Shigeru Miyamoto, one of the most iconic figures in the video game industry and creator of classics like Super Mario, has recently expressed his frustration with the current trend of developers repeating gameplay formulas and similar designs. In an interview translated by Shmuplations, Miyamoto compared repetition in video games to pornography, suggesting that both have reached grotesque levels due to the constant pursuit of complexity without real innovation.
Both media tend towards the grotesque
The renowned developer has complained that, despite technological advancements, today’s video games still rely on concepts from the past, similar to 100-yen arcade games. According to him, this lack of evolution has led to a creative deadlock and has caused the industry to stagnate, a problem that has been a recurring topic in discussions about video game design for years.
Miyamoto argued that, for video games to remain relevant and exciting, developers should draw inspiration from everyday life experiences, rather than following a predictable and monotonous path. He proposed that creating games that capture simple yet meaningful moments, such as the joy of having a pet, could revolutionize the industry, anticipating past successes like Nintendogs.
On the other hand, Miyamoto also pointed out that the search for hidden secrets in video games has lost its common sense, indicating that this obsession has taken on a grotesque character. Just like in pornography, where consumers increasingly seek more extreme stimuli, players seem to demand complexity in a cycle that only reinforces creative stagnation. In the end, his message is clear: the industry must rethink itself and explore new ways to engage players instead of remaining trapped in a maze of repetition.
