Gaming's Untapped Gold Mine: The Rom-Com

Greg_ford
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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Ah, Memorial Day weekend, the kickoff to those sweet summer hours and a time when tentpole action films rule. True to form, I saw Terminator: Salvation on Saturday...but that doesn't mean I should play the game, at least according to the Metacritic breakdown.

And that got me thinking. Action games seem like such a natural match for these testosterone-filled flicks, yet celebrated conversions are the exception. In the end, I'd rather play Gears of War 2 than Terminator: Salvation, God of War 2 instead of Wolverine. So why don't these publishers try something different and leave the action to the pros? Instead, to tap in on some of that sweet Hollywood scrilla, they need to go in a new direction with a totally different genre: romantic comedies.

 

Wait, what? you're thinking. Hey, calm down and consider this. The action movies don't work because the shortened development time means things like advanced shooting systems or complex cover mechanics just can't compete with those from the above-mentioned, years-in-gestation epics. Rom-com games, though, could deliver a quick-hit story filled with substance and consequences.

For example, let's give a game based on the beloved Notting Hill to BioWare. How could their patented branching dialogue tree not produce wonders:

"I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to..."

Good response: "...love her."

Neutral response: "...give this a shot."

Evil response: "...go to hell."

Sure, you could re-create the movie's line, but now we can finally figure out what would have happened had Ms. Roberts really spoken her mind. Try getting that on the director's cut.

Ah, so now you're intrigued -- as you should be since possibilities abound! Think about the multifocused ensemble Love, Actually in a Maniac Mansion-style SCUMM adventure, hopping among all the love-struck as they figure out just who, and what, loves who.

The Devil Wears Prada? Pshh, more like The Diablo Wears Sparking Mail. And can you honestly say you wouldn't be down for a few rounds of Music & Lyrics Rock Band?

If this takes off, Sigourney Weaver might not scoff at the idea of lending her voice to a videogame -- perhaps even spearheading a Heartbreakers-themed brick-breaking arcade game.

This also solves the age-old problem of getting the ladies to pick up the pad -- in fact, a lot of these will be her choice, giving you a free pass when BioShock 2 hits. "But sweetie," you say. "We spent hours playing Failure to Launch until you achieved McConaughey blastoff. Would you kindly let me take the weekend to play through this one?"

How could she resist that made-in-Hollywood ending?

(Special thanks to Bitmob friend and all-around cinema fiend Bryan Intihar for his expert input on some of the greatest rom-coms of our time.)

 
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Comments (12)
Default_picture
May 25, 2009
My wife wanted to play VP: TIp so she went and got the 1000 of 1000. She stopped playing again until I rented Fable 2. Went that night and bought it till she got 1000 of 1000. She didn't care for the Story much.
Default_picture
May 25, 2009
Though I question the male prediliction for associating romantic comedy with a female audience, statistics will always have their way. This being said: Notting Hill as done by Bioware? Yes. A [i]thousand times[/i] yes.
Shoe_headshot_-_square
May 25, 2009
.......
Default_picture
May 25, 2009
Oh if your looking for a chic flick then how about a Thousand Acres done by IW...
Default_picture
May 25, 2009
Yeah, I'm still thinking "Wait, what?"
Shoe_headshot_-_square
May 25, 2009
I think I want out of this "Bitmob community" business.
Default_picture
May 25, 2009
@Dan you know there secretly you have a chic flick in mind that you would love to see turned into a video game.
New_hair_029
May 25, 2009
First thing that comes to mind is "Bride Wars: The Game." The movie already contains a fight scene and who wouldn't want to complete objectives such as dyeing Kate Hudson's hair blue and ruining Ann Hathaway's tan?
Brett_new_profile
May 25, 2009
Greg, Ubisoft and ABC are waaay ahead of you.
Brett_new_profile
May 25, 2009
Hm, HTML in the comments worked in the preview but not in the end result. These are the links you want: [url]http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=61743[/url] [url]http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=73043[/url]
Twitpic
May 25, 2009
Don't the Japanese already do this? Why haven't dating sims taken-off here in the States? I love that you threw in Mr. Bean, too.
Default_picture
May 25, 2009
Rachel Jagielski: I immediately thought of that film when reading the article too; Lord knows why, I've not even seen it. Speaking of Rom Com games, I thought GTA IV already nailed it with the ability to take a girl on a date and then smash up some cars and shoot dudes while she's with you. Some might think it was a lack of design but I like to think it was by design.

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