Is minimalism the future of design, or is it just a passing trend?

[J]

Lately, many modern games are all about minimalism: clean visuals, simple mechanics, and intuitive controls. Take titles like "Untitled Goose Game" or "Hades" as examples. But the question remains, is this a lasting trend or something that's going to fade away in favor of more complex and visually detailed games? Let's discuss if minimalistic game design is the way forward for modern gaming.

[J]

Aachen eredeti hozzászólása:

:spicecrystal: “One way forward” is not contemporary gaming, regardless the flavor you’re arguing.

I understand your point that you believe there is a specific path the gaming industry should take, one that differs from contemporary trends. It's important to recognize that the gaming industry is a diverse and rapidly evolving landscape, and different people may have varying opinions about its future direction. It's through this diversity of ideas and perspectives that innovation often arises. While your viewpoint is valid, it's also essential to consider that the industry's evolution is shaped by a multitude of factors and ideas. The continued growth and success of gaming can be attributed, in part, to its ability to adapt and accommodate a wide range of flavors and approaches. What's seen as the "one way forward" can be a matter of ongoing debate and change in this dynamic field.

[J]

Satoru eredeti hozzászólása:

Captain Chirac eredeti hozzászólása:

Minimalist "artists" will be among the first ones killed by artificial intelligence.

People really seem to think “minimalism” is “easy”

In fact minimalism is hard in its own right. It’s easy to make BAD minimalist art just like it’s easy to make BAD realistic art. Using a minimalist art style requires you to convey a LOT of information using as little information as possible. This is extraordinarily hard to do especially in games where information is very important.

Look at a game like Celeste. You load into a level and you instantly need to understand

1) level layout
2) what elements are part of the critical path
3) pathing for your character
4) what elements are obstacles
5) what elements aid you

All that has to be conveyed to you clearly and concisely using very little information

I hate to spam my own discussion but this right here is very precise

[Aachen]

My point was quite, quite the opposite of “there is one path forward game developers ought (must?) choose.”

Minimalism wRt elements of art/software may prove to be popular and lasting, but it certainly will not so dominate as to leave more complex offerings nonexistent.

[Hobbit XIII]

Design is a fascinating thing as it covers all parts of our lives without us really realising the process involved.

I don't know the games you speak of.
But gaming styles and others do vary and there are fashionable peaks.
Art Deco was loved then loathed and keeps making a comeback in games in a creepy kind of way or in media like Batman animated series even now you can get fridges in the Art Deco style.

If there was a film that blew audiences minds away that had lots of controls in a space ship or motorcycle or the iconic Knight Rider a 'cool' part of the game would be using them visually not just a function on a gamepad.

If we take the original Star Wars arcade machine that was atmospheric. You got into the machine you had speakers you had the controller as if you were piloting it and some pretty basic vector visuals that still made it feel like Star Wars.
Sure that is not exactly what is on the screen that is about the setting around the player but with todays technology let alone future tech of next few years you could make a cool interface.

The controls would be manual ie joystick or flight style. With the additonal buttons touch screen. for camera views , weapon changes, diffrent flight modes - take off flight landing.
The player would be moving more (not much more) similar to Luke leaning across to the buttons or whatever the game is.
It comes to how lazy the gamer wants to be does gamer want to sit back in a relaxing chair drink a beer through a straw from his beer hat or does the gamer want to be active when playing a game ie be quick pushing the 3rd type of missile button or push fast for the reactive shield that will dissipate soon as your finger is off the button to conserve power for the next weapon/manouver.

[J]

Aachen eredeti hozzászólása:

:homelol: My point was quite, quite the opposite of “there is one path forward game developers ought (must?) choose.”

Minimalism wRt elements of art/software may prove to be popular and lasting, but it certainly will not so dominate as to leave more complex offerings nonexistent.

I apologize for not understanding what you meant by saying that. I agree that it will always have its place in the market but it almost certainly won't take over completely. I do think we will be seeing a lot more of it in the future however and that quality for AAA games will dissipate, we already have seen many games in the last 2 years on steam that were supposed to be "graphically advanced" and they flopped, I'm sure you can think of a few yourself, that's my opinion though. Do you think designers are getting lazy or is it just that much harder to create a good and lasting experience nowadays? Steam store has never seemed more boring, perhaps I'm just growing up and my tastes are more specific

[xBCxRangers]

When you talk about minimalism, are you talking about cartoon graphics or Roblox type stuff like Battlebit and games like that? I'm seeing a lot of that going around. Brass Brigades another one.

[Kargor]

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

Lately, many modern games are all about minimalism: clean visuals, simple mechanics, and intuitive controls.

You are making the mistake of looking at a handful of games, and assuming they represent the gaming industry as a whole. There are way too many games to make such assumptions.

[J]

xBCxRangers eredeti hozzászólása:

When you talk about minimalism, are you talking about cartoon graphics or Roblox type stuff like Battlebit and games like that? I'm seeing a lot of that going around. Brass Brigades another one.

To explain a little better minimalistic game design is like making a game using only the most essential and important elements. It's about keeping things simple and focused on what really matters. You remove anything that doesn't add to the core experience, which can make the game easier to understand and more enjoyable for a wider audience

[J]

Kargor eredeti hozzászólása:

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

Lately, many modern games are all about minimalism: clean visuals, simple mechanics, and intuitive controls.

