Ludic Don Quixotes Rewritten: Hobbyist French Game Ports as the Reconstructions of Former Game Culture

Abstract

In scientific discourse, high-budget remakes of classic digital games have been claimed as the purest examples of “retrospective nostalgia” on part of players and developers. This article aims to rehabilitate the remake and demake hobbyist development as a historical practice, reinstating the former game culture instead of simply thriving on players’ nostalgic feelings. Citing examples of Hervé Monchatre, Dominique Pessan, and the Abandonware France organization, the author shows different methods of the same practice – porting French 8-bit retro games into other 8-bit gaming platforms. The indicated retro game ports are more than instances of “retrospective nostalgia.” While their development seems l’art pour l’art, they nevertheless raise historical awareness about the former game culture.