After writing my feature, I got to thinking. This generation, while great and a lot of fun, is starting to pump out some of the same kinds of games over and over. Each year, we are waiting for 4 or 5 big profile games, all of which are shooters. Beyond that, music games have become the big thing as well, giving us still more of the same.
To me, it seems that each new generation of video games should bring with it innovations in each of the genres we know and love. And at this point, it’s like, “ok developers, we get it – you can make awesome FPS games”. We’ve pushed the shooter genre to exciting new leaps and bounds graphically and gameplay wise. But really, that’s where it stops.
So what can developers do to improve on other genres that we seem to be lacking? What genres are you starting to miss this generation. Personally, I feel like platformers are really falling by the wayside, as well as brawlers and fighting games. What about you guys? Thoughts?
Platformers, you’re right. Imagine a 3D FPS (minus the S) Braid? Sweeet.
And I think adding RPG-like elements to the standard FPS can work. Fallout 3 is a great example. Decision/Consequence based gaming is always great. Thats what made the Deus Ex series so great. That’s true replayability..
The indie dudes are really thinking outside the box lately, hopefully they can get into some big titles eventualy. If you guys havent checked it out, Zeno Clash on steam is remarkable.
I’ve though about this a lot, actually, and no matter how you slice it, graphics don’t really have anywhere to go. What we need are bigger scale games, with more choice given to the player. Probably the only reason why I like current(next)-gen games is because so many of them are open-world, compared with last gen. GTA4, Fallout 3, Oblivion, etc. all give you the wherewithal to continue at your own pace, and it really adds hours to the game’s playable lifetime…lots and lots of hours. This is also why I’m looking forward to Prototype so much. Infamous, too, but less so…Static Shock just isn’t as cool as Alex Mercer. But, the point is, I think the genre with the most potential in this gen is the action/adventure genre, sandbox games in particular. No longer do we have to put up with sub-Doom graphics in exchange for an open world (Arena)…now developers CAN create a living, breathing environment. What remains to be seen is whether they will decide that all the extra work is worth the relatively small advantage this gives them in sales…even Bethesda is giving us 800 point DLCs. Still, I’m putting sandbox games as those with the biggest potential. Now let’s see that TESV!
Well, I was always expecting big new amazing things in big open games, say, unrestricted distance in co-op (Far Cry 2 would have been greater with that!) or 4 player co-op in everything, or 60 players online in all FPS’s! Well, I can dream can’t I? But really, this gen hasn’t shown something that couldn’t have been done last gen with less shiny characters or hi-def browns. The Orange Box, MGS4 and Gears of War were great games, but, graphics aside, what did they do SO much differently from the previous gen? Well, Portal re-wrote the puzzle genre but not much else.
I think thinking games are what’s needed. I think Ubi got it right with their tactical shooters, just need to make em’ a little harder. If I play a game I want to struggle, nearly to the point when I give up. Challenging games are what’s needed.
[quote comment=”6241″]I think thinking games are what’s needed. I think Ubi got it right with their tactical shooters, just need to make em’ a little harder. If I play a game I want to struggle, nearly to the point when I give up. Challenging games are what’s needed.[/quote]
I think developers may be a little afraid to try this because they fear they will lose their casual gamers.
I know a lot of people who play games just for stress relief and relaxation. If people are playing them and feel like they would rather kill themselves, then that takes away from the whole stress release portion of gaming.
I guess I should agree a little with you though, because lately it seems that I’m either getting a lot better at games that should be hard, or games are becoming easier overall.
For shooters, I think that more emphasis will be placed on the Squad, and that the best shooters of the future will have effective ways of inspiring players to work as a team without shoving it in their faces. L4D did this spectacularly, in that you will die if you go your separate ways. I think a similar mechanic can be worked into Warfighter shooters.
For RPG’s and Adventure games, we’re definitely seeing a lot more open world environments and mechanics. RPG’s are starting to really allow the player to do anything in terms of customization, combat, and story.
I think the biggest games of next gen or this late gen will be Squad-/Team-based shooters, Open World RPG’s, or FPSRPG’s will combinations of the two genres’ mechanics.
Never get to see a lot of Open world FPS games. I know Battlefield 2 is pretty much like that, but only that isn’t enough.
I hope the new halo is going to be something like an openworld map.
I think the next generation needs to spread out interests more. Just as it said, the biggest games for a while now have been mostly shooters. We need some high profile games of other genres now. Also, it would be nice if they got more colorful too. I really feel that platformers need to come back. On another note, the next generation needs a new wow factor. The thing is that I can’t think of anything.
[quote comment=”6237″]I’ve though about this a lot, actually, and no matter how you slice it, graphics don’t really have anywhere to go.[/quote]
I don’t think that this is true. as long as people will buy it they will improve it so in-game graphics will just keep improving until they look as good as they do in movies. people were saying that graphics were as good as they will get for quake, then when far cry and doom 3 came out people said “Graphics don’t have much further to go” but look at crysis. the gaming industry is what drives almost all technology using any type of silicon wafer. So in my opinion graphics will just keep improving so developers should stop worrying about that and work on other things such as new types of gamelay and more out of the box thinking.
P.S. my dad works for a company that makes the tool that makes the silicon wafer that makes the graphics cards that go in your computer. So I have learned allot about where technology might go and it has quite a way to go yet
Just thaought of something that oozes awesome…
…wait for it…
a mix of platforming and a RTS
I really liked the sandbox type games. You get to decide just about everything. If they can make a successful military shooter like that then Ill be set. Like you are given a mission and you complete it any way you see fit. Just say “Rescue the Hostage” show you where he is at and let you go. Choose your own weapons, squad, equipment, thats the kind of shooter I want to see.
I’d personally like to see more (and improved) turn-based strategy games like Civilization. I like RTSs, but theres really not much time to react to your opponents strategy (unless you play the game ALL the time) in games like that. You pretty much start with a plan, roll with it, then you’re screwed if it doesn’t pan out. I like being able to plan out my moves, react to my opponents, and take my time in deciding things. I don’t know, maybe it’s just because I used to play chess all the time as a kid, but I really enjoy that kind of game. In fact, I’m gonna go play Civ 4 right now, lol.
[quote comment=”6258″]I’d personally like to see more (and improved) turn-based strategy games like Civilization.
I like RTSs, but theres really not much time to react to your opponents strategy (unless you play the game ALL the time) in games like that. You pretty much start with a plan, roll with it, then you’re screwed if it doesn’t pan out. I like being able to plan out my moves, react to my opponents, and take my time in deciding things. I don’t know, maybe it’s just because I used to play chess all the time as a kid, but I really enjoy that kind of game. In fact, I’m gonna go play Civ 4 right now, lol.[/quote]
I know what you mean. We need more Civ type games. I hope they come out with a Civ 5!
Definitely starting to miss the RPGs/RTSes. While I do believe that FPSes can still go a lot further, I really want to see a good fantasy RTS out sometime.