Retro games are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. In recent years, many developers have gained recognition for releasing high-quality remasters, collections, or ports of classic games. These retro revivals not only preserve the original games but also enhance them with modern visual and gameplay improvements, as well as detailed information about their creation. While these re-releases benefit the video game industry as a whole, developers are faced with a challenge: they require proprietary technology.
Several studios responsible for these retro revivals have developed their own emulation engines to make their work possible. From Nightdive Studios’ KEX Engine to Limited Run Games’ Carbon Engine, and from Digital Eclipse’s Eclipse Engine to Implicit Conversions’ Syrup Engine, these engines are essential for recent releases like Doom + Doom II, Micro Mages, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, and Tomba: Special Edition.
Speaking with these developers, a common theme emerged. They are committed to creating modern, easily accessible frameworks that seamlessly bring retro games to contemporary platforms.
KEX Engine – Nightdive Studios
Nightdive Studios has earned a reputation for remastering first-person shooter classics. Their latest release, Killing Time Remastered, stays true to the original game’s look and feel, a vision Director of Business Development Larry Kuperman emphasizes as essential for their remasters. To achieve this, Nightdive developed the proprietary KEX Engine, an incredibly flexible engine that allows them to faithfully recreate classic games with modern enhancements.
The KEX Engine not only preserves the classics but also enables the studio to expand on them, adding quality-of-life improvements and new content. While Nightdive has no immediate plans to use the engine for new games, it effectively achieves the studio’s primary goal of preserving retro games.
Syrup Engine – Implicit Conversions
Implicit Conversions, known for its PlayStation Plus rereleases, developed the Syrup Engine to bring retro games to modern platforms. With features like widescreen support and save states, this engine enables developers to port classic games forward while enhancing their gameplay experience. Implicit Conversions aims to democratize retro gaming technology to make it more accessible to developers.
Eclipse Engine – Digital Eclipse
Digital Eclipse’s Eclipse Engine powers its Gold Master series of retro game collections, offering historical context and interactive exhibits. This framework allows engineers to integrate emulation technology and enhance older games for modern platforms. It provides tools for adding functionalities like save/load and rewind, while creating unique audiovisual experiences for remastered games.
Carbon Engine – Limited Run Games
Limited Run Games, known for its physical releases and retro game revivals, uses the Carbon Engine to interface emulators with modern platforms. This engine enables developers to enhance old games and mitigate financial risks when reviving legacy titles. With features like widescreen support and modernized functionalities, the Carbon Engine streamlines the process of bringing retro games back to life.
These emulation engines play a pivotal role in preserving retro games and making them more accessible to modern audiences. As developers continue to focus on emulation and preservation, these technologies ensure that the retro gaming revolution will endure for years to come.
