Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

[Perversion]

Decent essay on why the industry keeps pumping out more of the same.

Consumer demand has the largest influence over the games that hit the market. So, if games are limited, it also suggests that the legions of fervent gamers, bloggers and enthusiast writers who devote endless words to their desire for culturally significant games are simply paying lip service to an ideal they won't back up with their wallets. Either that, or this most vocal vertex is a segment of the market too small to matter.

This quote above hits the nail on the head, and may explain why No More Heroes, MadWorld, et al., keep being released, trying to do something a bit different, but never have the sales to show for it.


I'm gonna say it again...PLEASE let Scribblenauts not have the same fate.

[Duel]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

[John Mora]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

Eh. This whole topic's just going to amount to a bunch of comments that reiterate "As long as you have profit-based companies making games, you're going to see them chase after sure bets before creative risks" in different ways.

[Denmo]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

it's because games are more mainstream now. parents are buying **** for their kids because it looks fun on the outside.

[Perversion]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

You obviously did not click the link, Duel, as shovelware for the Wii is not really even mentioned in the essay.


The "TL;DR, and I'm too lazy to click the link" version: Gaming built around male power fantasies (shootin') has its inspiration drawn from movies from the 80s (Terminator, Aliens, etc) in the case of elder statesmen of gaming devs, and newer ones who grew up on these gaming tropes continue the endless cycle.


There is a glimmer of hope in the essay, though, re: GTA and its "wild card" nature when it first came out.


EDIT @ Mora: Eh. At least this topic will amount to some sort of discussion, something that's been lacking for a bit here recently.

[Jamos]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

Eh. This whole topic's just going to amount to a bunch of comments that reiterate "As long as you have profit-based companies making games, you're going to see them chase after sure bets before creative risks" in different ways.

And how Mora killed the topic quickly before it could start.

[Caciss]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

every topic at the pavilion could easily be finished in one post.

[Perversion]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

Seems to me as if part of the reason for a community such as this one to exist is that it's not based in a corporate reality, and the software's users can feel free to experiment with game design paradigms (inasmuch as possible). Then again, Kire went on to work in the industry to work on stuff like Saint's Row, The Conduit, and that rail shooter for the Wii (Hollywood Shoot-em-up Blowout or whatever it was called). No offense against Kire. I realize that one needs to get a foothold in the industry, and take jobs to both pay the bills and enhance ones creative strengths.


That's why I have hopes for working with IG Maker and submitting something to the XBLIG section. Sure, there's a lot of garbage on there from people who want to make a quick buck, but as the service matures a bit, I'm confident we'll see some diamonds in the rough rise to the top. Assuming my slothness does not win out over my motivation to do so, and even if I make something, submit it, and it goes nowhere, at least I can say I tried.

[marcus]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

The "TL;DR, and I'm too lazy to click the link" version: Gaming built around male power fantasies (shootin') has its inspiration drawn from movies from the 80s (Terminator, Aliens, etc) in the case of elder statesmen of gaming devs, and newer ones who grew up on these gaming tropes continue the endless cycle.

the same reason why the american comic book industry is failing. when you market to the same people you can expect to see zero progress.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

Either that, or this most vocal vertex is a segment of the market too small to matter.

This.

[Goufunaki]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

Ya know, we should just have an official kotaku thread. we seem to post a lot of things here from there.

[Perversion]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

This past few days, in any case.

[Dallas Alvis II]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

So this explains why I find myself not taking risks on too many new games... and why I regret playing Assassin's Creed and Fallout 3 now. I'm getting that sigh and groggy feeling like when I played Oblivion...it just took a little longer with FO3. Let's see what else....


....Oh! And Hugh Jackman!

[Jehuty]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

Short answer. No.


Long answer?

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Power labels just seemingly drown out the little guys, whom happen to be the innovators.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Is the gaming industry creatively bankrupt?

I'll be enjoying Scribblenaughts, Dragon Age, Champions Online, etc. Those are creative and original enough for my bucks.