Line #116 Main/MacGuffin


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6	[[quoteright:302:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mcguffins.jpg]]
7	[[caption-width-right:302:A [=MacGuffin=], every one of them[[note]]Left column: The eponymous bird from ''Film/{{The Maltese Falcon\|1941}}''; the true Holy Grail from ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade''.\
8	Right column: the "[[AMacGuffinFullOfMoney briefcase full of money]]" used in innumerable thrillers over the decades; Kate's toy plane from ''Series/{{Lost}}''; the crystal shard from ''Film/TheDarkCrystal''; "The Winslow" from Creator/PhilFoglio's ''ComicBook/{{Buck Godot\|Zap Gun for Hire}}''.[[/note]]]]
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10	->''"In crook stories it is almost always the necklace, and in spy stories it is most always the papers."''
11	-->-- '''Creator/AlfredHitchcock'''
12
13	"[=MacGuffin=]" (a.k.a. [=McGuffin=] or maguffin) is a term for an object or element in a story that drives the plot, but serves no further purpose. It won't pop up again later, it won't explain the ending, and it won't do anything except possibly distract you while you try to figure out its significance. It usually takes the form of a mysterious artifact, package, or weapon that everyone in the story is chasing, though in some cases it won't even be shown.
14
15	To determine if an object is a [=MacGuffin=], one can ask certain questions:
16	* ''Is the nature of the item or the item itself interchangeable?'' If the item is of great value - and is desirable or important solely because of that value, rather than any properties of the item itself - there is little difference between a diamond, a priceless painting, or an exotic statue, as the objectives surrounding it would differ only trivially: The plans surrounding its theft would be largely the same, the mission to transport it to a specific place would be largely the same, and the investigation to locate it would be the same. When reading the story or script, replace the name of the item and ask if the story is all that different.[[note]]This does not account for logistics-related answers to the above questions, i.e. the weight, volume, and dimensions of a diamond compared to those of a painting, as long as it is feasible to rewrite minor details of the story to account for these details without substantially changing the plot.[[/note]]
17	* ''Is the nature of the item irrelevant to the plot?'' All [=MacGuffin=]s have some extraordinary value, whether it be monetary, prestige, historical significance, supernatural power, or forgotten knowledge. These things are often, but not always, explained in detail within the story so that the audience understands the characters' desire for the item. These elements, however, are not vital to build the plot; any narrative usefulness from having the item is either nonexistent (often due to NoMacGuffinNoWinner) or relegated to the coda of the story, when the plot and the desire for the item is over. In other words, if whatever function the item may have is actually relevant to the plot (such as a [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement magic sword]] being used to cut something that is normally uncuttable), it is not a true [=MacGuffin=] (contrast MockGuffin, for when an object that isn't really a [=MacGuffin=] is mistaken for one).
18
19	If it passes both of these criteria, then congratulations - it's a [=MacGuffin=]!
20
21	A common [=MacGuffin=] story setup can be summarized as "Quickly! We must find X before ''they'' do!". While a [=MacGuffin=] is technically a kind of PlotDevice, that term actually encompases much more, referring to anything that motivates a character to get from point A to point B and beyond (an important distinction to make): This could be as simple as an invitation to the party; the invitation gets the plot going but is not the goal of the characters. Compare MagneticPlotDevice, which is an explanation of why the characters are getting into repeated adventures.
22
23	The term "MacGuffin" was popularized by Creator/AlfredHitchcock, who credited one of his screenwriters, Angus [=McPhail=], with the creation of this concept and the name for it, citing a particular school-boy joke:
24
25	->A man is riding on a train when a second gentleman gets on and sits down across from him. The first man notices the second is holding an oddly shaped package.
26	->"What is that?" the first man asks.
27	->"A [=MacGuffin=], a tool used to hunt lions in the Scottish highlands."
28	->"But there are no lions in the Scottish highlands," says the first man.
29	->"Well then," says the other, "That's no [=MacGuffin=]".
30
31	Hitchcock and [=McPhail=] were not the first to formulate this concept: Silent-film actress Pearl White starred in cliffhanger serials (most famously in the film ''Film/ThePerilsOfPauline'') in which the characters spent most of their screen time chasing each other for possession of a roll of film, or some other doodad. This device occurred so often in White's serial films that she routinely referred to the coveted object as a "weenie", using the term precisely as Hitchcock would later use "[=MacGuffin=]".
