Gag Games, Yay or Nay?

[Joronjo]

So just like the title says, how do you guys in general feel about games that don't really make an attempt to be serious or try to combine two completely random and unrelated concepts into one story (in a funny way). Some games like Earthbound and the Mario and Luigi superstar saga could sort of count as gag games because they tend to be more humorous than epic.

 

[Ms Littlefish]

Personally, I make a lot of games for the sheer sake of nonsense and stupidity. I don't think everything we make has to be for "making an amazing game of the generation" or anything to that effect. Sometimes I just like making really, really stupid things too. Granted, I want to make things that I hope others enjoy, but it's fine to just focus on having a laugh. Not everyone will dig it but that's just gaming.

One thing I will say though is, I find it works better for shorter games. It's often hard to keep the gag running too long unless you're a comedic genius.

Also, Earthbound and Superstar Saga aren't gag games! They're amazing and have moments of real depth. God, especially Mother 3 (still makes me cry). While humorous, they are seriously made games.

 

[Joronjo]

I'll concede with Earthbound and Superstar Saga. Specially Earthbound. People like to talk of the "quirky" humor, but earthbound gets real deep. Mother 3 gets straight up dark in less than half an hour.

I think a problem gag games do run through is when they start relying on in-jokes and when they drive a joke to the ground and keep going. I still remember a game that i didn't even bother going far because of how much they kept making the same joke and reference (and to top it off, through in obvious in-jokes and fanservice that only the creators friend would get).

 

[Ms Littlefish]

Yeah, that's another point I like to make often, especially when making a parody in specific. Parodies often fail because there are too many inside jokes and only a small amount of people can enjoy it. And then even further, even if you hook that small audience they will only remember the game for what it parodies and not the game as it's own entity. So any game that goes that direction needs to be able to stand on its own without the source material carrying it. It even needs to be able to capture the attention of those who are not familiar with the source.

Running a joke into the ground is another reason why game length matters. Sometimes it's just hard to keep making something funny. If you have a running joke, each instance needs to greatly outclass the other and become more unpredictable. Which is easier said than done of course.

 

[JosephSeraph]

Any game is valid, as long as the creator has a vision and sets out to reach it.

 

[trouble time]

So just like the title says, how do you guys in general feel about games that don't really make an attempt to be serious or try to combine two completely random and unrelated concepts into one story (in a funny way). Some games like Earthbound and the Mario and Luigi superstar saga could sort of count as gag games because they tend to be more humorous than epic.

Well I don't mind gag games and liked Shut up and Jam Gaiden, but I HATE the whole Mother series. The pitfall is that if you're not charmed by the atmostphere or like the humor then you'll probably end up loathing the game like I do with the Mother series.

 

[kerbonklin]

If anyone needs present-day references, Undertale is pretty much a full-on Gag game with a tiiiiny hint of an evil plot. but 99% gag. Game is freaking hysterical and random and every encounter (and the enemy attacks) is always something new and derpy.

 

[lPaladinl]

When you say "Gag game", I think of cheap games that contain almost nothing but meme references, not games like Earthbound or Superstar Saga.

 

[TheTsunaru]

I'm a fan. The Disgaea series in particular is something that stands out to me that pulls off the concept really well.

 

[Sel Feena]

It's the only reason I play and enjoy the Hyperdimension Neptunia games. Keep in mind though that humour is hugely subjective, and so you run the risk of losing a lot of players

 

[Chaos Avian]

@Sel Feena: I agree with you on Hyperdimension. I tell my friends I own the whole series and the judgemental stares... In any case I do enjoy gag/ parody games. Half Minute Hero was a hilarious and well done concept.

 

[TheGamedawg]

When I hear the term "gag game", what comes to mind are games like Barkley Shut Up and Jam Gaiden and Megaman Sprite Game.  They're really funny.  I love a good comedy game here and there.