[agumonkey]

I'd generalize it. Every time someone finds a creative hack to do something not possible with a device you get a magic moment. The opposite is also somehow true.. people today have unity open infinite world with pb-renderers and it seems quite boring.

[ryneandal]

I agree with your generalization now that I give it some thought. Even for topics I have little interest in or know little of, creative solutions are enthralling.

Your latter assessment is why even arbitrary limitations commonly inspire interesting gameplay and art style IMO. I quickly grew tired of Assassin's Creed and similar open world games; in contrast, games like The Messenger can pull me in immediately.

The (admittedly few) game jams I've actually completed had limiting restrictions (i.e. 8/16-bit art/gameplay). Two things make me more productive/creative than normal: looming deadlines and limitations.

[agumonkey]

like the saying: necessity is the mother of invention

I also think there's a balance between the breadth of a tech and its use. I feel weird seeing how much can software do, but all this for games.. it's like having a complete nuclear lab team to help you change batteries on your LED lightsaber...