(Discussion Topic) Developers and there Genre

Many of us can say a developers name followed by what genre they stay in.Â So here is a few rhetorical questions to answer by your self.Â What genre does Infinity ward stay in?Â What genre does Pandemic Studios stay in?Â Now that I got you to think first lets try to dig a little deeper.

Since we been playing games there has always been an association between the two.Â I remember when some one said Square I though of RPG's time and time again.Â Now don't get me wrong as there are some companies that break the mold and go out side there genre like Rare.Â However most time you can name the genre a company is great at.

Why does a company stick to the same genre in stead of moving outside the box?Â My thoughts on this is that they are in a comfort zone.Â Now I am not one to break a confort zone quickly, but I think after two games of the same genre then maybe it is time to break out of it.Â Yes talent on a genre is great, but what happens when you max out on greatness like Bungie.

Bungie took a Genre with the Halo IP and did wonders.Â However I think they have maxed out there abilities on this genre.Â Really they have done Halo 1-3, ODST & Reach.Â I am not sure what kind of Genre Reach & ODST are, but it will be a shooter of course in some way shape or form.

After reach they are moving on to a new project, but I hope it is to a new genre as well.Â This is just one example of when you get to good at a genre you can't bring nothing new any more.

Now I am going to bring up two questions for you to think about and discuss here if you want.Â The first is why do you think developers stay in the same genre of games?Â Then the 2nd is if you could have one developer go out side there genre and try a new genre who would it be and what genre are they going from and then to?

(9)

David Matos

August 17, 2009

1) Stick to doing things your good at. As death By Degrees taught us, developers who leave their comfort zone usually fail. Bad for business!

2) Related to my first point, I don't like it when developers leave their genre. I want bungie to make shooters because they are good at it. If I want a RPG, I will go to Square Enix.

Lance Darnell

Question 1: I think they are afraid of losing their fan base, and therefore feel they need to stick to what they have done before, and not try anything too radical or new.

Question 2: This one is tough. I would like to see Hideo Kojima's team go from stealth-action games to making a point-and-click adventure game. I like Kojima's sense of humor and I think it would go well in an adventure game. I know his team also made Boktai and Lunar Knights, but they predominately do stealth-action.

And Toby, although Rare does do a wide variety of games in different genres, with the exception of Perfect Dark Zero, all of their games have the same art-style. So, I also would like to see Rare do a game with a realistic look. I know they could do it, and do it well!

Chris Cosmo Ross

1) They do it because of exactly what Lance and David stated. I can't say it any better so I'm not going to. ;)

2) This is a tough one.
...I really have no idea!

But I second Lance's suggestion, if only because I'm sure it would be hilarious.

August 18, 2009

WTF? This was a great discussion topic that got no discussion! How do I kick start the discussion? Um.... Cosmo, I disagree with what you said, Lance and David are wrong! Discuss?

Toby Davis

Lance you can't just do that. :) see a Discuss needs to be more then choosing sides. If no one had a comment that is fine as they either agreed with what was written by me or someone else. Just remember don't spill the gravy. ;D

"Lance and David are wrong! Discuss?"

Did you just mention yourself in the third person AND say you were wrong? :o

@David - I did, and I said you were wrong too! (there is no emoticon for how much I am laughing right now)

@Toby - You finally responded to you own post! And you are right, the gravy is all over my lap.

But at least we discussed it, right?

Yes he did David One would guess he is having an out body experience so who are we going to call? Yup you guessed it. :The GhostBusters" (360 version of course cause it looks better.)

@Toby - :D

(360 version of course cause it looks better.)