the homogenization of video games controls has led to massive stagnation. it’s why everything from the ps3/360 era onwards feels exactly the same
In that as games discover a series of "best practices" it narrows the perceived scope of possibility until we need movements to deliberately do things in the 'wrong' way to remind us that it doesn't have to be like this.
Best practices are good things to have but they quickly go from "hey if you want to accomplish this effect, try this design tool" to "this is the correct way to make things", especially in a medium that is as commercially focused, and as worshipful of its commercial arm, as video games is.
it’s not about neglecting convention or treating them as dogma, but recognizing them as a contextual tool which we constantly innovate atop.
i have argued for many years that game makers refusal to engage with humanities as a whole or any other trade (and our insistence on not taking risks with outsiders) is our greatest weakness as a medium
the sooner we accept games are a performance art ( https://gutefabrik.com/games-arent-special-and-thats-okay/ ) the better off we’ll be
As someone who’s exploring the concept that games have more in common with theater and performance art than cinema, all of this
