Think of a game that consist of still images, mpeg movies and sounds. They did those mid 90’s like: Phantasmagoria or Gabriel Knight: the beast within. I love those type of games that involve real people.
Can such a game be done using jmf and Java and be still commercially viable? Or, I’ll be better off using other technologies such as flash or directX.
I’d like to hear your comments.
Here’s the cool part about games: If you make something fun, you can probably find a market.
The difficulty (like any business) is defining exactly what that market is. Are you looking to compete with high end titles in the $50 range, or are you competing with low-end titles in the $15 range? Is it for the PC, or a game console? What is the expected play time of the game? Are you certain that the game can overcome the stigma associated with “ride the rail” games? Perhaps you’re looking to market to a younger audience who doesn’t have those stigmas? Or perhaps you’re looking to target an “interative mystery novel” audience?
If you can answer these questions, then you know how to market your game. If you can’t answer them, then you may want to try your friends on a few of your favorities and get their impressions. See if you can’t find a slot in the market where your game seems to fit. You know you’ve hit it when people start saying, “That’s brilliant! I’d buy that!” 
My goal on this post was to address the technological aspect of the game.
But since you mentioned the more important issue, which addresses the current state of the game industry. Let’s say there is a movie theater with 2 movies showing: On one theater Elektra & on the other the Sideways is showing. Current games outthere have been going after the audience of Elektra. My target audience is the ones who prefer to see the Sideways.
But luckily the type of game I am trying to create falls under the adventure game titles. There is a small, niche market which will buy an promising adventure game that is published. Because there is few. I don’t have much competition in that area.
What will make or break this game is thought the FMV part. If done right, it is really good. Otherwise it is a joke.