I've been wondering whether culture is a detriment or a benefit to videogames. As technology improves it seems as though creators and developers have more and more ability to inject culture into the game whether it's gameplay ideas, art style, story, environment, soundtrack, or what have you.
Here's some examples:
- The Wind Waker art style which was very Japanese and could only be pulled off because of technological enhancements in graphics.
- The Western-influenced shooter genre based on violence and realism around war (such a popular theme in American entertainment)
- Pokemon and it's Japanese cuteness. Japan has a way of finding cuteness in ugly abnormalities like crooked teeth in young girls, or in this case cute monsters!
There are more examples but here's where I'm coming from. This culture is what allows an idea to be born. But when it is able to then be fully expressed through technology, that fresh idea now becomes refined and polished, and now ends up gaining a niche audience as a result to the point where certain culture no longer find it accessible. Japan just doesn't like shooters, but I think the 3d era really put the nail in the coffin on that. And American doesn't seem to be as friendly towards anime style graphics like Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, or even the new Zelda game.
Anyways, how in your opinion does culture hurt and/or help the videogame industry? And can you think of any examples?
