Within the overall sphere of video gaming, there are many different categories and genres. There are the popular MOBA and strategy titles that cross over into the world of professional eSports, while traditional sports also have a huge following.
Among the many options for players, retro gaming remains popular, but why does it continue to thrive, in an industry where so many advancements have been made?
What is Retro?
There are different ways in which a video game can be classed as ‘retro.’ In many cases, the title has carried on unchanged through the decades, and examples of this include Space Invaders and Pac-Man. Games such as these, from the 70s, 80s and 90s, remain on sale in their original form.
The genre gets complicated from here, as some retro games are much newer releases. Titles such as Angry Birds, which was released in 2009, are considered ‘retro’ because of their gameplay. Angry Birds, and similar titles, use simple graphics, and they have the feel of an arcade game.
Games of this kind bring back memories of the popular arcade halls of the 1980s and 1990s. As such, the whole retro category is much bigger than you might think.
Keeping the Theme Alive
Interest in the retro category has been maintained by increased availability around the gaming world. It’s a theme that has been embraced, for example, by online casinos and the software developers who produce their many games.
While browsing operators and looking at the latest list of casino offers, players will have noticed that there are hundreds of different slots to choose from. Casino brands continue to look for new titles, and within the overall slot category, there are many different themes.
This area of gaming helped to boost the popularity of retro by including several arcade options on their schedules. The sound and graphics are similar to some of the most iconic titles in the history of video gaming, and casinos are one reason why retro continues to be popular.
Speed and Convenience
All areas of the gaming industry received a boost during the 2010s when mobile technology began to improve. The rise of smartphones made gaming more accessible, and rather than settle for crude titles, there was far more scope for players and developers.
Virtually all categories of games have benefited from mobile advancement, but retro has enjoyed more advantages than most. The basic, iconic designs and sounds transfer far more easily to the smaller screens.
As mobile technology continues to advance, retro gaming will retain its popularity. For many players, the likes of Pac-Man, Tetris, plus the Super Mario and Sonic franchises will continue to have a fanbase thanks to mobile play.
The Power of Nostalgia
While retro gaming is enjoyed by players of all ages, it’s fair to say that a larger following exists among the older generations. Gen Xers and even Baby Boomers tend to prefer titles that remind them of their youth.
The major gaming brands are well aware of the power of nostalgia when it comes to marketing and advertising. The idea that a game can take a player back to their youth, and those busy arcade halls of the 1980s, has a pull that many gamers are drawn to.
Inevitably, Generation X and the Boomers will move on, leaving younger players to keep the retro flame burning.
Escaping Reality
There is a theory that many modern games are simply too realistic. It’s an interesting concept as realism is now a key factor in design, but there are reasons why the suggestion may be valid.
Horror themes and first-person shooter titles aren’t for everyone. The scenes can be brutal at times, and not all players will enjoy that.
In contrast, retro games provide an escape from reality. If the news is too depressing, they provide an outlet from the real world and a form of escapism that many modern titles cannot offer.Â
Harnessing New Innovations
Gaming brands and software producers are acutely aware of the popularity of retro, and they will look to maintain interest in the genre moving forward. It’s clear that simple titles featuring original mechanics continue to have an audience, but the industry must keep evolving.
We’ve seen how smartphone technology has boosted retro play, so can we expect the same from new tech such as virtual reality and augmented reality?Â
Augmented reality has already been seen in a classic arcade game. Pokémon GO can’t really be classified as a retro title, but it has some of the elements required, including simple gameplay.
New tech and retro may seem like opposites, but this is a genre within the industry that continues to develop. Retro gaming has taken new innovations on board in the past, and the likes of virtual reality and augmented reality will likely enhance its popularity moving forward.
A combination of nostalgia and new developments means that retro is here to stay.
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