No T&A Please

[Mas Tnega]

I disagree that it fits with Prison Architect's style - the main gameplay is way too cartoony for that, and not in a dark humor kind of way. It's not a 'prison simulator' like some of you claim just because the setting is a prison. At its core it's just a tycoon game with different labels and imagery that comes with the different setting, but it's not in any way a prison simulator (and it really doesn't have to be).

Which do you believe ought to change such that they do fit each other: The gameplay/visualisation or the story telling? While that chapter may be the darkest we're likely to see, there's a long way to go to the style of the game itself.

[dangertime]

To be honest, I had to look up what the heck you meant by T&A, my husband was clueless as well so I wasn't alone.

I can see it now... Woman asks husband "Honey do you know what 'T&A' is?" Husband shifts in his seat uncomfortably, sweat forming on his brow, wondering if she found his stash, responds "erm.. (cough) uh, no, i have no idea what that is dear!"

[xander]

I used to work for the federal government, so I can tell you with certainty that T&A stands for "Time and Attendance." At the end of over pay period, I was required to turn in my T&A in order to get paid!

xander

[Mas Tnega]

As evil overlord, I know every guard in my prison works 24 hours/day for a measly $4.17/hour. Their T&A is quite redundant.

[Hessen]

It's such a tiny part of the game, I honestly couldn't give two shits.

[ronanc]

Watch your language Hessen, there could be children present!

[cyberis]

There's been some interesting posts and more response than I would have imagined. The primary point I was trying to make was that there's a difference between what's suggestive and what's explicit. Long before the very explicit horror flicks of today, there were the classics made by brilliant men like Alfred Hitchcock and the poems of Edgar Allen Poe. What was suggested often had a greater effect through the use of the imagination than the schmaltzey kill fests of today.

I think the same is true in game. Of course Prison Architect isn't a kiddie game and deals with adult themes. But I don't actually want to see a prison rape in all its gory detail. The game, at least as it stands, portrays those in suggestive and not explicit fashion. I'm really not sure the story line needs to amp it up quite as far as was demonstrated in the walk through. And I realize the walk through gave us a little bit of direction for us to comment on. Which is why I paid serious bucks to be an alpha tester, so I could provide feedback. And why I put up the poll so it wouldn't be just me providing it.

There seems to be pretty big support to go fairly explicit. I still think that you won't buy a resource management game (which is what Prison Architect is when you boil it down to mechanics) just because IV throws tawdry pictures in the story line. It's enduring quality, like that of Hitchcock (quit smirking!!) and Poe, is in the story telling, and they didn't need to be over the top explicit to become classics like Uplink and Defcon are.

BTW, sorry for the T&A part but I was trying to be a little less explicit then I could have been, and some reactions to it rather prove my point.

[cyberis]

I just thought of an interesting mechanic. What if one of the wardens came with buffs that made it easier to make prisoners happy (reduce prison violence), and that same warden would have the side effect of toning down the story line to something a little more family friendly. Yes, I know that murder isn't family friendly. Even Shakespeare had murder as a main element but again, explicit vs suggestive. I'd even be willing to put up the 1,000 bucks to create such a warden should that offer be extended beyond the current 5 that have been spoken for.

Just sayin'

[Dwkeller]

How about just a setting for none if someone doesnt want it? Or maybe just a tutorial with no snapshots in it? I personally dont want to see that in a game, but not saying others shouldnt have that option.

[DarkMalady]

I myself have no qualms with the Nudie Polaroids, I was definitely surprised by it, I of course am a 22yr old with my computer set up in my room (it's a shared house)...
but last year when I was still living at home, and the computer was hooked up in my mothers living room? I'm certainly not comfortable with my mother seeing that sort of thing, she is likely to take it out of context and be offended, and for people with small children who bust into rooms and demand to see what your doing and can I play too...

I can see where the need to know what's in a given picture before you view it might be necessary. perhaps a colour coding system based on content with the option to skip now and view later in a gallery?

[mrgreaper]

Censorship can be bad, but all they need is an option censored yes/no then those wanting a cut down censored version get it and the rest of us don't get it forced on us win win

[xander]

Watch your language Hessen, there could be children present! :shock:

I don't know if you are begin serious or not, but everyone with a forum account has claimed to be over the age of 13. Moreover, anyone reading this forum is capable of accessing the internet and is either aware that naughty words get said, or is too dumb to know the difference. People can use whatever the fuck language they want. If someone gets offended, then can click that little "x" at the top of the window.

There's been some interesting posts and more response than I would have imagined. The primary point I was trying to make was that there's a difference between what's suggestive and what's explicit. Long before the very explicit horror flicks of today, there were the classics made by brilliant men like Alfred Hitchcock and the poems of Edgar Allen Poe. What was suggested often had a greater effect through the use of the imagination than the schmaltzey kill fests of today.

The thing is that people like Hitchcock showed you exactly enough for you to fill in the details. Just like the Polaroids in the murder scene. I mean, really! Look at them! You really can't see anything that you couldn't see at the beach, and the guy is a Ken doll for goodness sake. There really isn't any explicit nudity at all.

xander

[ronanc]

Watch your language Hessen, there could be children present!

I don't know if you are begin serious or not, but everyone with a forum account has claimed to be over the age of 13. Moreover, anyone reading this forum is capable of accessing the internet and is either aware that naughty words get said, or is too dumb to know the difference. People can use whatever the fuck language they want. If someone gets offended, then can click that little "x" at the top of the window.

I guess it's true what they say about you guys across the pond not understanding sarcasm...

[xander]

Watch your language Hessen, there could be children present! :shock:

I don't know if you are begin serious or not, but everyone with a forum account has claimed to be over the age of 13. Moreover, anyone reading this forum is capable of accessing the internet and is either aware that naughty words get said, or is too dumb to know the difference. People can use whatever the fuck language they want. If someone gets offended, then can click that little "x" at the top of the window.

I guess it's true what they say about you guys across the pond not understanding sarcasm...

I wasn't sure, hence the first sentence. Sarcasm is difficult to convey via text. ;)

xander

[koshensky]

I just reread the tiers - perhaps the easiest way would be if 20 people went for the "Shake it like a Polaroid Picture" tier and just designed less gritty polaroids for the game...

/plug