Have you ever wanted to work in video games? Well that's what the guys at GameBizCo Inc. do. Literally.
Join the cast of Another Videogame Webcomic as we peek behind the curtain to see what exactly goes into bringing your favorite video games to the small screen. It may be a job in video games, but it's still a job.
After These Messages...
I wish I were
making up the Grey's Anatomy video game... but even I don't have that great of an imagination. But if you think about it for a second, it makes perfect sense. The casual market is booming. The Wii and the DS are selling to an audience that wouldn't normally buy video games, let alone video games like Gears of War or Grand Theft Auto. But they might buy a video game that shares a name, if not the quality, of a popular tv program.
In that regard, Grey's Anatomy: The Video Game is a no brainer. The two major aspects of the show, surgery and social interaction (aka "hooking up") have been the basis of games before, so why not combine the two, wrap it in a popular tv show property and sell it to an unsuspecting audience? In the same way that comic book movies have a built-in audience, the growth of the casual market has lead to a built-in audience for licensed games. Why would a casual gamer bother to check if a game is any good when they can just assume a game's quality from the quality of it's licensed property?
But all the ranting in the world won't stop the video game industry from making crappy licensed video games. And who knows? Maybe the Grey's Anatomy video game will actually be good? But if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! In no particular order, here are my top 5 list of tv shows that should and shouldn't be made into video games.
Top 5 TV shows that should be made into video games
1.
The Unit: A video game based on the David Mamet TV show based on a book by Eric Haney, you'd play as one of the members of the Unit, a covert team of special forces operatives. Half the game would be first person shooter, a la Call of Duty, where you defend the US in missions both domestically and abroad. The other half of the game would be a first person relationship simulator where you try to keep your wife happy so that she doesn't sleep with your commanding officer. The first person relationship simulator features Mametesque dialogue trees where you say a lot without saying much at all.
2. House, MD: This video game would play like those trivia games you often find at bars. First you're presented with a list of symptoms, then with a multiple choice list of possible diagnoses (Lupus is always on the list). A timer starts and the wrong answers start disappearing one by one. The quicker you pick the correct diagnosis, the more points you get towards gaining the respect of Dr. House. You get a multiplier if you happen to have boobs or vicodin.
3. Prison Break: A Massively Multiplayer Roleplaying Game based on Season 1 of the Fox show. You play as an inmate at Fox River. You can form alliances with other players as you try to get on Michael Schofield's good side so he'll let you in on the plan to break out. Getting in on the prison break opens up new quests, ranging from finding an egg beater to starting a riot to cover up the noise made by knocking down a wall in your cell.
4. Doctor Who: I've actually only seen one episode of this show so I couldn't tell you what they game would be like. But I have noticed that the only Doctor Who fans are hardcore Doctor Who fans. So hopefully I've driven some of you to take a look at this comic for the sheer mention of Doctor Who.
5. Battlestar Galactica: See above.
Top 5 TV shows that shouldn't be made into video games
1.
Heroes: Because, like the show, you'd think it'd be fun but it's actually boring. Wait. They're actually
making this game, aren't they? Crap.
2. Veronica Mars: This would actually be a pretty good game. You'd go around solving mysteries around Neptune, California while balancing your social life or lack thereof. But no one would buy it. It would only attract a few hardcore players, half of which are only playing the game to get a fully 3d controllable version of Kristen Bell.
3. The Office: I love the show but the prospect of playing a game based on going to work at home just makes me sad. I mean, shouldn't you be doing something else at home besides goofing of at your virtual job? Additionally, it may be too much for the space-time continuum to handle.
4. My Own Worst Enemy: At best, a game based on the Christian Slater "Dr Jekyll & Mr Spy" show would be half good. At worst, you'd save your game only to come back to it later and find out someone's screwed with it. (Spoiler: It's you!)
5. A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila/Rock of Love with Bret Michaels/Flavor of Love (or really any reality "celebrity" dating show): Because getting syphillis isn't fun in real life let alone in a game.
Player Two
After the resurgence of multiplayer co-op, GameBizCo Inc. hired Player Two to be the Goose to someone else's Maverick. His workload isn't quite as heavy as most of the other people working at GameBizCo Inc. and as a result, he spends a lot of time in the break room or playing computer solitaire.
First Appearance: Another Videogame Webcomic?!? An Introduction
Player One
Player One is top dog at GameBizCo Inc. Nearly every game, from Pong to Mario Bros to Grand Theft Auto, requires Player One's expertise. His cocksure and sometimes inappropriate attitude is an annoyance to his coworkers but seeing as every game needs a first player, they make due.
First Appearance: Bonus Stage! Here comes Player One!
Damsel I. Distress
Whether it be a castle, a dungeon or mystical island, Damsel always needs to be saved... and she hates it. Damsel longs for the day when she's given the role of a strong female lead character who doesn't have huge breasts with hyper accurate physics.
First Appearance: LittleBIGPlanet
Final Boss
Underneath the huge brute that is Final Boss lies a timid creature who wouldn't hurt a fly. He puts on his "angry face" when throwing barrels down ramps or breathing fire but deep down he feels sorry for doing so. He's been known to throw a game or two in the player's favor.
First Appearance: World Record
John Minion
John Minion, or Min for short, is the hardest working employee at GameBizCo Inc. Playing everything from Goombas to no name thugs, Min gets beat up on a daily basis but loves every minute of it. He always wanted to work in the gaming industry and was originally hired as an intern. After years of getting coffee, his big break came when someone called in sick... and the rest is history.
First Appearance: Watchmen: The End is Nigh
Middle Manager
Middle Manager works in the Human Resources department. He runs staff meetings and interviews prospective employees. The other 90% of his time is spent playing Freecell on his computer.
First Appearance: Another Videogame Webcomic?!? An Introduction
