Nostalgia Culture is Driving the Revival of Iconic Gaming IP 🎮
Why Classics are Returning to Games, Screens, and Beyond
Retro game IP has been experiencing a major resurgence. From rebooted classics to adaptations of beloved franchises and much more, this revival is here to stay, and it’s being fueled largely by nostalgia culture. But this resurgence isn’t just a walk down memory lane – it’s deeply connected to our collective desire for comfort, familiarity, and escapism during uncertain times.
🕰️Why Nostalgia Matters Now
In today’s hectic world — fueled by political turmoil, economic swings, and global crises — people are seeking out familiar forms of entertainment as a source of solace. It’s no wonder that gaming, with its ability to immerse us in alternate realities, is at the forefront of this cultural shift.
Gen Z’s Nostalgic Cravings: Growing up on early mobile games and console classics, Gen Z is now reaching an age where childhood experiences feel particularly nostalgic. Games like MySims and BackYard Sports are now being revisited as iconic relics of the past.
TV & Movie Adaptations: The Among Us animated series is a prime example of a revival aimed at capturing nostalgia while staying relevant in today’s pop culture landscape. The team-based game kept friends connected during the pandemic, and now, fans are eager to see how its story translates to the big screen.
⚔️The Double-Edged Sword of Nostalgia: Why Flappy Bird Flopped
Gaming communities have notoriously high expectations when it comes to their favorite IP, and those looking to tap into that deep-rooted fandom through nostalgia must meet that quality bar. Companies need to recognize that a faithful recreation isn’t enough — gamers expect their cherished experiences to be honored – not diluted.
The recent revival of Flappy Bird was an opportunity to capitalize on the mobile game’s previous popularity and brand equity but instead received mixed reactions.
Flappy Bird Foundation promised fresh updates like multiplayer modes and new challenges, evoking excitement for players who fondly remember the game’s viral moment in 2013. However, many are concerned that the inclusion of microtransactions and a revamp of the game’s ecosystem may tarnish the simplicity that once made it so beloved. This shift towards a monetized structure, potentially including in-game currency, is a common alarm raiser in the gaming community.
The original Flappy Bird was famously taken down by its creator, Dong Nguyen, who felt the game became a problem for some players due to its addictive nature. Nyugen’s absence from the revival further complicates the legacy. Not long after the game was re-announced, Nguyen publicly distanced himself from the project, stating he did not sell the rights and voicing his disapproval, particularly of any association with crypto technologies.
This situation highlights the risks of relying too heavily on nostalgia to fuel a revival. While a fanbase may initially welcome the return of a cherished game, their attachment to the original means they expect the sequel to preserve what made it so special in the first place. In Flappy Bird’s case, introducing complex layers like microtransactions may dilute the simplicity and charm of the original, risking a backlash from those who feel that not everything needs a modernized comeback.
🕹️Why Now? Nostalgia and Today’s Culture
With 2024 being an election year and societal tension running high, the need for comfort and simplicity has only grown stronger. Revisiting these games allows players to tap into a sense of stability in a world that feels anything but.
The lesson is clear: Reviving a classic IP goes beyond recreating the game or slapping a familiar name on a new product. Gamers expect authenticity and respect for a game’s legacy. The trust between developers and their audience must be nurtured if these revivals are to succeed.
What’s Next? The wave of retro gaming shows no signs of slowing down. With new adaptations constantly on the horizon, we’re eager to see how these classic games and franchises, such as the Minecraft movie, will resonate with both their original fans and today’s generation. Will they strike the right nostalgic chord, or miss the mark? Time will tell, but one thing we know for certain — nostalgia is not just a fleeting trend, it’s a cultural force.
Three Takeaways From Sales, Media, and Event Experts
Our team just returned from an inspiring two-day offsite at Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, CA, and it provided the perfect opportunity to recharge, realign, and strengthen our bond as a team. Along with enjoying breathtaking views, we gained valuable insight and learned lessons that will shape the way we collaborate moving forward.
