10 things new games can learn from older titles

Although the gaming industry has always moved forward, there are things new games can learn from older works. In this article, we will discuss these issues.

I, who am writing this article, and you who are reading it, love video games. An industry that forms a part of our identity and we owe many of our memories to it. Some of us are older and some of us are new to this world. But almost everyone who has been a gamer for more than seven or eight years knows that in recent years, various changes have taken place in the game industry, which has caused this industry to move in a completely new direction.

Many of these changes have improved the gaming experience so much that it's impossible to imagine going back to an earlier era. But like any transformation, there have been changes that cannot be called positive changes. In other words, there are things that are completely removed from games these days, or neglected. Topics that many of us now want to return.

In this article, we have discussed ten of these cases. Things that we believe will make games several degrees more interesting when they return to the scene. So this is you and these 10 interesting things in old games that we would like to see in new games.

10- Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs are actually hidden items or tips in games that the gamer probably doesn't notice at first glance. For example, one of the most famous Easter Eggs was in the game Resident Evil 2, where the player found a picture after opening and closing the drawer of a table in Wesker's room 50 times! There were many such tips in old games and they made the player thirsty to search all the parts of the game many times.

This was especially interesting when video game media wasn't as widespread at the time, and it took years for such tips to be discovered in video games. Easter eggs were sometimes items, sometimes a few lines of secret information, sometimes even a stage!

In modern games, this feature is less common. Bringing back Easter Eggs to games can increase their appeal and encourage players to explore more of the game world. These hidden elements can be seen as signs of attention to detail and respect for the game's fans, something that is rarely seen these days.

9- Straightforwardness of the user interface

Older games usually had a simpler user interface and players were able to get to know them quickly without having to spend a lot of time learning. This simplicity allowed players to focus more on the gameplay than getting lost in menus and complicated settings. Learning the mechanics of a game didn't take more than a few minutes, and new mechanics were added to the game one by one for the player to learn them gradually.

In new games, user interfaces and skill trees are sometimes complicated and difficult, taking players away from the game. Of course, the reason for this is to add different layers to the gameplay and deepen the audience's experience, but sometimes the creators overdo it so much that you realize that you are spending more time customizing your character or reading countless logs than playing. You play!

Making these things easier can make the game experience more enjoyable and accessible for players and save them from confusion.

8- Providing a single version of the game

In the past, games were released as a single, complete version, and players did not need to purchase additional packs or multiple versions. This would make all players have the same experience of the game and not worry about losing important content. Of course, some companies such as FromSoftware or CD Projekt Red go all out in their DLCs and provide as much new content as a full game, but the reality is that most companies use these packs to empty the audience's pockets. Most of these DLCs should be part of the game, not the audience having to pay for it again!

Today's games are often released with different editions, expansion packs, and downloadable content, which can fragment the player experience. There is really no need to publish four or five versions of a single game with the names Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Gold and Silver versions! Returning to providing a complete and single version can help create a sense of completeness of the game and ensure that all content is provided to players.

7- The weak role of political and social movements

The old games focused more on the story and gameplay and less on social and political issues. When the developer wanted to deal with these issues, it was carefully considered, and as a result, an impressive game was produced that was really worth thinking about. In new games, some of these movements, such as modernist movements or extreme support of leftist ideas, are prominently seen in the story and characterization of the games, which can distract some players from the pure game experience.

Naturally, the game as a medium can play an effective role in directing the minds of the audience, and examining some topics is not without grace. But when these topics only raise the idea of ​​a certain group and do not pay attention to the main mission of the game, which is entertainment, the player is away from an enjoyable experience.

Diminishing these roles can make games focus more on their core elements, such as story, gameplay, and characters, and distance themselves from controversy and social discord. This can help provide a cleaner and more accessible experience for all players.

