Dev Log 01: Why You NEED to do Game Research

Where does creativity come from? 

Creativity, as a I define it, is the ability to solve a problem in a functional and innovative way which is easily discernable from others. Colloquially,  it is simply conveying new ideas in interesting ways. The key is to ensure it is discernable from others; which is important since thousands of games are being released daily. It allows your game to be easily marketed and recognizable. This is the foundation of multi-million dollar IPs. 

Here are some common ways people are creative(based on what I've observed). You look at the past, then bring it into the modern era and have it fit within your new game parameters. Why is this so good?  It is because it is not as familiar to the modern audience and thus immediately comes off as new and creative. This is used very often in the entertainment industry. 

Next, you can begin looking at what already exists and start adding new functionality and constraints. For example, what if a car could fly? What would that look like? The easy way out is to give it plane wings. A more innovative approach is the DeLorean from "Back to the Future." What is the new functionality? It can fly. What is the new constraints? It can't look like a plane. 

Lastly, this one is a bit more production oriented, you can apply something from another unrelated field or industry and try to apply it in yours.  The best example I have from recent memory is from "The Mandalorian" Disney series. They looked to  games and thought of how to improve film making.  They used a video game engine and a giant screen display to create the  CG environment around the actors. The result of using an existing solution applied in a new unrelated area fundamentally changed the way films are made. This solution made it easier to blend CG and real life film, for actors to actually be able to see what they are interacting with and allow the directors to easily assess if the "near final" product fits their tastes. To contrast, prior to this creative solution directors had to guess and hope that the VFX team would pull it together before release. 

Why do AAA developers conduct research and why you should too?

It is common for developers to do research because games are consumed by a diverse group of individuals. By conducting research, players gain a level of respect for developers as the content in the game is based in reality, extremely detailed and creative. 

By researching topics you get free content that is easily recognizable and acceptable to players; Disney is infamous for this as most of their early animated films were based on historical legends and stories.  To continue, would you think a car that has no wheels, windows, lights, and looked like a blob was actually a drivable vehicle in a game?  By basing your game's content on research(reality, something that has existed before) players can quickly understand an items function, its value and most importantly, how they can use it to enjoy the game. 

In terms of production, now your team can easily reference the same item and instantly understand what their goal is. This is often the role of concept artists, to produce visuals that communicate the visual direction of content. Now instead of being aimless and confused, there is a clear target that you can aim for; reducing time spent onboarding and miscommunication between individuals. 

Moreover, research can be used to inspire and influence the team. Such inspiration can evolve into gameplay mechanics that are evocative and engaging for players. For example, "Monopoly" is inspired by purchasing assets and becoming the richest. Chess is inspired by war and battle as kingdoms manipulate their assets to conquer another. Almost anything can be turned into a creative gameplay scenario. 

Where to Look For Research?

• Experts in the topic you are researching(history, martial arts,  FBI)
• Peer-reviewed articles
• Books (fiction, non-fiction, science)
• Almost anything you observe and more importantly experience 

Conclusion

Research is pivotal as it gives direction and credibility to the game content being developed. Such research can come in all different forms and the world is ripe for inspiration to the next big IP. By not skipping this stage, your game is more likely to stand out, be creative and have greater success.