Comment on How Do I Validate My Game Idea? (Please Help)
Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Interesting idea.
I think the moral choices people make when gaming are often different from the choices they’d make IRL. Who amongst us hasn’t taken down an NPC with a shotgun just because they were irritating?
You can get closer to an accurate reading of a player’s moral compass if you can make them emotionally involved with the characters or the game. If you have been manipulated into caring about the fate of an NPC, you’re more likely to go out of your way to help them, even if it is too the detriment of your own character.
It’s that successful emotional manipulation that, IMO, is one of the signs of genuine art. No idea how to accomplish this. Good luck with the game, like I say it’s an interesting idea.
Road_Warrior_10@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Thanks! So the player will have access to personal info of the NPC’s - diary, recordings, letters and so on. They would have to establish their character and personality and kind of judge them. I’m thinking this mechanic will add exactly what you’re suggesting.
Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Oh wow okay that makes it intriguing! I’m guessing some NPC info will suggest that they’ve done bad things but they had a traumatic background? Others will be upstanding Christian Sunday school teachers who are suspected of domestic abuse but nothing proven? The shabby secret millionaire, the person who will always help anyone out but has a ten thousand yard stare? Yeah you could do a lot with that!
Still, I kinda think you’ve got to involve the player on an emotional level for it to really bite em hard. You could definitely do that through diary, letters, recordings etc. You could actually make it pretty fuckin dark, especially if the player suffers consequences for not hurting anyone.
If you can do it right.
Hey if it works out, sounds like something I’d buy.