This page contains a kind of check list which shall help us decide whether a new release of a game is so different from previous releases that it qualifies for a new game entry.
Things that require a new game entry
- Different (core) genre classification
Things that do not matter for the decision
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Titling
It does not matter whether a release of a game owns the same title like the original.
Time of release
It does not matter if a port of a game was released 10 months after the original, or 10 years after it.
Cosmetics (graphics and sound)
Cosmetical changes do not matter, otherwise every remake would be a new game when it is not.
License
It does not matter if the new release owns an official license or not.
Involved companies
It does not matter which companies developed or published the new release.
Things that count pro a different game (Pros)
Major pros
- Alternate story (for story-driven genres like RPG, or Adventures)
- Significantly enhanced / changed gameplay (but without change of the core ganre classification)
- More than 20% of game content / levels was changed
Minor Pros
- Alternate story (for genres not story-driven)
- Slightly enhanced / changed gameplay
- Less than 20% of game content / levels was changed
- The new release is marketed as a new game, no word about an already existing release.
Things that count against a different game (Cons)
Major Cons
- Same gameplay
- Same amount and design of game content / levels
- The new release is marketed as an update / remake / port of an already existing release.