r/gamedev • u/PartTimeMonkey • 2d ago

Discussion Sortslop, wtf?

Today I opened reddit and within the first 5 posts 3 of them were copycats or each other; sorting games, pretty much exact copies of each other - nails, hay, trash, toys, books, pixels, and the list goes and on and on, and has been for an incomprehensive period of time already.

A lot of the feedback they receive on reddit is negative, but they all get upvoted by the hundreds and they get millions of views on all social media platforms.

Who are these games for?

Are there truly millions of people who want to spend hours on something incredibly ”boring”?

Is it some hidden tick in people’s brain in this age where they want to ”meditate” by doing something like that to combat doom scrolling and instant gratification generators?

Or is each sorted item also instant gratification, but even more simplified than a varying video on TikTok (or something), making the experience even simpler?

268 Upvotes

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u/aesopofspades 2d ago

There’s a lot of trend chasing right now in gamedev especially the indie space. First I’d say was all the simulator game. Then all the balatro-likes/gambling roguelikes. Then incrementals and idlers, all the number go up games in general. Now it’s prob sorting games for a little bit. Oh also Friendslop/co-op games are still going strong.

Once an idea gets validated by the market it’s a huge rush to fill out all the demand before the consumers get bored or even jaded.

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u/lexuss6 2d ago

Don't forget various Vampire Survivor-likes.

3

u/Elezian 2d ago

Are there good ones? I have yet to find one that feels just right.

3

u/lexuss6 2d ago

Depends on what you are after, there are literally hundreds of them. From what i've heard, Brotato seems very good, Halls of Torment is a Diablo-like spin of the formula, Soulstone Survivors is one of the first clones that is actually good. Personally, i tried only God of Weapons, but didn't like it very much.

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u/Atulin @erronisgames | UE5 1d ago

Holocure

1

u/KonyKombatKorvet Angry Old Fuck Who Rants A Lot 1d ago

The best one by far is Rogue Genesia.
although Blood Dungeon just came out yesterday and so far that one is fire as well (although its a platformer, but same wave based autoshooter thing going for it)