Since we’ve been getting re-releases of games that arguably don't need to be remade, gamers have grown skeptical about the nature of remakes. It’s always great to see a revival of our favorite old franchises.
However, the growing discourse has bled its way through social media outlets like X and Facebook, where players show a mix of anticipation and concern every time a game remake is announced.
Why are we still getting more and more remakes? Let’s discuss it here.
It’s High Risk, High Reward
There’s no way big companies would revive a dead IP, thinking it won't sell well. They know the fanbase exists, and they’ve crunched the numbers to the point where they collectively agree that this is a great idea. In short, the data speaks for itself.
For example, everyone’s been dying to get their hands on a Silent Hill 2 remake. Fans have been denied one for almost two decades. Now that it’s finally released, Silent Hill 2 Remake sold one million copies in just three days.
Even when companies gather all the data and check all the viable sales once the game is out, remaking a beloved entry is a huge gamble. It should look good and play well, but it should not stray far from its source material. Many remakes succeeded—Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil 4, for example. But others, like the much more recent Alone in the Dark Remake, flopped due to mismanagement and optimization issues.
When done right, remakes sell well. That's why most game companies are on a gold rush to check their old, dusty shelves to find the next game to remake.
Lack of Original Content
While Remakes are a great way to reintroduce an IP to new audiences, they could also be a symptom of a growing problem in the industry: a lack of originality. With all the talk from fans about the best or upcoming remakes, some original IPs fail to meet their targets due to the volatile gaming market and players' unwillingness to trust an unknown IP.
This is why remakes are flooding the shelves lately. They are just so safe. Revive a dead IP, check the demand, and voila, you get a game with millions of players ready to buy.
But we shouldn't worry too much about the gap between remakes and original games. There are still enough new titles that have sparked renewed interest for gamers and critics alike. For example, the popularity of the Roguelike genre created a widespread buzz, with games like Hades, Balatro, Vampire Survivors, and more.
Black Myth Wukong gained universal acclaim thanks to its adaptation of The Journey to the West, and Gacha titles like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero have also created their own niche.
Indie developers are also consistently producing more original IPs that break new ground. Games like Videogamedunkey’s Animal Well, Wrong Organ's Mouthwashing, or the much more recent Rise of the Golden Idol have tried to create something fresh in this evolving industry.
Despite the bad and the good, remakes are their own thing. While we still get more and more of these age-old IPs being made, there are still enough new games coming out every year.
As much as we shudder at the thought of these endless remakes, the industry needs a breather now and then with these types of games. We will always get original content from Indies and other studios, but remakes can reintroduce a new generation of players from classic franchises.
Let’s just hope game companies learn that not every new game needs to be a remake.