Sphere of Destruction or Unstoppable Monster

Shawn Michael Cowles · 2011-10-21T09:14:41

My brother and I were having a discussion the other day, and I'd like to see what you all think of it. In this scenario there is an unstoppable evil trapped underneath the world, and a bunch of cultists are trying to free it. If the players don't stop the cultists in time the evil will be released and the world is going to be destroyed. In the instance that the players fail, what would be the most effective (from a psychological standpoint) way to do it? I proposed a giant monster, able to destroy buildings at a touch, with almost limitless hit points. I think this would be the most effective because (as it is a creature) you might think that you have a chance of killing it and saving the world. As you attack it however you realize that your most powerful spells, weapons, etc do absolutely nothing to the creature as it smashes cities and fortresses. The fact that you thought you had a chance, but are totally ineffective I think would add an element of failure to hopelessness. My brother proposed a sphere of destruction that slowly expands unstoppable destroying anything it touches. The players realize there is nothing they can do about it from the start. I prefer the monster (if you couldn't tell), but I'm interested in seeing what other people think. Keep in mind, however, that when this thing is released the world is over. It took all of the power of a god just to contain the thing. Admittedly it emerges somewhat weak, but it should still be an unstoppable force of destruction.

Game Design and Theory Game Design

Started by ShawnCowles October 15, 2011 12:37 PM

21 comments, last by Siao 12 years, 6 months ago

c-Row

530

October 21, 2011 08:28 AM

One possible goal could be buying others enough time to make an escape through said portals for example. You can't win the game for yourself but would still get a sense of achieving something.

Zethariel

314

October 21, 2011 08:48 AM

One possible goal could be buying others enough time to make an escape through said portals for example. You can't win the game for yourself but would still get a sense of achieving something.

Aye, that would be great!

And tetris is meant to be a lunch-sized game, where you can flip it on, play a little and then go away. In the mentioned by me CoD Zombie mode, each time you have to painfully gather the points and equipment, and having it stripped away after XX waves just doesn't compell me to play again, not in the same session at least.

Either have a goal, or have a fair and easy/non-painfull way to make the player play again. Like levels, if you gian enough, you start with better equip, can survive longer, and can just add more levels to your character, isntead of going from zero to almost hero each friggin time.

Disclaimer: Each my post is intended as an attempt of helping and/or brining some meaningfull insight to the topic at hand. Due to my nature, my good intentions will not always be plainly visible. I apologise in advance and assure I mean no harm and do not intend to insult anyone, unless stated otherwise

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Siao

294

October 21, 2011 09:14 AM

One possible goal could be buying others enough time to make an escape through said portals for example. You can't win the game for yourself but would still get a sense of achieving something.

Add in a rousing scene of our hero making a speech about heroic last stands so that more civilians can escape to a new world will definitely make things interesting and emotional at the same time.

Add in some kind of counter that shows the number of civilians making through the portal is giving you even more incentive to hold out longer.

Sphere of Destruction or Unstoppable Monster

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