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Turning Comics into Games

Apr 26, 2011#1

TheFellow

Curious as to whether anyone thinks a certain comic, webcomic, graphic novel or regular book could be made into a fun or compelling video game.
One I wouldn't mind seeing would be Atomic Robo. Seriously, let the original writers and artists do the story and art design and it'd be golden.
I guess gameplay would be..... I don't know something like Rachet and Clank? Only played one of those and it was pretty fun and close to how I think an Atomic Robo game could be made fun. Oo or a cross between that and something like the newer breed of Castlevania games (God of War-ish I guess, but GOD HELP YOU IF I SEE MORE THAN ONE QUICK TIME EVENT) style of gameplay.
*shrugs* I'm open to suggestions. So long as I can use a car to crush giant ants (that's the best weapon to use on giant ants you know), and zap nazi cyborgs with a lightning gun I'll be happy.

What about it? Anyone have any comic or book they'd like to see made into a game? Any kind of gameplay you'd like to see in said game?

Apr 26, 2011#2

Jiarn

So far with the emergence of Batman: Arkham and DC Universe: Online it's taken a long time but game companies are finally starting to figure out how to make a comic based game without making it a Final Fight clone I think.

As for what I'd like to see? No clue. FPS in a Duke Nukem style starring Deadpool?

Apr 26, 2011#3

TheFellow

Jiarn said:
So far with the emergence of Batman: Arkham and DC Universe: Online it's taken a long time but game companies are finally starting to figure out how to make a comic based game without making it a Final Fight clone I think.

As for what I'd like to see? No clue. FPS in a Duke Nukem style starring Deadpool?

Yeah. Good to see some good stuff coming out now. And a Deadpool game would be cool.

Apr 26, 2011#4

Cajungal

Axe cop game?

Apr 27, 2011#5

Allen who is Quiet

Nedroid.
Stealth game.
Play as Beartato.
Sneak out of school and into a more prestigious one.

Apr 27, 2011#6

figmentPez

Dragon Tails the RPG was in the works for a while.

There are a number of webcomics that could be turned into adventure games pretty well. Scary Go Round and Real Life Comics, especially, tend to have story arcs that would lend them to inventory based puzzling.

The recent earthquake in Japan would probably make this off limits, but turning the Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division from Megatokyo into a game would be awesome. Ideally an open world game where you play as an officer controlling all sorts of giant monsters, ninjas, zombies, magical girls and other pop culture destruction. Something with a mission structure like Red Faction Guerrilla maybe, where some events pop-up around you, and you can choose to take them on or not, while others you go to a location to start. With enough cool weapons, crazy events, and the right art style, this could be a damn awesome game.

Apr 27, 2011#7

sixpackshaker

From the Mike Grell run on Green Arrow, there was a scene where GA and an archer named Shado, hosed about 50 ninja with longbows. A co-op FPS with low tech would be pretty sweet.

Apr 27, 2011#8

linglingface

What I'd really like to see is a new side-scroller game.

Apr 27, 2011#9

TheFellow

sixpackshaker said:
From the Mike Grell run on Green Arrow, there was a scene where GA and an archer named Shado, hosed about 50 ninja with longbows. A co-op FPS with low tech would be pretty sweet.

Now that sounds cool. Sounds almost like the original Turok, but better.

Apr 27, 2011#10

TheFellow

Also had the idea earlier.

Archie.

As a(n unwinnable) dating sim.

Apr 27, 2011#11

ThatNickGuy

I'd posted a very lengthy idea for a Superman game. Not sure if it's anywhere on the board anymore. The basic gist was a sandbox Metropolis, Luthor has done something to the city or the earth that blocks yellow sunlight. So you start with the original core powers (jumping, strength, some invulnerability). As you do missions, some take you to satellite relay stations or something. Guarded by several key Supes villains. As you take them out, it clears more of the sky, gradually returning you powers.

Apr 28, 2011#12

TheFellow

ThatNickGuy said:
I'd posted a very lengthy idea for a Superman game. Not sure if it's anywhere on the board anymore. The basic gist was a sandbox Metropolis, Luthor has done something to the city or the earth that blocks yellow sunlight. So you start with the original core powers (jumping, strength, some invulnerability). As you do missions, some take you to satellite relay stations or something. Guarded by several key Supes villains. As you take them out, it clears more of the sky, gradually returning you powers.