32
33	In academic circles, [=MacGuffin=]s are sometimes called the Golden Fleece, after the artifact from the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. The Fleece was first mentioned by the Greek poet Simonides, which makes this trope OlderThanFeudalism.
34
35	If you want to start [[Administrivia/JustifyingEdit arguing]] that your favourite series' most awesome magical thing isn't a [=MacGuffin=], remember that Administrivia/TropesAreTools. Having a [=MacGuffin=] is not necessarily bad writing, depending on how it's handled — concretely defining or giving a central role to the object of a chase can ''detract'' from a work, if the point is to focus on the characters.
36
37	[=MacGuffin=] sub-tropes:
38	[[index]]
39	* AccidentallyBrokeTheMacGuffin: When someone breaks the [=MacGuffin=] when they needed it.[[note]]Then again, the existence of a situation where a [=MacGuffin=] is needed might disqualify it from being a [=MacGuffin=], if the situation were to involve the [=MacGuffin=] [[PlotCouponThatDoesSomething doing something]].[[/note]]
40	* ArtifactOfAttraction: If the object itself is inherently irresistible.
41	* ArtifactOfDoom: If the object itself is inherent but at the same time can prove to be pure evil. Which can result in [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity insanity]], [[ArtifactOfDeath death]], or [[AFateWorseThanDeath worse]].
42	* ArtifactOfHope: An object that would be ideal for slaying an otherwise unslayable evil. Odds are that unslayable evil will want it too just to make sure the hero can't use it against them.
43	* [[ClingyMacGuffin Clingy [=MacGuffin=]]]: Inversion of this trope — its most important attribute is that the person who has it wants to be rid of it.
44	* DemandingTheirHead: A bounty is placed on a character with specific orders to cut off their head and return with it.
45	* DismantledMacGuffin: The [=MacGuffin=] is split into several parts and hidden in different places. {{Plot coupon}}s are most often this type of [=MacGuffin=].
46	* EggMacGuffin: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin A [=MacGuffin=] that is an egg.]]
47	* FakinMacGuffin: Someone creates a counterfeit [=MacGuffin=], either to throw pursuers off their trail, or to resolve a HostageForMacGuffin situation without actually giving away the real [=MacGuffin=].
48	* FatalMacGuffin: Acquiring this Macguffin can be hazardous to your health.
49	* FreeSamplePlotCoupon: The first [=MacGuffin=] is given or found with zero effort, compared to subsequent ones.
50	* GoingToSeeTheElephant: Taking a trip with no serious purpose. The reason for the trip may or may not be a [=MacGuffin=].
51	* GottaCatchThemAll: When there is more than one [=MacGuffin=] and the story necessitates acquiring them all.
52	* HastilyHiddenMacGuffin: A valuable stolen object, hidden to avoid detection by the authorities (or rival thieves, or whichever party is trying to take it), which the thieves then must scramble to get back.
53	* HostageForMacGuffin: The heroes have the [=MacGuffin=]. The Villain has a hostage and wants the [=MacGuffin=]. Trade ya?
54	* HostageMacGuffin: The hostage ''is'' the [=MacGuffin=], the thing the heroes are searching for.
55	* ImDyingPleaseTakeMyMacGuffin: A character has the [=MacGuffin=]. (S)he dies after giving the [=MacGuffin=] to another character (usually the heroes) and asking them to take care of it.
56	* ItMayHelpYouOnYourQuest: An irrelevant object turns out to be useful in the end.
57	* LivingMacGuffin: A living being, free (or at least in no danger), who serves as the [=MacGuffin=].
58	* AMacGuffinFullOfMoney: The [=MacGuffin=] is simply a large amount of cash.
59	* MacGuffinDeliveryService: The good guys get the [=MacGuffin=] just in time for the bad guys to swoop in and steal it from them or force them to hand it over via hostage situation or Sadistic Choice. Bad guys win! (Temporarily.)
60	* MacGuffinEscortMission: The good guys get the [=MacGuffin=] early on. The rest of the story is about them transporting it somewhere else without losing it.
