Remakes on the Assembly Line: Sonic Team Lead Doubts It's Forever

While Steam is flooded with remakes and remasters, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka says what many think: a re-release is "essentially providing the same experience again." His words were reported by Rock Paper Shotgun. Iizuka doesn't deny that remakes are an almost guaranteed moneymaker, but hints that endlessly churning them out won't work. For us, this isn't a debate about taste, but a reason to figure out how to buy and pay for games on Steam when your card doesn't work.

What Iizuka said

In an interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, Takashi Iizuka, who leads Sonic Team, was skeptical about the inevitability of remakes. He noted that a re-release repeats the same experience, and if you churn them out thoughtlessly, the value of novelty is lost. At the same time, he acknowledges: the remake and remaster market exists because they sell well. The full interview is on Rock Paper Shotgun.

"You're essentially providing the same experience again."

— Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Team

Why it matters for your wallet

Remakes and remasters are not just nostalgia but repeat purchases. If you already own the original, the re-release is often sold as a separate product, and sometimes with a discount for owners. In Steam, such offers appear regularly: developers offer an "upgrade" or a discount on the new version. So before buying, check if you're eligible for a discount and compare the price with the original.

Also, regional prices in Steam vary. For Russian users, direct payment with a Russian card is impossible, so you have to look for workarounds. One of them is a virtual card from a foreign issuer, for example via VirtCardPay. It allows you to pay for purchases on Steam if you have an account in a region where such cards are accepted.

How to pay for a game on Steam with a virtual card

If you've decided to buy a remake or any other game, here's a step-by-step scenario:

• Step 1. Make sure your Steam account is in a region where cards from foreign banks are accepted (e.g., Turkey, Kazakhstan, USA, etc.). Changing region is possible but requires meeting Steam's conditions.
• Step 2. Issue a virtual card (Visa/Mastercard) with a service like VirtCardPay. Top up the balance for the purchase amount plus a small buffer (5–10%) for currency fluctuations and fees.
• Step 3. In Steam, select the game, click "Buy," and enter the card details. If the card doesn't go through, check if online payments are enabled and if there are enough funds.
• Step 4. After payment, the game will appear in your library. If the payment is declined, try another card or contact the service's support.

Important: Steam may request identity or address verification when changing region. Don't use someone else's data — it can lead to account blocking.

How much to keep on balance

Focus on the game price in your region plus a buffer for conversion and possible fees. For example, if a game costs $20, it's better to have $22–23 on the card. Check the exact fee amount in your virtual card service's tariffs.

Common declines and what to do

• Card not accepted. Check if your Steam region supports cards from foreign banks. Sometimes a card of a specific payment system is required.
• Insufficient funds. Top up with a buffer.
• Transaction blocked by bank. Contact the virtual card issuer's support.

The bottom line

Remakes aren't going anywhere as long as they make money. But whether to buy another re-release is your decision. And the technical side of paying on Steam is solved with a virtual card. The main thing is to watch regional restrictions and not forget about a balance buffer.

Names of services, games, and franchises belong to their respective owners and are mentioned only to describe the payment scenario; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.

FAQ

Can I pay for Steam with a Russian card? Directly — no. You need a foreign bank card or a virtual card from a foreign issuer.

What to do if the card doesn't go through? Check the account region, sufficient funds, and payment system support. Sometimes changing the card helps.

Is it safe to use virtual cards? Yes, if the service is reliable and you don't share data with third parties. Always check the issuer's reputation.