I like it. Had a similar idea in the WB Superman show with Dr. Light. Made a hologram that blocked out the yellow in the spectrum. Always thought that'd make for a good game. And best part: the devs would have to put all their ideas into one game, thanks to the premise (be hard to justify Supes being sapped two games in a row). HA! Sequel proof game! *braces self to be proven wrong*

Apr 28, 2011#13

figmentPez

Hard to justify? Do you know how many times Superman has lost his powers in the comic books? Off the top of my head: sun got eaten by an artificial black hole, Mxysptlk made some red Kryptonite that took away his powers, gradually lost them due to being away from the sun too long while investigating a space craft in deep space, visited who knows how planets with red suns, powers sapped by the Parasite, lost them due to a weird effect inside the bottle city of Kandor, died and came back with no solar reserves, had his powers transferred to Lois Lane...

Heck, if you want to make the power loss interesting for the second game, make sure to turn it into a play mechanic. Some group of bad guys teams up to blanket the city in Kryptonite dust/gel/ice/plants/etc. Only it doesn't kill Superman as they planned, since they spread the green-K too thin. This means that Superman can only go in certain, less contaminated, areas of the city, and the more contaminated the area, the weaker his powers get. He also has to collect MacGuffins to use to clean out different types of contamination. For example, dust can be blown away if you've got super-breath, but gel can't; heat vision withers plants, but they grow back. Special gadgets or hero assists are needed to deal with the different forms. Something like that. (If possible, I'd go a campy retro route, and throw in new colors of Kryptonite, but that's just me.) Perhaps have some secondary characters to control in special missions to go in areas Superman can't. As the city gets cleaner, Superman gets stronger, and can use his powers in more areas.

Apr 28, 2011#14

TheFellow

figmentPez said:
Hard to justify? Do you know how many times Superman has lost his powers in the comic books? Off the top of my head: sun got eaten by an artificial black hole, Mxysptlk made some red Kryptonite that took away his powers, gradually lost them due to being away from the sun too long while investigating a space craft in deep space, visited who knows how planets with red suns, powers sapped by the Parasite, lost them due to a weird effect inside the bottle city of Kandor, died and came back with no solar reserves, had his powers transferred to Lois Lane...

Heck, if you want to make the power loss interesting for the second game, make sure to turn it into a play mechanic. Some group of bad guys teams up to blanket the city in Kryptonite dust/gel/ice/plants/etc. Only it doesn't kill Superman as they planned, since they spread the green-K too thin. This means that Superman can only go in certain, less contaminated, areas of the city, and the more contaminated the area, the weaker his powers get. He also has to collect MacGuffins to use to clean out different types of contamination. For example, dust can be blown away if you've got super-breath, but gel can't; heat vision withers plants, but they grow back. Special gadgets or hero assists are needed to deal with the different forms. Something like that. (If possible, I'd go a campy retro route, and throw in new colors of Kryptonite, but that's just me.) Perhaps have some secondary characters to control in special missions to go in areas Superman can't. As the city gets cleaner, Superman gets stronger, and can use his powers in more areas.

Heh, wondered how many Super-drains would be brought up. *tallies up* Eight. Good respectable work that sir. For you, the Super-Cookie:

But that actually sounds kind of awesome.
Superman crossed with Metroid. Seriously! With the green, red, blue, etc kryptonite preventing entry until certain criteria are met? That would be so fun. You could call it.... Super-Metroid :awesome:

. But no that sounds like a fun time. It'd be nice to see big blue get his own good game for once.

Apr 28, 2011#15

Cajungal

What about a detective type game for Chew where you had to eat stuff to get pieces of clues? That might be fun.

Apr 28, 2011#16

sixpackshaker

Cajungal said:
What about a detective type game for Chew where you had to eat stuff to get pieces of clues? That might be fun.

Make it a McGruff the Crime Dog Game, Get Ruff on Crime.

Apr 28, 2011#17

Gusto

I'd play a Boxer Hockey game, sort of a FF10 Blitzball sorta sports RPG.

Apr 28, 2011#18

Piotyr

I always thought OOTS would make a fantastic turn-based RPG...

