Don’t Expect Any HD Remasters From EA Anytime Soon

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4’s limited game library has resulted in a wealth of remastered titles to bridge the gap while exclusives are being developed. It also seems like a cogent strategy to produce games on a budget and offset the profits to make expensive new triple-A titles. However, in an interview with IGN, EA CEO Peter Moore said:

“Remakes, because of who we are, and this broad portfolio of intellectual property…you add all that together, I don’t know where we find the time to do remakes, […] We’re a company that just likes to push forward.”

“For a lot of companies, remakes are a way to drive revenue. It’s sub-cost, it’s an IP that’s there, you can remaster, and that’s great. We don’t do that here. I don’t think that’s ever been in our culture.”

While some people would love to see a remake of classic EA titles like Mass Effect, I understand his point-of-view. Remakes can provide an improved experience, but it’s still the same core game as before. Additionally, as a PC gamer, the idea of paying for a resolution boost and slight texture enhancements seems extremely poor value-for-money. I rather major publishers work towards new and exciting IPs instead of relying on older games.

Peter Moore also weighed in on the issue of backwards compatibility and said:

“In the old days, backward compatibility was to convince your mom to buy the new console — not that you were ever going to use it, […] Once you got it? Those things went in the drawer, or on eBay.”

This line of thinking does have some credence, but I believe consumers are more driven to purchase a new console if they know their existing library can utilized. If a console doesn’t contain backwards compatibility, it psychologically makes the purchaser feel they have to spend more on the latest games to be thoroughly entertained.

What do you think of HD remakes?