I'm curious about the communities view on how to make specific game mechanic choices to accomplish a play style or environmental effect on a game that may already exist in other games.
Let's say you want to make a farming game with a resource mechanic. There are lots of existing farm type games with different methods for gathering resources. As the creator of a game you want it to reflect a feeling like farming and decide the perfect mechanic for gathering resources is rolling dice and gaining these resources. That's not exactly how Catan works but for the sake of argument let's say the Catan resource approach is the exact feeling you want to have for your game. Do you use it for your own game?
If another game has already figured out the ideal way to deliver the mechanic is it ethical for you as a new creator to use 'their' mechanic for your game? Or should you create your own mechanic even if it isn't as good as this known approach? I'm trying to sort out the value of creating your own elements that may be weaker than taking a successfully executed idea? Is it fair to the existing board game to use a piece of their work? Is it fair to your board game to not use the best mechanics that achieve the tone and style you want to feel when playing?
These are helpful perspectives to take on the matter. I like the idea of how other people thinking about it, the reminding them of how other games use it (and making it easier for them to understand how to operate it). This way your design lowers the level of entry for player familiar with other games.
I think about zombie games and how most of them have some sort of spawn mechanic and how making any spawn mechanic of your own will be similar to some of them.
This has been helpful to move forward with ideas and how to build them into something more unique. Thank you.
Luke