Forums » Writing Workshop » Read Thread

For the past few months I've batted around various storygames and ideas, and nearly discarded all of my work (except for one game). However I think I have a good plotline I can act upon this time.

You play as a wealthy, famous business man, who, during midnight, is returning home slightly drunk from a party he just attended. With lowered rational thinking he decides to take a shortcut into an alley, where he meets, unfortunately, an armed mugger who wants to rob him. Now, as the business man, you must somehow escape or convince the mugger into not robbing you. I plan to focus the story heavily on dialogue, with options like a) bring up religion b) try to relate to him, etc.

I also hope to have multiple, achievable endings.

Thoughts?

Sounds interesting. 

Doesn't seem like there would be much room for expansion and the endings would all be pretty similar, mostly consisting of being mugged/robbed. 

You're right, it would be hard for me to add expansion... which is what I'm trying to get at here; focusing the game on reasoning and logic through dialogue. I'm not trying to really expand the main idea from that.

As for endings, I'm not spoiling anything but the way I've got it set up has the story lead to different, multiple endings. So it's not you just forking over your money each time. 

I mean if you think that the story would be interesting and fun to play, by all means write it out. Whatever it ends up being, there will be someone who enjoys it. 

Hmm... Possible endings?

Mugged, Killed, Ignored, You run away, The Mugger runs away, The Mugger asks for your forgiveness, The Mugger helps you join a gang, You form a personal cult and die rioting against the police, You set up a business with the Mugger and both of you become wealthy, You set up a business with the Mugger and are thrown in prison with the Mugger, You are thrown in an Asylum for being insane, you hire the Mugger as a personal bodyguard and help him begin a new life... 

Well, can't think of anymore. lol

Well there are definitely others, maybe more nonsensical than the ones you've suggested (you reach into your friend who just teleported to you's pocket and pull out a burger. "Hail Satan!" you yell as you throw the meaty sandwich at your attacker. The mugger suddenly sprouts a set of small, purple, scaly wings and hisses at you violently. "Fuck you ssssssssss" ).

Make to many insane/nonsense options and they lose their thrill. Besides insane/nonsense options that make a weird sort of sense are more fun(at least to me) anyway.

Hmmm, being so wealthy - seems sort of odd for him to be in a bad area and/or to simply walk all the way home (cab, personal driver, etc).

Seems like he needs a stronger reason to wander into the alley (maybe chasing after a girl?). Also if he is THAT drunk, he might not be able to provide proper dialog/reasoning.

But - I do love the core idea!

Interesting.  I considered writing a story similar to this at one point, but dropped the idea.

Kind of sounds like The Vampire Hunter.