Thanks!
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It often feels like a coin toss as to whether or not they’ll turn out as good as you hope, but love ‘em or hate ‘em, video game remakes present opportunities. Opportunities for long-time fans to get their hands on an old classic and enjoy it through a new lens, or for game developers to go back fix something they always felt was an embarrassing flaw or an inconvenience to the player… or perhaps opportunities for said developers to end up tainting or even fully uprooting some of the most beloved aspects of the game in the name of “correction” and/or for publishers to ship out a minimum-effort product for want of a quick buck.
Putting it like that, I probably sound like I’m not a big fan of remakes, but it’s worth being aware of such things being possible, as they’re at the heart of some of the most disappointing game remakes out there. However, I want to make another, more optimistic argument, as to what opportunities a video game remake can provide, so long as those in charge of its creation don’t take it for granted.
The most basic opportunity a remake presents is the chance to bring an old hit to new fans. With the frequency at which old technology is phased out to the point of obscurity to make way for new consoles and technology, a lot of fantastic games end up slipping through the cracks end up becoming rare, if not unobtainable. While porting old games to newer systems is an efficient way to preserve them, a full-fledged remake of said game is perhaps the most effective and enticing way to invite those too young to have gotten their hands on a game to enjoy them in a way they might be more used to. I’d point to the Pokémon franchise’s cycle of remaking their older games to allow younger fans to have a chance to explore regions they previously couldn’t as a great and particularly personal example (as someone who grew up watching anime reruns of Johto-era re-runs but having no chance to play Gold, Silver, or Crystal, I was very happy when they announced and released HeartGold and SoulSilver versions for the Nintendo DS).
With enough luck and love, a well-timed, well-placed remake can even serve as an opportunity for a long-dormant game series to rise from the grave thanks to interest from both old and new fans alike, as the game can not only serve as a celebration of the old, but also a means of gauging and ramping up interest in a series to set the stage for future installments. Look no further than the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, whose success was soon followed by a reboot of its racing spin-off series and an equally-successful sequel just a few years later.
It’s not just fans who can capitalize on video game remakes, either. While I welcome anyone more versed in game development to put me in my place if I’m wrong, I believe that remakes can also make for effective homework for up-and-coming developers. Think of it like a test drive, or reverse engineering: providing entry-level and/or otherwise inexperienced developers a chance to get hands-on experience with a time-tested game is an excellent way for them to learn the ropes and find their rhythm. Of course, you’d need more experienced developers around to help facilitate the process and make sure everything is on track and in check as this is still technically a business, after all.
You can probably pin it in my desire to see the best in everything, but despite the relative infamy surrounding them, I can’t help but see immense potential in what remakes can deliver, ironically enough in the way that they facilitate new fans, new game designers, and even new hopes for the future. Of course, all of this would imply an appropriate budget, timeframe, and effort by the company and publisher at the reins of the game, which always seems to be another matter entirely.