Top 10 TV Shows that Should be Made into a Major Game
5. Orange Is The New Black
Prisons make for an interesting environment for games, because they have rigid rule sets that impede what we could otherwise take for granted in the outside world. Actions as mundane as eating or drinking can be regulated. Bypassing that requires either breaking that format, which comes with violent consequences, or thinking outside the proverbial box, to come up with ways to get away with banal acts. Survival takes a different meaning behind bars.
Living in the world of Orange Is The New Black has a more solemn role than sheer primal instincts. It's all about the ability to cope with a sentencing and a forceful social dynamic between many different cliques. Each person in this prison has their own story, which gets periodically broadcast in certain episodes. These personalities can differ wildly, such as a transgender person and their woes in a world that still struggles to accept people who differ from the norm. Some are drug addicts, others have committed crimes of passion, but they all need to be able to coexist in some way. Inmates can often bond over their mutual dislike of the surrounding authorities, which range from exhausted pencil pushers, idealists to even featuring tyrants.
Given the interpersonal nature of Orange Is The New Black, it wouldn't be unfitting as a Sims-like game where characters forge relationships through frequent interactions with others. Instead of a lighthearted take, however, this version should also take into account the darker topics of this barred universe. Malnourishment, depression and fear can't just be a slider in need of a quick, pizza slice fix; it needs to echo into all activities of inmates. More distress can lead to lower productivity, possibly causing injury during labor hours. Foul moods can cause strife, triggering fights and possibly shifting entire alliances, maybe even starting a prison riot. Additionally, resource gathering should play an important part, as supplies are rare in the cells. This can come with a smuggling mechanism, making goods harder to track. All of it can be balanced on avoiding punishment, because officers are cruel and the goal is to eventually get out of jail.
"officers are shown as greedy, power hungry brutes, while those involved in illegal activities have more human qualities"
Love that you included The Wire but I would have to disagree with this. Both sides are even-handedly presented.
yes breaking bad . I would buy
Love all the games but when are you going to get knews does are already old for me and my kids...
Where is Firefly? I'm sorry but this list is way too limited in scope and I don't see how it could be labeled as a Top 10. Breaking Bad, Boardwalk, and I guess American Horror Story, but AHS shouldn't count b/c you could just do anything and label it "American Horror Story" since every season is a completely different story.
SOA
Where is Magnum PI?
I gotta say a lot of these are just dumb. Orange is the new black,really? Good show dumb game even as a knock off prison sim. I'm not British but the british guys in here are right. Where's misfits or Luther. Even Inbetweeners could be a good game. I would buy Rick and Morty tho no matter what kinda game it is.
American TV is LOL NO
Really now, no British shows? Why did you pick 10 shows all from the states and about people who live there? Their shows are fine, but kind of overrated at this point.
Not breaking Bad. That has a pretty poignant and structured narrative. Its more of a character study than anything else anyway.