Using a vocabulary of only 25 words, I have written a simple random generator that generates disturbingly plausible computer game names. Here are some samples:
- Eternal Shadow
- Shattered Empires
- Star Masters
- Blood Knight
- Silent Commander
- World of Eternal Blood
- Hero of the Shattered Throne
- Silent Worlds
- Knights of Legend
- Blood Empire
- Star Wars
- Dawn Commanders
- Time Ninja
- Lost Swords
- Stellar Throne
- Heroes of Legend
- Forgotten Realm
- Time of the Unknown Master
- Legend of Legendary Legends
Except for the last one¹, these could easily be real titles — and not of embarrassing B-list products, either. What does this tell game developers? It tells us that game settings choose to live in a ghetto. It tells us that what we consider mainstream is a sideline in other media. It reminds us that the “niche market” isn’t casual gamers, but ourselves.
…
Or maybe I’m reading too much into this and really just wanted an excuse to write that name generator.
…
Anyone up for a game of Time Ninja?
¹ Actually, since there is a real game called “Divine Divinity”, “Legend of Legendary Legends” should get greenlighted no problem.
Popularity: 5% [?]
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9 comments
Chris Raine says:
February 23, 2009 at 2:03 pm (UTC 1 )
Hi Rafael,
I believe your simple random name generator might even beat human creativity in general, especially if you consider this list :
http://www.gamerevolution.com/feature/worst_names
Hope all is well,
Chris *NoName* Raine
André says:
February 23, 2009 at 2:25 pm (UTC 1 )
Where can i download the generator? If you want to improve it include a Amazon-check wether the title is already in use….
Anyway – I agree: Hardcore is niche!
Rafael says:
February 24, 2009 at 9:21 am (UTC 1 )
André: Ruby source code (pretty terrible, but you can add that Amazon check yourself); Windows .exe (starts slowly because it unpacks ruby first!).
Chris: Nice list, although I think “If it Moves, Shoot it!” is a good, honest game name. All is indeed well — great, in fact. Hope you’re also having fun at Crytek.
I’ve just realized that I forgot a critical element of game naming: the colon! My list is completely missing such titles as “Lost Swords: Time of the Unknown Master”, “Blood Knight: Shattered Empires: Empire of Blood”, and “Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines”! Time to extend the generator…
Daniel says:
February 24, 2009 at 9:54 pm (UTC 1 )
Legend of Legendary Legends would not only make an appealing game name but also guarantee a movie make of it.
Daniel says:
February 24, 2009 at 9:58 pm (UTC 1 )
@Rafael: how about “Legend of Legendary Legends 2: Legendary Legends of Legend”
Seba says:
February 24, 2009 at 11:19 pm (UTC 1 )
Lend of Legendary Legends has nothing on giants like “Princess Tomato in Salad Kingdom”, “Wargasm” or the trend setting “Eggs of Steel: Charlie’s Eggcellent Adventure”
Rafael says:
February 25, 2009 at 8:50 am (UTC 1 )
Daniel: Brilliant! But you don’t even need the “2″ if the game uses the “Legend of Legendary Legends” license.
Seba: I bet the guy (I’m just assuming it was a guy) that came up with “Wargasm” thought it was pretty darn clever.
Sirko says:
March 2, 2009 at 2:49 pm (UTC 1 )
Hi Rafael,
nice generator, and you are probably right with the metaphor ghetto, BUT
the names are no evidence at all, because like with board games, the publisher or his marketing make the names. Of course, because he has to sell it and the name is important for it. So, to look at the themes used, we would have to check otherwise. And don’t anybody dare to come with Salesbox texts
Rafael says:
March 4, 2009 at 12:39 pm (UTC 1 )
Sirko: Ok, I’ll revise the sentence “What does this tell game developers?” to “What does this tell us about the game business?”