Per earlier posts, retro gaming is back in a major way in 2010. But as we recently discussed with The Christian Science Monitor, old-school game sensibilities aren’t just being tapped in the form of series remakes, franchise updates delivered as digital game downloads and complete overhauls of your favorite old-school computer, console and arcade hits for next-gen platforms. There’s also the “Retro Revival Trend Fueled By New, But Old-Looking Video Games” to be aware of, as titles like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Mega Man 10 and The Expendables offer new stories and gameplay experiences, yet copy the look and feel of more archaic ’80s and ’90s forerunners.
It’s an interesting aesthetic and game design choice that – by inherently limiting the scope of these productions and associated technology needs – allows creators to focus less on technical concerns than gameplay polish. As we point out in the article, 2D was never broken, and takes a hell of a lot less time, manpower and money to make the most of. The upshot, of course, being that small teams can quickly pump up out fun, catchy experiences that (while offering nowhere near as many features or extras as modern 3D epics) can easily rival the best of today’s blockbuster outings for pure entertainment value, if not depth or longevity. Coupled with the fact that those of us who grew up with games are now in our 30s and 40s, and remain nostalgic for the games of our youth, and that so many players now have less time to kill, these short, it’s no surprise that these short engaging challenges strike a chord.
But don’t take it from us: With even world-famous bands getting in on the act, as evidenced by Linkin Park: 8-Bit Rebellion for the iPhone, iPod and iPad, it’s obvious that there’s a bright future to be had in looking towards the past.
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Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.