6- Creative linear games

A while ago, in a separate article, I discussed in detail how game developers' over-focus on making tens of hours of games and empty open worlds can hurt the game industry. The point is that old games were often linear, but this linearity allowed them to provide players with fully controlled and exciting stories and experiences. Games like Half-Life and Super Mario are outstanding examples of this type of design, which were able to have a deep impact on players by focusing on a specific and guided experience.

Many games today seek to design open worlds and free choices for players, but this may reduce the focus and intensity of the story experience. Bringing back linear games with powerful stories and creative designs can provide players with a more focused and memorable experience.

5- Memorable characters

The characters of the old games still remain in the minds of the players due to their simple and impressive designs. These characters have not only become cultural icons, but also played an important role in the success of their games. In the past, creators were not afraid to create bold characters. If the character was supposed to be bad, he was really black and bad. If we were to have a hero character, he had all the characteristics of a hero. These features have made characters like Kratos, Dante or even Trevor still be remembered.

In the new games, however, we see that almost all the characters are moving towards being gray. This technique can be interesting, but not in all games! The audience likes to see a character who breaks away from human frames and presents something that we have rarely seen in the real world.

More modern games can take this approach and create characters that stick in players' minds with unique designs and strong characterizations. Memorable characters can create a strong bond between players and the game that makes the game repeat itself and even become a modern classic.

4- High repetition value

Older games were often designed to encourage players to play again. This replay value could be achieved through challenging difficulty, multiple endings, or exploring every detail of the game. This feature made the games retain their value beyond playing once. When the stages of a game are designed with love, it is natural that a person will not be satisfied with playing it once and want to repeat that unique experience many times.

New games can increase their replay value by creating replayable content, additional challenges, and different ways to experience the game. This not only makes players more engaged with the game, but also helps build a more stable fanbase. A hundred-hour game, half of which is spent just wandering around the environment, cannot make the gamer want to start the game again for the second or third time!

3- Challenging gameplay

The old games were known for their difficulty and challenges. These challenges forced the players to learn, practice and master the game skills. The sense of satisfaction that came from overcoming these challenges was a big part of the fun of playing the game. Defeating a boss after dying twenty times, or solving a puzzle after a few hours of thinking, created a feeling that is rarely seen these days.

Modern games are sometimes too easy or guided, which may lead to a reduced sense of achievement and satisfaction in players. Sometimes, even at higher levels of difficulty, the game cannot create the desired challenge for the audience. Designing a more challenging gameplay with suitable difficulty levels can motivate players to improve their skills and feel more proud and satisfied with the game experience.

2- Higher risk tolerance

Sometimes not taking a risk means certain failure, while a timely and calculated risk can give birth to a masterpiece. Older games often took risks in design and gameplay to create innovations that had a profound impact on the gaming industry. From creating new genres to introducing unique gameplay mechanics, these games helped shape the future of gaming.

In the modern gaming world, too much attention to the market and fear of financial failure may reduce risk-taking in game design. By taking more risks and experimenting with new ideas, developers can create innovative and memorable experiences that set their games apart from the competition.

1- Respect for the audience

Old games in particular were very successful in conveying the sense that their audience possessed intelligence and skill. This respect for the audience was seen in different formats; From the absence of excessive arrests in the game to the design of intellectual challenges and gameplay that required thinking and planning. The developers of old games usually assumed that the players were able to solve the game's problems and find the appropriate solutions on their own, which in itself was considered a kind of respect for the player's abilities.

In modern games, developers sometimes gravitate toward constant prompts, long explanatory cutscenes, and oversimplified designs for fear of losing players. This may make players feel like the game is guiding them instead of challenging them, which can detract from the experience. By respecting the audience and trusting their abilities, games can provide a richer and more meaningful experience that is not only more memorable, but also makes players respect the game and its developers more.

Respecting the audience also includes paying attention to the opinions and feedback of the players. Older games usually grew through their fan community, with developers listening to player feedback and criticism. In the modern gaming world, maintaining this connection and respecting players' opinions can help improve the quality of the game.

What do you think? What things do you think have been forgotten in modern games and should be brought back? I am waiting for you in the comments section!