Exciting Video Game Innovations Around the Corner
March 8th, 2008 Posted in Featured, Video Game News, Video Game Industry
Spore
This brilliant creation from Wil Wright has created a buzz for some time. Slated for a release sometime in 2009, this game is like a mix between the Sims, Civilization and Pokemon and throws in awesome tools for making your creations come to life. The deep creature editor lets you create what ever you want. Do you want to create a creature where the mouth is on your butt? This game won’t stop you, and will make it work. Want a creature with 20 legs?
Go for it. There simply has never been a game like Spore, and we’re just drooling at the creative possibilities it gives to gamers. The cool part is others can see and experience your creations as well by exploring an endless, gigantic galaxy map. How cool is that?
LittleBigPlanet
Ever since the media caught a glimpse of this amazing game at GDC 07, it’s been clear that LittleBigPlanet could single handedly change the way we play, create and interact with games. Like Spore, it’s creating a genre all it’s own. 100% physics based game play with photo realistic texture work and amazing lighting and effects is enough to make this game a total standout when it’s released some time in late 2008. Add to it the most impressive real time 3D creation tool in a game by miles that basically is limited by your imagination? We’re talking game of the year material for sure.
Other games mentioned are doing some great things and pushing in different areas. But there is nothing that comes close to what Media Molecule has accomplished with this game. Not even close. Add to all of this tour de force of community features, level sharing and ranking, Sony really does have something here that both Nintendo and Microsoft would kill for. And gosh darn it! Those Sack Boys and Sack Girls are so freaking cute!
Other Games to Watch
Fable 2 for the Xbox 360 looks to push the buttons of players emotions with a deep focus on family and commitment. Heavy Rain for the PS3 also looks to push the boundaries of emotions, but with a greater focus on facial expressions and amazing visuals to pull it off. Nintendo shows with De Blob that you don’t need HD visuals to truly offer up a next gen experience.
The next few years of gaming looks to be an amazing time for innovation for the video game industry. Some of these games aren’t just slapping on a new coat of paint (Halo 3, Gears of War, GT5:P, Madden 08 anyone?). Some brave developers are willing to take risks and push gaming further than just a frag-fest. The sense of integrated community, user content and sharing of this content will be huge in the coming years. Sony is seemingly leading the way with practical options for gamers that make content creation and customization easy with the likes of LittleBigPlanet and Home. There is some true innovation being tried and tested in the industry, and we should support the efforts of the developers willing to take these risks. Vote with your wallets, and let developers know that you’ll reward them for having the vision and courage to try something new and exciting.
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