Originality gets Wrapped.
by AzraelK · in General Discussion · 05/29/2002 (7:32 am) · 2 replies
Hmm.. Originality vs execution looks like a never ending theme so I think we may wrap up with the following conclussions I believe we can agree with. (and that we have reached in the several threads regarding this subject)
a.-Originality is an important area of game design, but not as important as solid fun gameplay and good execution.
b.-(Fake) Ad comments will ussually not be considered for a decission , but "word of mouth" and trustable reviews usually will. Therefore execution and appealing gameplay are KEY to a game success.
c.-While some may critique a product for being "common" or standard fare, good execution (some twists to add innovation) generating good "word of mouth" may turn the tables for it.
d.-However ORIGINALITY may be an important factor in an initial phase (when a product is completely unknown) to STAND OUT of the batch.
e.-Originality carries the extra burden of not being tested (or tested briefly with bad results) which gives it a bigger chance of failure (even with good execution) but also of greater success.
f.-Originality inside a tested area carries less danger but also more chances of being mistakengly confused for a clone of another product or a common "been there done that" game (however with good execution clause C explained above enters in action)
g.-Originality at the end lies in the eye of the beholder, what is innovative for someone is a blatant copy for someone else. Depends on the expansion of his knowledge in this and other mediums. However any user can pin point an arch famous game theory, method or character or concept and compare it to yours determining if its your invention or not.
h.-Good execution (to some extent) lies in the eye of the beholder too, what is Crap for an user is solid gold for another, it depends on his tastes. HOWEVER quality can be benchmarked against other games in its same genere, so is relatively easy to compare against other titles in areas such as Graphics, Sound quality, Complexity, history quality, Duration, Gameplay and Replay value. Therefore those values should be keept high above or at the level of standard quality, so they can compete with other similar products at the market today.
(extra FYI you are supposed to aim at the quality of upcoming release not current released games so you can be above or at the level of the standard quality when your game is released.)
I think Thats a wrap people!
May the torque be with you
a.-Originality is an important area of game design, but not as important as solid fun gameplay and good execution.
b.-(Fake) Ad comments will ussually not be considered for a decission , but "word of mouth" and trustable reviews usually will. Therefore execution and appealing gameplay are KEY to a game success.
c.-While some may critique a product for being "common" or standard fare, good execution (some twists to add innovation) generating good "word of mouth" may turn the tables for it.
d.-However ORIGINALITY may be an important factor in an initial phase (when a product is completely unknown) to STAND OUT of the batch.
e.-Originality carries the extra burden of not being tested (or tested briefly with bad results) which gives it a bigger chance of failure (even with good execution) but also of greater success.
f.-Originality inside a tested area carries less danger but also more chances of being mistakengly confused for a clone of another product or a common "been there done that" game (however with good execution clause C explained above enters in action)
g.-Originality at the end lies in the eye of the beholder, what is innovative for someone is a blatant copy for someone else. Depends on the expansion of his knowledge in this and other mediums. However any user can pin point an arch famous game theory, method or character or concept and compare it to yours determining if its your invention or not.
h.-Good execution (to some extent) lies in the eye of the beholder too, what is Crap for an user is solid gold for another, it depends on his tastes. HOWEVER quality can be benchmarked against other games in its same genere, so is relatively easy to compare against other titles in areas such as Graphics, Sound quality, Complexity, history quality, Duration, Gameplay and Replay value. Therefore those values should be keept high above or at the level of standard quality, so they can compete with other similar products at the market today.
(extra FYI you are supposed to aim at the quality of upcoming release not current released games so you can be above or at the level of the standard quality when your game is released.)
I think Thats a wrap people!
May the torque be with you
#2
05/29/2002 (2:38 pm)
This is offtopic, but I absolutely loved Alice. Great hybrid between an FPS and a 3rd person platformer game. I seem to be in the minority as the general opinion seems to be that it is artistically great but without decent gameplay. Ah well. Looking forward to Oz! 
Torque Owner Jeff Ward
I think a distinction that needs to be made is games that sell well vs. good games. There is a difference, and your list combines the two. Not all good games sell well (Rez, Time Crisis 2, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Final Fantasy Tactics, Intelligent Qube) and not all games that sell well are good (Tomb Raider, Dark Cloud (apparently)).
To make a good game, you're right, you don't nessicarilly need originality, just good execution of what's been done. Game play wise, American McGee's Alice had nothing new, but a great execution of what had been done before. I'm sure Oz will be the same way.
Hm... I can't think right now. I think I have more to say on the subject, but I'll give you that to chew on for now.