A mix of moods?

[Dark_Metamorphosis]

So, during the progress of my game I have noticed that I have built up a sort of 'mix of moods' as the story goes along.

So what I like to know is, does people think this is a bad or good idea?

From the start of my adventure, the mood and theme of the game is kind of light (even though the player will know that something is up), and there will be some more dramatic scenes during this time as well. As the game goes along, there will be events that will transform it into a more darker mood and theme (while still having some lighthearted and humerous events mixed into the cauldron).

So what I like to know is, if this is a bad idea? Would it be weird to start the game off in pretty neutral mood, and then advance it as it goes along? Or is it a much better soloution to set the moods and themes early on and stick with it all the way through?

In my own opinion I think a game needs some breaks from a specific mood, and add some events that will take a break from the potential chaos that is emerging around the characters. But what I'm a bit unsure about is to change the theme and the moods over time, instead of setting it up early on and stick with it.

What's your opinion about this?

 

[AlphaSilvr]

I don't see why you can't do that. I can't think of games (at the moment) that start off light and turn to a dark mood, but there are plenty of Anime/TV Shows. Fairy Tale comes to mind. It starts off really funny and light-hearted but when it gets into the story it becomes very serious. It does break it up a little by going back to comedy here and there. This seems to happen a lot (Fairy Tale is just an example).

 

[Chaos Avian]

The Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comics started off really light, comedic and fun. Then it started to grow more and more dark and deep. Seriously it gets soo awesome! But yeah, it's not strange or odd at all. Same with Ar Tonelico 3 as well to some degree. As long as it isn't a sudden change like WHAM (unless you're going for a mood whip-lash which some comedy anime are GREAT at.) then it should be fine. It's as if the characters are beginning to realise just how dangerous and important their journey is.

For what you have so far Dark_Metamorphisis, it's fine, stick with it~

 

[orochii]

I think it depends on how you make the blend between a mood and another. If it all happens suddenly, your players will be confused. If it seems to change naturally and smooth, with a good story event or something, or even just with the main character development, then it could work fine.

Also change is always nice, if done correctly. A gamer welcomes a good story and character development, and also some variation. It makes one to get more interested than always doing the same in a never ever changing setup.

Pururin~,

OZ

 

[cabfe]

Actually, I think NOT to mix would be boring.

You can make an all-comedy game, but when there is the single one scene which is serious, if done correctly, it has its little effect.

On the other hand, having a dark-only mood could be a little depressing, unless it's epic.

 

[hian]

Depends on what you mean by mixing moods. If you mean through dialogue etc, I'm all for it. I don't thunk you should mess too much with the visuals or the music.

You also have to be certain that whatever you do, it doesn't break the character. If a character acts to inconsistent, that will effect immersion.

Some people here mentions series but for series that have been going on for a long time, the creator often has to take into account that the fans are growing older too, and usually that plays a role in the creator deciding to mature the story.

A game on the other hand, is one experience, usually completed over a relatively short period of time, so consistency has to be a first priority.

 

[orochii]

Some people here mentions series but for series that have been going on for a long time, the creator often has to take into account that the fans are growing older too, and usually that plays a role in the creator deciding to mature the story.

Unless it's Pokémon anime. Sorry, had to mention it. The Pokémon anime suffers from a very interesting effect called "the everchanging public". As the show is aimed towards kids, whose will constantly grow up and go, and let space to a new audience, Ash never grows, the story is always the same... pretty much everything is reused one time and another and another and... another.

But we are not looking for that right?

OZ

 

[hian]

Lol, that's because Ash is actually trapped in a coma, and is just dreaming. There is no such thing as pokemons, even in pokemon.

/Sarcasm

Good point though. This is usually true for well established children shows, it would seem.

 

[Dark_Metamorphosis]

All of your inputs are interesting. I was thinking to change the mood through both story and character development. The thing I have in mind is to create a smooth change, that will make sense according to what's happening to the characters and the surroundings. The thing about music though, it will have different moods as well where there are some happy and sad tunes along with a bit caotic ones when specific events are occuring in the world. I'm not sure if that would be inconsistent, but to me it feels pretty natural to have tunes that makes sense at that specifc event or timeframe. Even if the game will get darker, I think it would be even more confusing if a very dark and gloomy tune were playing at a happy or sad scene in the game.

 

[hian]

For consistency in sound, the most important things are composition, sound quality, and instrument choice. Melody is by far the last thing to worry about.

Most RPGs feature many kinds of tunes. The idea is to have the style match.

FF7 for instance was mainly composed using synths.

FF8 and 9 went for midi resembling actual instruments, with only a few synth heavy tracks.

All tracks were produced using the same tools.

The thing that breaks consistency in sound, would be mixing midi tracks with high quality tracks made using real instruments or high end virtual instruments.

Another example would be mixing up the style, like using tracks from Final Fantasy in one scene, and then using Lord of The Rings tracks in another.