According to the latest report released by VGC, between 2024 and 2025, players’ spending on remastered versions of games will be more than double that of remastered versions.Research shows that in the past two years, the total number of players exposed to remastered/remastered content on Xbox, PlayStation and Steam platforms has reached 72.4 million, generating a total of approximately US$1.4 billion in full-game purchase and micro-transaction revenue.Although the replica version has the advantages of "short development cycle and low cost", its overall user stickiness is obviously low.
The study sample covers 42 games released between January 2024 and September 2025 (including 15 remastered versions and 27 remastered versions). The data shows that consumers’ investment in a single remastered game reaches an average of 2.2 times that of a remastered version.It is worth noting that the remastered version of "The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion" has become a prominent case in the remaster camp. Its peak player consumption on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam platforms is about 180 million US dollars, and the number of monthly active users is as high as 7 million.
Recent market performance further confirms this trend.Konami's "Metal Gear Solid 3: Remastered" and "Silent Hill 2" remastered have both achieved outstanding results - the latter still maintains growth momentum one year after its release, with physical shipments and digital sales exceeding 2.5 million copies combined, proving that remastered versions of high-quality horror games can break through the initial popularity and maintain long-term influence.
At the same time, "Metal Gear Solid 3: Remastered" demonstrates the breakthrough potential of modern remakes: through the use of Unreal 5 engine, innovative operation methods and additional functions, the classic work meets the expectations of contemporary players.The game sold over one million copies on the day it was released.
What players buy is not only emotional memories, but also a modern gaming experience based on classic blueprints.When remakes break through the limitations of image quality upgrades and fundamentally reshape the game experience, the length of participation and economic value they create are often beyond the reach of replicas.
What do you think about this? Do you prefer a remake or a replica?Welcome to discuss in the comment area.
