What game story themes draw you in and/or turns you off.

Some broad themes to consider which encompass many more specific themes that you are welcomed to list can be found here:

Politics and Religion

Social Issues

Climate & Environment

Mental Health & Psychology

Science Fiction

Human Relationships

Mystery & Crime

As always, thank you to those participating in the Discussions. It's nice to know your thoughts!

Ana

I'm not sure I've run across a game yet that I said "ew, this story line is not for me". I have not understood a lot of story lines though. I absolutely appreciate a story I can follow but I really care about how that story unfolds (how the game plays).

The only two things on that list that are a real turn-off for me are politics and social issues. If it is done in a very deft and subtle way it might be okay, but otherwise it's a no-play for me. I play games to escape from reality rather than the reverse. Oh, and I'm not wild about mental health as a topic either. I don't want to explore the darkest aspects of depression - again, I want an escape from reality.

Mystery and detective games will draw me in pretty quickly if they are good.

Hi BrownEyedTigre.

Better watch how I word my reply this time !!
So here goes ….

I would tend to initially bypass these I am listing first - depending on the type of plot / story.

Politics and Religion.
Social Issues.
Climate & Environment.
Mental Health & Psychology
Human Relationships.

If any of the above featured realistically serious unhappy events they would not be for me.

Science Fiction and Mystery & Crimee, on the other hand, I would probably investigate more thoroughly as they could well offer less unhappy realism.

Depressing themes in an adventure game are not the best for me.
Real life holds plenty such so I don’t particularly want them strongly featured in games I play.
I will look for something more relaxing.

Cheers.

Mad 🌺🌺🌺

Mad, no need to watch how you're wording something. This is a discussion, after all. Though I noticed I did the same thing somewhat, about the "story". We've already had that discussion.

I don't know. I like to analyze people and situations so sometimes I like a depressing story. Cheers me up!

While I don't shy away from more serious themes (the ones Mad lists) in films, TV shows, and books, I usually do when it comes to games. This is probably because games that handle these issues are usually terribly executed.

I gravitate towards sci-fi and mystery, and dystopia tends to be a plus, and I prefer them grim-tinged rather than jolly.
There is probably nothing I would avoid outright. That said, I would want to read some good reviews before playing a game themed around some issues (religion and politics for example) as I agree with Mikael about how well some issues tend to be done.
I also don't like being preached at regardless of the topic; let me play and ponder and decide for myself what to think about it.

I'm probably the opposite. Some things might totally bore me in a movie or book but not in a game (if I like the game play, of course).

OMG....all those things are exactly what I play games to get away from in the real world...that is except for Science Fiction...........as long as the Sci-Fi world doesn't delve into those other topics listed. Mystery & Crime is acceptable if it doesn't try to force developers biases in the game. A theme that isn't listed that takes me away from the real world is Fantasy as long as its not depicted as too cartoony.

I'm drawn in by themes of mystery and science fiction, though you could argue these are more genres than themes. Themes with human relationships can make a game more immersive and believable if they are done well. I'd include non-human relationships also, since many of the games I like have a fun relationship with a robotic or non-human side-kick.

I like to avoid depressing themes since I am playing for escape and relaxation, but if the plot includes a movement toward solutions and resolution of very difficult situations I find that uplifting.

I'll give a pass to religion, politics and heavy-handed treatments of social issues.

I like anything except politics. It is everywhere these days. I don't want it in my games.

I should add that “book” themes are a totally different issue and my tastes might well also differ there 🙂

Games, like movies, are entertainment. Any of these topics, if done properly, can result in Oscar nominations. Conversely, if handled badly, result in something that is not playable or watchable.

That said, My guess is that really good Religion and Psychology based games would be hardest to pull off well. Possibly because the scope/plot is too large.

My sentiments exactly, Mad.