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Video Games Need to Start Experimenting with Schlock | CBR – CBR – Comic Book Resources



The video game industry should consider tapping into the schlock genre more often. Awesomely bad games appeal to more fans than it realizes.

B-rated — or schlocky — movies have been around for generations. Films like The Toxic Avenger and The Room have become wildly successful despite their subpar quality. However, while schlock is alive and well in the film industry, it is still mostly uncharted territory in video games — and that’s unfortunate.

Games like Deadly Premonition have become cult classics thanks to their ludicrously cheesy demeanor. They are highly original titles that give players unforgettable gaming experiences. Even if the player thinks the game is a heaping pile of gutter trash, the chances of them remembering its sheer ridiculousness are extraordinarily high. Many people want to play these games just to see what all the hype is about. There’s more interest than the industry realizes, and schlock could be highly profitable if done right.

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Most B-rated movies are made with extremely low budgets, which means even if they don’t perform well, they can still turn a profit. The same thing could apply to schlocky video games. B-rated games don’t require AAA budgets. Developers need just enough cash to make a memorable title with cheesy gameplay and decent controls.

Since companies wouldn’t have to spend a fortune on a schlock game’s budget, they wouldn’t have to worry about selling an outrageous number of units to turn a profit. Low-budget video games only need to sell a decent amount of copies to be financially successful. To get these titles off the shelves, developers could look to how the film industry markets schlock and incorporate its methods into their ad campaigns.

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Many people enjoy awesomely bad media. The fact that the video game industry hasn’t figured out how to capitalize on B-rated titles until recently is somewhat shocking. Titles like Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing and Ride to Hell: Retribution have actually gained a considerable amount of attention for their atrocious gameplay. The mysteries behind these games are sometimes too enthralling to ignore.

Honestly, Deadly Premonition is probably the best example of a B-rated game done right. It’s an awesomely bad game that captures the same bizarre flavor of low budget movies perfectly and assimilates it into its gameplay. If developers used Deadly Premonition as a template to create their own highly original game full of cheesy dialogue and schlocky moments, it could draw a loyal cult following. If enough awesomely bad games launch and achieve cult success, they could even popularize the genre.

The video game industry has yet to tap into the schlock genre’s full potential. The unconventional genre allows developers to utilize their creative abilities while rebelling against industry norms. B-rated games also give gamers unique experiences. Exploring the schlock genre is the perfect way to give video game fans original titles while pushing the industry forward.

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