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Has the FPS genre grown static?

January 29, 2010 in Blog comments 18

GameZone.com's Steven Hopper writes a column about whether the first-person shooter genre has grown stale without any indication of innovation in the newer games being released.

GameZone.com writes: "Since the genre first pioneered decades ago, the FPS genre has been one of the most successful ones around. Classics like Doom, Halo, Wolfenstein 3D, Quake, and Call of Duty have carved themselves out to be powerhouse franchises and near-household names (well, gaming households, that is). The genre was a no-brainer for the video-game industry as soon as the technology was available to do it justice.

"Video games have always been about providing immersive experiences, and you can’t really get more immersive than putting you in the eyes of a character, seeing what they see and being in their shoes (or combat boots) in a way that no other gaming experience can provide. However, as intrinsic as these games may be, has the genre tapped out? When was the last time that you played a truly innovative FPS that revolutionized the genre?"
Kyrwolf via gamezone.com »
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  • 0
    Red 9 Jan 30, 10
    I wouldn't say static, but the themes of each new FPS are growing ever more identical as time goes on. Which may explain why I only own one FPS, and even that's an old PS2 game.
    • 0
      Aussie Legend Jan 30, 10
      I agree, I'm kinda over the whole "Space Pirates shoot aliens to save the planet" story.

      There hasn't been a true FPS will a different kind of story for quite a while now (except maybe Left 4 Dead, but that doesn't even have a story so that doesn't really class).
  • 2
    Dark Dom Jan 30, 10
    quote
    When was the last time that you played a truly innovative FPS that revolutionized the genre?"
    Borderlands?
    • 0
      Ech0ez Jan 30, 10
      I wouldn't say Borderlands revolutionized anything until long enough has passed to actually see the impact -if any- it has on the genre as a whole.
      • 0
        Twin_Master Jan 31, 10
        I think that nowadays it's getting much harder to create a FPS that's away from the pack.
  • 1
    Ammy and Issun Jan 30, 10
    L4D was the last time i played an innovative FPS tbh
    • 0
      Red 9 Jan 30, 10
      I fail to see how shooting zombies counts as innovative...but enlighten me if possible, I'm open to the possibility.
      • 0
        Smoke Jan 30, 10
        There are, get this, FOUR people shooting at zombies. Not just one. How is that not revolutionized? That's four times the bullets; BRILLIANT.

        In all honesty, I'd say Portal... but that's not really a "shooter" in the same sense that FPS is concerned; I guess it's more in line with Mirror's Edge.
        • 1
          Hideo1 Jan 30, 10
          He's clearly talking about the AI Director and the dynamic pacing and difficulty aspects ya sarcastic tit
      • 1
        DystopiaSticker Jan 31, 10
        Well, at least Red 9 has learned enough about Left 4 Dead to finally know that there are zombies in the game. That's more than he knew before when he constantly criticized it.
        • 1
          Hideo1 Jan 31, 10
          And you say you aren't a troll
        • 0
          Red 9 Jan 31, 10
          quote DystopiaSticker
          Well, at least Red 9 has learned enough about Left 4 Dead to finally know that there are zombies in the game. That's more than he knew before when he constantly criticized it.
          I know eh?? I was such a blind fanboy, right?
      • 1
        Ammy and Issun Jan 31, 10
        Aside from the AI Director, The game is all about teamwork. The enemies are designed to punish lone wolves. Like the Hunter or The Smoker, One which pins you to the ground and another who Contricts you using its tongue, are certain death if you encounter one by yourself and aren't quick enough, since you need another player to kill them if they get you, since you can't attack while pinned or constricted. But that's just an example. I suggest you play the game
  • 0
    Hideo1 Jan 30, 10
    Has it grown static? News flash, it has been for a while. The only relatively 'new' thing would be Borderlands, and even then it just tacked on RPG elements.
    • 0
      Yukari Feb 2, 10
      Borderlands was still awesomesauce.
  • 0
    ruledbysecrecy Jan 30, 10
    Yeah people. Let's get *bleep*ing real here. I love first person shooters but if you think the genre hasn't grown static then I want to play the games you are playing.
  • 0
    Province Jan 31, 10
    FPSs grow static because most of them are sequels or part of a franchise. So you're expecting to get more of the same there.

    MAG is a bit different, the play on the Shadow War and the huge war games are a new twist but it's more of the same as it's practically spiritual to ZIPPER's SOCOM.
  • 0
    Pedigree Feb 3, 10
    Meh, seems these days every game genre has become repetitive. Was never a big FPS fan myself, more of an RTS fan.

    But the same thing has plagued RTS games. They're so bland now. Game developers need to do something new but not something too complicated. (like how they ruined Red Alert 3 for me).

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