Bad Endings Options

[Jens of Zanicuud]

Some times ago I was working on a project (now dismissed - or rather, waiting for my current project completion) which was designed to end badly, with the death of every character in the party (this was however related to the plot).

I've seen quite a few RPG with a default (i.e. not optional) bad ending (FFXIII-2 / KH Birth by Sleep - if we can call their ending bad), so I wonder if it's a taboo to make your game ends in a tragic way, or simply players prefer an happy ending to every game they play, since they are playing not to think to their problems...

What's your point about it?
Would you play/create a game with a tragic ending (not optional - main ending)?

If so, why?

That's a feature I've never found in a RPG Maker game (excluding maybe survival horror...)
If you know some link 'bout that, I'd be pleased to give it a look.

Maybe my project will resurrect, who knows?

Jens

[TheCableGuy]

Romeo and Juliet is probably the best known Ending where almost the whole cast of the Main people in the story die. That's one story that I both Loved and Hated because of how well it was told.

I don't much care for Bad end games that have pointless deaths (if any death could truly have a point) much if the Story escalates to the point that death is the only possible outcome or Best possible outcome, it could work if the Story is well written. This could work in books and movies but yeah, like it's been said, it would be hard for something for a player to handle...

And pray that anyone who does play it does not have any personal demons of their own; that may take such a game a little bit personal.

[amerk]

Romeo and Juliet is probably the best known Ending where almost the whole cast of the Main people in the story die. That's one story that I both Loved and Hated because of how well it was told.

I don't much care for Bad end games that have pointless deaths (if any death could truly have a point) much if the Story escalates to the point that death is the only possible outcome or Best possible outcome, it could work if the Story is well written. This could work in books and movies but yeah, like it's been said, it would be hard for something for a player to handle...

And pray that anyone who does play it does not have any personal demons of their own; that may take such a game a little bit personal.

I can't tell you how many times I watch an adaption of Romeo and Juliet, and even knowing what will happen, hoping for a completely different outcome.

Just to clarify, by bad ending we are referring to a sad ending. Even a sad ending can have a lot of impact if done right, but there is a big difference in bad/sad endings in the movies, and a bad/sad ending in a game. When it comes to games you need to ensure the player is going to feel satisfied, primarily because a gamer is more engaged and has more invested than just an observer.

My thought, the player's goal should be achieved, but the way the goal was expected to be received can be altered. For example, the player may have to destroy a superbeing. The main character responsible for this could be a shallow unlikable person at first, but slowly learns what it means to have compassion. He falls in love with one of the other characters. The player assumes the hero will combat the evil and wind up with the other playable character, as typically happens in a lot of other games. However, unexpectedly, the hero realizes that there is no time to stop the evil force, or they are not powerful enough. He realizes that he can sacrifice himself and that will destroy the evil creature. His love interest is upset, and so are the players, but it's also very touching at the same time.