We had the pleasure of hearing from incredible guest speakers, including Alia Lamborghini, Robin Wood Sailer, Sarah Brown, and Alyssa Sullivan, who shared their insights on sales, events, media training, and broadcast media. Here are three key takeaways we’re excited to bring back📝:
Transparency is everything: One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of being open and honest at all levels—whether it’s discussing company goals, financial updates, or navigating challenges. When everyone is in the loop, it builds trust and empowers us to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Building real connections: While we’ve always worked well together, this retreat reinforced how essential it is to connect on a personal level. Learning more about each other’s values, passions, and interests outside of work strengthens our ability to collaborate. These relationships are the foundation of a strong, successful team.
Understanding unique working styles: For the past two years, we’ve been using the HBDI (Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument) Assessment to better understand our team’s preferences. Whether someone excels in analytical, organized, interpersonal, or big-picture thinking, recognizing each other’s unique cognitive styles has transformed the way we collaborate. It’s helped us create a more productive and harmonious team.
A special thank you to Jennifer Longnion from See & Free Consulting for leading such thoughtful sessions and to our entire team for going all in.
The Wrap Report
In digital media & tech…
TikTok introduced Search Ads in the U.S., allowing brands to target consumers actively searching for content, products, or services. This new feature offers a unique combination of discovery and intent-driven advertising, making ads feel more organic and engaging.
Starting next month, NYT will offer its audio subscription for purchase through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribers will gain access to older episodes of popular shows like The Daily and The Ezra Klein Show, while recent episodes remain free. This move is part of NYT's broader strategy to grow its subscription base, aiming to reach 15 million subscribers by 2027.
Warner Bros. Discovery has launched "Caption AI," an AI-powered tool using Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform to automatically generate closed captions for Max streaming content, starting with unscripted U.S. programming. The AI workflow reduces captioning time by up to 80% and costs by up to 50%, while maintaining accuracy through human review. It’s part of the media industry's growing use of AI to cut costs and improve efficiency.
In gaming & esports…
ESL Pro League saw the longest-ever map in CS2 esports history. Fnatic and M80 played 71 rounds of Counter-Strike on a single map (sets are a best-of-three series), totaling 3 hours of play. After the teams crossed the 60-round threshold, TOs offered them a bathroom break, which hasn’t happened in competitive play.
Microsoft is laying off 3% of its workforce following cuts earlier this year within Activision. This RIF is expected to impact 650 employees and will hit the Call of Duty: Mobile and Warzone Rumble teams particularly hard, though the majority of the cuts are in “corporate and supporting functions,” Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said.
Riot Games has done it again, and is bringing global musicians to the soundtrack of Arcane, its League of Legends Netflix series. The full setlist includes music from Stray Kids, Twenty One Pilots, Tom Morello, and more.
What We’re Working On:
We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Casey (Tamkin) Borisoff has been nominated for the Los Angeles Times’ Inspirational Women Forum and Leadership Awards! 🎉 This recognition is a testament to Casey’s unwavering leadership, dedication, and the positive impact she brings to our team, our clients, and our community. (LinkedIn)
As a leader, sometimes it's tough to keep teams focused, supported, and united amidst the noise of the 2024 Election. Our CEO and Founder, Jennifer Stephens Acree, highlighted three ways leaders can navigate these turbulent times. (Forbes)
JSA is attending DreamHack Atlanta this weekend, where stars like Hailey Welch, “Hawk Tuah girl” and Shaboozey will make an appearance. (The Source)
Cloud9, last year’s runner-up, won Red Bull’s NA Home Ground Qualifier this past weekend, where Red Bull Players Tarik and Ludwig co-streamed onsite alongside Sean Gares and VALORANT veteran TenZ. (Esports.gg)
In celebration of Tetris’ 40th anniversary, Good Gamers Color Climb! is getting a Tetris-themed makeover in Fortnite Creative, thanks to PLAYSTUDIOS and Cherry Pick Talent Ltd.! (Mens Journal)
Thank You!👋
Thanks for reading Talking Points by JSA! We’d love any and all feedback, so please reach out with any questions or comments. See you next month!