In exploring the question of whether today's video games are generally less creative than older games, it's clear this is a complex issue. Many argue that the golden age of gaming was teeming with innovation, while today's industry seems saturated with similar themes and gameplay mechanics. However, others point out that the advancements in technology have allowed for a depth of storytelling and graphics that were impossible in the past. It's important to remember that creativity is subjective and while the industry has certainly evolved, it doesn't necessarily mean it has become less creative. Ultimately, it's about personal preference and what each individual values in their gaming experience.
Creativity: simple habits to spark ideas
Creativity ties every animated world, game design, and story together. If you make art, script, or design levels, you need ways to generate ideas and finish them. Here are simple, practical habits that actually work.
Start small and repeat.
Pick one tiny creative task you can finish in 15 minutes — sketch a character face, write one dialogue line, design a short loop animation. The goal is not perfect work; the goal is to build a doing habit. Doing regularly beats waiting for inspiration.
Use limits to get loose.
Set three strict limits: time, tools, and colors. When you force yourself to work inside a box, your brain finds unexpected routes. Try a two-color character study or a 30-minute scene built with a single brush. Constraints push fresh solutions.
Mix different interests. Cross-training boosts ideas: watch a sports match and notice movement, read a folklore tale and steal a mood, play a racing game and study sound design. Creators at Animated Universe India borrow from movies, games, and local myths to make characters more lively. Keep a short note app for three weird combos you see each day.
Make a playable rough draft. In animation or game ideas, build a rough mock that you can test. A quick animatic, paper prototype, or voice sketch shows what works and where to cut. Testing early saves time and teaches you which ideas survive the real world.
Daily rituals matter. A short morning routine that includes a 10-minute warmup—doodles, voice recordings, or mood boards—wakes creative muscles. Pair this with one concrete goal: today I’ll finish a walk cycle or write a villain’s backstory. Small wins fuel momentum.
Share early and get brutal feedback. Show work-in-progress to one trusted person who will point out confusion or boredom fast. Feedback doesn’t have to be polite; it must be honest. Use that feedback to prune weak bits and amplify what’s interesting.
Use reference with purpose. Collect images, sounds, and clips that excite you, but label why each one works—pose, lighting, rhythm. When you reuse references, you’ll avoid copying and instead remix the reason they hit you emotionally.
Rest like part of the process. Creativity glows after breaks. Walk, nap, or play a short game to reset stuck thinking. Often the solution arrives while you’re doing something unrelated.
Practical exercises to try this week: - 15-minute character: design personality, habit, and one visual quirk. - One-day animatic: plan a 20-second scene, shoot rough frames, then review. - Remix challenge: take a folktale and place it in a modern city; list five changes.
Keep track of what works. After a month, review your notes and favorite outcomes. You’ll spot patterns: which constraints, times, or prompts consistently spark better ideas. Repeat those and drop what wastes time.
Creativity isn’t magic. It’s a set of small decisions you repeat until ideas move from vague to finished. If you want more focused prompts, try weekly themes: color, motion, sound, or culture. Rotate themes to keep ideas fresh and varied. Every month.