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.

[rewells]

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.

The 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet with Leoanardo Decaprio and Claire Danes is AWESOME! It is set in modern times but the dialogue is still 16th century, and it begins with a shootout at a gas station.

Back on topic, I think stories about death help me cope with death better. Seeing other people (even if they're video game characters) deal with the emotions that come with losing someone makes me feel less alone when it happens to me. In real life, everyone guards their emotions to some sense, but as a player/viewer you get to actually see the characters at their best and worst (if it's an interesting story). I just accept that when I watch/read/play something it might make bring up some repressed emotions of mine...but isn't that the job of good stories? To make the player feel?

[Jens of Zanicuud]

Back on topic, I think stories about death help me cope with death better. Seeing other people (even if they're video game characters) deal with the emotions that come with losing someone makes me feel less alone when it happens to me. In real life, everyone guards their emotions to some sense, but as a player/viewer you get to actually see the characters at their best and worst (if it's an interesting story). I just accept that when I watch/read/play something it might make bring up some repressed emotions of mine...but isn't that the job of good stories? To make the player feel?

<Jens emerges from shadows again after having solved a circuit with Kirchhoff's laws>

I completely agree with rewells. Why should not a game end with the death of any characters? RPG games, as well as novels, can express emotions as well. I'm not for a statement like "the world is an ugly place, so we must suffer and die, and...". I'm just saying that sad ending can be actually good if they're able to bring up emotions.
Whoever told that the player has to be rewarded for his/her playthrough, well, had a good point.
You should reward the player a little in the ending, just to make them feel they accomplished something... or at least, give the player a hope that that won't be the real ending, though in your mind that was exactly so...
something like deceiving who play to make them comfortable with the ending

<Jens come back to shadows again, attempting to finish his third issue for his degree>

This post has been edited by Jens of Zanicuud: Sep 12 2012, 12:15 AM