Apr 28, 2011#19

ThatNickGuy

Here we go. Found the original description I had for a Superman game:

Obviously, the first hurdle is his sheer power and invulnerbility. However, he's got some pretty powerful villains that are on his level. Darkseid (and everything involving Apokalips), Brainiac, Luthor (when handled right), Mxyzptlk, Parasite, Bizarro, etc.

The second is how do you make a game that makes you FEEL like Superman and still be a satisfying game. So, here's my idea. And if anyone in the gaming world reads this, they're welcome to crib my notes, but just give me a free PS3 copy when it comes out.

Start the game right off the bat with all of your powers, similar to Prototype. BUT, like Prototype, the story causes almost all of your powers to be lost except for the bare basics of super leaping, some strength and some invulnerability. As the game progresses, you open up more of your abilities again until the end, where you're back to full power.
The story: Luthor finds a way to block out the sun using a number of satellites in orbit around the earth. Throughout the city are various buildings (with a satellite dish or controlling centre) where Luthor has placed a lot of key Superman rogues to guard them. So, as you defeat these various areas (the game is entirely open-ended ala Grand Theft Auto), you gain something, either strength or powers.

Powers: Some buttons would be designed for certain areas of Superman. For example, one button designed for his eye powers (X-ray vision, heat vision, telescopic, etc), another for breath (cold, powerful gusts). You can switch them out at your leisure either in a pause menu ala Mega Man or on the spot ala Prototype.

Villains to use in the game:
-Early in the game, for lower powers: Toyman, Prankster, Intergang, Bloodsport
-Higher difficulty/requires certain powers: Hellgrammite, Metallo, Parasite, Luminus, Lobo (taking over Bibbo's bar!), Volcana. For guys like Metallo and Parasite, maybe have the option of taking them out sooner, if you get a lead-lined suit like from the Animated Series (something you pick up doing STAR Labs missions or Clark Kent as reporter missions)
-For late in the game: Brainiac, Bizarro, Luthor (Lex tower; probably one of the last satellites to take down, as he has security measures out the yin-yang)

-Giant Monsters: These would come up as the story unfolds and would be a huge threat that would cause great collateral damage (and thus, having to save people at the same time as trying to stop the big thing). Some would include some giant Toyman-related robot, Chemo, Firebrand (using cold breath to put out fires!), Titano, etc.

-Finale: Throughout the game, there's hints and build up that unfolds that Darkseid is coming. So, the finale is not only the troops of Apokalips on Earth (fighitng parademons and Darkseid's minions like Kalibak, but the big finale with Darkseid himself). This would be the ulimate test of using ALL your powers all at once.

-Saving people: I loved how in the Spider-Man 2 game, there were people you had to save. It just needs to have a lot more variety. So you have buildings on fire (saving people, putting out the fire by creating a flying vortex vacuum, your cold breath or a nearby fire hydrant), cats in trees (because that's just cute), people falling off buildings, random crimes like car chases and bank robberies, etc. Dependings on how powerful you are or what powers you unluck, these would slowly becomes either more frequent (because you can get there faster) or tougher. Plus, adding this into public boss fights like the giant monsters would be fun as hell. Not sure what the reward would be to save X number of people, though. Maybe if you do X number of deeds, you have the option of turning it off so you can focus on other stuff (without feeling guilty

).

-Side Missions: What open-ended game would be without them? How about a racing game where you race against The Flash? Touring with the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit to stop crimes around the city. A gladiator arena set up by Mongul or Roulette. Helping test out equipment for STAR Labs or helping them run tests on you (various challenges). Maybe various breakouts on Stryker's Island (the prison in Metropolis).

But best of all: Clark Kent missions. I was thinking it'd be fun to be able to switch back and forth and your leisure between the two, similar to the disguise system in Prototype (you can tell where I was inspired by this). So, you could go to the Daily Planet, get a story and investigate it. You could still have access to SOME of your powers while as Clark (various vision powers, strength, etc) but it'd be part stealth in that you don't want others to discover your identity. Do team-up missions with Lois where you two sneak in and you can use a lot of your powers in her presence. Again, not sure what the goal of this would be, but...huh, what if it helps alleviate the traps and security measures by Lex? Slowly taking him down by revealing to the public his dastardly deeds? Maybe it'd continue the Apokalips plot, where you investigate Intergang.

The nice thing is that, by the end of the game, you're rewarded for your hard work with all of his powers and are welcome to free roam again all you want!

So...what do you guys think?

