Cage: Sequels And "Annualization" Are Killing Innovation
See Full ImageIf you want consistent innovation and creativity, you can't keep buying into this "annualization" trend.
At least, that's what Quantic Dream boss David Cage says. During a recent OPM UK interview, the visionary said that unfortunately, a great many people just "want the same" and if you keep giving it to them, "they'll gladly buy it." And so-
"The result is very simple. Gamers invest money in publishers having no interest in innovation. [Gamers] encourage [publishers] to keep making the same game every Christmas, and everybody’s happy."
If you want to see something different, you have to resist buying every "new" title that arrives on a yearly basis. That's the only way that publishers will stop forcing developers to release another blockbuster every year that's only slightly different from its predecessor. If you want true innovation, you're just gonna have to wait. Said Cage:
"If you’re interested in innovation and believe that games could be more than shooters, then you realise that sequels kill creativity and innovation. We don’t give people what they expect. We want to give them something they want without knowing they want it."
Cage is referring to his studio's upcoming title, Beyond: Two Souls, which is another new IP from Quantic Dream. The last was the critically acclaimed Heavy Rain, and don't forget about Indigo Prophecy last generation. Yep, if we want originality and creativity, we have to support it when it shows up.
Tags: david cage, quantic dream, gaming industry, heavy rain, beyond two souls
1/10/2013 11:29:24 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (20 posts)
Underdog15
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 12:47:49 AM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 1:46:17 PM
0 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 4:04:43 AM
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said exactly what ive been saying for YEARS!
problem is people SAY they want innovation, but than go and buy every single last years copy and paster.
as cliffy b said haters will hate right to the cash register!
ive gotta say though davids hate of sequels is a little unfair and unfounded.
hes constantly making it sound like sequels cant be innovative and different.
they can, i would of loved to see a sequel to heavy rain, a continuation of the story.
id love to see him stick to something, create a sequel for once and lets see how different and innovative it can be.
every game you make does not need to be a new IP!
4 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 5:06:50 AM
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2 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 5:08:19 AM
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Journey is a wonderful exception, not the tip of the spear of any awakening going on in the industry. It should be.
1 up, 0 down
manofchao5
Sunday, January 13, 2013 @ 9:12:20 PM
0 up, 0 down
Draguss
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 7:33:03 AM
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0 up, 0 down
JCARROLL
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 8:03:30 AM
0 up, 0 down
wackazoa
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 10:33:39 AM
My theory on game dev. cycles is, make a game. If you want to do DLC have it come out 4-7 months apart. Then 2 to 2 1/2 years later come out with the next game.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 1:56:26 PM
1 up, 0 down
gumbi
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 10:13:52 AM
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If your wife comes up with a delicious new recipe and you tell her it's one of the most amazing meals you've ever had... are you saying it's bad if she makes it again next month? No, of course it's not. She'll make it again because you really liked it last time, and you praised her for it. And guess what? you'll be happy she made you another meal just like that last one, and you'll gobble it up with a giant smile on your face.
This industry is about entertainment. Constant innovation is not a requirement for entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I love it when a unique new IP comes along that grabs me. Journey is in my top 3 games for this entire generation. But my point is you can't expect every developer to always be working on brand new and innovative projects. It's costly, it's risky, and more importantly the consumers don't really want that.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 1:58:08 PM
0 up, 0 down
xenris
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 11:11:46 AM
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I hate when developers say that technology is holding back innovation, or something like that as well. It really isn't, some steam indie games are 16 bit sprite graphics and actually try new innovative gameplay ideas.
Not every game has to be innovative, but for every risk some devs/publishers take, there are a dozen copy and pastes, rehashes or streamlines of beloved genres. Whats even worse is when a game succeeds it seems like the devs tweak/streamline the formula so that it will appeal to even more of the casual majority of gamers.
Again this isn't all bad, but it was nice when games on the PS1 and PS2 tried to differentiate themselves and be unique and different and THAT was the selling points behind them. Not making their game as familiar as possible to a popular franchise.
Last edited by xenris on 1/11/2013 11:12:07 AM
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 2:05:03 PM
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I don't think there has been a huge lack of innovation this gen as some say, but there is a big gap. There's been almost none in big productions (or there's been backwards innovation that makes everything automatic) but plenty in indie games. We gotta fix that.
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Douchebaguette
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 9:56:41 PM
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That being said, I really also don't reckon we trilogies. See, with most franchises in a trilogy, the middle one tends to be the filler. Better to have a beginning (fulfills twist as normal at the of the first), then conclude with a 2nd (end).
Either that or just do it right and make an interestign first title with a little twist, then show an awesome twist in the second game, like they did with the Assassin's Creed series before they got greedy and cut off some value of their franchise with annualisation and unecessary sequels, believe it or not.
0 up, 0 down
Twistedfloyd
Friday, January 11, 2013 @ 11:43:49 PM
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I played COD BO II and wanted to slit my wrists. Poor level design in the multiplayer. I didn't even borrow this one from my friend. We played it together and then I couldn't handle it any more.
So, I agree Mr. Cage. I look forward to Beyond with great anticipation because he doesn't annualize his games. And his vision is just about unparalleled because of his unique take on game design.
0 up, 1 down
chuckuykendall
Sunday, January 13, 2013 @ 6:52:37 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Sunday, January 13, 2013 @ 7:24:45 PM
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The masses will always control society.
They are the reason why the gaming society has redirected it's attention to more 'casual' gaming experiences, and why traditional J-RPGs have died.
All because of the dumber, ignorant masses.
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Temjin001
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 @ 11:55:41 PM
If you can count yourself among those who bought FFXIII and FFXIII-2 then didn't you just as well cast your approval for more content following after the direction in which it has been progressing?
Last edited by Temjin001 on 1/10/2013 11:56:17 PM