Summary
In an interview with Game Rant, Antstream Arcade’s studio head Mike Rouse talked about how important it is to give retro gamers plenty of options. He discussed his plans to release more games in the near future and also gave some insight into exactly how he and his team decide which games to release, and when. Forfans of retro gaming, it seems that Antstream Arcade is leaving no stone unturnedin its quest to provide the ultimate retro experience.
Antstream Arcade Has Plenty More Games on the Way
Antstream Arcade’s library includes games from 18 different platforms, such asthe SNES and the Sega Genesis. Its oldest game,Pom, was initially released in 1972, and some of its newest games are 2024 retro-style titles that mimic those from the 80s and 90s art styles. Now that the collection is on PS5, Rouse talked about the possibility of bringing more PlayStation titles to the platform:
‘‘We actually have a ton of PlayStation games already licensed. So what we do look at is what games release in what week, and we attempt to balance it across the different types of platforms we have, the different genres we have, and the needs that people have. So if the community is calling out for more PlayStation, we’ll look at doing more PlayStation stuff. We’ve probably got another 50 already licensed PlayStation games, and there’s more being licensed all the time.’’
Antstream Arcade’s Relationship With Publishers is Crucial
The platform releases two new titles a week, so this offers an intriguing insight into the team’s selection process when it comes to deciding which games to release on any given week. With so many titles readily available, it is inevitable that, due to licensing issues, some have to leave the platform occasionally. When asked if thetotal number of approx 1300would remain the same, though, Rouse said ‘‘I think, ultimately, it’s going to grow.’’ He explained that Antstream Arcade ensures it keeps the conversation going with publishers even after a game’s license expires.
‘‘We’ve got a massive number of games that come back on the platform, and we keep all our relationships with all of these publishers and owners of games so that maybe they’ve taken them off, but in six months, or a year, the deal’s back on the table, and we can license them again.’’
Antstream Arcade Could Expand Even Further in the Future
Maintaining publisher relationships is key to ensuring Antstream Arcade’s game library remains plentiful, and with more publishers coming on board all the time, this won’t change any time soon. Rouse expressed interest in expanding to more recent consoles too, with the likes of thePS2 and the Nintendo Gamecubeboth offering up some intriguing possibilities for the studio. Each has extensive libraries packed full of games that many would consider to be classics, so this will no doubt be exciting news for fans.
Rouse’s commitment to delivering a high-qualityretro gaming experienceon the platform includes aggressive growth plans in the coming months and years. He hopes to incorporate things like eSports too, ensuring fans can put their skills to the test on the global stage. Antstream Arcade is the world’s largest official retro gaming platform, and it’s only going to get bigger.
