Game shows have been a big part of the entertainment scene for decades, but are they better than ever before? Fans love to debate the strengths and weaknesses of new shows but why is there such a division of opinion when it comes to how we rate them?
New Games Add Different Challenges
New game shows are released regularly, with Lucky 13, The 1% Club, and The Quiz with Balls among the latest titles to hit our screens this year. Creators try to be innovative and with more game shows to choose from than ever before, they need to try different things to grab our attention. This means that some hit the mark with clever new ideas while others quickly flop and are forgotten about.
Password is an example of a new show that’s proved to be a hit, with a simple format that involves players giving clues to help their team-mate guess the mystery word. It’s an American series that has now moved to other parts of the world, like the UK, and become a success. This has led to it being used as a theme in one of the latest online slot games. The Password slot by Core Gaming is set in a virtual studio and has a six-step trail to win free spins. Despite being based on a game show, it retains a traditional set-up with symbols across the five reels.
Other changes can be seen in the difficulty of the questions asked. One of the most common complaints about new game shows is that the questions are too easy. As a result, The 1% Club aims to cover questions that only 1% of the population can answer correctly. Lucky 13 asks contestants to say if 13 different statements are true or false, with some of them extremely difficult. Of course, producers need to strike the right balance, as a quiz can quickly get boring if it’s so difficult that people just start guessing.
The Use of Technology
The relatively low cost is one of the reasons TV companies love game shows. These programs can also be set up to look exciting and cutting-edge without spending a huge amount. This has been possible due to the way that technology like LED screens and neon lights have become so affordable.
However, this creates the risk of all the programs looking like one another. Therefore, one of the big challenges is to use this widely available technology and create something unique. The dramatic music in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and the glitzy look of Press Your Luck have given us a couple of examples of how a game show can stand out thanks to the clever use of technology.
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Classic Shows Are Still Popular
These changes in the genre can’t take away from the fact that classic game shows are still hugely popular, In many cases, the nostalgia element helps them to continue attracting fans, while in other cases it’s still a testament to their excellent design and interesting gameplay standing the test of time.
We can look forward to seeing new game shows launched while the classics will remain popular. The increasing diversity in the sector might make some people these shows are getting better, while others may look at some of the failures and suggest that they’re getting worse. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, as we see different ways of trying to meet the changing demands of the entertainment industry.