   Where is the innovation?
  I don't know if this link was posted on this site already, but I think it is something that game developers should read.Videogames Are Dead
  Most games released to make money are indeed just the same games with better graphics. I don't expect something original from say, EA. I'm sure a lot of small creative games are being created by members of this forum though, only, they don't alway reach the big public.The article also was about interactive storytelling... I wonder what to expect of that, I'm thinking D&D is actually something like it so where's the novelty in that. But I guess it's just waiting and seeing, if it ever takes off that is.   ;  This issue keeps getting discussed. In many communities saying "there is no new gameplay" makes you just as popular as saying "Windows' security is worse, Windows is more bloated and slower" in other communities, or talking l33t in other communities. Generally people saying this are just saying what they heard the "gurus" say (gurus like Chris Crawford). The number function giving the number of innovations of time is often inversely proportional (the number of innovations quickly drop). Seriosly don't you think it's easier to innovate when nothing have been invented yet? Video games are far from dead, today we can't just figure out a new kind of game play, but if we can improve technology we can alter existing game play.   ;Quote:Original post by vr_manI don't know if this link was posted on this site already, but I think it is something that game developers should read.Videogames Are DeadI have to be honest: I read that article and came away with the impression that Christ Crawford is a pompous, elitist dick. There have been plenty of games with innovation recently. Sure, every game is derivative, in the same way that all novels, necessarily, contain words and storylines. Sure, the truly "innovative" games are few and far between, but the last few generations of technology have produced games like HL, Max Payne, System Shock 2, The Thief Series, Deus Ex, Morrowind and Oblivion, Rez, The Tamigotchi and by extension: Nintendogs, Dance Dance Revolution (though you might hate it, it's damned innovative), and probably scores other that I'm missing. Anybody care to fill in the gaps?Just because the majority of games aren't innovative doesn't mean innovation is dead. Who is Chris Crawford to say that video-games aren't innovative anymore? Somebody help him get his head out of his ass.Edit: I think the following quote epitomizes this guy's problem:Quote:GS: So you'd call yourself a pessimist on this front.CC: Yeah, I think that’s valid. Hey, maybe they'll surprise us. But I've been preaching this sermon for 20 years now…more than that, in fact, and I haven't seen any serious attempt to move in that direction. So for the last 20 years, he feels there has been no innovation?Please.;  There was a time when Frogger was an innovation.There was a time when Mario was an innovation.There was a time when Dragon Warrior was an innovation.There was a time when Doom was an innovation.There was a time when Metal Gear Solid was an innovation.There was a time when Super Monkey Ball was an innovation.There was a time when Grand Theft Auto was an innovation.Twenty years is a long time.Quote:Quote:GS: So you'd call yourself a pessimist on this front.CC: Yeah, I think that’s valid. Hey, maybe they'll surprise us. But I've been preaching this sermon for 20 years now…more than that, in fact, and I haven't seen any serious attempt to move in that direction. So for the last 20 years, he feels there has been no innovation?Please.What he means to say is "But I've been preaching this sermon for 20 years now... more than that, in fact, and I haven't seen any serious attempt at making things that are exactly the same as what I'm doing." Which wouldn't really be innovating, would it?   ;  I think the statement that there has been no innovation for the last 20 years is wrong. I agree that there has been a huge decline in the amount of new innovate games. I feel this issue should be seen more by developers rather then ignoring it.Potentially a reason this is happening is a publisher is not going to want to put money into publishing a game on the off chance that it could be a hit; unless you already have quite a reputation.Originally the game industry was rather new and game ideas had to be formulated from nothing, it's much easier now to simply copy the idea, add better graphics, and release a new story. This approach works for the publisher and company because if they've already made an FPS for example, just refractor and sell again.This will lead to no new ideas, because new ideas cost money; when originally new ideas meant money, because there was none. This is a big problem with the industry currently. I don't see how it will go away unless the industry decides to make a change.I also see this coming from the fact that many "game designers" go and get a "game design degree." I was in one of these game design classes to observe once, and I was rather disappointed in how they were approaching teaching it. Rather then formulating new ideas as an artist would do, they simply talk about current ideas already in place.This is a bad approach if you want to make yourself an innovative designer.   ;  Innovation is overrated. Fun is fun crap is crap. Half Life 2, very innovative? No. But it was fun. And there are innovative games that arn't fun.   ;  Chris Crawford has been using this old saw for longer than I've been alive. Balance of Power was a fun game, but the world has sort of moved on.   ;Quote:Original post by DevLiquidKnightI think the statement that there has been no innovation for the last 20 years is wrong. I agree that there has been a huge decline in the amount of new innovate games. I feel this issue should be seen more by developers rather then ignoring it.This is a myth.  A damn dirty lie.  :)Look at the Atari library, the NES library, the SNES/Genesis libraries... clone after clone after clone... there is more innovation in games now than there has ever been.The problem is that we only remember the games that we thought were really exceptional.  Nobody remembers Yo Noid! or Lagoon if they aren't reminded of it.   ;  Many games may be rehashes, but no innovation?  I dont buy it.  And even if that is true, who gives a crap?  When was the last time you were playing a game and said to yourself "Wow, this game is fun as hell.  But it's not innovative.  Therefore I hate it".I didnt even bother to read the whole article. But from what I did read, I got the impression this he is some elitist depressed asshole that cannot make crap.  Why didny he innovate the industry in the last 20 years.  Maybe he is trying now, but I sure havent played his games yet.   