9 October 2022

Back to the Future: The Resurgence of Retro Gaming

It’s hard to ignore the recent trends in retro gaming, as it appears that this industry has undergone some sort of renaissance in the past few years. In fact, retro gaming has become so popular that there are even business opportunities available where you can resell your old games and earn money in the process. The real question is, what’s driving these trends and why are so many people taking notice? Let’s look at some of the major factors driving this resurgence and how it impacts the industry as a whole.

Why are retro games popular?

With so many technological advances in our modern day and age, we forget how much simpler things were ‘back in the day.’ Of course, there are numerous reasons why retro games are popular again. Let’s take a look at some of them below. The Gameplay is Simple: When was the last time you played Pac-Man? If it’s been a while since you visited your local arcade or bought an Atari game console for your home, then chances are you have forgotten just how simple video games used to be.

Retrogaming And Nostalgia

While some say retro gaming is a new trend, it’s really more like a resurgence. Many gamers are feeling nostalgic for their childhoods, with games like Angry Birds, Pac-Man and Space Invaders capturing their attention once again. However, these aren’t just simple remakes; they’re bringing new elements to old classics that keep players interested and entertained. For example, Atari recently released an updated version of Breakout that features power-ups and bonus levels—but still retains all of its original simplicity. In addition to modern takes on classic games, many companies are creating entirely new content based on retro themes. For example, indie game developer DrinkBox Studios recently launched Guacamelee!, which combines luchador wrestling with platforming gameplay mechanics from older titles such as Super Mario Bros., Castlevania and Metroid.

Designing a retro game

Today, digital downloads mean that indie game designers can sell their games directly to customers through digital storefronts like Steam. With access to an enthusiastic global audience, independent game developers are looking back at 8-bit and 16-bit gaming with a sense of nostalgia and releasing retro games on platforms such as iPhone and Android. So if you’ve been inspired by classics such as Space Invaders or Pac-Man, why not design your own retro-style game? Here’s how to get started. Step 1: Choose Your Platform If you want to release a retro game on mobile devices, then you have three options: develop for iOS (Apple), develop for Android (Google) or develop for both. Step 2: Create Assets Once you know what platform(s) you’re targeting, it’s time to start thinking about assets. This includes graphics, audio and any other files needed to make your game work. Creating these assets is arguably one of the most important parts of development because it determines whether people will even download your app in the first place! For example, if you create a space shooter for mobile phones but don’t include good sound effects or music, players might be turned off before they even give your game a chance. Step 3: Write Code Once you have all of your assets ready to go, it’s time to write some code. This is where programming languages like Objective C come into play. If you’re new to coding, there are lots of resources available online to help you learn—just remember that anyone can learn to program; it just takes practice and patience. Step 4: Test & Release Once your game has been coded, tested and approved by friends/family/colleagues/anyone who wants to play it, you’ll need to submit it for approval so that users can download your game from an app store.

SHARE:
Design 0 Replies to “Back to the Future: The Resurgence of Retro Gaming”