ComicCon2011 is underway in San Diego this week, and the streets are bustling with comic and game fans alike. Consider these trends in this year's convention, and how they impact game design.

If you want to see a rabid fanbase for any medium, look no further than comics and games. For years, people have gathered to buy rare releases, knock-off toys, and even dress up as their favorite characters. So what are they doing that keep fans so locked in? Here’s a glimpse at a few takeaways from this year’s conference, and how they can impact your next game design online project.

1. Characters
One thing comics have always been known for is relatable, albeit imaginary heroes. Aside from superhuman abilities or crazy technology, all heroes have flaws that make them human to the reader. Creating that association is crucial - a superhero with no downfalls is hard to insert yourself into, and feels noticeably fake. This is even more the case for games. If you can’t put yourself into the playable character's conflicts, there's no hope of striking up a meaningful relationship with your player.

2. Nostalgia
The reason we see Spiderman and Batman reboots every few years is because people have developed a deep attachment to them. It’s hard to understand, but people actually enjoy being told the same story over and over again - as long as they loved it to begin with. For games, this can come in the format of both character and nostalgia. Braid, for example, was released last year, but upholds the platformer style of Super Mario while expanding on plot and scope. Taking something from gaming past and re-purposing it for the new age is a surefire way to connect with gamers, as they already have the insight to jump right into the gameplay. Taking courses in 3D modeling and lighting are certainly helpful, but don't work for the old school appeal.

3. Originality
That being said, the comic and game world is in the midst of a dry spell, in terms of originality. Though we’re all anxious to see previews of Captain America, it can at times be out of a cruel curiosity to see what aspects they ‘got wrong’. There are schools of people building careers on tearing apart what's already been done. The best way to sidestep scrutiny and angry fanboys is to start from scratch, and take games to new territories - beyond super heroes, warfare, and table-top era medieval clashes. Though it can be hard to break into a culture so loyal to current trends, the right angle could strike the flint on a whole new genre that will draw its own loyal following.