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Would you consider retro a specific era or a line that moves as time goes on? (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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For example people consider ps2 retro but I always considered retro being in the 80s and earlier. No right or wrong answers it was just something I was curious about.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I think it's several different things

a visual design aesthetic
specific gameplay mechanics
"legacy" systems and software

I think each of them can differ in whether they're fixed or not. Generally I think that in game design, retro is fairly anchored when it comes to visual aesthetics and gameplay design. "Boomer shooter" mechanics and visuals, pixel art games, etc. I suspect we'll still see those 'retro' games in 20 years, and probably not see e.g. Ubisoft-style open world control-point-capture games being called retro.

Consoles though, I do think shift into retro status very consistently. I think there are people who would even consider DS or certainly GBA games as retro already.