Consider: we are living in a world where a) video game publishers areincreasingly obsessed with wringing the last drops of blood from ancient IP, and b)the cost of video game hardware is spiralling out of control. Both these things have been covered on this website previously as bad, but what if we combined them and got something a little bit more fun?
As people deal with current consoles getting more expensive over time, and brace themselves forwhatever fuckery the next Xbox pulls anda PS6 that could cost over $1000, I think the road forwards–the same “ever onwards” path (most of) the video game industry has taken since the 1970s, where each new generation of hardware simply mustmake its games look better than the last–is no longer safe. If two of the three platform holders commit to that treacherous route, one that risks putting much of their customer base on the sidelines because they can’t afford consoles anymore, then they’re going to bring a lot of the Western video game industry (or at least what’s left of it) down with them.
How about this for a semi-serious proposal then: Instead of leaning on old games, what if companies like Sony and Microsoft stopped screwing around with their death march of a technological arms race and leaned on old consolesinstead? What is stopping them–aside from cowardice–simply re-releasing the original Xbox or PlayStation 2?
Those old machines would have much cheaper component costs, meaning the market might actually be able to afford them. Like remakes of famous games, they’re trading on a ton of history and brand loyalty. You think millennials are nostalgic for individual titles or series like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid? Imagine how nostalgic they are for the PlayStation 2 itself.
Just to be clear, I’m not talking about those novelty “mini”re-releases from a few years back, like the PlayStation Classic. I’m talking the real deal (or something at least approximating the real deal), a proper new/old PlayStation or Xbox console, which wouldn’t just be a cozy home for re-releases, but more importantly for new video games as well.
Imagine if (and this is a big imagine if), after years of dogshit PR and diminishing returns, platform holders began endorsing “I want shorter games with worse graphics made by people who are paid more to work less and I’m not kidding” as a publishing mantra and selling point for new hardware. With modest hardware capping the scope and cost of games, teams could be set loose on low-spec experiences and decades-old IP (or genre staples) to bring us games that are both old and new at the same time.
Running with the theory that the greatest games are great because of the limitations within which they were made, what would 2026 games studios want or be able to do with a hard, 2001-ass ceiling on their scope? What if the Bloodborne Kart guys were allowed to call it Bloodborne Kart? What could a new adventure in the Uncharted universe look like if it was on PS2? What if Blinxcame back? Timesplitters? And what if a universe of other broadly compatible, original indie games found a trendy new alternativeto being buried on Steam? Look at the Playdate and its store for an idea of what I’m talking about!
“But wouldn’t this cannibalise sales of a PS6 or new Xbox?” you might ask, to which my answer is lmao no, did you not read my opening, this semi-serious proposal is for companies to re-release these bad boys insteadof new machines, something they will never do, but which I’m proposing here anyway just so I can link to it in future arguments.
“And this sounds like you’re giving advice and rooting for the fortunes of two companies who have shown over the past few years they deserve more of our scorn than support!”, you might then add, to which I’d say I hope not, I’m just using them as relatable examples, I would love anyoneto release a PS2-era retro machine. Sega, come back, do the Dreamcast again! And third-party companies are already doing this kinda stuff (albeit on slightly older tech), with consoles like the Analogue3D and SuperStation, which looks cool as hell, only costs $249, has 64GB storage and HDMI out. I would love to see more of these, all of which could again take a leaf out of the Playdate’s book!
You may note Nintendo has not been mentioned thus far.Mostly because they worked this shit out 20 years ago, so good job, Nintendo. You called it.
Despite all the new and very good games that have come out lately, I’ve spent most of the last month playing through MachineGames’ Wolfenstein releases from 2014 and 2017. I started playing the first one, Wolfenstein: The New Order, for much the same reason I played through all those Call of Duty games recently. As…
AftermathLuke Plunkett
