With The Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers released in North America recently, we've been chatting to Square Enix about its latest Wii game and the kind of work that goes into making it. The newest game in the Final Fantasy spin-off series has much more of a focus on comedy, and we wanted to know what goes into making a gamer laugh. Square Enix told us.
"I think that a true hero is someone who never forgets his sense of humor," explains producer Akitoshi Kawazu."I personally really love the characters’ light-hearted conversations and monologues during the tense situations [in Crystal Bearers]. In addition, there are many instances where the town’s people and monsters will respond with comical reactions. I think that players will have a genuinely fun time interacting with them.
"Making someone laugh is actually more difficult than making them cry, and I don’t really have the right answer or formula to ensure that the humor does not fall flat. However, I do think that injecting an element of surprise at just the right moment is important in trying to make your audience laugh."
Of course, it doesn't help that many games' idea of humor is being "zany" and having bug-eyed comedy animals shout at one another. Steer clear of that and you're already on your way to a game that's funnier than most.
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Contest:
9:00 AM on 12.28.2009
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Touché
It's pretty easy to make someone cry if your game is cringe worthy or frustrating.
I thought most of japanese developers intentionally made their game spoof of real serious games. Am i wrong?
FFXI is also loaded with comedy, but you sometimes really need that in an MMORPG. I do remember them slipping in "Be sure to aim it its weak point for MASSIVE DAMAGE" and "You are on path to destruction" slipping into the WotG's story line. And, of course, any moment with Shantotto tends to be comic gold.
But yeah, most RPGs tend to take themselves too seriously. I guess that's why I liked Zidane more than most FF protagonists. He never took anything too seriously.
jk
If for once the Japanese version of toilet humour is decreased in various games,and an increase in perhaps intelligent humour(can't think of a proper definition at the moment) is done,then I might start laughing at games,in not a cynical manner.
(You can always ignore what I say,because I feel what I typed up there made no sense.......)
TRUTH. Mario and Luigi RPGs are always hilarious. And not the smile or slight chuckle. I have had a full hearty laugh at those games before.
Final Fantasy is up to an ungodly number, and now they're making excuses?
Hmmm.
u2 wasn't a funny game but what made its comedy relevant was it was in direct relation to something that actually was happening, not something that was thrown in there just for the sake of comedy. same thing with portal, its comedy was in direct relation to the actions you made.
and i feel its not true comedy that will make people laugh in a game, its usually the ironic that will.
The real difficulty is coming off as genuinely clever and funny rather than "zany" and cringe-worthy. Both happen a lot.
Disgaea is hilarious btw.
You + Hire Me = American's laughing their assess off.
Have your people call my people.
But let's all remember where Square Enix comes from... the land where the below images are normal.
"Hiiiiiy Manjidaaaaaaaay"