It is getting harder and harder for modern game publishers to get their games in the hands of players, er on their consoles/computers is more like it but you get the point.  To get current generation games into the psyche of players is not so easy anymore- traditional advertising has proven less and less viable (when is the last time you saw a commercial for a game or a full page magazine ad for anything but a AAA title?).  When the team behind Volgarr the Viking allowed third party indie development of a Sega Dreamcast port I am sure they didn’t realize they were potentially creating a new advertising avenue for everyone.  See, they also allowed the Sega Dreamcast version of Volgarr the Viking to be given away for free, simply download and burn it.  How awesome is that?  If this proves successful, we might see others doing it, and not just for the Sega Dreamcast (though I am COMPLETELY cool with it if they at least kept Sega’s last console in mind).

There have been other ports of modern games to older consoles, usually referred to as “demakes”.  The most popular one was Halo ported to the Atari 2600.  This is not an article about demakes but I wanted to mention that one because it shows current developers do understand there is a growing market with retrogaming fans, a largely untapped market.  After all, the biggest reason we stop seeing new games for the previous generation of consoles is because publishers stopped releasing new games.  There are still gamers that would support the previous generation, or two, if there were still great games being released for them.

Imagine, if you will, if Microsoft were to release a single player, several maps, focused full story version of Halo for the Sega Dreamcast.  Give it away too.  That is the key here.  There are several million Dreamcast consoles out there in the wild, sure probably a large portion are not being played anymore but I think there are more than we all think.  I would definitely take a look at a free, concentrated, Halo game for the Dreamcast.  More likely to do that than I am to buy a 360/Xbox One and the game to “see” if I would like it or not.

What about Playstation 2?  How many of those are out there?  Imagine if, when Sony prepares the next release in the God of War series that they released a demo disc, this time for the cost of shipping or just sign up and get it mailed to you for free (as supplies last).  On this demo disc is a boss rush mode, like an arena or something, where you are tasked with defeating many different bosses that are publicly known from the upcoming game.  Not a whole game unto itself but still, something.  Also, release it on PS3 and PS4, of course.  The point is, there are a crap ton of Playstation 2 consoles out there, probably quite a few of those that still rock the PS2 are doing so because “nothing interested them” on PS3 and they probably can’t justify the purchase of a PS4 right now.  Give them a taste of what is coming on the PS4 and it might spur them to spring for the new console.  This happening is as likely as Sony doing a similar demo for the Dreamcast and releasing it for free (how awesome would that be?).

There is a reason gamers don’t move up with technology.  Usually they, like me, don’t see anything worth playing/buying on the newer hardware- certainly nothing justifying the entry fee.  If I could get a taste of an exclusive from a newer console but on a console I already own, I would probably spring for the newer console sooner than later.

Companies have huge marketing arms, at least larger publishers do, to promote their games.  Why not mix in a few off the wall marketing ideas such as dropping some cash on an indie developer to port your game, part of it, or a new idea based on your game, as advertising material?  Youtube video makers that only cover certain platforms might pick up on it and cover it, giving even more exposure- exposure that money simply cannot buy.

How many of you feel the same way?  Would being able to play a newer game on an older console (with some limitations of course) influence your purchasing decision later?

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams