The gaming industry is buzzing with a surprising revelation: remakes of classic games are a goldmine, outshining remasters in revenue! But why do gamers prefer a full-blown remake? And is this trend here to stay?
A recent study by Ampere Analysis delved into the spending habits of gamers from January 2024 to September 2025, analyzing 15 remakes and 27 remasters. The results? A whopping 2.2 times more spending on remakes! With over 72 million gamers on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam collectively spending $1.4 billion, it's clear that remakes are the crowd favorite.
But here's the twist: remakes like Resident Evil 4, Silent Hill 2, and Demon's Souls come with a higher price tag. Ampere Analysis explains this by pointing out the significant investment in development, marketing, and time these projects demand. On the other hand, remasters are quicker and cheaper to produce but often lack the same level of engagement.
Katie Holt, a senior analyst, sheds light on the industry's strategy: as game development costs soar, publishers turn to remakes and remasters as a cost-effective solution. But the decision isn't straightforward; developers must juggle franchise planning, investment risks, content age, and platform support.
Interestingly, Oblivion Remastered, despite being labeled a remaster, went above and beyond with a new engine and gameplay enhancements. This blurs the lines between remakes and remasters, leaving us wondering: are some 'remasters' secretly remakes in disguise?
And this is where it gets controversial: the study claims that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Silent Hill 2 were among the top-performing remakes during the analyzed period. But with the industry's subjective definitions of remakes and remasters, can we truly trust these rankings?
So, gamers, are you team remake or team remaster? Share your thoughts below, and let's spark a discussion on this intriguing trend!
