LogInDo you miss the days when installing a game was an event in itself, filled with chiptune music, animations, and quirky font choices?
As I found myself immersed in the pixelated charm of yet another retro-inspired game, a question surfaced in my mind: Why are these pixelated games so popular, and why do game developers continue to create them one after another? This led me to ponder, when we refer to 'throwback' or 'nostalgia' in the gaming industry, what elements are we recalling?
One example I can't ignore is Stardew Valley. This game has charmed countless players around the globe with its engaging gameplay, pixel art graphics, and relaxing music, making me, and probably many other villagers feel like a beloved game from childhood.
Image Credit: ConcernedApe, Stardew Valley
This sense of nostalgia isn't just limited to the games themselves. In the gaming community, there's a particular aspect of older games that regularly stirs up nostalgia: the old game installers. Visit forums like Reddit's r/gaming or the Steam Community, and you'll invariably come across threads titled "Does anyone else miss the old game installers?" Players fondly recall the days when installing a game was an event in itself, filled with chiptune music, animations, and quirky font choices that were all part of the overall gaming experience.
For those who long for a trip down memory lane, there's autorun.ini. This Twitter account is dedicated to chronicling now-obsolete game installers, which I'd call it a "virtual museum" for the installers. A glance at their posts is like hopping into a time capsule and revisiting the 90s and 2000s gaming installation scene.
As we eagerly anticipate the release of GTA VI which probably will come next year, it's interesting to take a look back at the installation page of GTA IV:
More than 25 years have passed since the first Baldur's Gate game was published:
The installation process for modern games, while undeniably straightforward and efficient, doesn't quite capture the fun and anticipation of their predecessors. Perhaps it's worth trying to blend elements from these nostalgic installation experiences to infuse a delightful charm into new games.
This interesting Twitter account was first spotted by PC Gamer, check out their original article here. Also, don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.