In the world of game development, the pursuit of novelty is paramount. The main objective of game developers and studios is to provide something new, to provide the community of gamers with a structure they have never seen before. Be it new shooting mechanics, never-before-seen art style, or mind-boggling NPC (non-playable character) interactions—the challenge is always being unique in this saturated realm of media.
However—and I mean a very emphasized ‘however’ —there are games that stick to the same mechanics and can still retain a respectable community. Franchises like the NBA2K, FIFA, Just Dance, and others readily come to mind, demonstrating the enduring appeal of recurring game structures.
Today, we'll delve into the reasons behind the success of these established formulas. Stay tuned!
Let's address the nostalgia factor head-on. Many of us hold games from our childhood in high regard, cherishing them as some of the best experiences of our lives. For instance, as a young gamer, my love for Pokémon endures to this day. For example, comparing Gen 1 to Gen 8 is big because Game Freak has integrated new gaming mechanics to make it feel new, However, its structure or objective remains the same.
From Pedro Miranda Filho Official GIPHY
To name another title, we have the very prominent NBA 2K, which is known to produce the same game but with updated graphics and newly updated rosters. So why? The answer is nostalgia. Playing a game that evokes memories of the past brings a unique sense of joy – a sentiment that's both simple and profoundly sentimental.
Enter the comfort game. After a grueling, stress-filled day, gamers often seek solace in the familiar. With a huge library of games at their disposal, they may default to their comfort game. This goes hand in hand with the nostalgia element because these types of gamers have memorized every move set within the game, possibly capable of doing it in their sleep should they wish to.
From Xbox Official GIPHY
In essence, it is a game that provides the gratification of actually playing a game without any undue strain – because, after all, gamers gotta game.
The satisfaction of mastery. It takes hours and hours to get good at a game, let alone mastering it completely! The reason why these recurring games have strong communities is because their player base genuinely enjoys its formula and has developed a sense of professionalism and loyalty. They are the first ones to line up for the next rendition of the game and give its honest feedback.
From Pudgy Penguins Official GIPHY
Ironically they are sometimes the ones to say things like “this game sucks,” but end up playing for six more hours before ending the game.
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