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[ASnogarD]

I seem to have the opposite of the OP's problems...

Too many ideas and lack the current ability to make them.

In my head at the moment :

Kickin Sticks remake ( to test out my framework )

Side scrolling platform shooter

Puzzle / Shooter / Adventure game with a mechanic I havent seen yet

Haunted house inspired mini roguelike to test out random generation

THE GAME ( the game I started learning make games so I can make this game )

A fighting game that removes combos and relies on getting in a single good hit

A investigation of a MMO mechanic that removes traditional quests, and allows the player to use the items / equipment they want ( not ditch a cool sword for some ugly thing due to stats )

A Zombie surviver game inspired by the day of the triffids

A air surf mage duel battle system

A cute little girl ninja sneak and slay side scroller

A wacky Elevator Action inspired game with huge slapstick humor moment

A Vietnam RTS that removes micro management and stresses keeping units alive

... to name a few.

[Maud'Dib Atreides]

I seem to have the opposite of the OP's problems...

Too many ideas and lack the current ability to make them.

In my head at the moment :

Kickin Sticks remake ( to test out my framework )

Side scrolling platform shooter

Puzzle / Shooter / Adventure game with a mechanic I havent seen yet

Haunted house inspired mini roguelike to test out random generation

THE GAME ( the game I started learning make games so I can make this game )

A fighting game that removes combos and relies on getting in a single good hit

A investigation of a MMO mechanic that removes traditional quests, and allows the player to use the items / equipment they want ( not ditch a cool sword for some ugly thing due to stats )

A Zombie surviver game inspired by the day of the triffids

A air surf mage duel battle system

A cute little girl ninja sneak and slay side scroller

A wacky Elevator Action inspired game with huge slapstick humor moment

A Vietnam RTS that removes micro management and stresses keeping units alive

... to name a few.

Become an "idea guy"

Everyone loves idea guys, especially when the work is unpaid.

You sit there and despotically order everyone else to program and draw what you want.

It's simple really. And once you sell you games you can take most of the profit.

Lack of ability? Just find someone else to do the work for you.

[ASnogarD]

Its far easier to learn to do it yourself than it is to clearly and concisely impart your vision to another person.

... and ideas are a dime a dozen.

Back to the books with me 

[1982]

Its far easier to learn to do it yourself than it is to clearly and concisely impart your vision to another person.

Yes this.

[SolarLune]

As to the original post, mix games together. Megaman + RTS = ? Mario + RPG = ? (And I don't mean Super Mario RPG, I mean take Mario, and add RPG mechanics to a class jump n' run). Stuff like that. Or, like others have said, watch / read / play things that are interesting, and take portions from that and make something of your own.

[Sqorgar]

... and ideas are a dime a dozen.

Good ideas aren't.

[C.A. Sinner]

(And I don't mean Super Mario RPG, I mean take Mario, and add RPG mechanics to a class jump n' run)

super paper mario?

anyway its more important to have an idea youre passionate about than a "good" idea. and by passionate i don't mean "holy shit this sounds great," i'm talking about a concept you could see yourself making into a game, solo if need be. 1 finished (or even half finished) game is better than 1000 "awesome" concepts.

[SolarLune]

Yeah, that was pretty unique, at least for a Mario title. It definitely wasn't like any Super Mario or Paper Mario game before it.

And I agree with C.A. Sinclair - it's better to work on a game than to think about making a good one. You can change it as you go, if necessary, but maybe you could just start by making a game around a concept. Racing. Running. Flying. Shooting (obviously a saturated idea, but still). Falling. Gosh, thinking. Typing. And so on.

Or think about how an existing game should control or play, and make that game.

[JWK5]

Like so.

[jlango]

#Sharp is trolling.

I find that while I'm working on a game, a million ideas will pop into my head, so I make sure to write them down. I find nature shows incredibly inspiring, so many animals with awesome super-powers.

[Maud'Dib Atreides]

#Sharp is trolling.

I find that while I'm working on a game, a million ideas will pop into my head, so I make sure to write them down. I find nature shows incredibly inspiring, so many animals with awesome super-powers.

Wow, someone took me seriously?

[randomnine]

Become passionate and knowledgeable about:

1. Games.
2. At least one thing other than games. Your choice. Film production and robotics, for example, are both fine.

Let your passion inspire you. Let your domain knowledge shape and apply that inspiration.

Don't worry about the actual process of being creative; anyone who claims they've got it totally figured out probably works in marketing. Just soak up as much interesting material as possible so you have lots to work with.

[kamac]

Reading books that interest you can be additional insiparion.

[Medevenx]

Reading books

i lol'd at that one

[seagaia]

Anything, to be honest - just live life, but be open to inspiration (i.e. don't just walk around not-thinking)! It works! I swear! Carry a small notebook around. Try to avoid things that are others products for a bit (others music, games, etc), so your own ideas can grow. It's okay to use those for reference sometimes, but most of it should come from yourself