Creativity. 
It is the foundation of evolution of the entertainment business. Too bad some people forget that. Ever heard of the phrase: “Never change a winning formula!”? Nowadays, it is law for 90% of the entertainment business. Activision seems to be founded on this principle; 6 releases of Call of Duty and even Lucas Arts with unlimited releases of Star Wars. I am sick and tired of hearing when Rocky 9999 releases. I am sick and tired to hear that this release of Final Fantasy will change the gaming history. Winning formulas are not just a brand that is re- re- re- released. It is also a problem, in my eyes, when it comes to MMO’s. RIFT, the newest member of the pile of MMO’s that will change EVERYTHING.
I would love to see something from the entertainment business to give me a rush again. Isn’t it incredible that someone came up with the idea of filming a story? Think of all the excitement in the theatres when the first movie, La sortie des usines Lumière, was released. Building on top of the introduction of film, someone came up with the idea of using illusionary effects to enhance our experience watching the film. Nowadays, these “special effects” are so regular that a film without them isn’t good enough anymore. At least, for most of us. With the introduction of new techniques, the entertainment business foolishly tends to refilm old popular films updated with those new techniques. The re- release of King Kong was no different. It didn’t add anything new, the remake backfired right into the maker’s faces. The introduction of film and the introduction of special effects is what I call fresh, new and exciting. Doing something that has never been done before. Taking a risk to realise an idea that you think will shake the foundations of an industry.
Where did the creativity go? Where did the games and movies go that are doing something fresh and new? 10 years ago we called a game that opened up a new genre “fresh.” Now, we are calling a new feature inside an existing game fresh. An example: RvR. As much as I love it, it isn’t a big deal. The definition of Player versus Player is letting players slaughter each other. Bending the rules a little bit, making it bigger and slapping on a new name isn’t very refreshing. The introduction of PvP, that is fresh. Come on people, where did the idea’s go? I have to give some kudos to Warhammer Online though. WAR did try to change something, Public Quests, though it was a small change and not as revolutionary as they said, but it was a bit different from everyone else.
I know it is hard to think of something new. Especially after years of invention and innovation which have already passed. Adding something new to our world is becoming harder and harder. Maybe that is also the problem. Maybe we need to create a new world because our existing world of entertainment is satisfied. We have had plays, movies, music, books and games. Maybe soon someone will come up with a new idea that will take over the world as each of the concepts above once did. I have heard of technology that will enable us to visit places without actually traveling. A 3D environment that will show you what that place looks like and allow you to interact with that environment. This idea could have endless opportunities. Instead of sending doctors to foreign countries, just send a robot which the doctor can operate from his home like he was actually there. Or would you like to see how Jupiter looks? You can do whatever your fantasy permits you to do.
Am I being too idealistic? Should I just shut up and be happy that anybody even creates “new features?” (that will change existing experiences only slightly) Maybe. As the title reveals, this article is in honor of the pioneers who aren’t afraid to lose some reputation or money in order to bring out something really innovative. Someone thought up internet. Microsoft thought it would even be dead within a year. Microsoft was wrong, wasn’t she? Someone thought up MMO’s. World of Warcraft has more than 10 million players. People are dying by just being so addicted to these sort of games that started with a few D&D dorks in their parent’s basements. Just a few individuals had a revolutionary idea that changed the world. So I am not being too idealistic. I am just being pissed that the evolution of something I like to talk and read about has come to a halt.
So where did the ideas go? To be honest, I was hoping you could tell me. But until then, I salute you, oh pioneers who gave us so much.
