The Future of Platformers: Innovations to Look Forward To

20 February 2025

Ah, platformers—those glorious creations that have been making our thumbs sore and our patience thinner since we first convinced ourselves we could totally make that jump. From the pixel-perfect chaos of Super Mario Bros. to the modern artistry of Celeste and Hollow Knight, platformers have carved a special space in our gaming hearts. But where do they go from here? What’s next for this genre that refuses to die no matter how many times we fall into bottomless pits?

Well, buckle up, buttercup. The future of platformers is looking brighter than the shine off Mario’s overall buttons, and today, we’re diving into the innovations that are set to shake things up. Let’s get into it because, trust me, you’ll want to know what’s coming before you rage-quit in frustration over missing yet another double jump.

1. Procedural Generation: When Every Playthrough is a Surprise

Ever felt like a game was doing its best to troll you? Procedural generation takes that idea and cranks it up to eleven. Instead of pre-designed levels, these bad boys are crafted on the fly by algorithms that are either genius or sadistic—maybe both.

Imagine playing a platformer where every time you load up a level, it’s entirely different. No memorizing layouts or muscle-memory cheese tactics. Nope, you’re gonna earn that victory. Games like Spelunky and Dead Cells have already dabbled in this, and it’s only getting better (or worse, depending on how much you enjoy suffering).

Will the randomness drive you bonkers? Probably. But hey, isn’t unpredictability half the fun? Like opening a bag of jelly beans and praying you don’t get the vomit-flavored one.

2. AI-Powered Level Design: Because Robots Wanna Have Fun Too

Speaking of sadistic algorithms, let’s talk about AI in platformers. No, I’m not talking about enemies with godlike aim-bot precision. I’m talking about AI that can design levels tailored to your gameplay style. Imagine a game that watches you flub a jump 27 times and says, “You know what? Let’s tone it down a notch.” Or better yet, ramps up the difficulty after realizing you’re cruising through the levels like Sonic on a caffeine high.

AI in platformers could also mean more organic and dynamic challenges. Levels that adjust in real time? Sure. Boss fights that learn your patterns and counter your every move? Absolutely. Sounds terrifying, right? But hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge that makes you question your life choices?

3. Physics-Based Platforming: Because Gravity is Just a Suggestion

Platformers have always had a love-hate relationship with physics. Jump too high? Dead. Jump too low? Also dead. But what if physics became the star of the show? Games like LittleBigPlanet and Human: Fall Flat have already toyed with this idea, offering gameplay where manipulating objects and playing with momentum are as crucial as nailing that perfect landing.

The future will likely see more physics-heavy platformers where players can harness forces like gravity, wind, or even time itself to beat levels. Imagine using a makeshift catapult to fling yourself across a chasm or rewinding time to undo that absolutely boneheaded move you just made. It’s not just platforming anymore—it’s science class but with fewer pop quizzes.

4. Co-op Platforming: Testing Friendships One Jump at a Time

Ever tried playing a co-op platformer with a friend and realized you might not like them as much as you thought? Games like Overcooked for action and Unravel Two for platforming have already proven that sharing the screen isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. The future of platformers is poised to double down on cooperative chaos, bringing us mechanics that require teamwork, timing, and just the right amount of yelling, “NO, JERRY, NOT THAT BUTTON!”

With innovations like shared abilities, split-screen co-op, and even online multiplayer, platformers will give us more ways to sabotage—uh, I mean help—our friends. Whether it’s carrying each other to safety or using a partner as a human trampoline, there’s nothing quite like co-op gameplay to strengthen (or destroy) relationships.

5. Hybrid Genres: Why Stop at Just Jumping?

Platformers aren’t content to stay in their lane anymore. They’re out here mixing genres like a bartender at happy hour. Action-platformers? Been there. Puzzle-platformers? Done that. RPG-platformers? Oh yeah, baby, give me those skill trees and dialogue options.

The future of the genre lies in blending elements from seemingly unrelated games. Think platformers with survival crafting (Don’t Starve meets Celeste), competitive battle royale (Fortnite, but with more jumping and less building), or even horror (Inside, but somehow more unsettling). Developers are realizing that no matter how much we love jumping on platforms, we love variety even more.

In short, platformers are becoming the smoothies of gaming—throw in a little bit of everything and hope it tastes decent.

6. Narrative Depth: More Than Just “Save the Princess!”

Let’s face it: the old “rescue the princess” trope isn’t just tired—it’s in a full-blown coma. These days, gamers expect more substance in their stories, even in platformers. Games like Ori and the Blind Forest and Gris have raised the bar, bringing emotional storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals into the mix.

In the future, platformers will likely continue down this road, giving us narratives that make us laugh, cry, and ugly-cry all in one sitting. Will they still involve jumping over stuff? Absolutely. But now there’s meaning behind those jumps… or at least a really good plot twist halfway through.

7. Immersive Tech: VR and AR Aren’t Just for Shooters

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have mainly been the playgrounds of FPS games and simulators—but why should they have all the fun? Imagine putting on a VR headset and finding yourself dodging obstacles in a 3D platformer where depth perception actually matters (gulp). Or playing an AR platformer that transforms your living room into a level straight out of Crash Bandicoot.

Sure, it might involve a few stubbed toes and toppled lamps, but the potential is there for some truly wild experiences. Plus, it’s one step closer to living out your dream of being a real-life video game character—minus the respawns.

8. Creative Tools for Players: Build Your Dream Levels

Why let developers have all the fun? Games like Super Mario Maker and Dreams have already shown us that players are more than capable of designing diabolical levels that rival anything the pros can come up with. In the future, we’ll see platformers that put even more power into the hands of players.

Want to create a level where every platform is a trampoline? Go for it. How about a boss fight where the enemy is a 300-foot-tall chicken that shoots laser beams? Knock yourself out. With more intuitive creation tools and expanded customization options, the next big platformer might just be the one you design yourself.

9. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Platformers for Everyone

Finally, the future of platformers isn’t just about innovation—it’s about inclusivity. As gaming continues to grow, so does the push for games that are accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level or physical ability. Assist modes, customizable controls, and visual/audio aids are becoming standard features, and platformers are no exception.

We’ll also see more diverse characters, stories, and perspectives making their way into the genre. Because at the end of the day, platformers are about connecting people—whether they’re hardcore speedrunners or casual gamers who just want to finish the first level without throwing their controller.

Final Thoughts: Jumping Into the Unknown

The future of platformers is as exciting as it is unpredictable. From AI-designed levels to VR shenanigans, the genre is evolving in ways that will keep us hooked—and maybe a little infuriated—for decades to come. Sure, we might still miss that one jump a thousand times, but hey, it’s all part of the charm.

So, the next time someone says platformers are a relic of the past, just show them what’s coming next. And then proceed to laugh when they fail miserably at clearing a procedurally-generated, AI-crafted, physics-based level in co-op mode with their best friend slowly turning into their worst enemy.

You’re welcome.