Game Design Challenge: Rickroll

[Comandante]

I've got an idea where the game starts as a typical action/RPG when, during the climactic battle at the end of the 1st level, just before the big bad villain can give his speech the player finds that his faithful sidekick is dead. Not like, lost his hit points or bad AI made him walk of a cliff but uncomfortably dead. Murdered in fact. The characters (including the villain) break character and the 4th wall. The game is actually a mystery that was billed as a stereotypical RPG.

[Jez]

That's a very interesting idea Comandante, you could make it so that the player's (unknown to the player) choices in the first level change the condition of the murder which could affect the change in game-play afterwards- turn left and fight everything and it turns into more of an action game (anger a group of enemies), turn right and solve the puzzle to find the hidden exit and it’s more of a adventure game (a Moriarty type character that feels challenged). Just an early thought I had that would need a lot of figuring out.

It also got me thinking about a game that has already rickrolled people- MGS2 because you did not know (well I didn’t) you would play most of the game as Raiden and it does try to fool you that he is Snake when you first play as him. BTW I love MGS2, I preferred playing as Snake but had no problem with Raiden. I’m sure there are other games that have fooled the player, this just popped into my head and might be something that will help to generate ideas.

[Digitalpolarity]

"The Game"

[jkavalier]

A perfect example for this challenge would be 4:32:

http://www.jesperjuul.net/4.32/

So perfect it dicourages me a bit...but I will try anyway!

[Auratus]

Originally Posted by Digitalpolarity

"The Game"

Damn you, now i have to start all over again! :P

Anyway, this challenge got me thinking about Train which I think is a very interesting, and thought-provoking, game and an excellent example of deception.

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnJohns

One idea I had was to tie the game into facebook as essentially a social bluffing game, although not entirely sure how the mechanics would work.

This idea, combined with Train, got me thinking about The Wave. This theme, or any variation thereof, could potentially be interesting to see in a social setting, either on a table top or on Facebook, for example.

I think I need to sit down and think about this

[Retro]

I may have actually hit an all-time low for myself with this challenge. I usually avoid satire, but it seems to be the most fitting method for this challenge. Anyways, if it wins you can all laugh at it, if it doesn't I am spared the humiliation of actually making a reference to Right Said Fred.

[Isaak]

Originally Posted by Isaak

I'm game.

This should provide ample opportunity for gloriously fresh gameplay.

Well... that didn't quite happen.

I do have several concepts, but sadly not enough. Think I'll post a few here for feedback though.

[cnutt]

Results are live...!

http://gamecareerguide.com/features/...me_design_.php

[Aubs]

Darn I'm too late. I had a great idea for a game where the player is a trickster. Fast talking (great contextual dialogue system) and puzzles throughout where the outcome is pranking someone....next time...