Every now and then someone has to come out and tell us that there are no new things under the sun, that people are lacking in creativity, and that gaming is too reliant on successful formulas. So, basically the same criticism that has existed around all art forms for ages. The latest critic is Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Kirby who is currently working on Super Smash Bros.
In his weekly column in Famitsu, translated by Polygon, Sakurai explained that independent design studios are an antidote to the repetition of the modern game scene:
Is there any industry that relies so much on reusing and reusing their old titles as much as video games? Compared to other media like movies, dramas, animation, novels and comics, the glut of franchises and remakes is at an unnatural level.
He explains that there are so many hurdles in gaming, it makes sense for there to be sequels and franchises. It can take a while to learn the rules of a game, the universe of its setting – developers can benefit by working with existing structures while simply adding new features. However, Sakurai is not criticizing the AAA studios for being successful, he just sees the importance of other alternatives:
Good games attract fans, and if you have fans, you have an advantage. You try to use that to make the title something bigger, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to give up on innovation. Popular, well-made games deserve praise, but titles that have some kind of unique creative spark to them also need to be praised in this way.
While I definitely agree with Sakurai – there are a lot of franchises and remakes in gaming – it seems a bit rich coming from a guy who is working on Super Smash Bros. How many iterations has THAT game gone through? However, I think it’s important to keep an eye on new IP and exciting things going on outside of the major franchises; those are the games that are inspiring the AAA studios anyway.
Last Updated: October 10, 2013
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Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 10, 2013 at 14:09
I will admit I’d love to see more new AAA IP’s emerge. He does bring across a valid point.
Indies and the like are making the fresh idea games and AAA is, generally, sticking to tried and tested franchises.
That’s why when a game such as The Last of Us launches with AAA quality it generally gets received so well.
Otto_ki
October 10, 2013 at 14:12
Yes there are loads of them, and i cant really comment as I will just contradict myself as i do own a copy of BF3 COD 7 Need for speed 87698746… you get the idea 🙂
But that’s why new innovative games have such WOW presence that come with them…until the second one comes of from that same new game.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 10, 2013 at 14:13
Last of Us
Otto_ki
October 10, 2013 at 14:14
I seriously have to admit something… i have never played Last of Us or even seen a video of it.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
October 10, 2013 at 14:23
Haven’t played it either. but look how well it did. It’s clear that people are craving new AAA titles.
New indie titles are great and all but we, as gamers, require new big budget titles as well that aren’t part of a franchise
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 14:33
Need For Speed. Now that’s a franchise that has only gotten worse and worse but somehow still makes money.
Martin du preez
October 10, 2013 at 14:17
Last of Us
The Puppeteer
Beyond 2 Souls
Rain
If you want fresh new IP’s,come to Sony’s side.
LOLGearsHaloForza
Uberutang
October 10, 2013 at 14:20
Cough Cough
http://steamcommunity.com/greenlight
Martin du preez
October 10, 2013 at 14:40
Nobody cares about those hipster pc games lmao
Uberutang
October 10, 2013 at 14:43
Sony seems to care…
Matthew Holliday
October 10, 2013 at 14:18
I got no problems with trilogies and series and stuff and stuff
I just dont want to rely on mass effect for my gaming feels for the rest of my life.
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 14:21
That’s the problem. You bring out a new IP which is awesome, and then it fails because it isn’t what the bloody 12 year old CoD fans want. I mean look at Aliens: Colonial Marines! What an IP! Was the world, nay, the internet ready for that beast of a game? NO! Not by a long shot, Instead we moaned about it’s shitty graphics, crappy controls, terrible story, insult to the cannon, it’s screwed coding, embarrassing characters and old, never-correctly-used AWESOME IP. Wait, what?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2013 at 14:54
*canon *helpful look*
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 15:04
*disinterested look* Look, Beiber!
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2013 at 15:10
OH BABY!
TiMsTeR1033
October 10, 2013 at 14:23
I have far too many ideas for games…
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 14:34
Same here.
I was thinking of one where you run around in large open maps, you have an arsenal of weapons to choose from and you can also drive vehicles and fly helicopters and planes. I’m telling you. It’s never been done.
Circuitflow
October 10, 2013 at 16:20
BWAHAHAHAH! I loove playing that game… i mean “would” love to play it!
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 14:30
Really don’t see what Sakurai is going on about… That’s like Justin Beiber (@disqus_DoEH3TsffU:disqus’s girlfriend) commenting on how it’s tired of generic pap pop songs and shitty haircuts.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2013 at 14:48
Oh please, it’s not like we’re in a committed relationship. Er… I mean… LOOK OVER THERE!
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 14:53
Where?!
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 14:55
He’s an alien emperor, how’s he supposed to know what’s ugly to us humans?
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 15:03
Very true.
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 14:38
You know all those zombie games?
With dinosaurs instead.
RapturedMossel
October 10, 2013 at 14:45
Mind=Blown
HvR
October 10, 2013 at 14:50
Like Dinosaur Hunter?
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 14:50
Like Dinosaur Island (ie, Dead Island)
HvR
October 10, 2013 at 15:12
No I mean it already exist.
Dinosaur Hunter aka Carnivores PC game series from the 90’s was later released on Playstation iOs and Android.
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 15:14
I know. But it’s just not on the level we want it to be. Turok was cool but also lacked a few things. We need big, sandbox open world dinosaur game.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2013 at 14:52
Innovation is overrated. As long as the game’s fun, I don’t care if it’s sequel number 100. There’s little variation in actual game play mechanics between most games in a given genre if you really think about it, it’s the artwork & story that changes most – and as long as those keep changing & getting better, I’m perfectly happy.
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 14:54
Yes NFS still sells games for some reason. The world just makes no sense sometimes.
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 14:58
I have this for you from GTAV!
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2013 at 15:09
It’s a car :/
Downloadable content John
October 10, 2013 at 15:15
Stolen, no doubt
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 15:18
I have some pictures of bins, railings, hills, the sky, oh, so many of the sky. I just want to give you something to feel like your part of our group man. Tell you what, I’ll make a power point presentation with the odd 450,000 pictures I have, and we can watch it at Banana Jam! Yeah man! GOOD TIMES!
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 10, 2013 at 15:25
How about I just run into Koeberg Road & hope for a yellow Humvee ;P
NecroRince
October 10, 2013 at 15:27
BWAHAHAHAH! I KNOWS what would be more painful! Having to listen to OVG describe every second of it… 0-O
ToshZA
October 10, 2013 at 15:43
McDonalds McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and the Pizza Hut.
*sings*
brad coetzee
October 10, 2013 at 15:57
I have been saying this for years and years. I am like, cool n stuff