The evolution of technology has been fast and confusing to some but in the end our technology serves us, and it is our responsibility to ensure a successful future. The application of technology as a form of entertainment has showed us that we as a species have a long way to go before we can rightfully say that we are successful. However, even with all its faults, our technology has brought us moments of understanding and truth. It is this knowledge that allows us to continue exploring our future. Games are an extension of our imagination and they play vital part in our future. They help us grow as a society and they can open our minds to things we never would have considered possible but they also have the power to divide people. Without exploration there is NO discovery. When I started programming I looked to other peoples code for help but I have grown past "cloning" and I have created a few creative and entertaining games on my own. In my opinion, the mark of a truly gifted developer is the ability to create something new. This may be a lofty goal but it is one ALL developers should strive for.

Well, don''t try too hard to come up with something original. Like the proverb says: "There is nothing new under the sun." If you think you have a great new original idea, chances are someone else already thought of it.

We can see this everywhere. How many "original" movies have came out lately? Seems like they''re all remakes or based off earlier movies. And authors have borrowed storylines from each other for centuries.

My point is this: It''s hard (perhaps impossible) to come up with something truly original. All artforms progress through improving earlier works. There is nothing wrong with using older games as inspiration for your own. Instead of spending time trying to think how you could come up with some great new original game, why not look back at the older games and see what worked and what didn''t?

My $0.02.


Josh
http://www.jh-software.com