Research for new indie adventure game

[Nexic]

Hello,

Jagged Blade Software is currently interested in moving away from shooter type games into the adventure market. We have a small budget, and we are not aiming for anything spectacular, but we definitely think we can make something of high quality. We doubt we will be making anything with any fighting or direct violence in it, rather more of a puzzle/exploration/story based point and click type game.

We would like to know what type of adventure game people who visit this site prefer. Our current thinking is something with a dark/horror plot to it (as that is what we like), but we understand we could be losing a substantial market of people who are not into that particular scene.

So, which of these do you like most? If possible give the order of preference.

1. Dark/Horror/Supernatural/Psychotic
2. Crime Based Mystery
3. Classic Fantasy
4. Original Fantasy (something completely unique like the premise of Myst)
5. Other (please describe)

Thank you very much,

Jagged Blade Software Game Downloads (http://www.jaggedbladesoft.com)

[Risingson]

Humor and adventure based in nowadays facts.

[Marek]

There's a lot of dark/horror adventure games out there right now. So I recommend to either make the most amazing dark/horror game ever, or to focus on a genre that isn't as overexploited.

[Ninth]

http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=5617&highlight=historical

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Oh, and I like all kinds of settings. Ultimately, I don't believe it makes any difference.

[BoyToy]

We would like to know what type of adventure game people who visit this site prefer. Our current thinking is something with a dark/horror plot to it (as that is what we like), but we understand we could be losing a substantial market of people who are not into that particular scene.
[...]I guess, you're most likely to reach me, if you make something that you like, something that you have enthusiasm for. Because such things show in the finished product. </soapbox> :D

[Royal Fool]

I'm personally a sucker for stories that manage to weave themselves into popular/obscure myths from human history. An example would be Broken Sword I or the Gabriel Knight games.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

Humor involving pirates, islands and primates.

Or humor involving Mammals that act like people

[fov]

I guess, you're most likely to reach me, if you make something that you like, something that you have enthusiasm for. Because such things show in the finished product. </soapbox> :D

I'd have to agree with this.

I'm having a hard time answering the question because I really don't care which of those categories a game fits into, as long as it has a strong story that is well executed and supported by the game world.

-emily

[DustCropper]

I think we need a new game set in Atlantis, Ancient Egypt, or something that's about the Knights Templars. :P

[Antoinetta]

"I guess, you're most likely to reach me, if you make something that you like, something that you have enthusiasm for. Because such things show in the finished product." Posted by Boy Toy

This sums up my feelings as well. That being said, to be engaging, a storyline needs to be relatively serious and internally realistic to the game world, that is the game characters need to be serious in regards to their world and what they are attempting to accomplish. The problem comes up when attempting to introduce humour into a game, a little bit can go a long way, and its easy to overdo. Monkey Island and most of the Lucas Arts stuff turned me off due to the bad puns and dumb jokes; it was just corny and I found it impossible to temporarily suspend disbelief and take the plot/storyline seriously. For me at least, this ruins the ability to immerse oneself in the gameworld. A bit of wry, reserved humour when appropriate a la Gabriel Knight is one thing but CORNINESS IS FATAL!!

Antoinetta

[Nexic]

Thank you for your responses, they have been most helpful. When I made this post I thought to myself "if crime solving came out on top I stilll wouldn't do it". I guess this sums up the fact we couldn't possibly comitting ourselves to a genre we are no interested or experienced in.

It seems we will go for a Dark/Horror game, but also we will try to open up the market a little by not making it totally scary. Also we will most likely try to come up with some areas and situations that are not revolved around negatives. I think Saniturium was a great example of how this could work, and will definitely be one of my main inspirations for the project.

Great now all we have to do is make the game! Easy huh? :P

[minelli]

1. Classic style ( like Syberia )
2. Humor & animated cartoon (like Runaway)

[RPGCrazied]

How will the graphics be?(not that it matters)

I hope is 3d characters, with 2Dprerendered backgrounds. :)

[Steve Ince]

1. Classic style ( like Syberia )
2. Humor & animated cartoon (like Runaway)
Isn't Runaway a more "classic" style?

[Nude]

I like Crime Based Mystery games more than others

[redhotray]

I'm gonna be greedy and say a good mix of all of those aforementioned would entice me. :P

But seriously, I feel you should go with whatever you feel you can work with the best. My feeling is that if you have a strong interest in a particular field, and you put something together under that heading, then the chances are, we will see your best work. If you feel you will work better with a dark/horror title, then by God, roll with it.

All that is left for me to say is, I wish you the very best with completing this game, and I look forward to hearing more from you guys in the future.

Good luck.

[Captain Blondebeard]

I will buy any point and click humor, cartoonish game. I cant remember not ever buying one of these games.

I adored Runaway simply because I had'nt seen anything like it for years.

[2GooD]

I think that any of these would interest me:

1) Fantasy (wizards, dragons, and stuff)
2) Supernatural (reality with add-ons)
3) Maybe a game that takes place in Asia? (not sure why I thought of that)

If they have the looks of Syberia or Runaway doesn't matter, but I only care for 3rd person adventures! :-)

[artwking4]

You could do a parody of dark/horror. Kill several birds with one stone. There are ways of doing it where it retains a high degree of darkness and horror, while still poking fun at the genre. Take a look at the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness movies.

Well, the first Evil Dead wasn't meant to be funny, but it was hilarious whenever Ash would get showered in blood/gore so many times, sometimes for the littlest thing.:D

[JHousequake]

Please, anything BUT Dark/Horror/Supernatural/Psychotic.

If it's a comedy though, but not too smug, I'd be intrested.

[Maquisard]

You could do a parody of dark/horror. Kill several birds with one stone. There are ways of doing it where it retains a high degree of darkness and horror, while still poking fun at the genre. Take a look at the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness movies.


Or Shaun of the Dead :D

[jjacob]

Or Shaun of the Dead :DHeh. :D I'd agree though, horror parody has not been done to death in (adventure) games. I'd love to see anything with humor in it really - although it's not a prerequisite to me enjoying the game, not at all. Just do what you guys are good at like BT and fov suggested and we're going to be happy gamers! :)

[rjp2004]

Agree with Marek and JHousequake. That genre is VERY overplayed. Everyone seems obsessed with "dark" nowadays. As is slice em up, blood n guts adventure types now...<P>

Which makes your goal of a non-fighting explorer/puzzle type more original and fresh.<P>

Do something funny and light but still an adventure. Something like the Golden Child movie comes to mind - dark elements, but overall tone is light and funny.

[DonOlsen]

Ive got a few idears if u need some inspiration... i actually where starting work on a adventure game myself, but it got to complicated to do by myself - but ive got a great storyline written. Anyways u are a welcome to contact me should u be interested.