Great piece. The great temptation of UGC is that it alligns with VC-style outcomes in that it's either nothing or huge, and I suspect that's why so many investors are getting behind startups like HypeHype.
The problem is that Roblox took 10 years in the making, taking VC round after VC round. Often, it feels like the repeated pitch "we want to replace X huge games platform" is evidence of an industry thinking in terms of a zero-sum game in a low-growth established market.
E.g. more interesting than an attempt to replace established Battle-Royales, is a view on what comes next in shooters after Battle Royale.
I like the sentiment but I don't know if I agree. Roblox is, I thought, the game of all these with the most players - and while the 'Roblox' aesthetic is a part of what makes it's content special, distinct or unique - I don't think there was ever a 'good game' there to start with. Unless we agree that Roblox is a spin off of Minecraft and the continuity existed their for it's players... which would make some sense.
David, I agree mods are key to sub-genres formation. But historically, all of them splited from the parent game. I don't think thats capturable. For me Game Design inovations require a new environment to shine. Good Article :D
Great piece. The great temptation of UGC is that it alligns with VC-style outcomes in that it's either nothing or huge, and I suspect that's why so many investors are getting behind startups like HypeHype.
The problem is that Roblox took 10 years in the making, taking VC round after VC round. Often, it feels like the repeated pitch "we want to replace X huge games platform" is evidence of an industry thinking in terms of a zero-sum game in a low-growth established market.
E.g. more interesting than an attempt to replace established Battle-Royales, is a view on what comes next in shooters after Battle Royale.
I like the sentiment but I don't know if I agree. Roblox is, I thought, the game of all these with the most players - and while the 'Roblox' aesthetic is a part of what makes it's content special, distinct or unique - I don't think there was ever a 'good game' there to start with. Unless we agree that Roblox is a spin off of Minecraft and the continuity existed their for it's players... which would make some sense.
David, I agree mods are key to sub-genres formation. But historically, all of them splited from the parent game. I don't think thats capturable. For me Game Design inovations require a new environment to shine. Good Article :D