This has been something that's been bothering me about the modern gaming industry, that we see a ton of rehashes with very little changes between games. Yet if you look at the sales figures for these games, they're still selling. And it seems to defy all sense of logic. Why do I say this, you ask? Because of the very nature of entertainment. Entertainment is something that degrades over time, the more you repeat something, the less enjoyable it becomes. So if you release a game that plays very similarly to an existing game, then shouldn't the sales be lower? Shouldn't we be seeing a decrease in sales because of the lack of differentiation between games? I'm genuinely confused by this.
People who liked a game tend to buy rehashes expecting the slight increases to actually make a difference, but that's pretty much an enforced thought originating in the recent platform war. Graphics are used as the main denominator for game performance, and advertisement as well as platform war raging goes in the exact same direction. Through that, people think they get a better game by getting a version with better graphics, sometimes despite owning the original.
Another thing is hype abuse. By re-releasing a seemingly improved version of a popular game, people who didn't get the original because of doubts will now jump the call after hearing hollow promises like "Definite Edition", thinking they were lucky to not get the original since they can now get that version instead. However, some might simply not own the console the original version was released on, so they're not exactly making a bad decision, just an overpriced one.
With that said, it's really simple consumer manipulation. And because these rehashestend to be expensive (at least pricier than originals), people deliberately overhype it to get a sense of accomplishment out of it.
People who liked a game tend to buy rehashes expecting the slight increases to actually make a difference, but that's pretty much an enforced thought originating in the recent platform war. Graphics are used as the main denominator for game performance, and advertisement as well as platform war raging goes in the exact same direction. Through that, people think they get a better game by getting a version with better graphics, sometimes despite owning the original.
Another thing is hype abuse. By re-releasing a seemingly improved version of a popular game, people who didn't get the original because of doubts will now jump the call after hearing hollow promises like "Definite Edition", thinking they were lucky to not get the original since they can now get that version instead. However, some might simply not own the console the original version was released on, so they're not exactly making a bad decision, just an overpriced one.
With that said, it's really simple consumer manipulation. And because these rehashestend to be expensive (at least pricier than originals), people deliberately overhype it to get a sense of accomplishment out of it.
That's a good point, but don't you think people would've picked up on that by now? There's only so many times they can get away with that before people catch on.
Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
always thought I'd change to Gyarados after I turned 20 but hey, this is more fitting I guess. (also somebody registered under the original Magikarp name and I can't get back to it anymore orz)
Because more of a good thing is still a good thing. Also, the more notoriety a game gets, the more interest it tends to garner with the next releases, at least for a while, so then you get people who haven't already played the games to death.
How many of you started Assassin's Creed with AC3 or 4? How many of you are still interested in playing more?
Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
See, but that's what I'm saying. Fun diminishes with repetition. So why would similar games continue to sell by that logic?
Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
See, but that's what I'm saying. Fun diminishes with repetition. So why would similar games continue to sell by that logic?
Think of your favorite restaurant. You don't get bored because you eat at others in between, right? Well that's a game franchise's logic.
Vincent294
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Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
See, but that's what I'm saying. Fun diminishes with repetition. So why would similar games continue to sell by that logic?
Repetition and how fun it is are both subjective. Castlevania and Mega man games are often very similar to eachother, yet there are many who greatly enjoy their basic gameplay and only really want new levels and enemies in order to enjoy them, myself included. Then there are fighting games, which are often criticised by nonfans as being too similar, yet a hardcore fan could easily tell the differences from game to game. It's like when we talked about how modern Mario games have a lot of differences, yet you insisted that they were all the same. To you, the differences weren't enough to make them interesting, yet to us ithey made big differences - some would even argue it was night and day.
Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
See, but that's what I'm saying. Fun diminishes with repetition. So why would similar games continue to sell by that logic?
Think of your favorite restaurant. You don't get bored because you eat at others in between, right? Well that's a game franchise's logic.
Bad example because restaurants offer more variety. If you get tired of a particular menu item, you can switch to another one at the same restaurant. But games don't have as much choice there, if you get bored of a particular gameplay style, you usually end up putting down the game at that point.
Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
See, but that's what I'm saying. Fun diminishes with repetition. So why would similar games continue to sell by that logic?
Think of your favorite restaurant. You don't get bored because you eat at others in between, right? Well that's a game franchise's logic.
Bad example because restaurants offer more variety. If you get tired of a particular menu item, you can switch to another one at the same restaurant. But games don't have as much choice there, if you get bored of a particular gameplay style, you usually end up putting down the game at that point.
Okay, favorite item or multiplayer game mode. Maybe you don't see the appeal but I don't mind some Team Smash or Infinity Slayer every now and then.
Vincent294
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Because more of a good thing is still a good thing.
This single sentence sums it all up.
Fun is fun rather it be similar to something you've done before or not.
I agree more with the TC in this case. "Fun is fun" is easy to say. But when they want me to pay over, and over, and OVER for the same "fun" I always draw a line. I'm not paying $40 to watch Chie ride a modped in Persona 4 Golden, I'm not paying 460+ dollars to play Last of Us Remastered, and I'm not paying $40 for an update of Marvel vs. Capcom that should be DLC so no one gets shafted.
Everyone has their preferences, but playing the same game over and over again with very few changes and a growing price tag actually just ticks me off. And I think when defend this practice it robs all gamers from the original and amazing games we'd force devs to make if we didn't just gobble up their reguritated games every single time.
Because if you see video games as primarily entertainment, then you'd be more comfortable with familiarity than originality. Anyway, rehash is a harsh word. If you're having fun, why would it bother you that the experience is similar to something you've played before?
See, but that's what I'm saying. Fun diminishes with repetition. So why would similar games continue to sell by that logic?
Repetition and how fun it is are both subjective. Castlevania and Mega man games are often very similar to eachother, yet there are many who greatly enjoy their basic gameplay and only really want new levels and enemies in order to enjoy them, myself included. Then there are fighting games, which are often criticised by nonfans as being too similar, yet a hardcore fan could easily tell the differences from game to game. It's like when we talked about how modern Mario games have a lot of differences, yet you insisted that they were all the same. To you, the differences weren't enough to make them interesting, yet to us ithey made big differences - some would even argue it was night and day.
That's an interesting point. The way I often decide wich games, regardless of the "originality", are good games is when I feel the love developers put into it. I mean, some games are meant to be products and nothing else, and that's when you start to realize it's the same thing after another just for money's sake. But then you see the Metroid Prime series and find that each game is filled with love; the mechanics, the music, the atmosphere, all those elements make each one of those games a unique and amazing experience that even make you want a Metroid Prime 4.
@R_Champ ...I don't think marginal upgrades of the same game are what Bolt_Strike's talking about. Those aren't what most would call "rehashes", but instead "re-releases". He's talking explicitly about different games that play similarly to eachother, I mean he said it right in his first post. And re-release don't sell gangbusters, they're just more profitable despite lower sales.
Because more of a good thing is still a good thing. Also, the more notoriety a game gets, the more interest it tends to garner, at least for a while, so then you get people who haven't already played the games to death.
How many of you started Assassin's Creed with AC3 or 4? How many of you are still interested in playing more?
^This. The saying "If it's not broke, don't fix it" applies here.
In my opinion, new IPs, and fresh gameplay mechanics are more than welcome, but I can't expect developers to create these as often as some folks expect.
Eh, I'm not really sure. Guitar Hero hit rock bottom after so many reiterations, but most games these days still sell well. It's...rather baffling to say the least
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That's an interesting point. The way I often decide wich games, regardless of the "originality", are good games is when I feel the love developers put into it. I mean, some games are meant to be products and nothing else, and that's when you start to realize it's the same thing after another just for money's sake. But then you see the Metroid Prime series and find that each game is filled with love; the mechanics, the music, the atmosphere, all those elements make each one of those games a unique and amazing experience that even make you want a Metroid Prime 4.
I actuall;y agree that a great game is often one that feels like a lot of love and effort was put into it. I think the best project is one where you're focused on making something you yourself would enjoy.
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Topic: Why Do Rehashes Sell?
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