How Games Evolve: Borrowing, Polishing, and Innovating

Fumito Ueda, renowned for his work on The Last Guardian, has shared his insights on game design, advocating for a shift from inventing new mechanics to refining existing ones. This perspective, though not novel, is gaining momentum in the industry.

The Power of Iteration

Many successful games draw inspiration from predecessors, enhancing and perfecting borrowed ideas. For instance, the hand-holding mechanic in Fable 3 was inspired by Ico, directed by Ueda. Similarly, Shadow of the Colossus has influenced titles like Eternal Strands and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Industry Consensus

Ueda's viewpoint resonates with many in the industry. Games, being a blend of art and software, often see developers improving upon existing ideas. This iterative process explains why many sequels surpass their predecessors. The evolution from Assassin's Creed 1 to 2 and Watch Dogs 1 to 2 exemplifies this trend.

Controversies and Challenges

However, this approach is not without its controversies. Sony recently sued Tencent for Light of Motiram, alleging it was a clone of the Horizon games. Warner Bros. patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor, stifling innovation and leading to the cancellation of a Wonder Woman game based on this system.

The Benefits of Idea Exchange

Despite these issues, the exchange of ideas has largely benefited the industry. In the '80s and '90s, many experimental games often failed. Today, mainstream games build upon proven ideas, resulting in higher quality and more successful titles.

Industry Perspectives

Justin Negrete, a senior lead campaign designer for Black Ops 6, agrees with Ueda. He emphasizes that polishing and designing a great experience is more crucial than striving for absolute originality. This approach has contributed to Call of Duty's enduring success.

The Indie Advantage

However, this perspective is a luxury enjoyed by big-budget developers. Indie teams often rely on innovative ideas to stand out. Once an indie game breaks through, big-budget developers frequently adopt and refine those innovations. For example, PUBG inspired Warzone, and Escape from Tarkov inspired DMZ.

Conclusion

While borrowing and refining ideas is common in the game industry, it's essential to acknowledge that innovation often stems from indie developers. Without their contributions, the industry would have fewer ideas to build upon.