More failed computer game concepts

21/2/07

Concept:

Take control of your own business, with a unique restaurant management game that's fun for all! Starting with a single takeaway shop in smalltown America, expand your business first into a full restaurant, to a national chain, then all the way up to an international cultural symbol! Compete online in a virtual eatery simulation of the real world! Choose to manage your business, or go right into the details, and make the food yourself!

Unique angle:

The world's first online realtime restaurant business simulation, featuring competitive or co-operative play with millions of other players. Also features unique 'hands on hands off' decision making - play the game at any level, from filleting fish all the way up to the board. Hire and fire real staff from the online community to work in your digital restaurant!

Reason for discontinuation:

Game genre already explored by other products with varying success, but concept deemed not popular enough for mainstream acceptance. Also management does not believe closing part of opening statement.

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Concept:

Experience an ocean cruise like never before! Now you can explore the world's oceans from the comfort of your living room with an amazingly realistic experience that's better than the real thing! On board your digital yacht, you'll be able to do everything - from sailing and navigating the boat, to diving with dolphins, all the way up to fishing off the front of your yacht whilst strapped into one of those chairs stapled to the deck! How awesome is that?

Unique angle:

A custom controller that includes realistic force-feedback for every action of the boat, including raising the sails, trimming the jib, starting the motor, rowing to shore, hauling up the anchor, fishing, or chopping vegetables in the galley.

Reason for discontinuation:

Expected retail cost of game unit including custom controller: sixty dollars. Predicted cost of custom controller: nine hundred and sixty eight dollars. Obvious financial discrepancy also weighed with size of controller, most households surveyed doubt it could fit into their garage, let alone their living room.

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Concept:

Terrorists have seized control of a Japanese fish market, and are demanding the release of imprisoned members of their organisation in exchange for hostages! Only you, Jack Mason, ex-CIA KGB Black Ops specialist, inadvertently caught up in the drama while out for a nice bit of haddock, can stop them!

Unique angle:

Experience level after level of fish warehouse based action. Commandeer fork lifts and heavy lifting trolleys in your quest to save the day. Utilise your vast weapons experience to make the environment your arsenal - from simple bass and cod, to exotic jellyfish and eels, these terrorists will rue the day they tangled with you.

Reason for discontinuation:

Attempt to add unique spin to already tired first-person-shooter genre by replacing RPGs and shotguns with fish applauded but ultimately misunderstood and rejected by focus groups.

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Concept:

Aquos IV, a strange and beautiful world, to date ignored by mankind as of little interest or value. As a top research scientist assigned to study this ocean planet, you will dive below the depths to uncover the most shocking secret of all - man is not alone in the universe!

Unique angle:

Interact with over a dozen different species of intelligent marine creatures and learn of their complex society, one that has been evolving for millenia. Uncover societies years ahead of our own, some that have watched our world for years, silently, carefully. Delve into deepening levels of intrigue and suspense and discover that each of your actions will decide not only the fate of this world, but of mankind itself. Which side will you choose?

Reason for discontinuation:

Creative department's unhealthy fixation on fish finally identified by upper management. Psychiatric help administered cross-department.

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Concept:

At last, a unique opportunity to experience what it's like to work for the games industry! Develop characters and story ideas in the Creative Workshop, or go online to collaborate with others in a 'virtual office'. Do everything necessary to get your game out, from pitching the idea to publishers, all the way down to designing your box art!

Unique angle:

Game concept is unique, exciting, and sure to draw in millions of paid subscribers.

Reason for discontinuation:

Transparent attempt to leech ideas for new games from wider gaming community identified almost immediately during open beta. Backlash from gaming message boards harsh and personal, but surprisingly accurate.

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