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Along with flashy graphics, amazing sound and great gameplay, one of the most important elements in video games is the initial idea...the spark of inspiration.
It is that spark which can influence whether a game will be original, innovative or just better than the rest.
Throughout the centuries, mankind has relied on the spark of inspiration to guide the development of his (and her) world and formed the basis of progression.
Ever since the first knuckle dragging Neanderthal was inspired to stand up straight instead of scurrying around on all fours, or when man was inspired to use fire to heat up their spicy pterodactyl wings and sabre-tooth tiger burgers and using weapons to hunt, right through to every scientific breakthrough and invention of the modern era, mankind has had the spark of inspiration.
Like monkeys and scientists, games developers/designers also need the spark of inspiration if they are to create new ideas and advance their chosen field of expertise.
Games designers are artists. Like painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and poets, they need the initial spark of inspiration and motivation, and the ability to turn an idea or vision into a great gaming experience.
As many would agree, Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the masters of the spark. He is a visionary games designer who has free reign to take a strange or highly original idea and turn it into a fantastic game, or who can merely create brilliant innovation within a genre.
But what happens when you don’t have the spark?
When an author doesn’t have the spark to write he or she has “writers block”, if artists don’t have the spark then they don’t create art with heart, meaning or passion, and it’s the same for video games.
If games designers don’t have the spark then you end up with an unoriginal game that has nothing new to offer and nothing to distinguish it from it predecessors, games that lack originality and innovation, cash-ins or just mindless games with no real merits like Tomb Raider, FIFA, Army Men and Crash Bandicoot.
If you look at all the Tomb Raider /Army Men/ Crash Bandicoot sequels then you’ll see the lack of heart that went into them, they were pretty much just made for profit (or loss in the case of Army Men).
However, if the developers do have the spark and the freedom to create, then you end up with innovative, original, genre defining games.
You can notice when developers had the spark because you can “feel greatness” in a game, or see moments in a game that are sheer genius, whether it be in level design, puzzles, or just the concept. For example, The Omaha Beach level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
I’ve been playing lots of Mafia on the PC recently, and like many others, have many positive things to say about this excellent title. One of the main things I like about Mafia is the originality of it and the care, attention and detail that obviously went into it.
Mafia is a breath of fresh air; not a futuristic frag ‘em up, WWII themed shooter or gritty modern adventure like Max Payne, it has an air of freshness about it, something which I haven’t seen in many games. Though basic gameplay is not that original, and is similar to Max Payne mixed with elements of GTA3, the setting is what gives it its novelty. The amazingly detailed 1930’s world and the ability to drive a variety of accurate vehicles from the time period is something that hasn’t really been seen before. The developers, Illusion Softworks obviously had a vision (the spark), and they set about creating that vision, spending a long time turning the game into an amazing experience and something new for gamers to enjoy.
Many games display the spark. Take Rez for example; although the basic gameplay mechanics are very similar to Lylat Wars on the N64, with you controlling the cursor and must aim that cursor onto the enemies and shoot, it’s the concept and great visual style that is completely unique. The use of music in Rez is also a major innovation, as the player is immersed in the game to an even greater extent, as his or her actions have an effect on the music and rhythm of the game.
To the untrained eye, Burnout may just seem like another bog-standard racer in an overcrowded racing market, however, the developers added…an energy boost!
An energy boost maybe isn’t the most original idea in gaming, but the developers thought “how about if we give the player a speed boost if they drive dangerously”. The fact that the player was actually rewarded for taking risks was a nice and innovative idea.
TOCA Race Driver contains the innovative idea of adding characters and a story to a racing game. There had already been characters and a minimal story in Ridge Racer 4, but not to the extent of this game. MSR had its “Kudos” system to reward players with good driving (the opposite to Burnout!) and an innovation on the usual racing game format.
Medal of Honor Allied Assault may be considered a WWII Half-Life clone with all the usual weapons. However, the developers created such great AI routines for the CPU controlled soldiers, with players immersed in amazing experiences like the fantastic Omaha Beach level and the beginning of the game in North Africa and the level involving you being disguised as the enemy in enemy held territory. The player felt that they were playing a really fresh game.
Although most of the above games may not be completely original, they do contain innovative ideas or features that make them stand out from the usual average dross.
People whinge and whine about the lack of originality in most of today’s games, and berate many developers for not pushing forward the boundaries of originality, but basically, you can’t force the spark. You can’t force an artist to paint a masterpiece, a writer to write a great story or a poet to write an amazing poem unless they have the creative urge.
Sure there are lots of naff games being churned out these days, but there are also many great games that display very innovative ideas, so whilst we should moan about some of the unoriginal games, we should also embrace and celebrate the many games that do show the spark.
