I only really got thinking about this after seeing that screenshot for Nifflas' upcoming game. Indygamer has a picture of Bernie's new platformer too - surprisingly it looks like his other games (no complaints here though, just an observation before I get shot ). I'm guilty of it myself. You could easily put screenshots of Sam and Tormishire together and see the similarities. But people appear to go wild for this kind of thing. Is it a negative aspect to one-man-band game makers?
Is originality fading out just because a game maker finds a nice little formula? As people who play these games are you happy with this?
I think certain styles catch on, most definitely. Satan Sam and Tormishire are quite alike in certain aspects, although there are quite notable differences, which is good.
However, I think that with certain game developers they only ever use one sort of style (which ok, may be appealing etc. and the only style they have), but if they stick to the same thing all of the time to the point of which the first game(s) they made are barely differentiable from their latest, then things get a bit boring.
Especially when it's JUST platformers, too. Knytt didn't really appeal to me - sure it was nice, but that minimalistic style was more boring, if anything. With nothing going on but the patter of feet...
Anyway! In a nutshell - whilst people have their certain styles, it is better when it is varied.
Everyone has their own way of doing things, but it takes more skill and profession to adopt styles and stuff from other people or eras/backgrounds etc.
A true professional (to me) is someone who could make something like Lyle in a cube sector, then go off and make Eternal Daughter. That the sort of adaptive and flexible qualities would no doubt be extremely advantageous to acquire, and ensure that your fans never tire of your works, either
Nah, I think it's all right. It's better to be yourself, to have your own trademark style, than to desperately try to be different just for the sake of it. There's a fine line between having a distinct style, and being downright unoriginal, but neither you or Bernie are anywhere near that line in my opinion.
Besides, there are so many other fields to innovate in...
n/a
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
Registered 04/09/2004
Points 7998
28th September, 2007 at 10:23:10 -
Originally Posted by Dr. James I only really got thinking about this after seeing that screenshot for Nifflas' upcoming game. Indygamer has a picture of Bernie's new platformer too - surprisingly it looks like his other games (no complaints here though, just an observation before I get shot ). I'm guilty of it myself. You could easily put screenshots of Sam and Tormishire together and see the similarities. But people appear to go wild for this kind of thing. Is it a negative aspect to one-man-band game makers?
Is originality fading out just because a game maker finds a nice little formula? As people who play these games are you happy with this?
I think that's it.
1. Just like creating comics, animations or music, it's "your style".
2. It gets more difficult to be original if tons of ideas have already been explored, and when there's a shortage of really original (not inspired) thinkers.
I purposely made Hasslevania look different than my other games by not using black lines because of this same reason Dr. James.
I don't think it really matters if the graphic style is the same, as long as all your games aren't the same. I'd like to see a cool Advance Warsey strategy game with Hayo graphics, for example.
And say what you will about the Anne Frank game, but it's original at least lol.
--
"Del Duio has received 0 trophies. Click here to see them all."
"To be a true ninja you must first pick the most stealthy of our assorted combat suits. Might I suggest the bright neon orange?"
DXF Games, coming next: Hasslevania 2- This Space for Rent!
I think I always have a specific style, but it changes from game to game. All my previous games share graphical similarities but are quite different from the other because of the time lapse that's passed.
I don't think it's a bad thing. For instance, Enix's Snes games all shared a similarity with the HUD, the graphics, the interface, even sounds. That, however, gave them Enix's touch. It's like Lucasarts and their point and click games--they're all a different story.
Actually, I stopped playing platformers a few years back after realising that almost all of them are the same thing. So, IMHO, originality is very important. I don't even play the 'famous' games like TO or ED because I've seen a better (albiet higher-budget) version somewhere else. But there are those rare games I play just for the storyline or because they're just hard to put down.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I think there's no harm in being unoriginal on purpose. It's a matter of taste. Those who want to try to come up with new game concepts should go right ahead, but so should those who stick with the traditional concepts. Games can be good either way.
One of the reasons why I still play Lyle in Cube Sector is because there's no other game I know that plays quite like it. If Bogoo could sell his game to Nintendo somehow they'd probably have a huge hit on their hands. Especially since they toot the "orignal gameplay" horn all the time.
--
"Del Duio has received 0 trophies. Click here to see them all."
"To be a true ninja you must first pick the most stealthy of our assorted combat suits. Might I suggest the bright neon orange?"
DXF Games, coming next: Hasslevania 2- This Space for Rent!
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). I'm guilty of it myself. You could easily put screenshots of Sam and Tormishire together and see the similarities. But people appear to go wild for this kind of thing. Is it a negative aspect to one-man-band game makers?
