Image: Valery Vasilyeu (Motion Array)
Author: VANAS Team
Most Overused Video Game Ideas You Should Avoid
Let’s be honest — the world doesn’t need another generic zombie survival game. Or another medieval fantasy RPG with a chosen one saving the kingdom. Yet every year, countless new games hit the market with the same tired ideas.
As an aspiring digital artist or indie developer, you want your work to stand out — not blend into a sea of clones. Understanding which concepts are oversaturated will help you focus your creative energy on ideas that feel fresh, exciting, and worth playing.
At Vancouver Animation School (VANAS), we encourage our students to push past clichés and build worlds, characters, and mechanics that surprise players. This article will help you spot some of the most overused video game ideas — and give you better ways to make your next project shine.
The Risk of Following the Crowd
You might think, “If so many studios make these games, they must sell!” And sometimes they do — big AAA franchises can get away with tried-and-true ideas because they have massive fanbases and budgets.
But for indie developers or newcomers trying to break in, copying old formulas usually leads to low interest, lukewarm reviews, or getting lost on Steam with zero downloads.
As game designer Jesse Schell puts it:
Players crave novelty. They want something familiar enough to understand, but different enough to feel new.
Most Overused Video Game Ideas — And Why They’re Tired
1. Zombies Everywhere
How many ways can we kill the undead? From Left 4 Dead to The Walking Dead to countless mobile games, zombies have been done to death (pun intended). Unless you’re adding a twist — like Plants vs. Zombies did — it’s time to let them rest in peace.
2. Medieval Fantasy “Chosen One”
A young hero discovers they’re the chosen one who must defeat the dark lord. Sound familiar? This trope has been at the core of countless RPGs for decades. Games like Skyrim and Dragon Age have done it well, but small studios rarely add anything new.
Try flipping it: what if the hero doesn’t want to be chosen? Or the villain thinks they’re the chosen one?
3. Save the Princess (Again)
Super Mario Bros. is iconic, but the damsel-in-distress trope feels outdated. Players want stronger, more complex characters — and stories where female characters have agency.
4. Post-Apocalyptic Wastelands
Mad Max, Fallout, The Last of Us… grim worlds with ruins, raiders, and radiation. If you want to make a post-apocalyptic game, ask: what’s different here? Could your setting be hopeful instead of hopeless? Could nature be reclaiming cities in beautiful ways?
5. Generic Military Shooter
The realistic modern soldier fighting terrorists has been milked by franchises like Call of Duty and Battlefield. Competing with AAA realism is almost impossible on a small budget — so why not try a different conflict or art style?
Real Example: A Studio That Broke the Mold
Undertale (2015) by Toby Fox is a great case study. It took the classic RPG format but added a twist: you don’t have to fight enemies. In fact, the game encourages you to befriend or spare them.
This tiny indie game sold over a million copies in its first year because it felt different, sincere, and emotionally engaging.
Signs Your Idea Might Be Too Common
Here’s a simple checklist:
- Can you describe your game in one sentence without mentioning “like [famous game] but…”?
- Have you played three or more games with the same core idea?
- Is your story or mechanic built entirely on a cliché with no unique hook?
If you answer “yes” to these, it’s time to dig deeper and find your twist.
How to Freshen Up an Overused Idea
Sometimes you really love a theme — so make it yours! Here are a few ways to breathe life into old ideas:
| Overused Concept | Possible Twist |
|---|---|
| Zombie apocalypse | Zombies evolve, become intelligent, or friendly. |
| Chosen one hero | The “chosen one” is a fraud — anyone can be the hero. |
| Save the princess | The princess saves the hero — or herself. |
| Military shooter | Set in an alternate history, or make it a satire. |
| Medieval fantasy | Focus on peasants, merchants, or monsters’ POV. |
The Data: Players Notice the Difference
According to SteamSpy and GameDiscoverCo reports, the majority of indie games never break even — often because they fail to stand out. Meanwhile, unique titles like Hades, Hollow Knight, or Celeste succeed because they bring fresh ideas to old genres.
In a 2023 GDC survey, 70% of developers said “novelty” was their biggest selling point when marketing indie games.
FAQ: Overused Video Game Ideas
Q: Should I completely avoid zombies, fantasy, or post-apocalypse? A: Not necessarily! If you can add a real twist, subvert expectations, or blend genres creatively, these can still work.
Q: I only have cliché ideas — what do I do? A: Start researching weird facts, lesser-known myths, or unusual settings. Inspiration often comes from unexpected places.
Q: What if my favorite game idea is “overused”? A: Don’t scrap it yet — ask what makes your take special. Sometimes a unique art style, new mechanic, or unexpected character can make all the difference.
Key Takeaway: Originality Wins
As an aspiring game artist or designer, you don’t have to reinvent gaming — but you do need to stand out. Players are hungry for fresh stories, creative visuals, and mechanics that surprise them.
At Vancouver Animation School (VANAS), we help you master both the timeless skills of game art and design and the creative mindset to break clichés. We want your work to be the project people remember — not the one they scroll past.
Ready to Create Something Players Will Love?
Join the VANAS community to learn, grow, and create original games that stand out. Visit www.vanas.ca to explore our programs in Game Art, Animation, and Visual Effects — and start turning your unique ideas into playable worlds today!