It is that spark which can influence whether a game will be original, innovative or just better than the rest.
Throughout the centuries, mankind has relied on the spark of inspiration to guide the development of his (and her) world and formed the basis of progression.
Ever since the first knuckle dragging Neanderthal was inspired to stand up straight instead of scurrying around on all fours, or when man was inspired to use fire to heat up their spicy pterodactyl wings and sabre-tooth tiger burgers and using weapons to hunt, right through to every scientific breakthrough and invention of the modern era, mankind has had the spark of inspiration.
Like monkeys and scientists, games developers/designers also need the spark of inspiration if they are to create new ideas and advance their chosen field of expertise.
Games designers are artists. Like painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and poets, they need the initial spark of inspiration and motivation, and the ability to turn an idea or vision into a great gaming experience.
As many would agree, Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the masters of the spark. He is a visionary games designer who has free reign to take a strange or highly original idea and turn it into a fantastic game, or who can merely create brilliant innovation within a genre.
But what happens when you don’t have the spark?
When an author doesn’t have the spark to write he or she has “writers block”, if artists don’t have the spark then they don’t create art with heart, meaning or passion, and it’s the same for video games.
If games designers don’t have the spark then you end up with an unoriginal game that has nothing new to offer and nothing to distinguish it from it predecessors, games that lack originality and innovation, cash-ins or just mindless games with no real merits like Tomb Raider, FIFA, Army Men and Crash Bandicoot.
If you look at all the Tomb Raider /Army Men/ Crash Bandicoot sequels then you’ll see the lack of heart that went into them, they were pretty much just made for profit (or loss in the case of Army Men).
However, if the developers do have the spark and the freedom to create, then you end up with innovative, original, genre defining games.
You can notice when developers had the spark because you can “feel greatness” in a game, or see moments in a game that are sheer genius, whether it be in level design, puzzles, or just the concept. For example, The Omaha Beach level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
I’ve been playing lots of Mafia on the PC recently, and like many others, have many positive things to say about this excellent title. One of the main things I like about Mafia is the originality of it and the care, attention and detail that obviously went into it.
Mafia is a breath of fresh air; not a futuristic frag ‘em up, WWII themed shooter or gritty modern adventure like Max Payne, it has an air of freshness about it, something which I haven’t seen in many games. Though basic gameplay is not that original, and is similar to Max Payne mixed with elements of GTA3, the setting is what gives it its novelty. The amazingly detailed 1930’s world and the ability to drive a variety of accurate vehicles from the time period is something that hasn’t really been seen before. The developers, Illusion Softworks obviously had a vision (the spark), and they set about creating that vision, spending a long time turning the game into an amazing experience and something new for gamers to enjoy.
Many games display the spark. Take Rez for example; although the basic gameplay mechanics are very similar to Lylat Wars on the N64, with you controlling the cursor and must aim that cursor onto the enemies and shoot, it’s the concept and great visual style that is completely unique. The use of music in Rez is also a major innovation, as the player is immersed in the game to an even greater extent, as his or her actions have an effect on the music and rhythm of the game.
To the untrained eye, Burnout may just seem like another bog-standard racer in an overcrowded racing market, however, the developers added…an energy boost!
An energy boost maybe isn’t the most original idea in gaming, but the developers thought “how about if we give the player a speed boost if they drive dangerously”. The fact that the player was actually rewarded for taking risks was a nice and innovative idea.
TOCA Race Driver contains the innovative idea of adding characters and a story to a racing game. There had already been characters and a minimal story in Ridge Racer 4, but not to the extent of this game. MSR had its “Kudos” system to reward players with good driving (the opposite to Burnout!) and an innovation on the usual racing game format.
Medal of Honor Allied Assault may be considered a WWII Half-Life clone with all the usual weapons. However, the developers created such great AI routines for the CPU controlled soldiers, with players immersed in amazing experiences like the fantastic Omaha Beach level and the beginning of the game in North Africa and the level involving you being disguised as the enemy in enemy held territory. The player felt that they were playing a really fresh game.
Although most of the above games may not be completely original, they do contain innovative ideas or features that make them stand out from the usual average dross.
People whinge and whine about the lack of originality in most of today’s games, and berate many developers for not pushing forward the boundaries of originality, but basically, you can’t force the spark. You can’t force an artist to paint a masterpiece, a writer to write a great story or a poet to write an amazing poem unless they have the creative urge.
Sure there are lots of naff games being churned out these days, but there are also many great games that display very innovative ideas, so whilst we should moan about some of the unoriginal games, we should also embrace and celebrate the many games that do show the spark.
Heh, me too. It was part of the pack though.
Goldeneye's spark set the entire N64 alight...
For those of you who aren't so good at interpreting analogies:
It was so impressive, original etc... loads of people bought an N64 JUST for this game.
