PlatformPlight
PSLS Level: Newbie
Upon discussing the state of the video game industry with a good friend, I wanted to pose the question of, "What next?"
I believe that this generation of platform gaming is at risk for a gradual plateauing of creativity and imagination. Think about it...How many sequels and reboots will get developed over fresh new IPs...new source material. I am not demonizing the entirety of sequels and reboots, because there are some amazing franchises that persist this gen. However, I am growing tired of the lack of new titles. It seems that the PS3/ Xbox 360 generation explored new frontiers of plot development, character development, art styles, etc and that is a characteristic missing from the heart and soul of this generation.
I am tired of being excited about a 3rd, 4th, or 5th installment of a title. I want to see more risks taken...boldness and originality.
I actually believe there is a spectrum to the industry which, when polarized, can lead to an unproductive and dissatisfying atmosphere surrounding platform gaming. On one hand there is pure market economics: Here the numbers are crunched, the survey and poll data informs the marketability and profit returns of a product. This is important to the logistics and infrastructure of a game developer. On the other hand there is the art form of creating a game...like cinematic entertainment, the beauty and the craftsmanship behind the production embed works in history just as a masterful painting or a classic car.
When the industry polarizes towards either of these fronts too favorably there are negative consequences. Some of these consequences are long development cycles, un-optimized games, cancellations, release delays, lay-offs, lack of funding, and in general empty promises.
The question I pose to you, as fellow gamers, is this:
Where must the industry go from here in order to create more creative diversity and the energy to match it?
I believe that this generation of platform gaming is at risk for a gradual plateauing of creativity and imagination. Think about it...How many sequels and reboots will get developed over fresh new IPs...new source material. I am not demonizing the entirety of sequels and reboots, because there are some amazing franchises that persist this gen. However, I am growing tired of the lack of new titles. It seems that the PS3/ Xbox 360 generation explored new frontiers of plot development, character development, art styles, etc and that is a characteristic missing from the heart and soul of this generation.
I am tired of being excited about a 3rd, 4th, or 5th installment of a title. I want to see more risks taken...boldness and originality.
I actually believe there is a spectrum to the industry which, when polarized, can lead to an unproductive and dissatisfying atmosphere surrounding platform gaming. On one hand there is pure market economics: Here the numbers are crunched, the survey and poll data informs the marketability and profit returns of a product. This is important to the logistics and infrastructure of a game developer. On the other hand there is the art form of creating a game...like cinematic entertainment, the beauty and the craftsmanship behind the production embed works in history just as a masterful painting or a classic car.
When the industry polarizes towards either of these fronts too favorably there are negative consequences. Some of these consequences are long development cycles, un-optimized games, cancellations, release delays, lay-offs, lack of funding, and in general empty promises.
The question I pose to you, as fellow gamers, is this:
Where must the industry go from here in order to create more creative diversity and the energy to match it?