Here's the thing about people - we want variety and innovation, but also familiarity. The devices we use to interact with games change, but we're already used to some mechanics, so these tend to repeat down to the button presses and graphic elements. But it's hardly the industry's fault. People like what they know, and so change is slow and gradual, especially is a big industry like gaming, that is looking for the lowest denominator in its target audience, rather than to create interactive digital entertainment.
Besides, if you're looking for innovation and originality, that away from the popular titles and developers and try some indie games. They'll surprise you.
I hear what you're saying, but I intensely disagree. It IS the industry's fault.
I'm much the same way the space industry dragged it's heels with excuses until SpaceX came around or corporations shrug their shoulders and claim to not be able to pay hourly employees a fair wage, this has nothing to do with capabilities and everything to do with wanting to make a buck.
The irony is that SpaceX is kicking ass and companies that pay their employees well and don't with them to death are doing better than the rest... So I'm fact, taking risks and experimenting with new approaches is usually GREAT for the bottom line in the long run.
I'm well aware of the indie game scene, lol, and this is where much of the innovation is happening. But I want to see more of it from triple A studios. These are the companies with the resources to really create something very special with far reaching impact.
I think the conventional wisdom of 'people like what they know' is super condescending and an excuse. People don't know what they like, but show them something worthwhile and they'll rally behind it.
Even taking things that are harder to change, like conventional controller mechanisms, into account, there still way too much room for change and innovation on the software end.
Companies need to remember what their job is: bringing us excellent, NEW, games, not the same insultingly repackaged bullshit with updated graphics.
I don't mean to be condescending, but there's a reason they keep making more of the same - people buy it. A lot. Innovation and experimentation require courage. It's a risk. They rather do what's safe and release yet another FPS with a shitty plot that'll bring a positive ROI.
I feel ya. I once heard something that really made me think: often, when people disagree they're right about things on different levels. I think we actually she with agree with each other...
I know I got intense, but games are something I feel pretty passionate about. I think the industry is mired in tradition and it's wide open for someone to make major improvements.
Basically out arguments are not only not mutually exclusive, they support each other, haha.
My boyfriend @poet is a hobbyist game developer. He would probably have more insight.
I used to be more passionate about gaming, but then adulthood kinda happened while I was busy playing house in Skyrim...