I was one of them.
For those of you who aren't so good at interpreting analogies:
It was so impressive, original etc... loads of people bought an N64 JUST for this game.
I was one of them.
Along with flashy graphics, amazing sound and great gameplay, one of the most important elements in video games is the initial idea...the spark of inspiration.
It is that spark which can influence whether a game will be original, innovative or just better than the rest.
Throughout the centuries, mankind has relied on the spark of inspiration to guide the development of his (and her) world and formed the basis of progression.
Ever since the first knuckle dragging Neanderthal was inspired to stand up straight instead of scurrying around on all fours, or when man was inspired to use fire to heat up their spicy pterodactyl wings and sabre-tooth tiger burgers and using weapons to hunt, right through to every scientific breakthrough and invention of the modern era, mankind has had the spark of inspiration.
Like monkeys and scientists, games developers/designers also need the spark of inspiration if they are to create new ideas and advance their chosen field of expertise.
Games designers are artists. Like painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and poets, they need the initial spark of inspiration and motivation, and the ability to turn an idea or vision into a great gaming experience.
As many would agree, Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the masters of the spark. He is a visionary games designer who has free reign to take a strange or highly original idea and turn it into a fantastic game, or who can merely create brilliant innovation within a genre.
But what happens when you don’t have the spark?
When an author doesn’t have the spark to write he or she has “writers block”, if artists don’t have the spark then they don’t create art with heart, meaning or passion, and it’s the same for video games.
If games designers don’t have the spark then you end up with an unoriginal game that has nothing new to offer and nothing to distinguish it from it predecessors, games that lack originality and innovation, cash-ins or just mindless games with no real merits like Tomb Raider, FIFA, Army Men and Crash Bandicoot.
If you look at all the Tomb Raider /Army Men/ Crash Bandicoot sequels then you’ll see the lack of heart that went into them, they were pretty much just made for profit (or loss in the case of Army Men).
However, if the developers do have the spark and the freedom to create, then you end up with innovative, original, genre defining games.
You can notice when developers had the spark because you can “feel greatness” in a game, or see moments in a game that are sheer genius, whether it be in level design, puzzles, or just the concept. For example, The Omaha Beach level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
I’ve been playing lots of Mafia on the PC recently, and like many others, have many positive things to say about this excellent title. One of the main things I like about Mafia is the originality of it and the care, attention and detail that obviously went into it.
Mafia is a breath of fresh air; not a futuristic frag ‘em up, WWII themed shooter or gritty modern adventure like Max Payne, it has an air of freshness about it, something which I haven’t seen in many games. Though basic gameplay is not that original, and is similar to Max Payne mixed with elements of GTA3, the setting is what gives it its novelty. The amazingly detailed 1930’s world and the ability to drive a variety of accurate vehicles from the time period is something that hasn’t really been seen before. The developers, Illusion Softworks obviously had a vision (the spark), and they set about creating that vision, spending a long time turning the game into an amazing experience and something new for gamers to enjoy.
Many games display the spark. Take Rez for example; although the basic gameplay mechanics are very similar to Lylat Wars on the N64, with you controlling the cursor and must aim that cursor onto the enemies and shoot, it’s the concept and great visual style that is completely unique. The use of music in Rez is also a major innovation, as the player is immersed in the game to an even greater extent, as his or her actions have an effect on the music and rhythm of the game.
To the untrained eye, Burnout may just seem like another bog-standard racer in an overcrowded racing market, however, the developers added…an energy boost!
An energy boost maybe isn’t the most original idea in gaming, but the developers thought “how about if we give the player a speed boost if they drive dangerously”. The fact that the player was actually rewarded for taking risks was a nice and innovative idea.
TOCA Race Driver contains the innovative idea of adding characters and a story to a racing game. There had already been characters and a minimal story in Ridge Racer 4, but not to the extent of this game. MSR had its “Kudos” system to reward players with good driving (the opposite to Burnout!) and an innovation on the usual racing game format.
Medal of Honor Allied Assault may be considered a WWII Half-Life clone with all the usual weapons. However, the developers created such great AI routines for the CPU controlled soldiers, with players immersed in amazing experiences like the fantastic Omaha Beach level and the beginning of the game in North Africa and the level involving you being disguised as the enemy in enemy held territory. The player felt that they were playing a really fresh game.
Although most of the above games may not be completely original, they do contain innovative ideas or features that make them stand out from the usual average dross.
People whinge and whine about the lack of originality in most of today’s games, and berate many developers for not pushing forward the boundaries of originality, but basically, you can’t force the spark. You can’t force an artist to paint a masterpiece, a writer to write a great story or a poet to write an amazing poem unless they have the creative urge.
