Of Streamlining and Men: Classics Redone, a Fall from Grace or an Egalitarian Accomplishment?
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No abridged copy of a Steinbeck or Dickens caused such commotion as the release of Dragon Age 2 or Fallout 3. Rarely voices of concern are raised when readers are introduced to behemoths of classical literature through slightly less voluminous and verbose editions. On the contrary, both critics and those with vested interests in the sales figures, if one may ever make such a distinction, are more than happy to see abridged classics disappear from bookshop shelves. How can we then explain the uproar of righteous wrath when interactive entertainment classics were redone, or ‘streamlined’ for the general public? Firstly though, can one possibly call ‘streamlining’ games an abridgment? In this chapter I would like to examine, from multiple perspectives, causes and effects of processes that are more and more common in the interactive entertainment industry. In the end I hope to answer the question that seems to vex not just the monastic orders of classical games fans, but becomes increasingly noticed by the gaming community in general.