There's Goofs in Them Thar Hills - The West of Loathing Approach to Comedy in Games

Explore the comedic approach in video game development through this 2018 GDC talk by Zack Johnson, creative director of West of Loathing. Delve into Asymmetric's strategies for incorporating humor in their acclaimed slap-stick-figure cowboy RPG, covering topics such as adventure game design, combat mechanics, random encounters, and character interactions. Learn about their unique tool chain, color blind mode implementation, and techniques for crafting engaging NPC dialogue. Discover how the team balances comedy with gameplay elements, avoids topical references, and leverages their biggest advantages in creating a memorable gaming experience.

Introduction
The Secret
Biggest Advantage
What We Dont Do
Adventure Games
Combat
Random Encounters
Tool Chain
Color Blind Mode
Text Bucket
Gambling Minigames
NPC Dialogue
Character Mood
Oneoff Interactions
Avoiding Topical Stuff