Innovation or gimmick?

[Acryllos]

I'm a little confused. What is the difference between a gimmick and trying something different? I hear it all the time with games and consoles and stuff. Like for example, some people saw the Wii's motion sensor thing as an innovation for console gaming, a step forward to a new future for gaming (perhaps). Others thought that it was just a gimmick to get people (especially children) to buy it. I'm really not sure, but is there a clear-cut definition? Or does it depend on personal views. What is your opinion?

 

[chromewarriorXIII]

Well I think the best way would be to look at the definitions:

Gimmick - An ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, esp. one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.

Innovation - Something new or different introduced.

So according to this, a gimmick could be innovative or it could be something that has already proven to be successful. It's mainly just to get people to buy a certain product.

 

[Capachinola]

The WII is built totally off of its motion control. Thats an innovation, for the WII, because it brand new compared to the old gamepaddy'thingies. All the new ideas out there are innovations, and of course, all new ideas are "gimmicks," too, because every new idea has the same goal: make money. IMO.

 

[Space Spoons]

I don't know if there's any final definition, but to me, the difference between a genuine innovation and a gimmick is staying power.

For example; let's compare the Wii's motion controls and the Nintendo DS's touch-screen.

While it's by no means some kind of universal edict, most gamers get tired of waving their arms around like a fool inside of the first thirty minutes of gameplay. Remember when Wii Sports was new? Everyone was really into it, using their entire bodies to play the game. Now, it's just considered annoying.

The touch-screen, on the other hand, has been accepted and even praised. Games like Kirby: Canvas Curse and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass have shown us that the touch-screen and stylus combo can, indeed, have a place in games that isn't annoying or intrusive, but a natural extension of gameplay itself.

Of course, what it really comes down to is how the element in question is implemented. I'm right there with other gamers who claim the Wii's motion control is mostly a gimmick, but I have to admit, when it's used in games that try to work with motion controls instead of shoe-horning them in, they work well, and can actually be kind of fun.

 

[Zedzero]

Wii was innovative but as soon become a gimmick because all it does are these crappy kinda demo-like games, like Wii sports so that they can make money cause no other games sell as well.

No, this is much better:

Gimmick: It must be fitted into everything (Wii Motion Control, PS3 Graphics)
Innovation: It's new! Check it out, if you want, use it.

 

[Acryllos]

The WII is built totally off of its motion control. Thats an innovation, for the WII, because it brand new compared to the old gamepaddy'thingies. All the new ideas out there are innovations, and of course, all new ideas are "gimmicks," too, because every new idea has the same goal: make money. IMO.

That's a pretty good way of looking at it...

 

[Mortons4ck]

One word: Execution.

Innovation will have an innovative feature with a solid game around it.

Gimmicks will have a interesting but poorly executed and seemingly out of place feature in otherwise mediocre gameplay.

 

[Plurralbles]

One word: Execution.

Innovation will have an innovative feature with a solid game around it.

Gimmicks will have a interesting but poorly executed and seemingly out of place feature in otherwise mediocre gameplay.

This guy has it right.

innovation is the change in tech or ways of doing soemthing.

Innovation becomes a gimmick when it's put there just to be there without any real thought to it.

An innovation that stays an innovation is when it is put to good use, such as a mouse. Everyone uses one and basically love it most of the time because it has features everyone wants and does its job better than any other means created to navigate a display.

A gimmick, is just the opposite. And a slam against wahtever the new thing is,, calling it trivial.

 

[Kagim]

For me an innovation is a cool new feature that makes something better.

A gimmick is something that is turned into a soul focus. To explain.

The DS(To Me) Is Innovative. The touch screen is cool and lots of games allow players to use analog OR touch screen to enjoy there games. Its a fun different way to play your games. The touch screen makes games like Pokemon and Megaman X more fun.

The WII(To Me) Is Gimmiky. The motion control is the primary focus and only real feature for it. Most games demand you use this feature as well entire games are built specifically around this feature rather then for fun. Many games that would be cool if you could make the choice. To me the WII is Gimmicky.

What it comes down to I guess is the penny arcade answer.

"It depends if i like it or not"

 

[Altorin]

in this industry, it's success.

a successful innovation will be remembered as innovative, and an unsuccessful one will be remembered as a gimmick.

 

[Kelbear]

I'm a little confused. What is the difference between a gimmick and trying something different? I hear it all the time with games and consoles and stuff. Like for example, some people saw the Wii's motion sensor thing as an innovation for console gaming, a step forward to a new future for gaming (perhaps). Others thought that it was just a gimmick to get people (especially children) to buy it. I'm really not sure, but is there a clear-cut definition? Or does it depend on personal views. What is your opinion?

The difference is in the execution. Do it right, and it's innovation. Screw it up, and it's a gimmick.

Innovation is not the bottom line. Implementation is at least as important, if not more so!

Look at all the games that had huge sales without doing anything new, slews of sequels upon sequels, but they still do well. Partly from marketing, but mostly from having polished an established formula to such a point that players don't mind that it's fundamentally similar to other games, they're entertained because it's an improved iteration on the formula.