In recent years, the term “adulting” has entered the lexicon – it’s a way to describe all of the annoying, frustrating, repetitive and boring aspects of being an adult. This includes doing chores, running errands, making appointments and all of the parts of being an adult that children never really see and don’t have to worry about.
It’s no surprise, then, that nostalgic entertainment is making a massive comeback. We could all
use a pick-me-up, and nostalgic entertainment is a way for us to slip back into a happier and simpler time for a bit of a break. People occasionally complain about the fact that so many of the movies on our screens are just remakes of classics, but they were classics for a reason, and the appeal is undeniable.
Nostalgia has also become a major driver of video game development. From remasters of popular games from the late 1990s to a return to the 8-bit aesthetic, nostalgia plays a role. This article will look at some of the ways in which nostalgia is driving game development, and at a few of the modern adaptations of traditional games.
Game show inspirations
Game shows are one of the most familiar and comforting kinds of vintage television. In the days before streaming made it possible for you to choose what to watch, evening TV watching with the family usually included a game show or two.
One of the longest running and best-loved of the early game shows is Wheel of Fortune. From 1983, audiences have enjoyed watching Pat Sajak and Vanna White walking the guests through the puzzles and turning the letter tiles over. It has inspired a number of different games, including slots and even a board game. Online casinos allow you to play a similar, wheel-type game show – without the pressure of a live studio audience!
Other classic game shows that have been adapted into video games include Family Feud, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Deal or No Deal. We’d love to see a video game version of Supermarket Sweep too!
Remasters
Video games have come a long way in the last 25 years. Gameplay has become more complex, narratives are more compelling, and the mechanics are more realistic than ever. Visually, the graphics have undergone a huge transformation. Advances in 3D rendering and the use of game development engines such as Unreal Engine have made it possible for today’s games to look more lifelike than ever before.
These advances, coupled with player nostalgia, have led to a drive to remaster popular games from the 1990s and early 2000s, before graphics really took off. Recently, the remasters of Final Fantasy VI and VII, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, and Half-Life. Square Enix have been joined in doubling up on the nostalgia by remasters of Final Fantasy I-VI into 2D pixel versions.
While remasters have happened occasionally throughout the history of video games, this latest wave has focused on some of the most iconic titles. The excitement from players and fans of the original games has shown how great video games can create a powerful emotional connection.
Return of the arcade
Gamers are more connected than ever – most modern video games have online options with chat functions to allow players to communicate as they play together. With less social stigma around being a gamer, communities on Twitch, YouTube and Discord have exploded in popularity.
Despite being more connected to a community than ever, almost all of that connection is digital. Gone are the LAN parties of the past, and with online connectivity, your buddies no longer have to come over to game. Even when you’re discussing your favorite game on a Discord server with friends from all over the world, you can still feel a little lonely.
Arcades are a nostalgia-based solution to this problem and their success is great to see. Arcades provide a place for people to play games with other enthusiasts, without necessarily being competitive. It also gives people a chance to play their favorite titles from when they were growing up. Some of the biggest stars of the modern arcade are still Pac-Man, Street Fighter and Donkey Kong.
Even celebrities are happy to share their favorite arcade games and can sometimes be seen playing at the machines in their hometowns. Megan Fox is reportedly a Mortal Combat fan, while Olivia Munn isn’t afraid to lay down some chords with Guitar Hero. You never know who you might run into down at your local arcade…
