Danc at Lost Garden wrote about GameInnovation.org, arguing that we need better, standardized language in order to discuss game design. If everyone has a different definition for “challenge” or “reward”, then you can’t hope to have a meaningful conversation with other game developers.
The goal of the GIDb is to classify and record every innovation in the entire history of computer and videogames.
The Game Innovation Database is in a wiki format, which means that anyone can contribute. I especially like the Challenge Page, which asks questions such as “What was the first digital RPG (role-playing game)?” and “What was the first game with autofire? “. You can browse by game or by innovation, and of course you can edit something if you think an article is lacking, missing, or just plain wrong.
I could contribute, but only by deleting 2/3 of those games! Its an honourable attempt, but to see Tetris and Tiger Woods PGA Tour in the same list kinda looks funny. Tiny innovations and genre-defining ones mixed up here. e.g. Thrill Kill having a kill meter rather than a life meter, give me a break! A better golf swing in Tiger Woods 2005?
No way. Halo was innovative?! I think they should stick to truly genre-defining moments in gaming, Little Computer People, Tetris etc at least have a claim for this, but even this its very subjective.
Many games are vastly improved realizations of previous ideas, e.g. Sims etc.
Left by barry on April 12th, 2006