What do you do for inspiration?

[Sinzygy]

Yeah, I just want to know how you guys get your ideas that you think "i need or can make a game with this"?

I for one always carry a little blue note-book in my jacket. And usually on the train to school (takes about 30 minutes) I just write down whatever pops into my mind concerning games. Sometimes time just flies by and sometimes I don't get one single idea.
I came to the conclusion that carrying this little booklet with me is a great way to hold onto ideas and to flesh them out before sitting down and start something on the computer.

Some things that never inspired anything in me are: walks, sport-activites, watching TV/movies or listening to music. I need movement around me to get ideas. Don't know why, tho.

So, what about you?

[beam]

i incorporate things into my games as i make them, i don't really start off with a plan most of the time unless i have a very specific idea and that's rare

[Zeggy]

I get it by playing other games
If you are really into a popular game, you might want to make a game with a similar theme, but improve on where they are lacking.

[Sinzygy]

...
If you are really into a popular game, you might want to make a game with a similar theme, but improve on where they are lacking.

I have to admit that I have done this before --; taking something that already exists and improve it. But usually I end up with something that isn't at all like the thing I started from
But with that vast number of games it is quite hard to filter out the few gems that can be used and improved.
But I have seen that a lot of games are similar to each other and then there's no inspiration to create yet another game with the same game-mechanics... Or at least that's how I feel

[Broda]

My problem is usually not coming up with the ideas or planning. My problem is actually sitting down and focusing on implementing my plans. I'm a software developer and sit behind a computer screen writing business software 8-5+ M-F+ and so when I have time to work on my own projects (games, tools, etc) I'm usually too tired to actually do it.

My inspiration comes from a lot of things. I used to play a lot of D&D which is nothing but an idea game as far as I'm concerned - in a situation, how do you get out of it? I've played quite a few trading card games (Magic, Jihad/Vampire, Star Wars CCG, etc) as well as a lot of the MMORPGs out there (EQ, DAoC, SWG, FFXI, EQ2, L2, WoW).

Lately I've been playing Torn City, Future Criminal, etc. I like the scheme but I'm tired of the crime aspect. I started playing Crimson Moon and it's definitely a step in the right direction. All of these games give me ideas. I'll take things I like from each one and then focus on things that I don't like in them or that need to be expanded.

Wow, this post got long... sorry LOL

[Sinzygy]

My problem is usually not coming up with the ideas or planning. My problem is actually sitting down and focusing on implementing my plans.

Heh, yeah, I know this problem quite well myself. But just becuase I'm a lzay bastard B)

I'm a software developer and sit behind a computer screen writing business software 8-5+ M-F+ and so when I have time to work on my own projects (games, tools, etc) I'm usually too tired to actually do it.

Ugh, I usually "work" with my laptop during school but then I don't have to actually work. But if I had to do real work for 9hrs a day I probably wouldn't feel like making a game besides it.

My inspiration comes from a lot of things. I used to play a lot of D&D which is nothing but an idea game as far as I'm concerned - in a situation, how do you get out of it?

Hmm... I remember being into pen & paper RPGs a some years ago. I even wrote my own system (40+ pages). I guess that's where this hobby of writing games came from.

I have to say that my first few games were heavily influenced by D&D and some other pen & paper systems.

[cpvr]

I usually look at other games that are like mine and see what they're doing that I'm not. If what I'm doing isn't going anywhere, then I sit down and think and write down new ideas.

[Sakurazaki]

Like many others: I play other games, or I get inspiration from reading books, esp. Adventure/Action.