Retro gaming vs Modern Day Games

So what has changed over the years in gaming? Sure the graphics have gotten better but have the games? If so then why is retro gaming so popular. It's time to look at the difference between the games of yesterday and the games we pay now

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The Beginning

So one of the main differences between modern day gaming and retro gaming is the fact that most retro games originated from the Arcades. The games were intended for you to spend your quarters (as many as possible). Modern day games are different, most game developers want to built a long term relation with their fan base ensuring that they wil play their games for a long time.

For retro games this means that the games were hard, and I mean really hard. You had to work to get that high score or get to the ending. Even when games were ported or developed for home console this way developing games was not changed.

Try getting through a level of metal slug without dying three times

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Modern day games are different and are more about the gaming experience. They are meant for a broad audience and not only for the hardcore gamers. There are some hardcore games available like Dark Souls or Ninja Gaiden but these are the exceptions. Giving the players a nice gaming experience and getting them to play the game for as long as possible seem to be primary focus of modern day games.

Mainstreaming it

Retro games were unpredictable, you never knew what you were gonna get with a game. Sure you had your basic genres like sports games, fighting games but many game developers were trying out new things. I mean how would you categorize a game like Toe Jam & Earl?

ToeJam & Earl is a game about 2 Alien rappers who come to earth

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In modern day gaming developers go out of their way to let the gamers know exactly what they are getting. The number of sequels outweighs the release of new IP's. A lot of games use the same formula, for example if you have ever played Tomb Rader, you will have no problems with the controls of Uncharted.

The Developers

Sega, Nintendo, SNK, all these game developers wanted to do was make good games, in their attempts they often went overboard. Things like costs or return on investment almost didn't seem to matter. This often resulted in outrageous projects.
Moderns day developers are more cautious and more in tune with the business side of the Gaming Industry. They often follow a certain formula and if this formula is successful they will not change it and certainly not take chances that might lead to a decline in sales. Most notorious example is Activision with their Call of Duty series.

Activision has been accuded of milking the "Modern Warfare" cow . The game series has had no significant changes since the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

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Gaming has become a multi-billions business and with it gaming has become mainstream. This has its advantages but also takes some of the romance out of gaming. Game developers find it difficult to take chances and stick to proven success formulas. For innovation we often have to look at Indie developers but the big developers tend to play it safe.
Where retro games were all about the quick fix, modern day game play the long con. This is why currently there is a lot of interest in retro games, they remind us of a time where anything was possible.