What's the best option when trying to attract an audience? Innovation or nostalgia?

Wait, what? I'm supposed to answer that? Ah, damn. I'm not qualified for this, so here's my opinion on it instead of something backed by facts.

Both strategies are relevant and work, but in different ways.

Innovation will mainly attract a new crowd, while nostalgia will mainly attract an old crowd. There's always some overlap, like the picture of the two circles and the part in the middle which overlaps being a group made of both things.

Making something new is always fun, but so is appealing to where we've come from. That's why there's so many twists on the old formula to try and appeal to both new and old alike.

Look at all the movie remakes these days. Look at Jurassic World. It knew what it was doing, it was appealing to those who saw the original film, but using the new technology to attract a new audience for the inevitable sequels.

It's the same for video games too, there's tons of remakes with new polish for those who might have missed it the first time who don't have the old consoles to play it on, or don't like the graphics. There's also a new game called Super Mario Maker, which is just like the classic games, but this time you get to make levels and share them with other people on the internet. It's got the feel of the old game, but the technology of the new games, and a twist to attract all types of people.

It's damn fun too.

The biggest thing is to create a great product first and foremost. Hopefully, if you make a great product, the rest will fall into place, regardless of how you try to market it.