61	* MacGuffinGuardian: The monster that guards the [=MacGuffin=].
62	* MacGuffinLocation: The [=MacGuffin=] isn't a thing or a person, it's a place.
63	* MacGuffinMelee: When multiple groups searching for the [=MacGuffin=] find it at the same time and a fight breaks out.
64	* MacGuffinPersonReveal: The Reveal that the [=MacGuffin=] they've been looking for has been with them all along, in the form of one of the characters.
65	* MacGuffinTitle: The [=MacGuffin=] is right there in the title of the work.
66	* MacGuffinTurnedHuman: The plot where the object that everyone is looking for turns out to have been transformed into a person.
67	* MementoMacGuffin: A [=MacGuffin=] that holds sentimental value to one or more characters.
68	* MineralMacGuffin: A gem, a jewel, or a rock of some type that holds great power, that is used as a [=MacGuffin=].
69	* MacGuffinSuperPerson: A LivingMacGuffin sought after for some supernatural ability or quality they have.
70	* MockGuffin: A [=MacGuffin=] that turns out to be worthless.
71	* MundaneMacGuffinPerson: A LivingMacGuffin sought after for some mundane ability or quality they have.
72	* NoMacGuffinNoWinner: Neither side has the [=MacGuffin=] in the end. It's been destroyed, lost, or discovered to be fake.
73	* OneTrueSequence: The heroes and villains reach the [=MacGuffin=] simultaneously, regardless of how much sense it makes timescale-wise.
74	* PirateBooty: Older than the BriefcaseFullOfMoney, and even more likely to be stolen.
75	* PlotCoupon: A common manifestation in video games, an item that the player must acquire to advance the plot, but serves no other gameplay purpose.
76	* PlotTriggeringBook: A unique book that sets the plot into motion when it's found by a character or is given to one character which has a sort of significance but doesn't necessarily need to be present throughout the story.
77	* APlotInDeed: A land deed drives the plot, mainly because who owns it or gets to inherit it is the conflict.
78	* RansackedRoom: What the bad guys do when they suspect the good guys already have the [=MacGuffin=]. May also include ransacked luggage, tearing up the grounds, or even destroying a room or building.
79	* SlipperyMacGuffin: No one can seem to hold on to it for very long.
80	* SoundStone: The [=MacGuffin=] is a sound rather than a thing, or a thing that must be used to produce the sound.
81	* StolenMacGuffinReveal: The [=MacGuffin=] was a fake, or stolen before the thief got it.
82	* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: When the [=MacGuffin=] is a weapon.
83	* TimelineAlteringMacGuffin: An otherwise unimportant item from the future that, if left in the past during time travel, will have [[ButterflyEffect serious consequences]].
84	* TwoHalvesMakeAPlot: A [=MacGuffin=] is in two pieces and need to be put together for the plot to move forward.
85	* ZillionDollarBill: The [=MacGuffin=] is valued only for its monetary value.
86	[[/index]]
87
88	See also ItsTheJourneyThatCounts, YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle, AllThatGlitters, ChekhovsGun, and MagicFeather.
89
90	As you might have guessed from the sheer number of [[SubTrope sub-tropes]], this is a very common {{trope}} in fiction. So common, in fact, that it [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin has its own page]] on Website/TheOtherWiki.
91
92	'''Do not confuse with PlotDevice. Please, don't.''' Also not to be confused with the tribe from ''WesternAnimation/{{Brave}}'', or anyone of Scottish descent. Also not to be confused with a breakfast sandwich served in UsefulNotes/McDonalds restaurants.
93	[[noreallife]]
94	----
95	!!Example subpages:
96	[[index]]
97	* MacGuffin/AnimeAndManga
98	* MacGuffin/ComicBooks
99	* MacGuffin/{{Film}}
100	* MacGuffin/{{Literature}}
101	* MacGuffin/LiveActionTV
102	* MacGuffin/VideoGames
103	* MacGuffin/{{Webcomics}}
104	* MacGuffin/WesternAnimation
105	[[/index]]
106	----
107	!!Other Examples:
108
109	[[foldercontrol]]
110
111	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
112	* ''Animation/HappyHeroes'': The elemental wands in Season 8 are sought after by both the Supermen, who want to use them to wake up the president, and Big M. and his henchmen, who want to use them to assassinate the president instead.
