Would it make a Good Adventure Game?
I know there's already a 'Game Ideas' thread and I don't want to encroach on that; I got the idea from there and, even though it's a very similar idea for a thread I still want to run with it.
Pretty much all of the best ideas (of not absolutely all) were based on an already existing franchise, usually a TV show.
Lay it out like this;
Title[of the show/movie/comic/book you'd like to see adapted into an adventure game]
I think it'd make a good Adventure Game Because... Is the nature of the [misc. medium title] be better suited to another game? Most comics or cartoons with a lot of fight scenes might not be as well suited as you might hope. Somebody suggested Pinky and the Brain on the other thread and, frankly, I think it would adapt perfectly; you'd get to build some genius device, looking for the best possible parts and tools for the job, and later use it as part of some ridiculously far-fetched scheme to take over the world. And since Pink & the Brain can never take over the world there'd always be room for future episodes.
Other things worth mentioning might licensing rights; if the [title] is old or comes from some country where it's far less likely to get a game made about it. Drawing another example from the other thread; somebody suggested Doctor Who. I can't think of a single computer game that's ever been based on a British TV franchise (with the exception of the Wallace & Gromit movies) and I really doubt there's been much interest in adapting Dr. Who, so I doubt there'd be much of a "bidding war" for the licensing rights. (I also think this would be brilliant for bringing Adventure Games to the British market. Not that we've found them too inaccessible, over here, but I think it's safe to say that most of the population don't know the genre exists).
Foreseeable Drawbacks. Probably self explanatory. If you can see any problems making your suggested show/book/whatever into a game then try to list them; if you think the franchise rights would be too expensive or possibly some other legal problem. (‘Discworld Noir’, for example, was one of the best Adventure Games I've ever played but there was some legal issue before its release that, for some reason, made copies very hard to come by). Or if there have already been a lot of games based on that particular franchise it might be hard for another one to be noticed. (Most Simpsons games prior to hit and run were ignored, though I personally loved "Bart Vs the Space mutants", or whatever it was called).
Pretty much all of the best ideas (of not absolutely all) were based on an already existing franchise, usually a TV show.
Lay it out like this;
Title[of the show/movie/comic/book you'd like to see adapted into an adventure game]
I think it'd make a good Adventure Game Because... Is the nature of the [misc. medium title] be better suited to another game? Most comics or cartoons with a lot of fight scenes might not be as well suited as you might hope. Somebody suggested Pinky and the Brain on the other thread and, frankly, I think it would adapt perfectly; you'd get to build some genius device, looking for the best possible parts and tools for the job, and later use it as part of some ridiculously far-fetched scheme to take over the world. And since Pink & the Brain can never take over the world there'd always be room for future episodes.
Other things worth mentioning might licensing rights; if the [title] is old or comes from some country where it's far less likely to get a game made about it. Drawing another example from the other thread; somebody suggested Doctor Who. I can't think of a single computer game that's ever been based on a British TV franchise (with the exception of the Wallace & Gromit movies) and I really doubt there's been much interest in adapting Dr. Who, so I doubt there'd be much of a "bidding war" for the licensing rights. (I also think this would be brilliant for bringing Adventure Games to the British market. Not that we've found them too inaccessible, over here, but I think it's safe to say that most of the population don't know the genre exists).
Foreseeable Drawbacks. Probably self explanatory. If you can see any problems making your suggested show/book/whatever into a game then try to list them; if you think the franchise rights would be too expensive or possibly some other legal problem. (‘Discworld Noir’, for example, was one of the best Adventure Games I've ever played but there was some legal issue before its release that, for some reason, made copies very hard to come by). Or if there have already been a lot of games based on that particular franchise it might be hard for another one to be noticed. (Most Simpsons games prior to hit and run were ignored, though I personally loved "Bart Vs the Space mutants", or whatever it was called).
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The Sandman Comic, written by Neil Gaiman.
I think it'd make a good Adventure Game Because the title character was often more of an "observer" than a hero, therefore he needn't be the game's main character (you wouldn't want the lead protagonist to have his powers in any case, you'd find yourself constantly asking yourself why he simply doesn't use them to solve his various situations when you know there wouldn't be much of a game if he did). Ideal characters for this role might include one (or more than one) of the reoccurring characters from "the dreaming" (the dream world) or the real world or an original character from either.
