Nowadays, nostalgia has become one of the most potent sources of inspiration within the sphere of the entertainment industry. Various iconic heroes, vintage games, timeless TV shows, and highly praised movies become the subject of remakes, reboots, and even reinterpretations. The reasons behind this trend are quite obvious. One feels pleasure when immersing oneself in something familiar, and at the same time, there is an opportunity for other generations to explore something new.

Why old favourites keep coming back

Step inside any theater or go to a streaming platform and you will find yourself surrounded by well-known names. Film companies never stop recycling old movies and TV series, sometimes putting new faces in them, adding modern special effects or reworking an old story. Gaming is not excluded either, as developers bring back old games for newer platforms, which can mean better graphics and sound. Another option for developers is releasing remastered versions of old games where the mechanics remain the same, but the game is now ready for today’s hardware.

What developers get in return when doing this is quite obvious: brand recognition. Developers don’t need to create a whole new world to introduce people to their game. People might know the characters, the universe and even the story. This does not mean that nostalgia alone will work wonders and make an inferior game or series a success. The quality remains a factor, which means that a poor remake will lose its charm soon.

Games are giving old ideas a fresh look

In terms of reviving experiences of past eras, no other industry has managed to pull this off as impressively as the video gaming sector. Older games are getting ports to newer consoles and handheld devices, even being upgraded to fit better with current technologies. This can be done through minor tweaks and modifications. For example, the game might just get an HD remaster and new controllers. At the same time, some developers try to recreate an entire game, adding improvements without losing its iconic features.

Another trend that has recently emerged is the creation of retro-inspired games that capture the atmosphere and visual aspects typical of past generations but in completely new games. These games do not have anything in common with their predecessors except for aesthetic preferences and some gameplay concepts.

Nostalgia is moving beyond games

However, the trend is not limited to video game consoles and computer game series. TV shows, movies, music and other entertainment options have started employing familiar names in new contexts. A show which had ended long ago can come back with new episodes. A movie might get remade or get sequels many years after its first premiere. Old characters may appear in newer shows, introducing them to the new audience.

There are several reasons why this trend appeals to people. One of those reasons is a feeling of nostalgia connected with certain events of one’s past. Listening to a familiar theme song or watching a familiar character may bring back a memory of the particular moment in just seconds. Moreover, nostalgia is not only aimed at the older generation. Young people may fall in love with older franchises through watching them via streaming sites, snippets on the Internet or modern adaptations of those shows or films.

How BetMGM is using familiar franchises

In addition, the concept has been applied in the online casino industry. For instance, BetMGM offers many slot titles inspired by popular movies and TV shows. Some BetMGM online slots include Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Godfather, Friends, The Goonies and The Wizard of Oz. The games incorporate familiar characters, themes and environments together with special features that are characteristic of slots.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Slot is a case in point. The slot features the environment of the USS Enterprise ship and some of the famous characters in a slot environment. As with movies and video games, the concept works on the same principle. The environment is familiar, and players know what to expect. A player familiar with the movie would be able to identify the characters and other references instantly, while a player who has never watched it before will be introduced to it in a new way.

Familiarity can make new experiences easier to explore

Another reason why companies continue to rely on established franchises is their practical value. The names that people recognize will cut down the amount of knowledge that people have to obtain to try out something. Think of two different games: one with a new name and an unfamiliar world, and another game with recognizable characters from your favorite show. There is a certain amount of context behind the second game.

This does not mean that the experience will be necessarily better, but at least it will be easier to choose. For artists, this means having some leeway. A recognizable character can be put into a completely different kind of game. An old plot can be told from a different angle. A classic art style can be paired with modern mechanics. This is not just replication of the old times; it is the best way to create something new by using what people recognize.

What comes next for nostalgia

Nostalgia will not be disappearing any time soon. With new media forms continuing to emerge and develop, there will only be increased chances for nostalgia. What will make things interesting is the ability to find a balance between recognition and innovation. While recycling the same old thing might draw interest, there is no denying the fact that people expect quality as well. Successful media products will be the ones which will be able to recognize what was great about an old franchise and give a reason for revival at the same time.

Gaming will remain one of the largest areas where nostalgia will thrive. Hardware development will allow developers to revive and run old titles, while they will be able to experiment with both nostalgic gameplay styles and innovative mechanics. Similarly, movies and TV series will be able to take advantage of existing franchises. This means that nostalgia will not just preserve what is past, but rather transform it in some ways and present it in a format relevant to contemporary tastes.