113	* The ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf'' StoryArc ''Great War in the Bizarre World'' features the Luminous Ray, which is needed by the goats to lift the mind-control placed on the bees but is also being sought after by the wolves.
114	[[/folder]]
115
116	[[folder:Fan Works]]
117	* ''FanFic/BringMeToLife'' has a couple of examples:
118	** The Keystone, a crystal which [[UnseenEvil the First]] needs for its plan to [[spoiler: access the Eye of Creation and [[OmnicidalManiac destroy reality]]]].
119	** Hope's Dagger, a weapon forged at the dawn of time, which is the only thing capable of harming the First.
120	* "[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3111404/1/Browncoats-at-World-s-End Browncoats at World's End]]" turns Jack Sparrow's compass (''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'') into one for the crew of ''[[Series/{{Firefly}} Serenity]]''; after they find themselves trapped in the past and separated from their ship, their only clue is that they must find Jack Sparrow in order to find their ship, eventually guessing that the compass must be held by the right person to truly find ''Serenity'' (for example, Mal cannot use it as he is torn between the ship and his love for Inara).
121	* ''FanFic/TheCaptainOfTheVirtualConsole'' has the Runestones, manifestations of players' love for gaming.
122	* In ''Fanfic/DaphneGreengrassAndTheBoyWhoLived'', the Order of the Phoenix all acknowledge that the prophecy about Harry and Voldemort is basically this. Even without knowing the exact content of the prophecy, they all agree that it wouldn't be that useful to Voldemort even if he acquired it, but by encouraging their enemy to focus on retrieving the prophecy they ensure that the Death Eaters aren't going to do something more dangerous.
123	* ''Fanfic/TheNewAdventuresOfInvaderZim'' has the Meekrob crystal containing the codes that lead to [[LostSuperweapon Project Domination]], which all three teams are after (Zim and Tak and their respective allies to conquer Earth with it, Dib and his friends to stop either of them from doing so).
124	* In ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'', the [[AncestralWeapon Pantielle ancestral sword]] serves this purpose in the ''[[StoryArc Ansur Arc]]''. Its only purpose is to give Kyril a secondary reason to go to Ansur -- to find it and return it to its rightful owner. His primary objective is to ascertain the situation in this place, to see whoever important is in cahoots with the Black Dogs (and root them out if necessary). Kyril even says that the sword is [[CoolButInefficient merely for ceremonial purposes, not something practical to fight with]].
125	* In ''FanFic/{{Pokeumans}}'' the Gemstone Files take this role at first, but are later replaced by [[MineralMacGuffin the Dimensional Gems]].
126	* In "[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/40367694/ Doctor Who in the Multiverse of Madness]]", when the Thirteenth Doctor visits the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, learning of the Infinity Stones prompts her to compare them to the segments of the Key to Time, as each were six powerful artefacts that could come together to give the wielder great power.
127	* In ''Fanfic/ThePrayerWarriors'', during "The Battle With the Witches", the heroes look for five keys to get into [[Franchise/HarryPotter Dumbledore's office in Hogwarts]]. One is carried by Ginny, another by Ron, a third by Harry, and a fourth by Hermione. It's unclear who has the fifth key, since after the fourth key, the Prayer Warriors break into Dumbledore's office and kill him.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Fairy Tales]]
131	* In ''Literature/CatherineAndHerFate'', the skein of silk that Catherine's Fate gives her is so apparently worthless that she nearly throws it out. It has, it turns out, two properties: it is exactly the color needed to sew the king's wedding garments, inspiring him to say that she shall have its weight in gold, and it outweighs his entire treasury, thereby inspiring him to demand her story.
132	[[/folder]]
133
134	[[folder:Gamebooks]]
135	* The titular Stone from ''Literature/ZaltecII'' serves as this.
136	[[/folder]]
137
138	[[folder:Mythology and Religion]]
139	* The GoldenFleece in the story of Jason and the Argonauts: It's an alternate name for a [=MacGuffin=].
