Only games that truly innovate within this niche will distinguish themselves. However, participants did not expect to see a vast increase in art budgets either, as things are currently at a sustainable level only. While most strategy games have been 2D up until now, several people, including some who had done 2D games in the past, felt that 3D would inevitably dominate in strategy games, as it has in action and other categories. 2D advocates felt that 3D graphics were unnecessary and unlikely to have a major near-term impact on this genre. A lot of folks advocated targeting the female market more, generally by decreasing violence and competition, and moving more towards building and exploring games.
Participants are upbeat about the future of strategy games.
From the comments of the participants, it seems they are taking many different approaches to these and other divisive issues, and we should expect to see a bumper crop of varied strategy games coming down the pike in the next 12 to 18 months. 2000 CMP Media Inc. All rights reserved.