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.

[Satoru]

“Hades” being “minimalist” is the worst description of that game

[Fearagen]

It's proven that site design/program/os ui design will continue down the road to what it is now but games I kind of highly doubt it. Highly graphical games will still be a mainstay obviously and there will still be people wanting games with more complex control systems to learn and be skillful at.

[Aachen]

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

[N3tRunn3r]

Minimalism has ever been a trend ^^ Less is always more, except money and power ..

[veracsthane]

passing trend mostly thanks to other economic factors. makes golden statues a bit unfordable when a temp wood one will do just fine. most people are becoming minimalists some not by choice but out of nesscity agian thanks to the econmy.

the company are using it to stay cheap and relevant when they mostly arent relevant anymore.

the only one i life is mcdonalds it just looks better and less clownish. yes im aware Ronald is a clown. that never meant the buildings had to look like a circus.

[Crazy Tiger]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Aachen:

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

No, but hyperbole makes for better discussion starts. Right? RIGHT?

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

It depends on game design, the point of having stuff on screen to inform youz and so on.

There games like MMO rpg games like raid fights where got ~20 types of buffs & rebuffs on screen, huge panels with tons of skills, and items, and all that, with warnings of boss moves, and what now. If you're looking for that kind of game, you want MMO rpg like world of Warcraft, and such.


If you want to see only couple things, like health/mp, leveling bar, and if couple affect signs of buffs/rebuffs maybe Borderlands you're looking for.


And reason people like seeing less, maybe like doom, or etc to keep it simple, because maybe want to see more of what in front of you visually. Some people want things to be super simple, and focus more on the gameplay more maybe.


Overall it up to you what games you're seeking to play for yourself.

[Start_Running]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Nano:

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.

It's not a way forward. its just a passing fad in stylistic design.
Though I don't think its a fad when so few games actually use it.

[Satoru]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Start_Running:

Ursprungligen skrivet av Nano:

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.

It's not a way forward. its just a passing fad in stylistic design.
Though I don't think its a fad when so few games actually use it.

And if someone could possibly explain how HADES is “minimalist”

Because you all seem to not understand what that word means

[Captain Chirac]

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

[Xhoas]

Ursprungligen skrivet av veracsthane:

passing trend mostly thanks to other economic factors. makes golden statues a bit unfordable when a temp wood one will do just fine. most people are becoming minimalists some not by choice but out of nesscity agian thanks to the econmy.

the company are using it to stay cheap and relevant when they mostly arent relevant anymore.

the only one i life is mcdonalds it just looks better and less clownish. yes im aware Ronald is a clown. that never meant the buildings had to look like a circus.

I don't play those games out of necessity, I genuinely like them. Also, I don't think it's a passing trend, giving the success of some titles.

[Satoru]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Captain Chirac:

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

[ktulu84]

minimalism is just a genre but overall games are slowly becoming more minimalist to improve the actual gameplay and not visuals

[J]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Satoru:

“Hades” being “minimalist” is the worst description of that game

Perhaps a better example would be Vampire Survivors. Sold very well, costs basically nothing and is in my honest opinion the epitome of a minimalist game but there's relatively consistent updates and people still enjoy it, as opposed to most of these AAA games giving us an unfinished product or making us wait for years for said product to be worthwhile. And while hades isn't a bad game by any means it still falls into this category because of its genre, the content isn't simple but the concept and design of said game is. Everything else that comes with it makes it complex but it'll never lose that simplistic undertone because every rogue-like has it by default. I'm not sure how to explain better

[J]

Ursprungligen skrivet av Nano:

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And if someone could possibly explain how HADES is “minimalist”

Because you all seem to not understand what that word means

^^ It's literally the sheer facts that it's

Ursprungligen skrivet av Satoru:

Ursprungligen skrivet av Start_Running:

It's not a way forward. its just a passing fad in stylistic design.
Though I don't think its a fad when so few games actually use it.

And if someone could possibly explain how HADES is “minimalist”

Because you all seem to not understand what that word means

Art Style: "Hades" features a distinctive, hand-drawn art style that uses bold lines and a limited color palette. This minimalist approach to art allows the game to focus on essential details, creating a visually striking world without overwhelming players with excessive detail.

Gameplay Mechanics: The core gameplay in "Hades" is straightforward and easy to grasp. You control Zagreus as he fights his way out of the Underworld. The game doesn't overload players with complex systems or mechanics, allowing them to focus on refining their skills and making meaningful choices during their runs.

Narrative Delivery: The game's narrative is delivered primarily through dialogue and character interactions. There's a minimalist approach to storytelling, with the game revealing plot points and character backgrounds incrementally, without the need for extensive cutscenes or exposition.

Level Design: "Hades" utilizes a series of interconnected chambers rather than sprawling open-world environments. This approach allows for a more concentrated and focused experience. Players can explore the Underworld room by room, making it easy to understand their progress.

Sound Design: The game's sound design is also minimalist in a sense. The music and audio cues are used sparingly but effectively to create atmosphere and provide feedback during gameplay
Any rogue lite can be considered minimalistic to some point because that's how they were supposed to be made by design.. Not sure if YOU know what minimalist means, it doesn't mean the game is poorly made if that's what you're getting at