140	* The Finnish national epic, Literature/TheKalevala, revolves around various people searching for and fighting over TheSampo, which is eventually lost at sea. The standard Kalevala compilation by Elias Lönnrot describes it as a mill which produces gold, wheat and salt, but he made this up - his original sources [[TakeOurWordForIt never specified what it was]] and nobody really knows to this day.
141	* Several of the Labours of Hercules boil down to "kill dangerous creature(s)", "capture dangerous creature(s)", or "acquire object(s)".
142	** Killing the Nemean Lion. While the lionskin grants the power of invulnerability, and later is worn by Hercules, its powers aren't relevant to the rest of the story.
143	** Capturing the Ceryneian Hind (a.k.a. the Golden Hind). Any object whose capture / theft would have offended a deity would have served. Turns into a case of NoMacGuffinNoWinner.
144	** Capturing the Erymanthean Boar.
145	** Capturing the Mares of Diomedes.
146	** The girdle of Hippolyta. Its magic powers, if any, aren't relevant; neither is its possible status as a symbol of authority, because the attack by the Amazons was instigated by the false belief that Hercules was engaged in a kidnap attempt, not by anything to do with the girdle itself.
147	** The apples of the Hesperides. They just have to be retrieved.
148	* The Golden Apple of Discord. A golden apple that says "For the Fairest", Eris created it so that Hera, Athena and Aphrodite would fight over it. It eventually led to the Trojan War.
149	* The HolyGrail. Much of Arthurian legend concerns different knights' quests for the grail, but once the grail is found, the court of Arthur has nothing better to do and is left to disintegrate. It has in fact first been mentioned in a novel about the Arthurian legend.
150	* The sacred scrolls of ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'' are the most literal [=MacGuffins=], as the scrolls are completely empty and worthless by itself and according to the myth, they only gained value because people believed they are valuable.
151	[[/folder]]
152
153	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
154	* World Tag Team Championships were a Macguffin in the heyday of the [[Wrestling/NationalWrestlingAlliance National Wrestling Alliance]]. While the NWA forbid its member promotions from crowning their own World Heavyweight Champion, they were free to create "World" champions in other weight classes and divisions. Thus, most NWA promotions had a World Tag Team Championship that was just a glorified regional title never defended outside of the territory. It also made the promotion look better to fans, who thought they were being treated to World Championship caliber matches even when the World Heavyweight Champion wasn't in town. Of course, most local fans had no idea that other World Tag Team Championships existed; unless they read the Apter wrestling magazines. In which case, it was often confusing seeing these titles listed as "NWA World Tag Team Championship (Memphis version)" or "NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version), etc."
155	[[/folder]]
156
157	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
158	* The ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'' adventure "The Yellow Clearance Black Box Blues". The title Black Box. What it does is eventually revealed, in some versions of the adventure, but it's unlikely your player characters will live long enough to discover it.
159	** The ''High Programmers'' variation also recommends throwing in some [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Code_of_the_Woosters "Cow Creamers"]], side goals for the Ultraviolets to fight over so they can trade them to a NPC.
160	* The "Honor & Intrigue" system has a character attribute actually called [[LampshadeHanging [="MacGuffin"=]]]. Taking it turns one of the items in your character's possession into a future [=MacGuffin=].
161	* Referenced in ''[[TabletopGame/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy Mistborn Adventure Game]]'', where the book uses the term "Macguffin" to describe a Secret that has no function other than to be the thing everyone wants. For example, a vast hoard of precious metal that may or may not exist, and which is of little use anyway, because the world is coming to an end and there's nothing to buy with that wealth.
162	* In ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', a Standard Template Construct fragment makes for an all-purpose [=MacGuffin=]. [=STCs=] were machines from the Dark Age of Technology containing the sum total of human technological knowledge, plus the capability to build any device. No working [=STCs=] exist anywhere in the 41st Millennium, but a printout from the STC's library can be worth entire solar systems, so the Imperium will use every means at their disposal to grab one.
163	* Most of the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' campaign ''Dragon Heist'' is a chase after the Stone of Golorr, a sentient but basically useless artifact. There is a coda where the Stone [[spoiler: points the way to a dragon hoard, at which point the dragon reveals itself to be the BigGood and makes the "final battle" a doddle]], but the real story is already over by then.
