The gaming industry like many entertainment industries brings a lot to the consumer every year. Each year we are given a wide range of games that vary across a wide spectrum of genres. And like many of the other entertainment industries, gaming have its "blockbuster" titles that, on the very name alone, are guaranteed to sell millions of copies day one. When you think of these, you think of the Halos, Modern Warfares, World of Warcrafts (well the expansions at least), Maddens, etc. etc.
In the past few years we've seen more and more the gaming industry trending towards the "safe bets" of continuing franchise of popular titles. And while from here on I'm going to focusing on the First Person Shooter (FPS) genre, this topic could easily be expanded to encompass gaming on a whole. While from a business perspective I understand the reasons for continuing a popular and established franchise. I can't help but wonder...
How much longer can it go on?
How many more Modern Warfares can we stomach? How many more Halos? This isn't a bash on these games specifically. And even if it was, it's not like they need defending. The numbers these games churn out every release speak for themselves. But in that very fact lays my point.
Every release of a popular FPS, shows consistent if not growing sales. While the games themselves, to me, don't seem to be stretching themselves beyond the boundaries of what they know to be successful. But then I suppose they don't have to. And why would they? They already know they are going to sell millions based on the predefined formula. And from a business side, it makes perfect sense. But from an artistic creative side...
It's stagnating innovation.
What I mean by this, is that while these games continue to bank millions on these games, I believe over all there will be less attempts at new and creative (and possibly terrible) ideas in gaming.
This is bad.
No it won't cripple the industry. And it won't keep games from being made. But I am afraid it will burn people out. And then amazingly creative games like Portal (1&2) or possibly Dishonored (game looks amazing), will appeal less overall to people. Or worse, games like those won't even be attempted because the next Modern Warfare only did 16 zillion dollars as opposed to the expected 20 zillion and so now they have to cut spending to other projects.
What I'm saying (if I'm saying anything) is don't stop making the blockbusters. We need them. But I would love to see a little more variety and distinction thrown into the mix. How about you put that next Modern FPS shooter on hold and work on something that no one’s seen before? I really believe that if we add more variety and flavor, we might avoid that burn out that could seriously damage the gaming industry.
What do you think? Am I the only one who's craving variety? Or are you content to see Halo 16 and Modern Warfare: Super Modern Ultra 4? Sound off and tell me I'm full of it! ;)
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