What’s the Difference Between Rebooting, Remaking, Remastering, and Porting a Computer Game?

Remastering, remaking, rebooting, and porting are all different ways of updating and adapting video games. Each of them has its own characteristics and objectives. In this article, we examine all these approaches in depth: what do they mean, what is the difference between them, what is the same, and which is best. 

Porting 

Porting is releasing a version of a game that is adapted to work on a different platform or system from the one it was originally released on. Ports normally strive to retain a gaming experience that is as close as possible to the original, with only minimal changes that are required for the game to work on the new device.

Video games are often ported from console to desktop or vice versa, as well as onto mobile platforms—iOS and Android. Besides this process, games that get a modern game engine are also often described as ports. Ports like this are created to increase the capabilities of a game that is held back by an old and ineffective engine. 

For example, Quake 2, which has several ports that change the original engine and increase the game’s capabilities: they add spatial audio, wide-angle video, and much more.

Remastering 

A remaster is an updated version of a pre-existing game with improved graphics and sounds, as well as minor changes to the gameplay in some cases. Remasters normally retain as much as possible from the original video game, but modernize the audio and graphics. 

Examples of remasters:

• Halo: The Master Chief Collection—each game in the collection got updated audio and high-definition video.

In Halo Combat Evolved, you even have the option of switching back to the old graphics and comparing them with the remastered version. Source

• The Last of Us Remastered—the graphics and rendering in the game were improved: draw distance, fight action, and frame rate were all updated.

The characters were made to look more like real people. Source 

Remaking

A remake is an original game created from scratch using modern technology. Remakes aim to retain the main plot and game world of the original video game. However, new features and mechanics, improved audio and graphics, updated gameplay and new structuring of locations, as well as changes to the user interface, the design, and the appearance of the characters can all be added to the game.

Remakes are aimed at both old fans and new players.

Major examples of remakes:

1. Resident Evil 2 (2019)—a contemporary recreation of the 1998 classic. The game world of the original comprised 2D backdrops through which 3D models of the heroes and antagonists moved. In the remake, however, the whole game world was fully 3D. 

The characters were also changed significantly. Source 

1. Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)—a remake of the cult JRPG. The fight mechanics in the game were reworked, and in comparison to the original Final Fantasy VII released in 1997, the game became much more cinematic.

The game underwent major changes reflecting the twenty-three years that had passed since the original release. Source 

1. Shadow of the Colossus (2018)—a visually improved version of the 2005 game, which uses ultra-high-definition video and slightly changes the gameplay.

The graphics of the remake are much more detailed. Source

Rebooting

While remakes strive to retain the essence of the original game, improving just the technical aspects, reboots can make major changes to the original.

A reboot is a complete reimagining of an existing game franchise. A reboot can change the plot, setting, characters, genre and even meaning of a game, retaining only some key elements of the original. 

Reboots are different from their sources in gameplay and in style, and they are aimed at relaunching the franchise and attracting new audiences.

Examples of reboots: 

1. DOOM (2016)—a complete reimagining of the classic shooter series. The previous game in the series came out in 2004, after which Call of Duty and Battlefield became the dominant shooter franchises. The developers of DOOM had to adapt the game to the contemporary market while remaining faithful to its roots. The new video game was well received by critics and players.
2. Tomb Raider (2013)—a new interpretation of Lara Croft. We find out about her origins and are also encouraged to empathize with her, because in this game she is shown as a real person with real emotions, which was not the case in previous parts of the franchise.
3. DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)—an alternative version of the Devil May Cry universe. The game was created by Ninja Theory, not Capcom, who had developed the previous parts of the franchise. One of the most striking and even controversial changes was the appearance of the protagonist, Dante.

Dante in the original game and in DmC. Source 

Are updated games always better than the originals?

The choice of original video game or remaster is a personal preference—not every player will plump for the newer option. 

Remasters offer improved graphics and sound. That can make the game more attractive to new players and thus introduce it to a new audience. However, some fans will prefer the experience of the original, considering it more authentic.

Furthermore, some updates can significantly alter the atmosphere of the game, which the fans may not always react positively to. A poor-quality update can often result in poor graphics, interface, voice over, among other issues.

This was the case with Warcraft III: Reforged. The updated version of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos was met with muted reviews from critics and a very negative reaction from gamers.

What to remember about the different approaches to updating a classic

We have compiled the main points about ports, remasters, remakes, and reboots in a table for easy viewing. Let’s start with ports, because they make the fewest changes to the original game. 

Understanding the differences between these approaches will help players to get the right idea of what to expect from a new version of their favorite video game. However, irrespective of the approach, the main aim is always the same—to give players the chance to enjoy classic video games on contemporary platforms or with improved graphics.