This is to address the question of whether or not something should be made/implemented even though it may not be entirely original, whether we're discussing a book, game, movie, or etc.
Oftentimes, when creating, I find myself asking whether I should really bother implementing something into a creation I'm working on or whether I should even continue with the creation altogether. Most of the time, I find the answer to be a solid yes.
The most obvious reason for this is that to do anything really truly original is REALLY REALLY hard. Chances are, somewhere in history, someone has already created what you're thinking of. But there's more to this than just historical justifications. And to go even further, sometimes, the same story, like the
Hero's Journey or
Going Native, when done right, can be just as awesome, perhaps even more so depending on the context, than trying to shoot for something original.
This is because these are classic stories that have stood the test of time. They have shown that, when used properly, they are very effective in conveying specific ideas and experiences. HOWEVER, as I have said, these are merely tools that, of course, do not match all situations at all. Also, the above examples only apply to stories. There are other structures that other forms of media follow. For example, in gameplay, the Doom style, constant run-and-gun, no regenerating heath, carry over 10 weapons at once kind of style. In terms of games, this formula is ancient but we keep coming back to it all the time. Why? For the same reasons why we use the Hero's Journey, Going Native, and etc.
So when can we know when it's proper to use these tools? Perhaps that is the wrong question. I would like to quote the venerable Robert Louis Stevenson.
The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.
So the question isn't when, it's how. How can we affect the reader/watcher/player as we wish? This is the essence of all art essentially, and sometimes, a certain tool may be useful in attaining that goal. Or maybe it could actually be the worst tool you can use. It all depends on the context. What you feel. What you want to express. Or even if whether someone's already recently expressed the same thing you want to.
In closing, originality is a fine goal to be sure, but it definitely shouldn't be your only goal or even your highest one.
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I hope this didn't sound too meandering. If you find anything mistaken in this, be sure to let me know.
