Remakes Triumph: Gamers Spend 2X More Than Remasters
The Remarkable Revenue Gap
New research confirms that consumers across the globe are willing to spend significantly more on completely remade video games. Ampere Analysis conducted the study. It found that worldwide spending on an average video game remake was more than twice that of the average remaster. Specifically, the data showed remakes generated approximately 2.2 times the consumer spending of remasters. This trend decisively validates the substantial financial investment required for full-scale re-imaginings of classic IP.
The research covered 42 titles released between January 2024 and September 2025. This group included 15 remakes and 27 remasters. These titles collectively attracted a massive audience of 72.4 million players. Total consumer spending on premium full games and microtransactions across all examined remakes and remasters reached approximately $1.4 billion on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam platforms.
Development Cost Versus Audience Engagement
The study highlights the fundamental difference between these two types of releases. Ampere Analysis acknowledges that remakes require a much higher investment. Publishers must commit to substantially higher costs for development, marketing, and time. However, the data suggests that this risk is highly rewarded. Remakes effectively rejuvenate older intellectual properties. They also successfully attract entirely new generations of players to the franchise.
In contrast, remasters provide a faster turnaround time for publishers. They are also significantly lower in development cost. Despite the speed and cost efficiency, remasters generally deliver less overall player engagement. This trend presents a constant balancing act for major publishers. They must choose the right path for maximizing the return on investment.
Balancing Risk and Notable Exceptions
Publishers face complex decisions when selecting a route for their back catalogues. They must balance investment risk against the potential audience reach. They also consider the age of the original content and platform support requirements. Katie Holt, a Senior Analyst at Ampere Analysis, emphasized this point. She noted that publishers must weigh these factors when deciding between a full remake and a simple remaster. As the cost to develop new IP continues to rise, raiding the back catalogue becomes more important.
While remakes generally outperform remasters, the research revealed a few notable exceptions to this rule. For example, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered demonstrated immense market success. This title reached a peak of $180 million in consumer spending. It also managed to attract 7 million monthly active users across the three major platforms. Such exceptions prove that highly beloved games can still achieve massive success even with a less intensive remaster approach.
 origin: videogameschronicle
THIS IS our take
The data confirms what many players across Southeast Asia already knew: quality triumphs. A full remake is an experience that justifies a higher price point because it often feels like a brand-new game. It delivers a modern experience while tapping into deep nostalgia. For publishers, the 2.2 times revenue gap is impossible to ignore. It makes the higher investment a logical business decision. We will certainly see more full remakes coming to the market in the future. The ability of a remake to bring an old game to a new audience is the key to franchise longevity, making it the superior choice for rejuvenating classic gaming history.
