newgame

Newgame, often written as new game or New Game, refers to the option in video games to begin a fresh playthrough from the starting conditions. It is typically accessed from the main menu alongside options such as Load Game and Settings. The purpose is to provide a clean slate for players who want to experience the game anew or explore different choices without continuing an existing progress path.

When a new game is initiated, the game usually creates a new save file or allocates a new save slot and initializes the game state to its starting point. This generally includes resetting the player’s character, inventory, abilities, quest progress, and story state to default values. Some titles will overwrite an existing save after a confirmation prompt, while others offer multiple slots or profiles so that older progress remains intact.

Variations in behavior are common. In some games, starting a new game erases previous progress, while in others it preserves prior saves and simply begins a separate run. In certain genres, new game modes accompany the standard option, such as a guided tutorial sequence designed to reintroduce mechanics to new players.

New Game Plus is a related concept in which players can start a new run while retaining certain rewards, items, or abilities from a completed playthrough, often with adjusted difficulty. The New Game option is widely used to promote replayability, experimentation, and alternative story outcomes.

Overall, new game serves as the formal mechanism for beginning a game from the beginning, with variations centered on save management and introductory content.