New Games

I've been observing the Western game industry and am frankly quite saddened by the fact that they're stagnating in design ideas and seem to view improved graphical quality as an "upgrade" of old franchises. If there are any major gameplay differences, chances are they are incremental at best.

With the introduction of more atmospheric games like Arkham Asylum and Bioshock, I'm wondering at the untapped pool of design ideas. It is truly difficult to come up with something new, but there's always something that many people can relate to. And that would involve mashups of what they have experienced in one way or another. Here, I am thinking of childhood experiences and games.

One thing that truly appeals to players of atmospheric games is the novelty of the experience. What I am considering is what would it be like to abstract a childhood experience, with the fears and fantasies and make a totally different gameplay and atmosphere with it? As a child, everything is new. There is joy in discovery, and fear in the unknowns. Everything is just bigger out there. Can a game be made out of it?

It is a shame that I have precious few childhood memories. I barely remember my past and I don't even recall childhood games...if I played any at all. I probably did, I think. Ah, well. That would throw a wrench in the works should I try to tap my own experiences for this endeavor, but I'm sure a sufficiently savvy game designer would be able to pick up from here.