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The Shock Element

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Zodiak Team
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The shock element, this has been employed by many game designs such as; Faggles to Faggles and Card Against Humanity. But how far is to far?

I present to you, Pedo-tor: The Perfect Cocktail Game.

Now before you start throwing rocks at me just hear me out...

The game works like any role assignment game where each player gets a card (up to 10 players) and on the card you'll find out if you're a child, a pedophile or a cop/Chris Hansen. Your role will dictate how you play the game.

Objective: The game is mainly between the cop and the pedophile.

The Pedophile needs to go around and collect all the children's innocense (the cards they were delt) without being caught by the Cop.

The Cop has to stop the pedophile but first he has to discover who the pedophile is. He can only do this by catching the pedophile in the act or finding them in possession of the innocense cards. BUT WATCH OUT! The pedophile is smart and can use other players as "fall guys" and send the Cop on a wild goose chase while he collect the other cards. If the cop accuses the wrong player 3 times he'll be demoted and the pedopile will win the game!

Now I know the theme is a bit...Insane, but that's just for the ential shock value and could provide for some good laughs. This game could easily be reskinned by making the pedophile a robber or the Grinch (Holdiay Special).

This game isn't seriously being considered by me at this time since I already have enough on my plate but I wanted to get your thoughts. Does this game go to far? Is there something here to be explored? Is it worth it?

czman
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Reskin without a doubt.

Reskin without a doubt.

deFunkt29
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I consider myself a fan of

I consider myself a fan of "edgier" games. I'm 20 and I enjoy the grand theft auto series and don't mind violence and sex in games and media, and I always find games the can poke fun at current events and religion to be enjoyable. But if me and my regular gaming group saw this game in a store, we would be kind of like "is this for real?"

When your making a game with more edgy subject matter, you need to think about what you will be making the player do in the game and what role the player will be forced to take on. So, while on the Internet Chris Hansen or Pedo-bear jokes are generally funny even if in poor taste, never is the person writing them taking on the role of a pedophile. Just like in Cards Against Humanity, you make crude and inappropriate jokes but you never take on the role of them in anyway.

Your game, in order for players to succeed, forces them to be a
pedophile. In other words, reskin. Because although I do think a party game where cops try to find other people who are responsible for crimes, basically any other crime then the one you suggested would be more acceptable.

Zodiak Team
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I feel like you guys aren't

I feel like you guys aren't quite getting it...

This might be the greatest game ever created! Pedo-tor: The Perfect Cocktail Game will probably not only change the world but take on a market that is unexplored.

You def shouldn't play this game with children but adults are children at heart and will serve as perfect pretend bait for the fake pedophile player.

ninjaneer
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I think we do get it...

I'm a fan of CAH and know that it can be offensive and should be taken with a grain of salt, but there's very little in it that attacks any particular sensibility. It's just sort of all-around crude in a way many people can enjoy. Meanwhile this is specifically catered to attack one sensibility which is a sensitive or uncomfortable topic. It really just feels like making an offensive joke only for the sake of making an offensive joke, and one which many won't find funny. I'd really suggest re-skinning it if you intend to actually make and release it publicly.

Zodiak Team
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The shock value is what's

The shock value is what's fantastic about this game. Though like I said before I wasn't at all serious about the game's theme or much about the game in general. I just wanted to see people's initial reactions to such a taboo subject.

But it was important to know where we're ready for games to go. I think its kind of funny that games have been around much longer then movies but they can't seem to break into there more taboo and edgier subjects without people throwing a tizzy.

SVU, Catch a Predator, and the movie Hard Candy are all very popular and have to do with catching and exposing pedophiles.

If this game did get made it would probably allow the players to decide the theme or it would use cards to help randomly pick 3 different roles.

deFunkt29
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I know what you're saying,

I know what you're saying, but at the same time SVU and similar shows never once glorify the act of pedophilia, and never once require that the audience become part of the act. Games by there very nature are largely different from films when it comes to taboo subjects due to the very nature of audience and gamer participation. Thus, there is a huge difference in what your game is requiring a player to do in comparison to what is required of me if I sit down to watch Catch a Predator. I'm all for shock value being a fantastic marketing tool, but there are just a handful of subjects that really shouldn't be touched. Its just like why children aren't in Grand Theft Auto or Elder Scrolls games, you just don't go there lol.

czman
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Joined: 03/26/2013
without people throwing a

without people throwing a tizzy

No one is throwing a tizzy. You asked for people opinions and they gave them. I think it would be a horrible business decision to go forward with a game like this. It is your money/time/effort, so have at it.

Orangebeard
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Joined: 10/13/2011
Edgey and acceptance?

I think games with a taboo topic need some level of social acceptance (no matter how minor) to get to the publishing house. I am sure you can find enough people that are ok with drug use, bootlegging, prostitution, etc. to take a chance on publishing a game with those themes, but games with edgier themes may struggle.

All moral and social issues aside (and to avoid a lengthy debate about said topics :) ), the simplest business questions could be applied first; "Will the theme of this game attract or repel people?" "Will there be enough buyers to make a profit?" and maybe the scary long term question "Is this a game I want my company to be known for?"

But other than that, it sounds like a good game; how does the "collection" mechanic work?

Good luck with your design!

Zodiak Team
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Like I said before, I was

Like I said before, I was never considering the game but I wanted to get people's reactions from the idea. I have a some what dark sense of humor so I found it pretty funny when I came up with the initial pitch but even I know this is a game that could ruin someone's career.

I guess the world just isn't ready for the perfect cocktail game =p

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