Innovation, Part Deux
In a rare follow-up to yesterday’s post, I’m going to look at comments from Chris Taylor, head of Gas Powered Games, in which he says innovation is not always the answer. Finally, somebody seems to be getting it and realizes that new isn’t always better.
While he’s only focusing on the RTS genre, that is understandable given Supreme Commander and its sequel are his last two projects. He makes the comparison between game design and cars, saying most developers are looking to add a fifth wheel while he’s trying to reduce noise or increase fuel efficiency.
Tweaks can improve a game in all genres. A FPS with all the same mechanics as Halo but slightly tighter controls, or less repetitive level design, can still be a fun experience and one that is worthy of being played.
World of Warcraft, the most successful MMORPG of all time by leaps and bounds is essentially Everquest with some tweaks. Those tweaks took the genre from being a niche product enjoyed by only hardcore online gamers to being something that is mainstream enough to get a South Park episode.
Even an ‘innovative’ game such as Portal really only brings one thing new to the table. All the ground rules of a FPS are there and you add the one new portal dynamic. Sure, this is a huge change in terms of gameplay and really throws things for a loop, but at the end of the day it still stands on the shoulders of giants.
Little known fact: Portal was actually a docu-drama. If the Russians ever get their hands on the Portal Gun ... god help us all
Something like regenerating health in FPS, or build queues in RTS, or even an optimal racing line in a simulator is a small change that impacts all aspects of a game, yet is only a small tweak. If these small additions can completely overhaul the feeling of a game, doesn’t it make sense that refinement of those innovations can also bring a valuable addition to the landscape?
The concept of a racing game is the innovation, and the first game to do it is likely remembered for being the groundbreaking experience. That still doesn’t stop everybody from playing Gran Turismo when it comes out as it just does everything slightly better.
Why play Starcraft 2 when you have Starcraft? They’re the same game. Oh, yeah, because some of the units are slightly tweaked and the graphics are better. Groundbreaking!
Innovation isn’t everything, and Chris Taylor (for once) is onto something here.
