As much as I enjoy a bit of comedy, basing an entire MMO on merely being funny above all else, or as a guiding principle, might eventually fall flat or come up short. As others have stated, comedy is difficult to do well, and different kinds of humor often don't strike others as funny. I am glad to see a bit of humor interjected into any kind of game, even survival horror, where a brief chuckle can relieve a bit of tension and prepare you for the next adrenaline rush. However, I would be surprised if a comedy MMO didn't eventually sink to the lowest denominator of comedy: body humor, slapstick/practical jokes.

Originally posted by fansede

 A comedy MMO would e fantastic, but I think you have to have some sort of theme. For example, do you go the Dungeon Runners Route and do a satire on fantasy MMO names? Do you make a  Toon Town which is just slapstick goofy for all ages?

As other have said, one mans joke is another mans outrage.  No company wants to deal with legal suits from special interest groups because of some misinterpretation of a punchline or satircal scenario. 

The easiest bet is to make a satire on games in general.  A sim of sorts but make progression important so you keep subscribers. Tap the comic groups that advertise on this site. LFG, Paragon City Comics, etc.

Yes, not everyone likes the same kind of comedy, but the same can be said about fantasy or sci-fi, levels or skills, pvp or pve... etc.

No game appeals to everyone.

And legally, it's no issue at all. You cannot sew over satire. If that was the case, comedy movies, TV shows, etc. wouldn't exist. The same applies to video games.

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

Originally posted by Ayatora

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

Of course, conducted an interview with them that ran today ;)

That game does have some silly in it, but I wouldn't call it a full on comedy MMO. Again, aimed at a younger audience. Perhaps I should have headlined this "Grown-Up Comedy MMO."

Originally posted by Dana

Originally posted by Ayatora

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

 

Of course, conducted an interview with them that ran today ;)

That game does have some silly in it, but I wouldn't call it a full on comedy MMO. Again, aimed at a younger audience. Perhaps I should have headlined this "Grown-Up Comedy MMO."

How about mixing D&D Online with The Bard's Tale? I mean, they both have that voice-over stuff that happens when you enter dungeons, and they could just concentrate on that stuff, but otherwise keep it rather clear-cut with MMORPG stuff. Like, when you enter a dungeon for the first time, just have the person narrating it say "Oh, damn! It smells like poo gas in here!" or something.

Originally posted by bartoni33

I always thought that a MMO based on the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett would be great. If their ever was a world  that would be fun (and Funny) to explore it would be one that was traveling around the universe on the back of a Giant Turtle, has magic (of course!), and is flat also!

Exactly. We already have a rich and varied universe there to make an MMO out of, and it is a comedy to boot.

I second the notion of Paranoia. It would make the bestest MMORPG ever. Troubleshooters running around causing havoc and getting in trouble, and trying to keep out of the eye of The Computer ("Happiness is mandatory. Failure to be happy is Treason. Are you happy, Citizen?" *lidless stare*) while trying to accomplish their missions.

PVPers could get their fill - but if they start attacking others randomly, they'd be declared Traitors and be fair game. Of course, Treason is punishable by death, so they should, of course, report to the nearest termination booth for processing.

Levels? We have security clearance, Citizen. Infrared for the NPCs who fill the streets. Red is the basic starting troubleshooter. Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, as you rise through the ranks of Alpha Complex society. An then there's Ultraviolet. But that clearance does not exist, Citizen. The Computer is perfect. The man in white you saw going into a Computer mainframe central was a figment of your imagination. The Computer does not need Programmers.

Did I mention secret societies and mutations are strictly outlawed and Treasonous? Problem is, you're a member of a secret society. Oh, and a mutant. but hey, at least you're not a Communist Traitor too, right? ... Right?!?

Paranoia is definitely adult and definitely comedic in the way you see in a movie like Brazil - except much, much more absurd. I'd say it fits the bill here.

Originally posted by Dana

Originally posted by Ayatora

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

 

Of course, conducted an interview with them that ran today ;)

That game does have some silly in it, but I wouldn't call it a full on comedy MMO. Again, aimed at a younger audience. Perhaps I should have headlined this "Grown-Up Comedy MMO."

So what you are saying is, Something like The Office or 30 Rock?

I got it! The best comedy movie suited for a MMO. Drum rolll please...................Spaceballs: The MMO. You've heard of Spaceballs: The Movie, Spaceballs: The Breakfast cereal, Spaceballs: The Doll (aka the Yogurt doll), and Spaceballs: The Animated Series. Well why not, Spaceballs: The MMO  It would be the funniest sci-fi MMO ever.

A while back someone ask why not a western MMO, well how about Blazing Saddles: The MMO. Many Mel Brooks movies could work. Oh almost forgot . How about Young Frankenstein: The MMO.

Originally posted by purewitz

I got it! The best comedy movie suited for a MMO. Drum rolll please...................Spaceballs: The MMO. You've heard of Spaceballs: The Movie, Spaceballs: The Breakfast cereal, Spaceballs: The Doll (aka the Yogurt doll), and Spaceballs: The Animated Series. Well why not, Spaceballs: The MMO  It would be the funniest sci-fi MMO ever. A while back someone ask why not a western MMO, well how about Blazing Saddles. Many Mel Brooks movies could work.

Blazing Saddles won't work because a large portion of the humor that made it funny was either sexual or racist in nature. People are willing to look past it as non-pc humor in a movie (I personally loved Blazing Saddles) but not so much in an MMO, I bet.