Sure there are lots of naff games being churned out these days, but there are also many great games that display very innovative ideas, so whilst we should moan about some of the unoriginal games, we should also embrace and celebrate the many games that do show the spark.
It is that spark which can influence whether a game will be original, innovative or just better than the rest.
Throughout the centuries, mankind has relied on the spark of inspiration to guide the development of his (and her) world and formed the basis of progression.
Ever since the first knuckle dragging Neanderthal was inspired to stand up straight instead of scurrying around on all fours, or when man was inspired to use fire to heat up their spicy pterodactyl wings and sabre-tooth tiger burgers and using weapons to hunt, right through to every scientific breakthrough and invention of the modern era, mankind has had the spark of inspiration.
Like monkeys and scientists, games developers/designers also need the spark of inspiration if they are to create new ideas and advance their chosen field of expertise.
Games designers are artists. Like painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and poets, they need the initial spark of inspiration and motivation, and the ability to turn an idea or vision into a great gaming experience.
As many would agree, Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the masters of the spark. He is a visionary games designer who has free reign to take a strange or highly original idea and turn it into a fantastic game, or who can merely create brilliant innovation within a genre.
But what happens when you don’t have the spark?
When an author doesn’t have the spark to write he or she has “writers block”, if artists don’t have the spark then they don’t create art with heart, meaning or passion, and it’s the same for video games.
If games designers don’t have the spark then you end up with an unoriginal game that has nothing new to offer and nothing to distinguish it from it predecessors, games that lack originality and innovation, cash-ins or just mindless games with no real merits like Tomb Raider, FIFA, Army Men and Crash Bandicoot.
If you look at all the Tomb Raider /Army Men/ Crash Bandicoot sequels then you’ll see the lack of heart that went into them, they were pretty much just made for profit (or loss in the case of Army Men).
However, if the developers do have the spark and the freedom to create, then you end up with innovative, original, genre defining games.
You can notice when developers had the spark because you can “feel greatness” in a game, or see moments in a game that are sheer genius, whether it be in level design, puzzles, or just the concept. For example, The Omaha Beach level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
I’ve been playing lots of Mafia on the PC recently, and like many others, have many positive things to say about this excellent title. One of the main things I like about Mafia is the originality of it and the care, attention and detail that obviously went into it.
Mafia is a breath of fresh air; not a futuristic frag ‘em up, WWII themed shooter or gritty modern adventure like Max Payne, it has an air of freshness about it, something which I haven’t seen in many games. Though basic gameplay is not that original, and is similar to Max Payne mixed with elements of GTA3, the setting is what gives it its novelty. The amazingly detailed 1930’s world and the ability to drive a variety of accurate vehicles from the time period is something that hasn’t really been seen before. The developers, Illusion Softworks obviously had a vision (the spark), and they set about creating that vision, spending a long time turning the game into an amazing experience and something new for gamers to enjoy.
Many games display the spark. Take Rez for example; although the basic gameplay mechanics are very similar to Lylat Wars on the N64, with you controlling the cursor and must aim that cursor onto the enemies and shoot, it’s the concept and great visual style that is completely unique. The use of music in Rez is also a major innovation, as the player is immersed in the game to an even greater extent, as his or her actions have an effect on the music and rhythm of the game.
To the untrained eye, Burnout may just seem like another bog-standard racer in an overcrowded racing market, however, the developers added…an energy boost!
An energy boost maybe isn’t the most original idea in gaming, but the developers thought “how about if we give the player a speed boost if they drive dangerously”. The fact that the player was actually rewarded for taking risks was a nice and innovative idea.
TOCA Race Driver contains the innovative idea of adding characters and a story to a racing game. There had already been characters and a minimal story in Ridge Racer 4, but not to the extent of this game. MSR had its “Kudos” system to reward players with good driving (the opposite to Burnout!) and an innovation on the usual racing game format.
Medal of Honor Allied Assault may be considered a WWII Half-Life clone with all the usual weapons. However, the developers created such great AI routines for the CPU controlled soldiers, with players immersed in amazing experiences like the fantastic Omaha Beach level and the beginning of the game in North Africa and the level involving you being disguised as the enemy in enemy held territory. The player felt that they were playing a really fresh game.
Although most of the above games may not be completely original, they do contain innovative ideas or features that make them stand out from the usual average dross.
People whinge and whine about the lack of originality in most of today’s games, and berate many developers for not pushing forward the boundaries of originality, but basically, you can’t force the spark. You can’t force an artist to paint a masterpiece, a writer to write a great story or a poet to write an amazing poem unless they have the creative urge.
Sure there are lots of naff games being churned out these days, but there are also many great games that display very innovative ideas, so whilst we should moan about some of the unoriginal games, we should also embrace and celebrate the many games that do show the spark.