Square Enix Planning On More Classic Game Recreations

The difference between a remake and a remaster may not seem important to some, but there is a stark developmental difference between the two. A remaster usually entails porting a video game from a previous generation to the most recent one, perhaps bringing a bonus or two along with way or even sharpening the visual/audio/control mechanics. A remake usually involves reimagining the game from scratch, developing it in a new or updated engine to create a brand new gameplay experience. That’s where hesitation over the Square Enix plan for classic IP’s comes into play.

You see, recently Square Enix released their annual report, going into detail the nature of their large corporate structure while laying out plans for the future. Under a headline titled, “The Way Forward,” the very first point of business is in “Revitalizing Existing IPs.”

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“For example, we will take an IP developed for earlier generations of game consoles and recreate it for the latest consoles,” the Square Enix report reads, “while also proactively developing versions for play on smart devices. In addition, we will also explore possibilities involving VR (virtual reality) and other new platforms.” It should be noted that Step 2 in The Way Foward is “Creating New IPs,” followed by collaborating with partner companies and finally expanding their geographic market reach.

The terminology of “recreating” classic IPs for current consoles is where one takes pause. For example, Capcom has pretty much conceded that there’s something wrong with the Resident Evil franchise by continually remastering and remaking the classic games in the series. How Square Enix would handle a game like Final Fantasy VI, a classic title perhaps regarded the greatest in the series, in 3D or in virtual reality could tarnish the game’s reputation if done in a poor fashion. Same goes for a long-departed series like Chrono Trigger, or even if their first venture into major remakes doesn’t work. Recreating classic IPs as the pillar of the digital media wing of a company seems like the wrong way to go about things.

h/t Destructoid

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