Apr 29, 2011#20

Hailey Knight

Sounds fun. Doubt it'll ever exist, but going the Spider-man 2 route (considering how damn fun that was) would be the way to go.

As opposed to having Superman flying through hoops.

May 3, 2011#21

rathkor

Jiarn said:
So far with the emergence of Batman: Arkham and DC Universe: Online it's taken a long time but game companies are finally starting to figure out how to make a comic based game without making it a Final Fight clone I think.

As for what I'd like to see? No clue. FPS in a Duke Nukem style starring Deadpool?

see, there regenerating health would make sence. lol

May 4, 2011#22

TheFellow

ThatNickGuy said:
Here we go. Found the original description I had for a Superman game:

Obviously, the first hurdle is his sheer power and invulnerbility. However, he's got some pretty powerful villains that are on his level. Darkseid (and everything involving Apokalips), Brainiac, Luthor (when handled right), Mxyzptlk, Parasite, Bizarro, etc.

The second is how do you make a game that makes you FEEL like Superman and still be a satisfying game. So, here's my idea. And if anyone in the gaming world reads this, they're welcome to crib my notes, but just give me a free PS3 copy when it comes out.

Start the game right off the bat with all of your powers, similar to Prototype. BUT, like Prototype, the story causes almost all of your powers to be lost except for the bare basics of super leaping, some strength and some invulnerability. As the game progresses, you open up more of your abilities again until the end, where you're back to full power.
The story: Luthor finds a way to block out the sun using a number of satellites in orbit around the earth. Throughout the city are various buildings (with a satellite dish or controlling centre) where Luthor has placed a lot of key Superman rogues to guard them. So, as you defeat these various areas (the game is entirely open-ended ala Grand Theft Auto), you gain something, either strength or powers.

Powers: Some buttons would be designed for certain areas of Superman. For example, one button designed for his eye powers (X-ray vision, heat vision, telescopic, etc), another for breath (cold, powerful gusts). You can switch them out at your leisure either in a pause menu ala Mega Man or on the spot ala Prototype.

Villains to use in the game:
-Early in the game, for lower powers: Toyman, Prankster, Intergang, Bloodsport
-Higher difficulty/requires certain powers: Hellgrammite, Metallo, Parasite, Luminus, Lobo (taking over Bibbo's bar!), Volcana. For guys like Metallo and Parasite, maybe have the option of taking them out sooner, if you get a lead-lined suit like from the Animated Series (something you pick up doing STAR Labs missions or Clark Kent as reporter missions)
-For late in the game: Brainiac, Bizarro, Luthor (Lex tower; probably one of the last satellites to take down, as he has security measures out the yin-yang)

-Giant Monsters: These would come up as the story unfolds and would be a huge threat that would cause great collateral damage (and thus, having to save people at the same time as trying to stop the big thing). Some would include some giant Toyman-related robot, Chemo, Firebrand (using cold breath to put out fires!), Titano, etc.

-Finale: Throughout the game, there's hints and build up that unfolds that Darkseid is coming. So, the finale is not only the troops of Apokalips on Earth (fighitng parademons and Darkseid's minions like Kalibak, but the big finale with Darkseid himself). This would be the ulimate test of using ALL your powers all at once.

-Saving people: I loved how in the Spider-Man 2 game, there were people you had to save. It just needs to have a lot more variety. So you have buildings on fire (saving people, putting out the fire by creating a flying vortex vacuum, your cold breath or a nearby fire hydrant), cats in trees (because that's just cute), people falling off buildings, random crimes like car chases and bank robberies, etc. Dependings on how powerful you are or what powers you unluck, these would slowly becomes either more frequent (because you can get there faster) or tougher. Plus, adding this into public boss fights like the giant monsters would be fun as hell. Not sure what the reward would be to save X number of people, though. Maybe if you do X number of deeds, you have the option of turning it off so you can focus on other stuff (without feeling guilty ).

-Side Missions: What open-ended game would be without them? How about a racing game where you race against The Flash? Touring with the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit to stop crimes around the city. A gladiator arena set up by Mongul or Roulette. Helping test out equipment for STAR Labs or helping them run tests on you (various challenges). Maybe various breakouts on Stryker's Island (the prison in Metropolis).

But best of all: Clark Kent missions. I was thinking it'd be fun to be able to switch back and forth and your leisure between the two, similar to the disguise system in Prototype (you can tell where I was inspired by this). So, you could go to the Daily Planet, get a story and investigate it. You could still have access to SOME of your powers while as Clark (various vision powers, strength, etc) but it'd be part stealth in that you don't want others to discover your identity. Do team-up missions with Lois where you two sneak in and you can use a lot of your powers in her presence. Again, not sure what the goal of this would be, but...huh, what if it helps alleviate the traps and security measures by Lex? Slowly taking him down by revealing to the public his dastardly deeds? Maybe it'd continue the Apokalips plot, where you investigate Intergang.

The nice thing is that, by the end of the game, you're rewarded for your hard work with all of his powers and are welcome to free roam again all you want!

So...what do you guys think?

My but you've thought that out. And here I ran out of cookies...
Still though, that could make for a really fun Superman game.

May 4, 2011#23

Cajungal

TheFellow said:
My but you've thought that out. And here I ran out of cookies...
Still though, that could make for a really fun Superman game.

Man, and if one guy deserves a Superman cookie, it's Nick. He wants to have Superman's babies.

May 5, 2011#24

ThatNickGuy

That's a damn lie!!

*looks at his user pic*
*looks at the Superman shirt he's currently wearing*
*looks at his Justice League boxers*

...goddamnit.

May 5, 2011#25

Jiarn

Forgot your sig pic too.

May 5, 2011#26

AshburnerX

I personally feel the Scott Pilgrim Vs The World game was exceptionally true to the spirit and general storyline of the comics... it's probably the best comic/movie tie-in game out there.

May 5, 2011#27

Gusto

AshburnerX said:
I personally feel the Scott Pilgrim Vs The World game was exceptionally true to the spirit and general storyline of the comics... it's probably the best comic/movie tie-in game out there.

I would love if it came out on Steam. It's XBLA only right?

May 5, 2011#28

AshburnerX

Gusto said:
I would love if it came out on Steam. It's XBLA only right?

It's XBLA and PSN. Which is odd, because it runs on Flash so it'd be easy to put on PCs.

May 5, 2011#29

figmentPez

AshburnerX said:
I personally feel the Scott Pilgrim Vs The World game was exceptionally true to the spirit and general storyline of the comics... it's probably the best comic/movie tie-in game out there.

Better than Batman Arkham Asylum and X-Men Legends? Damn, I'd kind of dismissed it as a generic side-scrolling beat-em-up. Now I'm sad it's not on PC.

May 5, 2011#30

AshburnerX

figmentPez said:
Better than Batman Arkham Asylum and X-Men Legends? Damn, I'd kind of dismissed it as a generic side-scrolling beat-em-up. Now I'm sad it's not on PC.

It IS a side-scrolling beat'em up. But it's inspired by a comic/movie that was itself inspired by said period games. It's like an ouroborus of self referential gamerness. Really, if you've played River City Ransom, then you know what to expect from this game.

It's also got art done by one the best indie artists (one who specializes in doing sprites and pixel art), not to mention a phenomenal soundtrack by Anamonaguchi (a rock band that inserts chiptunes into it's music). I'd dare say it's my favorite soundtrack of 2010. It is truly an Indie game that knows it's roots and shows them well.

May 5, 2011#31

figmentPez

AshburnerX said:
It IS a side-scrolling beat'em up.

Yeah, but a well done and polished game in the genre is rather uncommon these days. Most of the flash games I've tried have controlled poorly and/or were rather boring.

May 5, 2011#32

ThatNickGuy

The game is oddly full circle, truth be told. The original comic was heavily inspired by River City Ransom, one of O'Malley's (and mine!) favourite games growing up. The whole bit with baddies leaving coins? River City Ransom. The shot where Scott eaks cake? Might as well have been a screenshot. There's probably more, but I'm tired.

But yeah, as far as capturing the total spirit of the comic? The game does it perfectly. It is a side-scrolling beat'em up like the Ashster says, but given how well it's put together, that you can level up and such, and that O'Malley actually helped with its development all make it really unerrated.
Added at: 23:27

Jiarn said:
Forgot your sig pic too.

*Super Kami Guru impression* Oh goddamiiiiiiit!

May 6, 2011#33

Cajungal

That is a good game... The fellow introduced me to it! Might feel like playing it if we don' have our usual L4D-fest.

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