Which Genre Most Needs Innovation?
View Large ImageOf all the video game genres that exist, which is the one that requires innovation and originality the most? Which desperately needs some fresh ideas and new concepts?
Many would be quick to point out the FPS category but "first-person shooter" can be a broad category, depending on your definition. And besides, there really is a fair amount of difference between something like RAGE and Battlefield. Plus, you can toss other more interesting - but less popular - titles into the mix; Singularity is only one such example.
Perhaps you'd go with the sports and racing genres, just because they seem to have lost some traction this generation. But I believe that loss of popularity was inevitable given the direction of the industry and really, besides getting more realistic, what more can be done to sports games? They are, after all, confined within the limitations of their real-life counterparts. Or maybe you'll say the action genre, which might need something more than running around with a sword or a gun...then again, that action category is pretty damn huge, too, so that could in fact be the most diverse section of the industry right now.
Role-playing opens up a whole new can of worms, because you'll have a dozen different definitions for that genre. At this point, it might make the most sense to simply say that we need more unique experiences in general; i.e., experiences like Journey that defy labeling of any kind. Right now, the only true innovation might involve games that don't easily fall into any given genre and that could be the ultimate goal- No "genres," just games that do a little bit of everything. Aren't we close to that now...?
12/28/2012 Ben Dutka
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Comments (24 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 10:34:29 PM
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FPS does need help though, even though there are a few kinds they need something new to make them more engaging. Maybe an attempt at a more human-like character that isn't a camera floating on ice holding a gun.
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Vitron
Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 11:51:21 PM
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Underdog15
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 9:58:16 AM
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Shams
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 12:03:58 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 2:44:19 PM
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dfm078
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 12:08:02 AM
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skyplaya
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 6:18:55 PM
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Lawless SXE
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 1:04:42 AM
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I'd like to see the racing genre take a step back from the open-world ideal and do something more like the Burnouts of yore where you have to do a world tour of single events. It hasn't gone entirely, but it isn't nearly as prevalent as it once was. Maybe they could expand on NFS: The Run and give us something story oriented in the vein of The Fast and The Furious or... I dunno.
I'd like to see RPGs evolve a bit from explore open/semi-open environments while attempting to complete a story that it, for obscure reasons, somewhat difficult to follow while being presented with sidequests from random people that you can talk to. The quest design, I guess, rather than the gameplay itself, which is constantly iterating.
Also, stealth.
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Beamboom
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 2:41:14 AM
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Multiplayer gaming:
Multiplayer should potentially be so much more than just running around gunning each other. We've been doing that since the late 90s, it really, really is time to see some clever, innovative new competitive multiplayer concepts now.
I mean, really, why bother tacking on a standard multiplayer mode to your games these days. Do the world really need one more deathmatch game? No, no we don't.
Motion sensing input devices:
In my opinion there's nothing wrong with the *idea*, they've just not really figured out how to use it properly. More innovation needs to be done.
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/29/2012 2:43:33 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 2:45:54 PM
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maxpontiac
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 2:58:48 AM
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1 - It seems a game in this genre is either race track only style like GT5 or open world as in Most Wanted. Why can't I have both?
2 - With simulator style games, I have no story mode to follow. Why not let me start on a amateur circuit and work my way to the pros and build a team?
3 - With open world arcade racers, I can't adjust the cars to my liking. Why not let the player have access to simple tuning menus?
I know some of you may be thinking that I want a Gran Turismo Most Wanted, and to that I say, yes, yes I do. ;)
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___________
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 3:43:03 AM
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all genres have really not changed much this gen, only thing weve really seen is the medling of genres.
the parkour addition to games like AC and dishonoured for instance, or the shooter action theme of mass effect.
or even bioshock.
fantasy games really have not changed much either, whats the difference between fallout 2 and fallout 3?
elder scrolls 3 to 5 skyrim?
we REALLY need a bunch of rare and valves, a bunch of goldeneye and half lifes, to give the industry a much needed boot up the a$$!
ONLY good thing this generation has given is the melding of genres, as far as old genres changing and improving goes they really havent.
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Snaaaake
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 5:58:14 AM
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Beamboom
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 7:32:29 AM
But speaking of RPGs in general, I really want *less* action, not more. I want stats to count for more. And I want real complexity at the level where the crafting alone would be worthy of a wiki. Where you spend just as much time pondering on items and equipment as you do fighting.
Not that I mind simpler action RPGs, not at all, but I see little else. :(
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bigrailer19
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 1:38:30 PM
Strange you get that in a game like this, but thats exactly part of the reason Borderlands 2 is goty, no questions asked.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/29/2012 1:39:13 PM
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Beamboom
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 3:17:26 PM
Yeah it *is* surprising to find this in such a "brainless" game like Borderlands, the entire game is even built around the loot madness.
Gotta love Borderlands. There are some great new IPs born this generation, and Borderlands is one of them.
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Knightzane
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 9:08:03 AM
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Yeah, horror is certainly what i would like to see evolve. I think downpour was fantastic but it was so damn easy. I miss being afraid of dying because i would lose progress or that i would run out of ammo. To bad RE is pure action now. Leon's campaign was extremely good, and i ran out of ammo man times. The rest was action.
Anyway, the fact that fallout has done what many horror games has not done this entire gen kind of worries me. I hoped that Quantic Dream would have created a 'Interactive Horror' Beyond is going to be a 10/10 for me because i don't think Sir David would release anything short of stellar.
Im rambling and i apologize. I just woke up like 20 minutes ago.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 2:48:07 PM
If you aren't a Bioshock fan, now's the time to play it. There's some classic horror in there; a bit less in Bio2 though.
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Beamboom
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 3:20:10 PM
Last edited by Beamboom on 12/29/2012 3:20:43 PM
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Amnesiac
Saturday, December 29, 2012 @ 5:48:14 PM
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Take the game Rocksmith yes, you can simulate and mimic techniques required to play the instruments, but wouldn't that also be great opportunity be taught music theory at the same time you are learning how to play that guitar?
Same would go for the bass expansion or piano expansion if they ever make one./
Apply the same idea to the sing along (karoke) games too. Instruct people how to be better singers, (e.g. teaching them how to hold notes correctly) and which notes are being sung wrong or off key./
Music is fun learning music for most of us isn't and requires a good deal of patience.
What better an instructional tool than a video game chock full of achievements and trophies to unlock?
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bigrailer19
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Friday, December 28, 2012 @ 10:20:47 PM
I dont think racing either because Burnout was different, awesome and NFS: Most Wanted brought back glimpses of all that great originality. That game was fun, but before NFS I would say yes, that genre needs something new.
So I got nothing... ;)