...
| id | key | text | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Original release | Every (planned) release of a game for a new platform requires a new RG. The standard case here is the first-time announcement, or release, of the a game's full version for a new platform. RG's for unreleased games, i. e. games in development, cancelled games, or Vaporware, also get the reason "Original release", because development always aims for the original release of a full version. The information about the state of the release state are stored elsewhere. | |
| 2 | Demo / Promo release | Release of a limited version of a game for promotional purposes. If a demo or promo version was released on a platform before the full version, a RG with the reason "Demo / Promo release" shall be chosen. This is even true if a platform saw a demo release only, like it is the case for many browser demos of Windows games, or some cancelled gamesgames where development was cancelled after a demo release, because we want to clearly separate the demo versions from the full versions. | |
| 3 | Enhanced re-release | Enhanced release of a game that has already seen a Case 1 release. There's been quite some games in the past where the developers continued to work on the codebase after its first release. Be it to fix catastrophic bugs, severe performance issues, or complete the core content (The Fall), or be it to just improve upon a completed game even further and give users an enhanced experience (The Witcher). Enhanced re-releases are typically for the same platform as the initial release, otherwise it would be a Case 1 because of a new platform. We should develop some criteria for releases fitting this case or not. | |
| 4 | Remake | Release of a game' remake where the gameplay stays basically unchanged, but graphics / sound / UI have been adopted to modern hardware. Note: the remake shall be marketed as such.In contrast to Case 3, some games are not only enhanced, but remade. That means that the game is ported to a new graphics or gameplay engine, i. e. it is basically rewritten, but the gameplay stays mainly unchanged. Note: Similar to Case 3, Case 4 shall only be used when the remake is published for the same platform as the initial release, otherwise it would be a Case 1 because of a new platform, too. And the remake shall be marketed as such, i. e. the publisher should have sold the game as a remake of the initial release. This is to exclude games that play exactly like their predecessor, but are meant as a successor of the initial game, not as a remake. | |
| 5 | Heavily censored release | This is for game releases that have been so severely censored that they should not be grouped together in the same RG with the uncensored releases any more. Exemplary, some Command&Conquer games in Germany saw some heavy censorship. We should develop some criteria for releases fitting this case or not. |
Data List 5: Game Entry Type
...