Scratch

henley · 2013-02-02 15:11:32

I'm currently making a game on Scratch that I'm designing to be an emotional experience. But as I progress through creating the story and dialogue for the game, I realized that there were people who could probably relate to the tragedies of the protagonist more than me, with the protagonist's mother dying of cancer, and the main goal of the game is to find a time machine and go back to save her. Throughout the game though, the protagonist has more problems too. For instance, there are a few bullies who make fun of him for not having a mother, and the protagonist also gets caught up in a gang fight and has to choose a side, and other things like that. I put these problems in the game because I wanted to it to be an emotional experience, as I stated earlier. But there are so many issues and problems in the game that there's bound to be some people who play it that would identify with the problems a little too well. And the end of the game, while not solving every problem, does see that the mother is returned to full health, but the end of the game is not satisfying, and definitely wouldn't be for people who have experienced the same, or similar problems as the protagonist.

Should I tone down the tragedy, darkness, and sadness of the game to make it more appropriate for Scratch, or does it sound okay enough that I could post it online, and it be an emotional experience at worst?

mythbusteranimator · 2013-02-02 15:13:35

It seems OK

Borrego6165 · 2013-02-02 15:29:45

Maybe this should have been a film for such a specific story. The only way you'd be able to go darker (if you did this it'd be amazing) is if the player chooses how dark. There's no menu option, instead it's a large RPG world in a depressed city, and the choices you make will either take you into a rich life of happiness or into deeper darker problems.

For example, if you decide to spend your school days at the gym and "twagging" lessons to talk to people, your arrogance will rise but you won't get bullied. If you decide to spend time studying, you'll be at risk of bullying, as you won't have spent enough time in the gym to get strong and fight off the bullies.

henley · 2013-02-02 15:37:05

That does sound like a great idea, but for a different project later on. The one I'm currently working on is a platformer, and the core value of it isn't to be the hero who solved everone's problems. The game is about a boy with many personal problems that he ties to solve, with many obstacles in the way. And, quite realisticly, he can't solve all of his problems.

[EDIT] Thanks for the idea! But this is getting off topic.

I need to know if the game is too dark to be kid friendly.

Last edited by henley (2013-02-02 15:38:10)

cheddargirl · 2013-02-02 16:10:09

It's hard to say how problematic a project will be without actually looking at it. Based on what you have mentioned right now, I might be tempted to mark it as NFE [but keep in mind that other CMs and STs may not see it that way. Sometimes we even have disagreements on what is NFE and what is not].,

If you're having qualms about the game now, then perhaps the game is more dark than what you have described; it would be best to go with your gut feeling and tone it down if that is the case.

Paddle2See · 2013-02-02 18:52:46

Just to clarify on Cheddargirl's answer, NFE stands for "Not For Everyone" which means that it's allowed on the site - but not allowed on the Front Page or in the search index.

I agree with what Cheddargirl says though - it's really tough to judge without seeing it first. I suggest you use your best judgement as you make it and share it - if it is too intense and gets a rating you are not happy with from the Scratch Team, you can then try and tone it down and share it again. It sounds like a very interesting project - I look forward to seeing it.

Mokat · 2013-02-02 19:47:34

I think it would be fine (maybe put a warning or something??)

henley · 2013-02-02 21:05:48

So you guys can put it in a little perspective, I posted a demo of the game, all I have made of it so far, online. Here it is.

soupoftomato · 2013-02-02 21:44:21

Death from cancer and being bullied are not things I would say are particularly important to keep children away from.

Anyone who HAS experienced those things, has, well, experienced them and a Scratch game probably won't be doing any particular damage.

henley · 2013-02-02 23:10:31

I'm just worried it might offend them

soniku · 2013-02-03 09:40:16

Then just post a warning.

Scratch

archived forums

#1 2013-02-02 15:11:32

Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#2 2013-02-02 15:13:35

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#3 2013-02-02 15:29:45

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#4 2013-02-02 15:37:05

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#5 2013-02-02 16:10:09

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#6 2013-02-02 18:52:46

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#7 2013-02-02 19:47:34

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#8 2013-02-02 21:05:48

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#9 2013-02-02 21:44:21

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#10 2013-02-02 23:10:31

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

#11 2013-02-03 09:40:16

Re: Can a dark theme in a game make it inappropriate for Scratch?

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