Creative thinkers unlock the door to concepts that inspire on an entirely different level. It doesn’t matter what their field is, whether gaming, literature, poetry, or comedy. I could go on. However, some themes strike a chord on a higher frequency with creative thinkers—but what’s the science behind this?
Why do specific ideas, themes, and genres have the ability to connect to creatives on a different plane? Today, our focus is on the world of all things fantastical, and on how the profound influence of this theme has resonated throughout the world of entertainment over the last half-century.
Exploring Fantasy Themes in Gaming
One of the most evident areas where fantasy has played such a pivotal role is gaming. Zelda games and landmark recent titles, like Elden Ring, haven’t just become big games of their time, they have reshaped the direction the industry has headed toward.
Some span into the idea of Greek, Norse, and Egyptian mythology and fuse this with fantasy ideas. Gates Of Olympus is a recognizable title in the online slots world that has this fantastical and mythological theme, but there are thousands of titles that span this genre.
Others prefer a modern spin that deals with the idea of fictional or fantasy characters and embeds them into a fictional world. However, just like in video gaming, one of the main appeals for designers is the level of scope that allows them to span the full range of their creativity.
Expanding Their Horizons
One of the key reasons why fantastical themes speak so powerfully to creative types has to be the unbridled creative potential within them. The restraints of non-fiction do not apply to or bind them; facts can happily go out of the window in place of imagination and fresh, original stories.
It’s impossible to mention fantastical themes without discussing the man many believe to be the genre’s architect, Lord Of The Rings author JRR Tolkien. Not only did the iconic author create an idea that resonates with new writers and creatives decades after his death, but his iconic creation of Middle Earth spanned a vast universe with worlds, themes, and a myriad of fantasy elements.
Mainstream Popularity
The mesmeric success of Game Of Thrones showed that those authors who can bottle up and capture a microcosm of what this genre is genuinely about have the ticket to delivering an idea that can branch out into the mainstream.
Despite the abysmal final season, it’s fair to say Game Of Thrones was one of the most impactful TV shows of the 2010s, alongside Breaking Bad. It felt like there was a time when it dominated the cultural landscape. It was impossible to go anywhere without hearing about it.
While a lot of this is down to George RR Martin’s skill as an author and the incredible actors who brought the script to life between seasons one through four, it tapped into mainstream popularity. This widespread appeal can inspire creative thinkers; they know that if they concoct an idea or a story, and it’s well pieced together, it leads to investment, recognition of their work, and a sizeable audience.
Final Thoughts
By not having to stay within the framework of a traditional idea, creative thinkers essentially have a fresh canvas, a new blueprint. This extends beyond the ideas of fiction and into other worlds we have discussed today, including game design, TV series, and music. For instance, in contrast, if somebody is writing an autobiography or creating a sports video game, they can’t apply the full breadth of their creative ideas.
This doesn’t mean these media or art forms are less engaging, but they don’t have the same uninhibited creative ideas. The fantasy theme embraces true artistic freedom, where anything beyond conventional physics and ideas is possible. Learning new languages and experiencing new cultures resonates with creatives as it allows them to broaden their perspectives and immerse more in new media.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean that simply because an idea is outside the box, it will become the next Game of Thrones, but it speaks to why creatives are more drawn to it than other genres that can get bogged down by their own restraints.
Some creatives follow the slipstream of a cultural phenomenon, simply looking to cash in on the idea that it’s a hot topic. But in a world where true creatives are naturally drawn to the genre, those who are simply in it to make a quick buck are eventually weeded out, or their ideas simply lack the originality or creative passion to develop into a hit TV show or movie idea.
