Video Game Mega Trends

Post by **Jeff-20** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:09 pm

In my opinion, there are genres in video games that will always be around: scrolling shooters, sports, racing and RPGs. They may become more or less popular at times, but they persist.

Then there are "MEGA TRENDS" where a certain type of game becomes popular and overwhelms the market for a long time. Every game becomes a formulaic clone of whatever is selling. For example, first person shooter seem ubiquitous in contemporary consoles.

I, personally, am fond of the top-down perspective maze game. Most of the games I make are just variations of it. I was annoyed by the side-scrolling platform era of gaming. I wonder what trends you were fond of and which made you sick. If I forgot any, let me know.

buzbard · Post by **buzbard** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:32 pm

Back in the day, I was mostly into adventure/puzzle games such as the Zork series, I wasn't a big fan of platformers like Mario or Sonic.

I remember when Wolfenstein 3D came out, I was hooked, along with the Doom and Quake series.

The Half-Life series was great, maybe someday they'll finish it. As well as the God of War series.

Lately I'm into Red Dead Redemption/Undead Nightmare, Brutal Legend and the inFAMOUS series on PS3. Sort of free-roam adventure type games.

But I always go back to my VIC, C64 & C128. Love 'em!

Vic20-Ian · Post by **Vic20-Ian** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 4:19 pm

Voted for Pacman and mazes as Space Invaders and Galaxian weren't available.

I always disliked Neo Geo scrolling beat em ups, Sonic and Zelda / Cutesie RPG.

nbla000 · Post by **nbla000** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:12 am

It's a really hard choice, I wish to vote for the first 4 genres btw my definitive choice is Pacman and mazes.

Post by **Jeff-20** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 1:19 am

Again, I am only considering "trends". I don't consider text adventures to have ever been "trendy", but I guess the scrolling beat 'em up was popular for a few years and should probably be included. Not nearly as long as the music dance games or more recent trends.

English Invader · Post by **English Invader** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:15 am

I used to like the side-scrolling platform games because they were the games that really opened up gaming for me. Prior to that, my family had an Atari 2600 and I longed to experience games that offered more than a single screen and graphics that look like pieces of Lego.

I voted for the side-scrolling genre, but it doesn't really reflect my current taste in games. The platformers I grew up with seem too old hat and I get more enjoyment from the eras/genres that I didn't experience first hand.

Bacon · Post by **Bacon** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:23 am

Like Vic20-Ian I miss the "space shooter" genre or whatever you want to call it (whcih was actually the first major arcade game trend): Galaxians, Galaga (one of my all-time favorite games), Gorf, Omega Race, etc.

I can't vote with a clear concsience on any of the others, but first person shooters or ladder games would be my second choice. Loved Jumpman and Lode Runner!

Post by **Jeff-20** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 6:33 pm

You're totally right. I forgot about the Space Invader clones. I added that option to the poll, but some of you may have already voted. I don't know if you can change your vote by editing your post.

nbla000 · Post by **nbla000** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:42 am

Jeff-20 wrote:I don't know if you can change your vote by editing your post.

No you can't

CBR125R · Post by **CBR125R** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:59 pm

One genre which I don't think is represented on the VIC-20 is the space fighter 'simulation', such as Star Raiders or Space Spartans.

For a while in the early 90s there were a lot of these: Freelancer, Wing Commander, Xwing/TIE Fighter, Colony Wars, etc. I really enjoyed those, but that genre fell out of favour and you don't see too many of those anymore.

Post by **Jeff-20** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:45 pm

I was thinking of genres that dominated a time span. For example, side scrolling platformers were not only popular, but outsold all other genres for a good length of time.

Strategy war games have always been popular, but in my opinion, they were always second or third place to some other trend.

16KVIC20 · Post by **16KVIC20** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:11 am

I went for puzzle games such as Tetris. I also like things like Spin Dizzy, Gyroscope, W*H*B*,and Stranded 2.5 for the ZX Spectrum.

Unfortunately that is a genre under represented on the VIC. I would love to see some of those titles converted for a 32K VIC 20, it must surely be possible.

I also like beat em ups. Never been a fan of platform games really and these days I find there isn't enough to a space shooter.

I did enjoy a first person shooter that I played (I've only ever played a few). The one I liked was "The Thing" for PC.

Denial

Video Game Mega Trends

What was your favorite video game trend/era?

Video Game Mega Trends