Live service video games are starting to get nostalgic about their humble beginnings.
The groundwork for this trend started years ago withWorld of Warcraft: Classic, which brought the MMO back to its original form. As more live service games have gotten older, we’re seeing more of them embrace “Classic” or “OG” modes that reset the look, feel, and balance of the game back to its earliest days. We’re currently in themidst of aFortniteseasonthat brings the battle royale back to how it was in Chapter 2, and in December,Fortnite OG is coming backas a dedicated mode. Meanwhile,Overwatch: Classicis running as a limited-time mode to remind people of the good old days of Blizzard’s hero shooter.
A game embracing self-reflexive nostalgia might seem paradoxical, but it’s not that surprising. Just as single-player games and series evolve with each new entry, live service games likeFortniteandOverwatchgrow with every new season, update, or balance change. Players yearn for gaming experiences they are nostalgic for, and we’re seven to eight years removed from the beginnings ofFortniteandOverwatchat this point. As more live service games stick around for long and longer, expect this practice to become increasingly common.
Creating nostalgia
When it was released in 2016,Overwatchtook the world by storm. It perfected the hero shooter formula and gave Blizzard its first grand new franchise sinceStarCraft.Overwatchalso hopped on the live service trend as it gained momentum and became the golden goose every AAA gaming company attempted to chase. The game evolved over time with new heroes, maps, modes, and mechanics, but there was something truly magical about the early days ofOverwatch.
Meanwhile,Fortnitecapitalized onPlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds‘ popularity in 2017 with an experimental battle royale mode. While this was initially a side mode with low expectations,Fortnite: Battle Royalerevolutionized the game industry and became a trendsetter in the live service space with its seasonal and battle pass structures. BothOverwatchandFortnitehave drastically evolved since their humble beginnings.
We saw support forOverwatchslow to a crawl, the establishment and collapse of the Overwatch League, and itsunderwhelming transitionintoOverwatch 2. We’ve seen multipleFortniteChapters with unique maps, modes, mechanics, and outfits, plus the expansion ofFortniteas ahub for other games. While you may have had the same game client installed on your PC for years, there’s no denying that the version ofOverwatchorFortnitethat you’re booting up today is much different than the one you’d boot up in 2017. That creates a feeling of nostalgia for the early days of these titles that can be mined for content.
Part of the appeal of live service games is their ever-evolving nature. Players have reasons to return to the game day after day and may find drastic changes or additions of content when they log on. That keeps things balanced and fresh and creates distinct eras for games that people fondly remember. Those memories foster nostalgia, and catering to that nostalgia is a smart avenue for a developer looking for ways to earn back goodwill or bring players back.
For a game likeOverwatch 2with plenty of controversial changes, something likeOverwatch: Classicis a safe bet with a proven track record of success. For Epic Games,Fortnite OGis a calculated way to highlight howFortnitecan serve as a hub for several different versions of the same game and potentially bring back people who have not picked the game up since 2017.
For live service games that constantly need to find new ways to bring lapsed players back and keep current ones consistently engaged, dipping back into older content isn’t a bad idea. There’s already a proven track record of returning content resonating with fans. Reintroducing that content might be a more meaningful announcement to older players than a brand new season, and these Limited Time Modes or shorter seasons can give developers a stopgap as they work on new content.
Players show up for these throwback releases, too. The initial release ofFortnite OGled to thebiggest daily player countin the game’s history, so it makes sense that Epic Games would revisit the concept, and that those behind games likeOverwatch 2would take note and respond accordingly. While these live service games might not feel old because they’re still relevant, they have a lot of history. I only expect throwback seasons and events to get more common the longer these games are in operation.
