The Trouble of Tunnel Vision: Impact on Game Design and Player Perspective
Through years of navigating the fervent chatter of social media, it has become clear that game design often suffers due to a pitfall known as tunnel vision. This occurs when developers and gamers view games only through their own narrow perspectives, leading to limited innovation and understanding. Let’s explore why tunnel vision is detrimental to the gaming industry.
My Way or the Highway
Tunnel vision, in this context, means evaluating the gaming industry and games solely from one’s own viewpoint. Critics, YouTubers, streamers, and consumers alike fall into this trap, often dismissing games that don’t align with their tastes. Comments like “I don’t like game X, so X is just bad” are all too common.
When games like Balatros or Vampire Survivors become surprise hits, some people can’t understand why they succeed. They might declare, “It’s just X; what’s so special?” This type of tunnel vision fails to appreciate the unique elements that resonate with different players. Furthermore, it propagates the flawed notion that one game can encapsulate all that gaming has to offer. Comparing disparate games like Call of Duty and Stardew Valley under one generic term, “videogames,” undermines the diversity and depth of the medium.
Developers and consumers often extend this narrow mindset to the genres they appreciate. For example, someone who enjoys hardcore shooters might scoff at casual games and fail to see their value. This bias can hinder creativity and push developers to replicate what’s already popular, rather than trying new ideas.
Loathsome Wholesome
While video games often revolve around overcoming conflict, a subset of gamers seeks “wholesome” experiences—games free of violence, focusing instead on cozy, charming themes. However, some proponents of this movement have taken it to an extreme, labeling anything outside their definition of wholesome as inferior.
This tunnel vision leads to “toxic positivity,” where any deviation from their ideal is met with contempt. A game that appears wholesome but discusses darker themes might be criticized harshly. Similarly, if a game doesn’t adhere to their strict criteria, it’s deemed flawed. This narrow mindset stifles creative expression and disregards the value of diverse themes and storytelling techniques.
Simple is Stupid
Another prevalent form of tunnel vision is the belief that 2D games are inherently simpler and less valuable than their 3D counterparts. This misconception, which echoes the anti-casual sentiment, overlooks the complexities involved in 2D game design. Creating a well-executed 2D game like Hollow Knight or Ori is no small feat. In fact, many developers fail to get the feel and mechanics right.
Critics who disparage 2D games as stepping stones to “real” 3D games expose their lack of understanding of the design challenges involved. Complexity does not necessarily equate to quality. A well-designed 2D game can offer profound experiences, proving that “simple” games are far from trivial.
Wailing About Walking
On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who define games strictly by grandiose quests or heroic feats. As game design evolved, titles emerged that focused on storytelling, art, and cinematography, rather than action and combat. Games like walking simulators and visual novels might be dismissed by these critics, who equate gameplay with battling enemies and saving worlds.
Creating a meaningful story-driven game requires more than sad music and slow movement. Just as 2D design has its pitfalls, story-focused games must navigate their unique set of challenges. High-quality examples stand apart from shallow imitations, disproving the notion that less action means less substance.
Games as Art
The debate over whether video games are art often reduces the medium to extreme interpretations. Some designers insist that games focused entirely on storytelling are the pinnacle of the art form. This perspective discounts the joy and skill involved in gameplay mechanics, such as executing a complex maneuver in an action-adventure game.
Critics champion games with narrative depth, like Return of the Obra Dinn and Pentiment, as paragons of artistic achievement. However, high churn rates for these games on platforms like Steam suggest that not all consumers share this view. A game can be artistically significant and yet not universally appealing. Recognizing this allows designers to balance artistic vision with the player experience.
Hate the Game and the Gamer
Another form of tunnel vision manifests in the view that video games are mere stepping stones to “real art”—movies, TV, etc. Prominent designers might emphasize the cultural impact of their games, rather than the innovative gameplay or development process. This mentality, seen in both indie and AAA spaces, undermines the unique value of games.
Translating games to other mediums often results in losing the essence that made the game special. The gaming industry today out earns many traditional media, yet continues to struggle for respect. Both within and outside the gaming world, some regard it as a lesser form of entertainment.
Notable game creators, like Hideo Kojima, exemplify how narrative and gameplay can coexist harmoniously. Kojima’s games, celebrated for their original narratives, also feature innovative gameplay mechanics tailored to those stories.
Gaming Variety
The diversity within video games is one of its greatest strengths. From jumping on bunnies to exploring grief, every game has a legitimate place. While personal preferences are natural, tunnel vision becomes harmful when it translates into a rigid standard for what constitutes a “good” game.
Developers must avoid becoming too insular, mistaking the approval of peers for universal appeal. Games are not monolithic. Embracing a wide array of genres and experiences within the gaming industry is crucial for its growth and innovation.
In conclusion, tunnel vision narrows our understanding and appreciation of the gaming world. Whether as a gamer or a developer, broadening our perspectives enriches the gaming experience, fostering creativity and innovation. Let’s celebrate the diversity that makes gaming a vibrant and dynamic medium.
If you would like to support my work and catch my daily streams, head over to my Patreon or join my Discord to discuss all things games and game design.
Deepika