How can you innovate in the Gaming Industry?

The game industry is incredibly dynamic, with trends and player preferences shifting rapidly. Contrary to popular belief, there are a finite number of distinct genres and mechanics, so innovation is crucial for every new game. Given this limited pool, creativity comes into play by exploring new art, concepts, and experimenting with combinations, as well as transforming and merging genres and mechanics to birth fresh experiences. This adaptability is essential in an industry that's both fluid and fast-paced.

It is the combination of gameplay and narrative that I think is really going to bring computer games into their own. We already know from games like "The Last Of Us" that narrative is popular, so writing, visuals and innovation will move to the forefront as future games are developed.

Do we really want AI to take over creative production of our games? In the short time that AI has flooded our marketplace everything is looking very samey. Blockchain and high art combos are a good direction however, and this ought to gain more of our attention as game developers I feel.

Games serve as not only a playground for gamers but also a proving ground for new technologies. Almost every emerging technology seeks mass adoption through games, be it web3, AI, or XR. Game developers are eager to harness these technologies to their fullest potential. The primary goal for game developers is to create innovative playing experiences, and achieving this with old, extensively-used technologies is a challenge. Therefore, every new technology represents fresh opportunities for game developers to push boundaries and create groundbreaking experiences.

I don't think you should shy away from AI, Web 3, or blockchain technologies. AI, in particular, is a valuable tool for indie studios that may not have a large budget, extensive time, or abundant resources, as these factors shouldn't hinder game creation. We shouldn't necessarily expect everything to be entirely handcrafted or require tens of thousands of dollars just to bring an idea to life. I believe that if you can use any of these tools in a way that helps shape and develop your game concept, it's worth exploring. However, they shouldn't be relied upon to create the entire game. The creative aspect and core vision should still come from you as a game developer.

Adding new mechanics and features that build meaningfully upon an engaging core game loop is my favorite way of designing games. Try to identify several different ideas to play around with before prototyping, then seek feedback from others as soon as you have something functional.

Copy 8 existing features and innovate 2 new unique features in your target genre. Don’t expect people to change their habits, just curve that experience a little bit in a smart and an innovative way.

This is something I have been considering, and have a brilliant new concept for the game I am making that I can't discuss yet. What can be and should be discussed is how we can take ideas from antiquity that have yet to be satisfactorily explained today and use the game world to explore (perhaps unravel?) this ideas.

When creating new game mechanics, it can be helpful to build from the design language of existing ones. Some aspects to consider might be interactivity, aesthetics, playstyle, and complexity. Designing in this way can reduce the window of time where a player may quit due to unfamiliarity or uncertainty. Utilizing existing design language can implicitly teach new inputs and concepts. A common example is the first level in Mario Bros., which introduces multiple new mechanics to the player, such as jumping, running, and squashing. The arrangement of obstacles, enemies, and rewards in these initial moments acts as an implicit coach, guiding players through success and failure, providing valuable feedback on these new mechanics.

Innovation in mechanics doesn't necessarily require inventing something new. Sometimes mixing the popular and proven mechanics, themes and narratives with the latest trends and/or with each other can get you a fresh and fun to play experience. In other words, in this super-competitive world of games don't always try to stretch too far. Sometimes the innovation is well within your reach. Be creative and always on a lookout for such opportunities! :)

This is precisely what led to my wanting to explore my art and paintings in a computer game environment. It struck me as an artist (painter) that whilst so much of our world has been revolutionised by the digital world, artists looking for recognition still need to play the game of getting apst gatekeepers to show their work to a substanital audience. In exploring new ways to show my paintings (and studying Game Development at the time at Uni) it seemed a perfect match and great way to find a new audience.

I agree with this to an extent, but as a new and currently solo game developer / gamewright, am reluctant to put my ideas out for testing; certainly when I get the funds to do the initial builds that will change, but this is a tricky area when a creative is bristling with great ideas but needs that community to feedback to make sure the ideas pop and importantly, work out bug free.

Make learning a consistent habit, something you incorporate into your daily routine. There are numerous excellent resources out there like "Game Maker Tool Kit" and GDC talks available on YouTube. For audio learners, podcasts like 'Gaming Back Stage' on LinkedIn, 'Building Better Games', and 'Evolution Exchange Gaming' offer insights from industry leaders. Also, don't miss out on events like Devcom or GIC. If you can't attend in person, at least make an effort to join virtually.