Gone are the days when Grand Theft Auto is sweeping the gaming world with its ultra-realistic graphics, immersive gameplay, and politically-incorrect humor. Since the advent of heavy-duty rendering systems, 3D gaming has upped to a level where graphics cannot possibly be topped anymore. Companies seem to have reached the logical conclusion of 'realistic graphics.'
It is then no wonder that these companies are now entering markets for portable gaming consoles (PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Facebook mobile games for smartphones and tablets, etc). What are the reasons for this seemingly 'retrogressive' change in the global gaming scene?
Nostalgia
During the span of 30 years, electronic gaming has transformed from the mere crashing for pixels into the ultra-realistic juggernaut it is now today. While modern digital innovations have led to more and more immersive gameplay, many gamers especially those who grew up with the early analog consoles miss the simple and straightforwad nature of earlier games. The demand for simpler, 'concept' games has thus sprung from inevitable fits of nostalgia and the natural need to get back to their roots.
During the span of 30 years, electronic gaming has transformed from the mere crashing for pixels into the ultra-realistic juggernaut it is now today. While modern digital innovations have led to more and more immersive gameplay, many gamers especially those who grew up with the early analog consoles miss the simple and straightforwad nature of earlier games. The demand for simpler, 'concept' games has thus sprung from inevitable fits of nostalgia and the natural need to get back to their roots.
Changes in gaming demographics
Before the 2000s, electronic gaming has often been regarded as mere toys for children. However, at the advent of newer technologies, adults who wanted recreation discovered gaming as a way to have fun. Since adults have jobs and other preoccupations to deal with, the needs to create games that are not totally immersive, time-consuming and non-portable. The emergence of newer games definitely expanded and diversified the gaming market.
Before the 2000s, electronic gaming has often been regarded as mere toys for children. However, at the advent of newer technologies, adults who wanted recreation discovered gaming as a way to have fun. Since adults have jobs and other preoccupations to deal with, the needs to create games that are not totally immersive, time-consuming and non-portable. The emergence of newer games definitely expanded and diversified the gaming market.
From presentation to concepts
Decades of technological innovations will inevitably uncover some lessons. During the early years of electronic gaming especially in the 80s, companies have competed against each other with novelties and other knick-knacks that supposedly will enhance the experience. Programs and concepts were thought to be better if they utilize newer technologies, leading to ridiculous ideas such as the Nintendo PowerGlove, the Atari 3D Goggles, among others. Few titles emerged successful, and most of these relied not on contraptions and gimmicks but on the overall concepts they have.
Decades of technological innovations will inevitably uncover some lessons. During the early years of electronic gaming especially in the 80s, companies have competed against each other with novelties and other knick-knacks that supposedly will enhance the experience. Programs and concepts were thought to be better if they utilize newer technologies, leading to ridiculous ideas such as the Nintendo PowerGlove, the Atari 3D Goggles, among others. Few titles emerged successful, and most of these relied not on contraptions and gimmicks but on the overall concepts they have.
Throughout the 2000s more and more titles boasted superior graphics but few concepts delivered. Gamers eventually discovered that a game's concept will remain paramount in the overall quality of a game. Games with simple yet interesting concepts are Plants Vs Zombies (Popcap), Angry Birds (Rovio), Farmville (Zynga), Temple Run (Imangi), among others. There is a reason why everybody loves the classic Snake game, and most hate all the modern 'flashy' versions.