Innovation Vs Gimmick

Postby **VideoGameCritic** » February 24th, 2007, 9:14 pm

I recently got to thinking about how when something new is introduced in the world of video games, it often gets called a gimmick. There's nothing wrong with gimmicks, but they usually don't last. However, if it sticks around, it's regarded as an innovation. What do you think are the real gimmicks and innovations? Here's some of mine:

Gimmicks: NES Power glove, Genesis Activator, Eye Toy, Dreamcast VMU, Rob the robot, interactive full-motion/live video, blowing into DS microphone

Innovations: Controller rumble/force feedback, Dance mats, hand-held motion-sensing controllers, light guns, DS touch pad

Tremo01 · Postby **Tremo01** » February 24th, 2007, 10:02 pm

People may disagree with me but I am still skeptic about the staying power of the Wii.

Edward M · Postby **Edward M** » February 24th, 2007, 10:34 pm

I would actually put the power glove in the innovation category, not the gimmick category. Even though it was horrible, it was sort of the precursor to motion sensing so it was very innovative.

And I will also add to the innovation category analog controls. Probably the best thing to come out of the last dozen or so years, this has proved to be incredibly innovative.

Another Gimmick, the DK bongos. While it DK jungle beat was certainly fun, I dont know if I want any more bongo games. They make my hands hurt doing all that clapping.

Conn · Postby **Conn** » February 24th, 2007, 10:44 pm

I don't know where I'd classify the touch screen. It's being used, yes, but it's mostly just being slapped onto a game where it doesn't fit and the developers call it a day. There ARE games that use it well, but they're few and far between.

Quiet Flight · Postby **Quiet Flight** » February 25th, 2007, 2:55 am

Inovation: d-pad style NES controller, six button-2 row controllers,ability to save games, 4 controller ports
Gimmick: cross style button config, infrared wireless controller, slow motion features on controller

Conn · Postby **Conn** » February 25th, 2007, 3:26 am

Quiet Flight, stop mixing your opinions in with this. The 4-button layout can hardly be called a gimmick if it has been used since the SNES and is still being used today. If [i]anything[/i], the 6-button layout would be, because you know, it's only had two uses in the last two generations (Saturn, N64).

Alienblue · Postby **Alienblue** » February 25th, 2007, 5:14 am

Critic, R.O.B. the robot was not a gimmick because it's only real purpose was to help sell the NES in a time when no one wanted to BUY a "videogame"...with ROB, the NES set became an "interactive toy" .... Nintendo knew if it could just get the NES out there the strength of the games like Super Mario would carry the system, and indeed that's what happened- as soon as everyone wanted an NES for SMB and Zelda, Nintendo wisely dumped Rob; it was never INTENDED to last like say, the Power Glove was.

For me, I still think the DS is innovative. I enjoy playing touch screen games like Polarium on it, but I do agree more needs to be done.

The Odyssey2 Keyboard was a gimmick to make the 2K system look like a COMPUTER; and it was hardly ever used.

bluemonkey1 · Postby **bluemonkey1** » February 25th, 2007, 6:42 am

Gimmick: any weird controller be it a dance controller, fishing controller, touch screen controller or Wii controller.

Innovation: online console gaming - better than the PC original, 6 button controllers, dual stick controllers, 4 controller ports.

chrisbid1 · Postby **chrisbid1** » February 25th, 2007, 9:50 am

i think you can classify a gimmick as a one trick pony. even if its fun, there are no other uses for it. dance mats would fit into that category.

the DS does have some games that use the stylus quite well. a lot of games do shoehorn stylus function, but the games that are designed with the stylus in mind from the ground up are often very good and very fun.

the wiimote is too versatile to be a gimmick. the numbers of options developers have in devising control schemes probably hurt a lot of the early titles, as there were too many options on the table, and little test data on how specific genres should be controlled. the schemes will be quickly refined over the next year.

the new audience nintendo is courting with the wii, will not be hardcore gamers that buy a new game every week. so they have to be careful not to flood the market with wii sports-like games, but they will have to follow up every few months. wii play is pretty thin, but the extra wiimote makes it an easy purchase. i do not know whats in the pipe next for new casual class

Quiet Flight · Postby **Quiet Flight** » February 25th, 2007, 4:07 pm

[QUOTE=Conn]Quiet Flight, stop mixing your opinions in with this. The 4-button layout can hardly be called a gimmick if it has been used since the SNES and is still being used today. If [i]anything[/i], the 6-button layout would be, because you know, it's only had two uses in the last two generations (Saturn, N64).[/QUOTE]
The whole point of the thread is to state your opinion of what is gimmicky and what isn't.