Today we are going to take a look at one of the popular words in the gaming world – “remastered”.
What does remastered mean in gaming, where does it come from and in what contexts is it used? Why have remasters become so important in gaming? Let’s find out!
What is a Remaster?
In many cases, remasters are created to bring a game to new platforms or to commemorate an important anniversary.
Recent years have seen a number of remastered titles, such as The Last of Us or Skyrim, which have been adapted to the latest technology with improved graphics and sound quality.
Where Did the Term Come From?
Remastering has its origins in the music industry and originally referred to a piece of music that was given a new form with improved sound quality. In the gaming world, remastering emerged around the mid-2000s when it became increasingly common to improve older titles. It was mainly graphics and sound that were improved to bring the game up to the latest standards.
Differences Between Remastered and Original Games
Now that we know the meaning and the story behind this term, let’s look at specific differences between remastered and original titles:
- Graphics – Older games very often featured poorer image quality or effects, while newer remastered versions usually offer more realistic visual effects or lighting. They also tend to support higher definitions such as 4K, which improves image quality
- Audio – Audio quality in older games often left much to be desired due to technological limitations, with sound effects typically being highly simplified. Remastered versions, however, have significantly improved audio quality, featuring enhanced sound effects, remastered music, and support for audio technologies such as 3D audio
- Performance – Older titles often have problems running on the latest systems or devices, which hinders their proper functioning, while remastered versions have a number of features that allow them to run on newer devices, such as support for higher resolutions.
It is worth remembering that a remaster is not the same as a remake. A remake involves rebuilding a game’s mechanics and storyline from scratch, retaining only a few elements of the original.
Why Do Video Games Get Remastered?
If you are wondering why all the updates on the games are necessary, here are a few reasons:
- Elements of nostalgia – gamers often return to their favourite games from the past, especially if they have improved features
- Next-generation players – remastered games attract new gamers
- Technological upgrades – due to the development of new devices, games need to be improved
Now you have all the info about what does remastered mean in games. No matter if u want to experience your favourite title again or try some classic with a twist you are free to do it!