‘Financial Viability Is a Big Deal’: Emulation Studio on Why More Retro Games Aren’t Coming to PS Plus Premium

Since overhauling its PS Plus levels, the variety of retro materials accessible on the PS5 and PS4 has surged significantly – there’s no argument regarding that.

However, it still doesn’t quite meet expectations.

Throughout significant portions of this year, PS Plus Premium members have received merely one new title monthly, leading many to question why the updates aren’t being rolled out more swiftly.

In a discussion with the YouTube channel Mystic, Bill Litshauer, the head of the emulation firm Implicit Conversions, provides insight into the challenges of making beloved PS1 and PS2 titles available on current devices.

The primary concern is financial feasibility. Litshauer mentions that they assess interest from multiple platforms, including Reddit, YouTube, social media, and beyond. They then correlate that data with previous sales patterns to forecast how well a specific game might perform.

Yet, this is just the initial challenge: even if a game appears to be a guaranteed success, it still requires the publisher’s approval and navigating legal complexities. Occasionally, the rights holder may be deceased, or there could be complications surrounding content or licenses.

Additionally, there’s also a matter of financial sustainability: Litshauer emphasizes that retro re-releases are frequently offered at low prices, which complicates the ability to recoup expenses. Due to non-disclosure agreements, he couldn’t provide further details on how his firm collaborates with Sony.

One widely used approach for reviving these titles, however, is through a revenue-sharing arrangement, where the publisher and developer share earnings until the development costs are recouped.

But for certain publishers, this is a negligible amount.

Litshauer recounted a conversation with a top-tier executive, who remarked that his company generates $3 billion annually. The minor profits generated from retro releases barely register for some larger businesses.

In spite of these hurdles, we genuinely feel it’s an opportune time for classic video games. We’re observing that older titles are increasingly being revitalized, and while it’s frustrating that the pace isn’t quicker, it does seem that the market is gradually advancing.

With firms like Implicit Conversions emerging, we are optimistic that more retro titles will continue to roll out over time.

We just hope additional publishers will join various initiatives: though these games may not be massive profit generators, there’s significant merit in ensuring classic titles are more accessible for all to appreciate.