Fumito Ueda, mastermind behind Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, believes the era of new game mechanics has long since passed. According to the Japanese director, today’s developers should focus on atmosphere, artistry, and refining what already works, rather than endlessly chasing novelty. In a recent interview, he shared why sharpening existing systems is often a better approach than inventing new ones every time.

When gamers talk about gameplay, it almost always comes down to mechanics—the building blocks that make one game feel distinct from another. Traditionally, finding new ways to play has helped certain titles stand out from the hundreds released each year. But for Fumito Ueda, whose games include Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, the age of groundbreaking new mechanics belongs to the past. Speaking to DenfamicoGamer, Ueda shared these thoughts while discussing Katamari creator Keita Takahashi’s latest project, To a T.

“I don’t remember exactly why I replied with a ‘like’ at the time, but I was probably thinking, ‘The era of game mechanics is over.’ I wonder if we are no longer in an era where we need to provide new devices or game mechanics with every game. Even if the mechanics are not new, you can focus on the feel and art. Whether you like it or not, it’s better to refine the existing mechanics,” Ueda said.

Takahashi notes that Ueda has held this view since Thatgamecompany’s Journey back in 2012. Of course, what counts as “new” is subjective, but Ueda’s perspective highlights just how difficult true innovation has become for modern audiences. Today, it’s the fusion of art style, feel, narrative, and how smoothly these elements blend that brings genuine freshness—even when the underlying mechanics are familiar.

Take Lies of P, for instance: it borrows heavily from other titles, and weapon customization isn’t new. Yet the way the mechanic is woven into the game’s art, combat, and story makes customization feel distinct all over again. Ueda’s outlook signals that the future of game design may lie less in chasing never-before-seen systems and more in elevating what’s already proven.

His unnamed new project, announced at last year’s The Game Awards, already draws visual comparisons to Shadow of the Colossus. It remains to be seen how Ueda’s commitment to refinement will shape the gameplay this time around.

Source: WCCFTech, Denfaminicogamer