You are making the mistake of looking at a handful of games, and assuming they represent the gaming industry as a whole. There are way too many games to make such assumptions.

These are basic illustrations; our discussion revolves around the future of the gaming industry, considering upcoming market trends rather than the current landscape, where there is still a balance between independent and high-budget AAA titles. I'm not examining the industry in its entirety but rather focusing on what gamers will find appealing in the years to come. Sorry if it seems like I am assuming anything as in reality I am just curious to others input and ideas, like yours.

[Hobbit XIII]

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

Kargor eredeti hozzászólása:

You are making the mistake of looking at a handful of games, and assuming they represent the gaming industry as a whole. There are way too many games to make such assumptions.

These are basic illustrations; our discussion revolves around the future of the gaming industry, considering upcoming market trends rather than the current landscape, where there is still a balance between independent and high-budget AAA titles. I'm not examining the industry in its entirety but rather focusing on what gamers will find appealing in the years to come.

I had so much hope when I heard of the Wii and what it supposedly could do.
I was picturing putting my martial skill to the test against the machine and then we all saw how that turned out.

My desire would be to have an Enter the Dragon kind of experience with obviously varying difficulties and what would be wonderful would be the machine able to 'sense' the movement of the player and give some basic feedback on form maybe even quoting something useful from Bruce Lee (Even though he stated in interviews he does not want to be quoted with Bruce Lee says this etc etc).

This would require some decent hardware that is not beyond today's capabilities. The cost and space required might be beyond many so could be taken up more in decent gyms.

To give example
Player would be given some basic lesson on good way to kick and punch (after a warm up of course) and then experiences a few tests like kick this high punch there and will help calibrate the tools to the player too. Then follow the film and the various opponents and the great Bruce vs All type scenes.

[J]

Hobbit XIII eredeti hozzászólása:

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

These are basic illustrations; our discussion revolves around the future of the gaming industry, considering upcoming market trends rather than the current landscape, where there is still a balance between independent and high-budget AAA titles. I'm not examining the industry in its entirety but rather focusing on what gamers will find appealing in the years to come.

I had so much hope when I heard of the Wii and what it supposedly could do.
I was picturing putting my martial skill to the test against the machine and then we all saw how that turned out.

My desire would be to have an Enter the Dragon kind of experience with obviously varying difficulties and what would be wonderful would be the machine able to 'sense' the movement of the player and give some basic feedback on form maybe even quoting something useful from Bruce Lee (Even though he stated in interviews he does not want to be quoted with Bruce Lee says this etc etc).

This would require some decent hardware that is not beyond today's capabilities. The cost and space required might be beyond many so could be taken up more in decent gyms.

To give example
Player would be given some basic lesson on good way to kick and punch (after a warm up of course) and then experiences a few tests like kick this high punch there and will help calibrate the tools to the player too. Then follow the film and the various opponents and the great Bruce vs All type scenes.

Off topic but you may really enjoy "The Thrill of the Fight" on meta 2. It describes what you're saying and I personally enjoy it so I vouch for it

[Crazy Tiger]

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

I'm not examining the industry in its entirety but rather focusing on what gamers will find appealing in the years to come.

Since "gamers" aren't a homogeneous group, what people find appealing differs from person to person. Which is something the entertainment industry in general, and the gaming industry as well, always has catered to. Everybody can find something fun in the gaming landscape.

[J]

Crazy Tiger eredeti hozzászólása:

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

I'm not examining the industry in its entirety but rather focusing on what gamers will find appealing in the years to come.

Since "gamers" aren't a homogeneous group, what people find appealing differs from person to person. Which is something the entertainment industry in general, and the gaming industry as well, always has catered to. Everybody can find something fun in the gaming landscape.

It's worth noting that the gaming industry, much like any other creative field, is a testament to the diverse nature of consumer preferences. Gamers, as a diverse group, have varying tastes, which aligns with the broader trend of minimalism in entertainment.

Minimalism, with its focus on simplicity and elegance, can be seen in gaming as well. Notably, while gamers' interests span a wide spectrum, some may gravitate towards the minimalist aesthetics and mechanics found in indie games or mobile apps. These games often prioritize elegance and simplicity over flashy graphics and complex gameplay, appealing to a specific subset of gamers.

In a similar fashion to the ongoing debate surrounding minimalism's popularity, it's essential to recognize that while minimalistic games may not achieve the same level of sales as blockbuster titles like "Baldur's Gate 3," they can find a dedicated audience. So, in the gaming landscape, like in minimalism, it's clear that catering to diverse preferences is essential, even if some niches may not experience the same commercial success
Your point is very valid however as my ideology is specific to what I think, it doesn't describe everyone as a whole

[Hobbit XIII]

Nano eredeti hozzászólása:

Off topic but you may really enjoy "The Thrill of the Fight" on meta 2. It describes what you're saying and I personally enjoy it so I vouch for it

VR tech has come some way I really like the look of that not quite at the martial experience i want but I get it and if i got that would help keep me in shape....I am tempted to play with the credit card now.