Draft:Re-Releases, Remakes, Remasters in the Video game industry

The video game industry has a rich history of re-releasing, remastering, and remaking titles from its vast catalog of games. These practices allow developers and publishers to reintroduce classic titles to new audiences, enhance the visual and technical aspects of older games

These can be done to re-work games for certain system's like how games are re-worked for example to fit on smaller hardware like Handheld's or less powerful hardware like the Nintendo Switch or the Gamecube

Re-releases

In the video game industry, a re-release refers to the distribution of a previously published game on a new platform or in a different format. Re-releases allow developers and publishers to extend the lifespan of their games by making them accessible to a broader audience. Common examples of re-releases include ports of console games to PC, mobile devices, or newer gaming consoles, as well as compilations that bundle multiple titles together.

Re-releases may involve minimal changes to the original game, such as optimizing it to run on the target platform or updating it to support modern display resolutions. In some cases, re-releases may include additional content, such as downloadable expansions, bonus levels, or exclusive features tailored to the new platform. Re-releases often cater to nostalgia-driven consumers who wish to revisit classic titles or experience them for the first time on contemporary hardware.

Remasters

A remaster is a process whereby a previously released game is updated and enhanced for modern hardware and software platforms. Remasters typically involve improvements to graphics, audio, and gameplay mechanics, intending to provide players with a more polished and visually appealing experience. Common enhancements found in remastered versions of games include higher-resolution textures, improved frame rates, and support for widescreen displays. Remasters may also include additional content not present in the original release, such as downloadable expansions or bonus features.

Remasters are often undertaken by the original development studio or by third-party companies specializing in porting and remastering older titles. The extent of the enhancements can vary depending on the resources available and the goals of the remastering project. Some remasters aim to faithfully recreate the original experience with minimal changes, while others may incorporate more substantial alterations to modernize the gameplay or address technical limitations of the original hardware.

Remakes

A remake is a more extensive reimagining of a game title, often involving rebuilt assets, redesigned gameplay mechanics, and significant narrative changes. Unlike remasters, which seek to enhance existing content, remakes aim to reinterpret and modernize the original game for contemporary audiences. Remakes may feature entirely new graphics engines, redesigned character models, and re-recorded voice acting to bring the game to life in ways that were not possible with the original release.

Remakes can vary in scope from faithful recreations that retain the core elements of the original game to radical reinterpretations that depart significantly from the source material. Some remakes strive to capture the essence of the original while introducing quality-of-life improvements and modern conveniences, while others take creative liberties to explore new narrative directions or gameplay mechanics.

History

The practice of re-releasing and remastering games dates back to the early days of the video game industry, because 8-bit system's had hardware issues, games like PAC-MAN had to be re-worked for many consoles like the NES and the Atari 2600

8 and 16 Bit Era (1977-1993)

Arcade games were mostly reworked and remade into games that worked on 8 and 16-bit hardware, and games released on some 8-bit consoles that were reworked for other's with different types of graphics

Games looked different on what console you owned, PAC-MAN had to be reworked for some consoles due to graphic limitations of some 8-bit system's in the mid to late 1970's and early 1980's

When home consoles moved to disk around 1994 and 1995, games were remastered mostly on Playstation and were releases and remakes of old NES and SNES games

Move to 3D and 64 and 132 Bit System's (1996-2004)

The practice of releasing old games came when console makers switched to 32 and 64 bit hardware, they had to re-release, remake and remaster games to work on newer hardware, games looked different on Gameboy because of hardware and the fact it was a handheld, games had to be remade into 2D instead of 3D

Games like Pac-Man got re-released a lot due to their popularity

And many ports were remade for N64 and GBA to fit on the hardware

Move to HD Graphics (2005-present)

When game consoles moved to use HD hardware, mostly with the PS3 and Xbox 360, many games from the PS1 and PS2 era were remade and re-released

With the Wii came more re-released games from the 1st generation though the 3rd generation consoles though the Virtual Console service, some Gamecube games were re-released though New Play Control! line of games, the Wii and DS were less powerful meaning some games could be re-released, remade, some were remastered

Examples of remakes, remasters, and re-releases during this time include, Blaster Master: Overdrive, Bully: Scholarship Edition for PS3 and Wii,