robotsandfrippary:

omg that article “Millenials killed the focus group” GIVES ME SO MUCH HOPE.

You want to know why games are stagnant? and movies?  and tv shows?

FOCUS GROUPS.

You can come up with an amazing story, compelling and immersive gameplay, exciting new features that are totally do-able in the time frame you have, with interesting and nuanced characters… and have it all thrown in the toilet because the focus group “doesn’t get it.”  And when you have the chance to meet the focus group it’s usually full of people with the collective IQ of a cabbage who are totally not the demographic that the game is supposed to be for.  They’re like, “Well I didn’t understand why the main character was a girl and she didn’t have big boobs.  that’s what I came here for.” or “Well, I’d really like it to have features more like candy crush.” 

Ever wonder why indy games have the really innovative stuff going on?  THEY DON’T USE FOCUS GROUPS.

the only thing that ever tests well in a focus group is stuff that’s been done before… so that’s why everyone clones all the stupid shit over and over and over and over.

Thats why indie games are so popular. because they don’t have focus groups. they just make the best game they can and hope it catches on.