Remaking the Classics: The Allure of Demakes for Publishers

The realm of fan demakes has become a staple on platforms such as itch.io, where enthusiasts distill the essence of beloved IPs and merge them with the constraints of older consoles, resulting in innovative creations. These demakes serve as tributes from fans or original developers, born out of deep knowledge and affection for both the IP and vintage consoles. However, not all demakes are welcomed by their recipients, as seen in the case of the Bloodborne PSX demake, which was forced to remove the Bloodborne name following contact from IP owner Sony. This highlights the delicate balance between fan creativity and intellectual property rights. On the other hand, some IP holders are embracing demakes, recognizing their potential to foster community engagement and offer benefits to publishers. Game Bakers, for instance, commissioned a demake of their 2016 title Furi, which is available for free on Steam and implements a pay-what-you-will model on other platforms. According to Emeric Thoa, the company's creative director, the primary motivation behind creating a demake is to craft something special for fans, effectively reigniting conversations about the original game. Demakes can also function as a form of brand marketing, where publishers reinvest in enhancing the visibility of an IP. This was evident in the case of the Devolver Bootleg, a collection of officially licensed demakes announced during Devolver's E3 2019 presentation. Cullen Dwyer, co-founder of Doinksoft, which collaborated with Devolver on the project, notes that the initiative was primarily a marketing stunt, focused on having fun and creating a humorous experience for fans. For publishers with distinct brand recognition, demakes can play a significant role in community development. In some cases, the novelty of an official demake is even used as a selling point, as seen with the release of Farming Simulator 2019, which included a Commodore 64-styled demake as part of a special edition. Beyond revenue and marketing, demakes offer 'soft' benefits to developers and publishers, such as allowing teams to identify the core appeal of the original game and streamline its design. Emeric Thoa explains that the creation of the Furi demake was an exercise in simplification, highlighting the importance of consistent ideas over features. This perspective aligns with the motivations of fans who create demakes, as seen in the work of Deafonics Studio, which developed a demake of Another Code in the style of the original Game Boy. According to the studio, demakes provide an insight into a creatively constricted world of art, showcasing what is treasured about classic games. Demakes also serve as tributes to the developers and publishers who have come before, acknowledging the foundation of work that has led to the creation of modern games. Cullen Dwyer notes that demakes celebrate not just the game being demade but also the history of games that led to its creation. This nostalgia factor can extend the appeal of the original IP to gamers seeking a nostalgic experience. In some cases, developers who create demakes go on to contribute to the genre with original ideas, increasing the popularity of the genre as a whole. Official demakes can confer direct and indirect benefits to the original IP holder, including potential revenue, increased visibility, and enhanced community engagement. Ultimately, demakes are a celebration of the games and series that fans and developers love, offering a unique perspective on the art of game design and the power of nostalgia.