Have developers run out of ideas

There is nothing special or innovative so far this generation, just the same old games with prettier graphics, have we come to the point where there is nothing new that developers can do, so we will play the same games in hd, ultra hd then 4k, so the next 15 years of gaming will be the same thing.

As long as an idea sells it will be for sale.

I think it's just developers exploiting nostalgia, something gamers like to throw around in order to justify games not having to evolve. And the thing is, in this industry, most good developers listen to their audience. And if all their audience is saying is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", what do you think they're gonna do?

That being said, I think there are several innovative games out on the market. Most people avoid them though, because they're "too different" from what their used to, and naturally are cautious of trying them out. People are afraid of innovation because they think it won't have the same kind of impact as games they're familiar with. You see the dilemma here?

I think the variety is there. Reaching out to genres out of your comfort zone is the first step. And there's VR technology too, so there's definitely an interest in exploring new gaming experiences.

Well what do you expect if you keep heckling every new piece of tech as a useless gimmick ?

This industry has been innovating at everysingle turn and gamers keep throwing it back in their faces.... Its not the developers at fault... Its the gamers.

I don't mind lack of innovation as long as we have great design. But yeah, the variety is still there

This. The word "gimmick" is way too over-used by gamers.

I think you're confusing gamers with fanboys and system warriors, and other people who hate video games

@SovietsUnited

I doubt it..... I don't confuse them... I'm deliberately lumping all of you into a single category.... Gamers !

^Then you belong to the same category you described. Because, you know, generalizing is fun!

@SovietsUnited

Yep..... ;)

Many times new ideal are not big or easy to notice. It is hard to talk about the way the alter a level than some new game play method. Yes, those alteration to the level are new ideals.

Another problem is that many other estimate what can be done. For example game in their purest forms can not talk about political, social or internal issues. There are still people waiting for games to truly talk about those issues. Another example are the 3D goggles (or VR as some falsely call it). Few games truly benefits from being in the first person. Worse they claim immersion which is subjective. For me there is more immersion in a third person game than a first person. The point is if you wanting for a new ideal that can not be done then it is easier to overlook other ideals.

No, I think developers still have good ideas. The problem are the gamers. If only gamers bought the games that were different and fresh...

I just tried a demo for a strategy game on the 3DS where you are an air traffic controller. I believe the title is "I am an air traffic controller Hawaii", or something like that. The strategy comes in timing all the arrivals and departures so that the airplanes do not crash into each other. I think it's a very cool and different game. I'm sure it hasn't sold well at all.

Then of course, you have games like Okami, Mirror's Edge, and Beyond Good and Evil that did not sell well, despite all the praise they got.

@Grieverr: Don't forget about Psychonauts

@Grieverr you make a jolly good point!

People are almost blinded now by the "in" games and would almost be embarrassed to purchase a different game.

I refer again to Call of Duty, but it's games like this that kids/big kids/bigger kids buy because they know no better and to purchase a different game would be pointless as "their mate doesn't own it"

A lot has to be said for online multiplayer too. With a majority of games being heavily exposed to online functionality and multiplayer, why would someone buy a game that isn't as mainstream as the latest CoD as none of their friends have it to play online with.

I think there are some great ideas out there, but unfortunately I fear a lot of these games will stay hidden unless they get the same exposure as the big boys.

You're basing this on...what, the big "AAA" games being released by major publishers? Or are you referring to the entire industry?

Papers Please, FTL, Quadrilateral Cowboy, Chivalry Medieval Warfare, Natural Selection 2, etc etc--all very unique games with innovative mechanics

There's been so many unique games that have released these past years but people just want the same old crap and never buy anything that looks too different. Developers have not run out of ideas, but gamers keep settling for the same thing.