Arcade Berg aka. "Learning Game Design with Arcade Berg"

Tiresome themes in video games?

It's been done. I've seen it a million times already.

I'm not talking about any specific theme for the setting in video games, but I'd say, most of them.

I'm looking forward to Starcraft 2, but admit it, Space Marines; you've seen them before...

Space Marines, World War II and High Fantasy, even though they amongst many other themes adapt very well for games, they're boring!

I realise what I believe are the two biggest reason for the somewhat limited selection of themes in video games:

1. It's a tried concept. It's been done. It's been done with great success! If it aint broke, why fix it? And because of that; it sells! It's what it all comes down to, really.
2. It's recognizable. Since you'll want as many people as possible to play your games, it's not just about attracting as many as you can, it's just as much about not scaring them away. Let's say you'd love a game based on New Zealand geografy, I doubt the consumers gained in that decision would weigh more than the consumers lost. Everybody knows Fantasy, Space Marines, World Wars and the world we live in today.

One thing I really like about the indie-scene, is that they often explore new themes. It can be anything from something we've seen with a twist, to something totally psychadelic. They're not necessarly all good but that's not the point.

So, my point with all this is that there should be more games about ninjas!

Something I just made. At least they're not Space Marines...