Non-Traditional Games On The Rise

The Guardian Gamesblog has up an editorial looking at what the author perceives as a rise in the number of non-traditional games being developed. From the article: "There's Nintendogs, Electroplankton and Wizard of Funk. And there's EA doing a train game and all the Sims community stuff and Spore. And there's Sony larking about with EyeToy. And Bully from Rockstar. And The Movies. Is it just me or is a corner being turned? I mean, there's plenty of dull unimaginative genre regurgitation going on, there always will be. But I can't remember a time when there were so many titles coming up that couldn't comfortably be slotted into established categories."

Comments

Yes but will they be any good?

[phxbadash]

Half of the problem with all these "new and exciting" types of games is that while the concept sounds cool, will the gameplay actually be any good.

Unfortunately there is no way to find out but by being the first to try it. Also, if a new game genre is successfully created it will just be copied ad infinium until everyone is completely sick of it again in no time.

Personally, I'm not really picky about a game's genre per say, so much as how effectively the developers are able to tell the story they have created, whether it's a FPS, 3rd person, rts or whatever type of game.

Lets not count our chickens before the eggs hatch

[quantax]

Lets not get too overly excited until we actually play these games as several times in the past, games that were hyped as super-innovative have turned out to be not-so innovative after all. Fable comes to mind: definitely entertaining to play, but not quite what was promised. Then there's Master of Orion 3: innovation-gone-wrong. I hope these games live up to their promises, but its the end product that counts.

It would be interesting to see game developers post a small table consisting of a list of functions promised in the press-releases, interviews, .plans, etc (note that this only applies to the publicity-related activities, and not internal company dialogue) and then a check next to each feature that was actually implimented. Shooting for the stars is all and good, but do not expect me to pay when you tell me you're shooting for the stars, but land on the moon.

Its just you.

[AzraelKans]

Actually there is little originality about those games you mentioned.

Nintendogs-Virtual pet game.
Electroplankton-Music generator/music game dozens of them in Japan.
Wizard of funk-same
Train game- 12 a dime in japan
Sims community-OH! how original another SIM expansion?
Spore-Sim life part 2
The movies-Actually and this is a little known fact there were some of these games back in the pc glory days, anyone remember disney stunt island? there is no lack of movie studio simulators.
Bully-Gta meets high school.

Katamari damacy was really cool and original, but there are quite a bit of original indie titles, specially puzzles if you look them up.

Those you mentioned are not THAT original or unconventional. And the industry is still heavily based in military, sci-fi and sport simulators, D&D style RPGs and movie tie-ins. Nothing has changed. (the quality and the technology have improved quite a bit though)

Also rise or not , most gamers wouldnt choose "Katamari" or "the movies" over "halo 3", "MGS4" or (seriously there is no god) the latest NFL or Movie hype tie in.

That's a good idea!

[kingsmedley]

It would be interesting to see game developers post a small table consisting of a list of functions promised in the press-releases, interviews, .plans, etc (note that this only applies to the publicity-related activities, and not internal company dialogue) and then a check next to each feature that was actually implimented.


Why wait for somebody else to implement this? Why not do it on your own? I think a feature like that alongside a standard game review would go a long way to making a video game website much more interesting. It's a great idea, you should run with it.