GGGB vs ORS: Themes (2)
THEMES (2)
Continuing with the commentary on the theme of both games, I felt I could pinpoint a few of those particular themes that rose to my attention while I was working on GGGB. The nature of my first game didn’t allow me to explore those themes with the depth I would’ve liked, since I had to take care of a lot of possible branches, but I wanted to give myself that chance with ORS.
If you’re a bit perceptive you might already know what particular themes are those. In GGGB Ashley could, through the pictures she uploaded in social media, end up dipping her toes in the modelling business, even becoming a cam girl at some point, but that was never integral to the story. I tried to do that in ORS, where Lena starts as an amateur model, and her reasons to delve in that world and make her presence known in social media are not only to fulfill a simple yearning for popularity and notoriety, as was Ash’s case. Also, being integral to Lena’s development, social media, modelling and all the stuff that can be derived from it will have a major impact on the narrative, while in GGGB it felt a bit like its own, separate storyline.
Arthur was the main villain in GGGB, but his motivations were very narrow in scope, and only involved himself and his twisted fantasies. Ethan has also potential to become a very interesting villain, but his role was confined to Ashley’s mom side of the story. But what if I combined both men and created an antagonist that delves in corruptionand has the power and the brains to really get what he wants? Well, you can surely imagine who that character would be.
Dave and Eric, and even Jack in some sense, were also very interesting to me as characters. The first two, especially, were young men trying to figure out what they wanted to do in life, pursuing their not-so-easy-to-achieve dreams and trapped in the flux of rocky relationships with the girls that surrounded them. They got themselves into hot situations, into fights, into traps and betrayals and more... I tried to make their struggles and adventures relevant, but of course I was very limited since they were NPCs. Adding a male POV would also allow me to develop and explore those themes in a much more fun way.
There are more themes that crossed over from GGGB into ORS, some others are new, but my goal is to delve deeper into all of them to make a more impactful, engaging and meaningful gaming experience. Do you feel this is the case so far? Which other themes you think exist in GGGB and ORS and how you think they’re being treated differently?
Other posts on GGGB vs ORS series:
Comments (10)
for sure a development could be a stable throuple between Ian, Lena and Holly given the affinity between the three. it would be also more interesting if there are obstacles/resistances to overcome.
One of the themes I felt you’ve really dove into with gusto with ORS is the idea that smaller actions can have repercussions not just for one’s self, but for everyone around that person. With GGGB Ashley might make a big choice that could bring some of her friends down with her, or might help raise them up depending on the player choices. However, with ORS there’s a very natural and enjoyable flow to smaller choices that I really enjoy, and is well reflected by the ☹ / 😊 system in place. Things like Perry getting annoyed down the line if you the player dodged his question inquiring about Lena early on in the game; Perry sharing with Ian after dinner with his parents if Lena’s food service was up to par (again, based on player choice as to whether or not Lena was busy providing other “service” to Robert or not that evening); Ian’s level of attention or lack thereof towards Holly and/or Lena being reflected later in the dinner get together that Lena, Holly and Louise/Ivy end up having, with Holly either being excited about the interest Ian showed in her, disappointed he isn’t showing interest, and then Lena’s own possible guilt if you the player had them pursuing something with Ian as well. Things like that. Most player Choice Games explore that idea of Big Impactful Moments, and ORS has those as well. But I really enjoy how you give the player the smaller decisions made that may subtly influence events later on in smaller ways, and reverberate around the interactions of the whole cast; much the same way they would amongst such a group of friends in real life.
I saw the Landwhale as the villain in GGGB.
It feels like the themes are more or less the same in the games, but that GGGB offered a bigger variety while ORS has a deeper focus on exhibitionism and friendship. So far I think that the corruption is eased down a bit (even though it's possible that I just don't see the effects that choices on some paths lead to just yet) to offer some more soap opera feel. Creating an antagonist in Seymour instead of having the optional jerks in GGGB feels like a big change where we'll see the effects further down the road, and I think that'll create a more coherent storyline. While it feels like the themes are very similar, I'd say that GGGB is more outlandish while ORS is more grounded.
I think one interesting theme that ORS seems to be developing is the power and importance of a support network. I feel in GGGB it was super fun to run around and make choices, but other characters mostly just offered fun benefits. I like how Perry or Ivy offer support for problems. Ch. 5 spoilers. Perry can help with rent or characters can help Lena rewrite a song or help Ian get his book to a publisher. The importance of a social network feels more important and I like that. I am also super excited to see how the will skill is developed. I am hoping that by building it up your characters can power through at crucial moments of the story rather than succumbing to what is easy.
So much this! It's so satisfying when your investment in multiple relationships pays off in meaningful ways. The only similar example from GGGB that comes to my mind is when Eva saves Ashley mostly she was either on her own and couldn't really rely on anyone or she was handed the stuff even if she didn't need to work for it.
I feel that ORS has a slightly smaller cast that GGGB, but that’s actually a good thing as I each one feels more realised, deeper and more real. I’m really curious to see how some of them develop, such as Perry, will he be able to get over his insecurities, what will happen to Wade when he realises he’s losing his girl friend (especially to Ian!), etc. Every character has something I’m looking forward to seeing, I just hope the will be able to explore I them all (or most of them)
To expand on that, GGGB had a fairly small central cast, but a very large supporting cast. Where as ORS has a larger central one but quite a small supporting one (so far).
"But what if I combined both men and created an antagonist that delves in corruption and has the power and the brains to really get what he wants? Well, you can surely imagine who that character would be." Plot twist - it's Ian, isn't it?
Nope, you're both wrong. It's obvious that this person is...Stan!