What is the clear difference between a gimmic and innovation?

[Exiblade7 1,917]

asking this because I kinda confuse the two. I thought using the wii u gamepad to play a game was innovation, but in reality, it was actually a gimmic. The NX is said to be a gimmic free console, so I don't really know what that means

[WakelessDream 2,286]

I'm not familiar with the Wii U so I won't comment on what's a gimmick in it and what's not but I always thought gimmicks were something that tried to be creative and innovative but in reality it's just something unnecessary that doesn't live up to what it was originally meant to, while innovation is like developing something unique and new and creative, that actually improves upon what was there previously. 

[Soul_Seeker 753]

A gimmick is a feature in a product that is generally used to attract attention to it or make it seem more interesting when it's really just that; a feature used to attract attention. Innovation is bringing something new and creative to the table that works and is successful.

[Hero of Light XIV 2,381]

It's all opinion. Personally the use of two screens in console gaming IS an innovation to me. Motion control in a less convoluted manner with the Wii remote and nunchuck are also pretty innovative, a lot simpler and more manageable than waving your arms in front of a camera. And VR is getting to be really workable nowadays, while nothing shockingly new has come out of it, it still holds the potential to bring something revolutionary. 3D, I can admit, is a tiny bit of a gimmick as it doesn't add a whole bunch to the table other than a new interesting way to view what you're seeing. BUT, it's far from something pointless to toy around with, if the technology is given the time and effort to develop and improve I'm sure it would branch off into other areas we could only dream of right now. Like imagine, if 3D and VR were allowed to develop further than where they're at right now, we could potentially see the first steps taken towards having an immersive holographic-based gaming experience!

 

And no one ever considers this either, but remember when most games released around the year 2000 to 2008 had options for mono, stereo, or Dolby Pro Logic II? That in itself could also be seen as a "gimmick", as it was supporting a specific kind of sound system that not everyone had access to, and all it changed was how you heard and experienced the sounds and music the game was making. Either you have it come from directly in front of you, have it come from a few speakers at once, or you have it coming from all around you. The idea was to have a potential to immerse you even further into the game by some aspect, so while it didn't really change how the game is played it does try to bring you in closer. There are probably people out there who even consider that the whole social media aspect that the PS4 and Xbone are going for is a gimmick as well, and while yes it doesn't really change how we play our games, it does change how we share them with others, or rather it falls more in line with how we share nowadays.

 

The point is, the only person who decides whether something is a gimmick or an innovation is you. It's all in the eye of the beholder. People can say 3D is a gimmick all they want, it won't change how I see it, as a gateway to more possibilities with entertainment, provided how it's used. Though I guess that is a big part of the difference, how it is used. The DS's dual screens could have been seen as a gimmick, but most people don't view it that way because most of the games put on it tended to use both screens in a creative manner. So if you're looking for what drives general opinion most, then just look towards how much and how well a feature is utilized, then that might help you determine whether you find something as a "gimmick" or as an innovation. Though I always highly encourage having an open mind for anything.

[Guest]

I don't want to be that guy, and I know you're called Zeldablade, but aren't you going a bit over-board with the "Nintendo news" discussions? We have absolutely nothing to judge the NX over so we can't even point fingers as to whether Nintendo's innovations for the NX are for the better or worse.

[BlankShell 638]

In general I would consider a "gimmick" something that is short-lived or otherwise not able to be built upon. Innovation is a step forward; a gimmick is a step to the side.

[Shimmy 458]

Subjective my dear. I assume that a gimmick is a rather extra feature just meant to attract attention, while an innovation is something brand new that adds to what was already there in a positive way. As you can see, very thin line which leads to debate. IMO I wouldn't worry about it too much. You're allowed to play the things you like and it shouldn't matter if it's /gimmicky/ or not. Just my own thoughts anyways. 

[Exiblade7 1,917]

I don't want to be that guy, and I know you're called Zeldablade, but aren't you going a bit over-board with the "Nintendo news" discussions? We have absolutely nothing to judge the NX over so we can't even point fingers as to whether Nintendo's innovations for the NX are for the better or worse.

no, I'm not and I don't think i'm going to stop anytime soon and this has nothing to do with nintendo. i'm using the nintendo consoles to show what gimmic and innovation could be despite us not knowing a thing about the NX in reality, but I will take your comment in. The NX thing is assumed facts which is actually just speculation. My bad. 

Edited June 30, 2016 by Zeldablade7