In a recent video, RPG veteran Tim Cain explored the nuances involved in remastering Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura, a prominent name in the RPG landscape that many believe deserves a revival. Cain points out that while the interest and groundwork for reinvigorating the game are visible, actualizing a remaster faces significant corporate hurdles.

The conversation reveals that the landscape for a Arcanum remaster is somewhat convoluted, especially when compared to other franchises like No One Lives Forever, which is plagued by its own copyright complications.

Cain reflects, “Good luck getting a C-suite executive to shift focus from their primary goals to consider a 2D RPG with a complex title like Arcanum.” Despite such roadblocks, the team behind the original game possesses the necessary assets and code.

However, negotiating to access them might be an uphill battle, as Cain shares that further development or even basic patches cannot proceed without reaching agreements across parties with varying stakes in the game.

This situation underscores the intricate dynamics of game development, especially regarding beloved titles that, while falling short at launch, hold significant nostalgia and promise for potentially richer experiences today.

As players await news, fans of this distinctive RPG can look forward to possible future developments as various stakeholders begin to recognize the demand for Arcanum’s return.