Threads
- With companies like RGG and FromSoftware frequently reusing assets in games, the point has become a well-debated topic.
- Reusing assets isn’t a problem as long the quality and ingenuity of subsequent titles aren’t impacted.
- If it helps reduce development times and enables efforts on other frontiers, it’s a valuable tool.
Over the years, video gaming has evolved exponentially, both visually and mechanically. From pixelated graphics and still backgrounds to gorgeous visuals and animations, the landscape is very different now. However, with evolution comes the difficulty of designing such complex assets for the game world.
In fact, the focus on extreme graphical fidelity and realism has led to the enormous budgets and development cycles of today’s AAA games. I believe gaming ought to focus more on fun gameplay and design quality than visuals, and studios that do so have adopted a way to circumvent the large development cycles, which is reusing assets.
Why it matters: Reused Assets in games may be controversial, but in the right hands, it leads to quality titles without the excruciatingly long development periods.
The Matter Of Reusing Assets
What exactly is reusing assets? Let me explain a little. A company develops a game set in a particular region with specific elements. For its sequel or spinoff, instead of creating all these recurring elements from scratch, the developers just use the data from the past game. This significantly reduces workload and development times.
It’s a rather controversial topic because of its implications. Still, certain developers have publicly acknowledged reusing assets to deliver their games in a timely and consistent manner. The most recent example is RGG Studios, the masterminds behind the legendary Yakuza series.
This point has sparked quite a discussion. Let me ask you this: do you think it’s right to reuse assets of past games for subsequent titles and then sell them at full price? The gaming community is still divided on this. Some believe it’s right if used correctly; others say it’s just finding an escape and making quick money with less effort. What do you think?
I've grown to love asset reuse (especially in Yakuza)
byu/OldThrashbarg2000 inpatientgamers
It All Comes Down To Quality
If you ask me, it’s the purpose for which something is used that makes it good or bad, and the same situation applies to reusing assets. You cannot call it inherently right or wrong unless you see its implementation.
If a company reuses assets solely to escape the effort and release more games to make more money, this intention will eventually be reflected in its products. You’ll see dwindling quality and more of the same with nothing innovative, and in this case, reusing assets will become a plague.
Reusing certain assets in a game isn't laziness, it's called efficiency and can help lend authenticity to a game.
by inresidentevil
On the other hand, if someone plans to reuse assets simply because they want to redirect efforts on more important aspects, the new title will still feel like a refreshing product despite having elements of past games. Plus, it’ll significantly shorten development time. Isn’t this a win-win?
Thus, there’s no single answer to this. But if you ask me, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks if the intentions are sincere. RGG frequently reuses assets, but are its games boring and stagnant? Quite the contrary, Yakuza is a magnificent franchise. On top of that, RGG has delivered more games in the past two years than other studios, all brimming with quality.
OPINION: There’s nothing wrong with reusing assets in a game as long as Elden Ring
byu/tacbacon10101 inEldenring
Consistent Releases Are The Need Of The Hour
There’s another studio that frequently reuses assets in its games. Can you guess? It’s none other than FromSoftware, and you and I both know just how legendary its games are. Can you call RGG and FromSoftware lazy developers who just want quick cash? Their works speak for themselves.
Besides, look at the gaming industry of today. Absurd-level budgets and equally massive development times lead to years without new games and extensive waiting periods between subsequent AAA titles. How long has it been since Sony’s last game? How long ago was Marvel’s Wolverine teased? You can connect the dots.
In a time when development periods of games are becoming extremely unsustainable if reusing assets can solve this problem, I don’t see any issue as long as the developer isn’t compromising on the quality.
So far, the studios that have indeed reused assets have produced nothing but fantastic results. So, if others can produce the same results by reusing assets, I’m all up for it.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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