There are a ton of games nowadays, and many of them follow the tired tropes that we’re all used to. Hero shooters, standard horror games, rogue-lites, the list goes on and on. Seemingly few games are made that don’t seem ripped straight from an assembly line.

Courtesy of Ribbage

But why? The answer is simple. While creatively bankrupt, gaming trends are “safe” and easy to calculate for. And when you’re dealing with millions of dollars - you’re not about to risk them losing them over sudden flights of fancy.

Potential Plusses

Reading this might seem a little strange, but from a business perspective, it makes perfect sense! Why take a huge risk? Following trends gives you a ton of advantages, something you wouldn’t have if you did it your own way!

Just think of a genre. Say, a platformer like Mario. Just looking at how many people love Super Mario Odyssey makes it pretty clear that there’s a dedicated fanbase of people who love their platforming games! 

Super Mario Odyssey

And who doesn’t want to make the new Mario game? Odyssey sold 28 million copies by itself, a number any developer would be proud of. Even managing to get a fraction of that audience interested in your game already means you're on your way to making money.

Not to mention, following trends means you can mimic someone’s game design, and people will love you for it! How many survival horror games followed in Resident Evil’s footsteps? Dead Space wouldn’t exist had the developers not been inspired by Resident Evil 4. Stepping into an already popular genre and following in a bigger, better game’s footsteps is an easy way to guarantee that an audience will look forward to your work.

Noticeable Disadvantages

However, don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a cheat code for easy money. Concord’s recent failure indicates that following trends doesn’t always work in your favor.

While stepping into a crowded genre gives you a rough idea of how big of an audience you can look forward to, you now have the unenviable task of persuading them to play your games. Think of it this way - why play Concord when Overwatch exists?

Overwatch

If you’re not careful, you could make a game that attracts almost nobody to the genre. It’s a lesson that games like LawBreakers and Battleborn have learned. You can join a crowded market, but if you don’t have an attractive niche, you’ll be fighting over scraps and struggling to make ends meet.

Courtesy of Wordpress

A Wary Conclusion

So, should developers chase trends? The answer lies in balance. Relying too heavily on trends risks being labeled as unoriginal, but straying too far into uncharted territory comes with its own set of uncertainties. It’s a classic catch-22, showcasing just how risky and unpredictable game development can be.

Courtesy of Reddit

That said, I wouldn’t be too hung up about it if I were you. Plenty of fantastic games have been made. Whether they’re formulaic or not, games can still be good as long as the developer puts time and love into making them.

Just look at Balatro. This cute little rogue-like deck builder has charmed thousands of players with addictive gameplay. While parts of its mechanics are based on games like Poker, its unique spin on using its Jokers and card suits makes it an addictive, unpredictable romp that any avid card game player will love.

Balatro

Similarly, Larian Studios’s Baldur’s Gate 3 might not do much new for the CRPG genre, but the attention to detail they put with its character writing and combat flow has cemented itself as one of the best RPG games of all time. 

Baldur’s Gate 3

You don’t need to chase trends or do anything new to create a solid title to play. But you need a lot of heart and passion to make these games come true. Balatro’s developer spent almost three years making his game come to life, and Baldur’s Gate 3 spent seven years in development. More than trends, more than uniqueness, passion is needed to create a game that everyone will enjoy.

With this same passion, we at Mega Cat strive to make our games. Our latest title, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into The Pit, is one we put a lot of love, care, and attention into

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into The Pit

With lovingly created pixel art, a keen eye for horror atmosphere, and a lot of respect for the FNAF franchise, Into The Pit isn’t just the latest entry into the FNaF universe; we attempt to make a game that longtime FNaF fans and newfound horror fans can both enjoy. Step into the shoes of poor Oswald, and dare to face the animatronic horrors that lurk in the shadows. 

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into The Pit

Trend-chasing might be the safe route, but following your heart is what truly makes a game worth creating. Whether formulaic or innovative, a game fueled by passion has the potential to resonate with players and leave a lasting impression.

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