User generated content isn’t a new concept really. It’s been around for quite some time now, primarily in PC gaming space at first but as the consoles have opened their doors to homebrew creations it’s growing in significance. There’s always a debate on the quality of the content being created and the amount to which the tools are used. I recall a statement that while the tools are there only a small fraction of the user base will actually use them. Given the growth of uploads on Spore, Sims 2 and now Sims 3 exchanges and other titles that provide in-game tools for content or levels, I think that assessment is incorrect indeed.

The amount of use the tool-sets given to the players gets is directly related to the ease of use those tools have. Certainly the higher the complexity of the tool is to use, the less likely a wide selection of people are going to be using them.  Now don’t get me wrong, there are certainly some games that require a certain level of complexity in the tools to create levels and so on, which is where the mod and indie developer community comes in, but games that have more intuitive and easy to use tools, the more content gets generated by the user base.

All of this is a great thing to see, and yes, I know a lot of the content that comes out of the community can be complete and utter crap, but other times we see elements and ideas that are truly inspired, interesting or sheer creative genius. The thing I like most about this is that it gives aspiring designers and developers a place to get their wet feet wet, their hands dirty and catch a glimpse of what’s involved in the space they want to enter. I’ve seen some truly amazing content come out of the minds of kids as young as 9 and it gives a bright hope for the future of the industry.

So where am I going with all this?

It’s simple, and it goes beyond the content, to the community built around the games. When the developers and publishers of a game are accepting and open to user generate content, not only do they find a wealth of new ideas to build on with the community, but also form a sense of connection that not only leads to an interesting gaming experience but also a more loyal fan base. (Which never hurts the sales hmmm?)

With more and more people making homebrew games across the many platforms we now have available to us, the more new and interesting ideas are coming forth. It can be a pain to filter through the random garbage, no doubt about it, but like sifting gold, you might move a lot of dirt, but then you find the bright shinny nuggets that really seem to sparkle in the sunlight.

The gifted and inspired within the community not only add a new dimension to the game experience but also these people should be drafted and brought into the fold to build on and expand the horizons of the games in  a more formal way. The wealth of undiscovered talent out in the world would startle many in the industry if they really took the time to look, and I believe taking a good hard look is worth the effort.

Free to play games, flash games, social networking games, mobile phone games, console homebrew, mods, indie projects, this is where a lot of the future can be seen. Sure everyone loves the big, heavy hitting triple a games with the massive budgets, but watching the habits of people playing games these days from every walk of life, and age group reflects that people just want to play games, good games, amazing games, or just casual addicting games. You don’t need a massive budget to be successful, you just need ideas that are fresh and capture the imagination to really stand out. (Though a big budget helps lol).

If anything, collaborative efforts between developers, publishers, and the gaming community is where some of the future of the industry can be seen taking root. User generated content is one aspect of where the lines between customer and collaborator are starting to blur a bit as players are adding to the game experience and recognition for those inspired ideas should be given freely as it will help fertilize and grow the future of the industry.