A character from the real world would probably be somebody who stumbles into a situation involving some entity, previously believed to be mythological (whether they know it or not), then having to undertake a journey which will lead them across the paths of other ethereal or (simply extremely powerful) beings, eventually crossing into Morpheus' (The Sandman's) domain.
Ideally I'd want an original story based on the comics set in the world(s) of the Sandman stories (though probably disregarding any connection to the DC universe and justice league characters who appeared in the first few stories). It can be after the events of the original series (with Morpheus' successor in place as the new king of the dreaming) or simultaneously; events that might have occurred at the same time as the stories featured in the comics that were never mentioned, though nonetheless involved the dreaming and characters from the Sandman).
The comic had some of the best art work I've seen in any comic with stunning backdrops which almost overshadowed the foreground. A game with similar beauty is bound to be noticed. (I know 'gameplay > graphics', but I still think adventure games can afford to be beautiful).
Licensing mightn't be too difficult; the comic drew to a close over 12 years ago and will have been forgotten (to an extent). (There was talk of a movie but all attempts have failed due to various disagreements between directors, producers and Mr. Gaiman himself).
Foreseeable Drawbacks.
I think one of the biggest problems would be the consent of Mr. Gaiman. He regards 'the Sandman', possibly, as his Magnum Opus and expects high standards to be maintained. For example, he referred to the last script sent to him by Warner Bros as "...not only the worst Sandman script I've ever seen, but quite easily the worst script I've ever read." 2 Years ago, when asked about a sand man movie, he had this to say; "I'd rather see no Sandman movie made than a bad Sandman movie. But I feel like the time for a Sandman movie is coming soon. We need someone who has the same obsession with the source material as Peter Jackson had with Lord of the Rings or Sam Raimi had with Spider-Man." (off-topic; was Sam Raimi obsessed with spider man? Because those movies SUCKED!)
I imagine he'd want to see such high standards maintained with this title if it was adapted to ANY medium.
I think it'd make a good Adventure Game Because... Sorry if I seem a little obsessed with comics, but it struck me that this would make a good game as I typed the previous reply.
Lucifer was a spin off of 'The Sandman' and was about the devil himself. Unlike the Sandman, Lucifer was almost always the main protagonist (I'd say 'antagonist', but he's never really a villain in this, as he retired from his role as ruler of hell before the series began and officially declared the war on heaven to be over). And while his "powers" might make the game too 'easy' for him in most films, games, etc, he rarely used them in the comics due to various laws which said that the quests he undertook had to be done without them. He also rarely relayed on "lies and trickery" (unless you count lies of omission) as a matter of pride.
Foreseeable Drawbacks When 'Lucifer' ended there was, possibly, room for continuation in the form of spin-offs but nothing featuring the character himself (he left the whole damn universe). I don't think there'd be much room to base a game "between" existing parts of the story arc and I'm against basing games on [stories of any media] as they are, with no original story because, without diverging dramatically from the plot, the original story would, theoretically, give away all the answers.
Forrest Gump
I'd think it be at least an interesting concept of controlling Gump through the various times seeing the world in his unique way.
I think it'd make a good Adventure Game Because... It is a parody superhero concept, it would be so simple to make into a thought provoking mystery and crime concept doused in comedy.
The characters are endearing and timeless, each one could bring something to the table in terms of plot, storyline and transportation.
Foreseeable Drawbacks The writing for Darkwing Duck was dated and somewhat shoddy, drastic improvements would have to be made. Licensing would be a beast as well as Disney is not too willing to drop their demographic of thirteen-year-old girls for one moment anytime soon.
I think it'd make a good Adventure Game Because... There is an amazing plethora of concepts that can be explored, the destruction of Mary Lee Walsh, the collecting of all seven of the Sonichu balls, graduating from dating education classes(?), rescuing Crystal from the dark mirror, beating up on Jerkops and Manajerks, threatening internet trolls and Jason Kendrick Howell, proving ownership of Sonichu to Jimmy Hill, avoiding the temptation of the dark side by Naitsirhc, retrieving the Sonichu Medallion from the Private Villa of Corrupt Citizens, all while trying to attract a boyfriend-free girl.
Plus the awesome card art and magazine advertisements are already expertly made!
Foreseeable Drawbacks Christian in the Chris-Chan Sonichu suit would be massively overpowered.
i agree! and wanna throw in Capt'n Baloo, too...
No! Launchpad! LAUNCHPAD!!