Popular game series with decades of history are posting successive box-office successes, drawing attention to nostalgia marketing in the gaming industry. After Blizzard and Nintendo reinterpreted past hits to attract users, Rockstar Games also recorded strong pre-order sales ahead of a new release.

Business Insider reported on Nov. 11, citing local time, that Blizzard Entertainment, a Microsoft unit, released World of Warcraft: Forever on Nov. 4. The title reconstructs the universe of the original, which debuted in 2004, aiming to bring back existing users and attract new ones.

The launch results exceeded expectations. Blizzard said on Nov. 6 the title set the series’ all-time best records for peak concurrent users and returning users. It did not disclose specific user numbers.

Nintendo also succeeded by reviving a classic from 28 years ago. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released for the Nintendo Switch 2 on Nov. 5, is a full remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 original. It modernised graphics and controls while keeping the original’s core gameplay experience.

Nintendo said the title surpassed 5.2 million units in global sales within four days of launch. It is the best four-day launch performance among Switch 2 games released by Nintendo.

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI, or GTA 6, is also building expectations of success. The title, set for release on Nov. 19, is the first sequel to appear in 13 years since GTA 5 in 2013.

Take-Two Interactive Chief Executive Strauss Zelnick (스트라우스 젤닉) said pre-orders far exceeded initial expectations. Market research firm Sensor Tower estimated pre-order revenue has already exceeded $1 billion. Official sales figures were not disclosed.

These results come as consumers face heavier burdens from rising prices for game consoles and semiconductors. The industry is seeing analysis that familiar universes and characters can reduce uncertainty in purchase decisions.

Attention is focusing on whether a strategy of reinterpreting proven intellectual property in a modern way will become a major route to success in the games market.