For example people consider ps2 retro but I always considered retro being in the 80s and earlier. No right or wrong answers it was just something I was curious about.

  •  t3rmit3   ( @t3rmit3@beehaw.org ) 
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    22 hours ago

    I think it’s several different things

    1. a visual design aesthetic
    2. specific gameplay mechanics
    3. “legacy” systems and software

    I think each of them can differ in whether they’re fixed or not. Generally I think that in game design, retro is fairly anchored when it comes to visual aesthetics and gameplay design. “Boomer shooter” mechanics and visuals, pixel art games, etc. I suspect we’ll still see those ‘retro’ games in 20 years, and probably not see e.g. Ubisoft-style open world control-point-capture games being called retro.

    Consoles though, I do think shift into retro status very consistently. I think there are people who would even consider DS or certainly GBA games as retro already.