Originally posted by purewitz

Originally posted by Dana

Originally posted by Ayatora

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

 

Of course, conducted an interview with them that ran today ;)

That game does have some silly in it, but I wouldn't call it a full on comedy MMO. Again, aimed at a younger audience. Perhaps I should have headlined this "Grown-Up Comedy MMO."

 

So what you are saying is, Something like The Office or 30 Rock?

In a manner of speaking, but obviously that doesn't translate exactly. There have been some neat suggestions in this thread, but I think my core idea was that there is now enough to the MMO genre, gaming and geek culture in general to sustain a self-parody. Hence the whole Grand Theft Carriage line ;)

But yes, something aimed at people over the age of 12!

"I want a word that is unafraid to mock me. I want a world that doesn’t take itself seriously at all."

That sounds like nearly every mmo currently on the market doesnt it? Most of them mock the player by insulting their intelligence with dumbed down basic gameplay and by getting them to pay a monthly fee for rehashed and repetitive content. There is also certainly nothing particularly serious or involving about them.

ps. Did you want a "word" or a "world"?

Originally posted by Dana

Originally posted by purewitz

Originally posted by Dana

Originally posted by Ayatora

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

 

Of course, conducted an interview with them that ran today ;)

That game does have some silly in it, but I wouldn't call it a full on comedy MMO. Again, aimed at a younger audience. Perhaps I should have headlined this "Grown-Up Comedy MMO."

 

So what you are saying is, Something like The Office or 30 Rock?

In a manner of speaking, but obviously that doesn't translate exactly. There have been some neat suggestions in this thread, but I think my core idea was that there is now enough to the MMO genre, gaming and geek culture in general to sustain a self-parody. Hence the whole Grand Theft Carriage line ;)

But yes, something aimed at people over the age of 12!

What do you think of my Spaceballs: The MMO idea, Dana?

How about basing it on "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire"

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2669088/comedy_centrals_krod_mandoon_trailer/

If you want to be a hero with a servant who keeps shooting you, a slut for a girlfriend and a mage companion who can’t do magic this is for you. Well at least you get a flaming sword that makes it all worth it!

If these forums are anything to go by  MMO players don't have the brainpower to register anything remotely human, let alone comedy.

 Paranoia RPG could work. And is already a game. 

Originally posted by Wintersbite

If these forums are anything to go by  MMO players don't have the brainpower to register anything remotely human, let alone comedy.

That was rather uncalled for, wasn't it?

City of Heroes/Villians allows you to make your own.  I played the funniest damn comedy spoof with Chuck Norris and Mr. T. in it last night.   Funniest damn thing ever.   Was good mission too.   The details allowed to put in the missions you create are incredible.  You can make all the comedy, etc. you want.  Even custom make your characters to look however you want.  These guys looked just like Norris and Mr. T.    LMAO so bad.

Originally posted by KenTsurugi

Originally posted by Wintersbite

If these forums are anything to go by  MMO players don't have the brainpower to register anything remotely human, let alone comedy.

 

That was rather uncalled for, wasn't it?

Ok sorry. Maybe I was a little touchy. It's somewhat true though isn't it?

Was not Warhammer a comedy,  I mean they didn't take that one seriously, so does that one count as a comedy MMO?

I'm surprised no one brought up the King's Quest and Space Quest series from back in the day (am I that old?).  Those games were filled with comedy and silliness but were soooo much fun! 

Originally posted by Wookiee6648

Was not Warhammer a comedy,  I mean they didn't take that one seriously, so does that one count as a comedy MMO?

That wasn't a comedy, it was a tradgedy... lol

Not a bad idea.

BUT would need to be top notch, late night, British comedy.

NOT American - god loving - play it safe - canned laughter needing - behind the times - watered down - healthy family fun - super white teeth smiling - virginity keeping - world loves us - government ass-kissing - flag shagging - Map Fearing - USA DRIVEL!!!

Originally posted by Hammertime1

These could become the ultimate niche games.

So many MMOs are almost like a second job.....why not make them for complete entertainment with no expectations? That could be a real hoot.

 

Of course I could also point out that many of us get our full daily dose of comedy in these forums!

How true....come home from work and go to work on my MMO...

Years ago I played a single player space type game that had a terrific sense of humor and was really fun (can't remember the name).  It would be great to have an mmo that had a sense of humour.  Stop copying WoW and be original already.

Ahh yes I see someone mentioned it above....Space Quest...what a great and entertaining game.

Originally posted by KenTsurugi

Originally posted by Dana

Originally posted by Ayatora

Actually there already one comedy mmo, maple story have you heard of it?

 

Of course, conducted an interview with them that ran today ;)

That game does have some silly in it, but I wouldn't call it a full on comedy MMO. Again, aimed at a younger audience. Perhaps I should have headlined this "Grown-Up Comedy MMO."

How about mixing D&D Online with The Bard's Tale? I mean, they both have that voice-over stuff that happens when you enter dungeons, and they could just concentrate on that stuff, but otherwise keep it rather clear-cut with MMORPG stuff. Like, when you enter a dungeon for the first time, just have the person narrating it say "Oh, damn! It smells like poo gas in here!" or something.

 

......my search was fruitful...someone mentioned Bard's Tale. This would make a good and funny MMO. When playing the original..I found it  hilarious that the  world was strewn with corpses of  previous "Chosen Ones"....perfect for todays...everyone's the hero...mmos.