164	[[/folder]]
165
166	[[folder:Theatre]]
167	* In ''Theatre/IphigeniaInTauris'', the [=MacGuffin=] is an image of Artemis, which if stolen would bring liberation to Orestes from his mental toils, as was promised by Apollo.
168	* In ''Theatre/{{Philoctetes}}'', while much is made of Philoctetes' special bow (received from Herakles himself) the plot itself is not really concerned with its purpose as much as the choices the characters make because of and in spite of its importance.
169	* In ''Theatre/SherlockHolmes'', the [=MacGuffin=] is a packet containing letters, photographs, jewelry etc. that were sent to Alice Faulkner's late sister by a foreign gentleman who seduced and ruined her, and the villains want it out of the picture now that he wants to marry. The name of the gentleman is merely whispered inaudibly, and the sister's name is not revealed either.
170	* In Creator/AgathaChristie's ''Theatre/SpidersWeb'', the root of the trouble is something hidden in the house by the previous owner, which unscrupulous people are trying to get hold of. Until the denouement, neither the audience nor the characters (with one exception) even know what it is, only that it's said to be worth thousands of pounds.
171	[[/folder]]
172
173	[[folder:Theme Parks]]
174	* At Ride/UniversalStudios:
175	** As in the first movie, the all-powerful [=AllSpark=] shard is this in ''Ride/TransformersTheRide''.
176	** In ''Ride/JimmyNeutronsNicktoonBlast'', Jimmy's advanced Mark IV rocket ship is sought after by the Yolkians, who believe that it can be used to enslave the earth if duplicated.
177	[[/folder]]
178
179	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
180	* ''VisualNovel/QueenOfThieves'': In "Becoming the Gilded Poppy", Jett's story of how he joined the Poppy involves him stealing some item. Beyond it being valuable enough to steal, the nature of the item is so unimportant that no one even remembers what it was; visually, it's depicted as a pixelated blur.
181	-->I grab the--whatever it was--and slip it into my jacket.
182	* Mary's eye in ''VisualNovel/ShikkokuNoSharnoth''. We know what the eye does for ''her'' but exactly how it would really help anyone else who acquired it is vague. They simply want it.
183	[[/folder]]
184
185	[[folder:Web Original]]
186	* [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] with the discs on the ''WebVideo/DreamSMP'', especially in Season 2. Materially speaking, they're worthless, and indistinguishable from any other copy of Cat or Mellohi on the server. However, Tommy [[NumberOneDime ascribes a lot of sentimental value to them]], and both Tommy and Dream give them more and more symbolic value as the struggle between them progresses, becoming representations of the power Dream has over Tommy and L'Manburg. Over the course of the Vengeance Arc, Tommy starts to believe that getting the discs back will remove the power Dream has over him and thereby end all conflict (which is wrong, but not an unreasonable conclusion to come to), and with Techno egging him on, goes to greater and greater lengths to get them back. [[spoiler:His HeelRealization at the Green Festival happens when he realizes he'd been wrong to put the discs over his friends and country, and while he doesn't stop chasing them, he keeps his priorities in check from that point onward. However, Dream has no such realization and continues to treat them as all-important to the point of [[LiteralMetaphor putting them on literal pedestals]], and sabotages himself at multiple points to get them, and his taunting Tommy with the discs is what ultimately leads to his downfall. Tommy and Dream both experience the consequences of giving the discs ultimate importance, but while Tommy uses those consequences to learn and grow into a better and wiser person, Dream refuses to confront any realistic flaws, and that's why Tommy wins.]]
187	* The Project Orwell software in series 1 of ''WebVideo/KateModern'', which is mysteriously absent from the second series.
188	* ''WebVideo/TheNingyo'': Christopher Marlowe's piece of the map leading to The Ningyo.
189	* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaChick has a jar of mayonnaise that has been transformed into one by [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Lord [=MacGuffin=]]].
190	* The Tower of Pimps, a stack of four gold blocks on an obsidian block pedestal, in ''Creator/RoosterTeeth'''s, "LetsPlay ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}''". Nothing fancy, just bragging rights material for whoever wins the challenge of the episode.
191	* The dimensional transponder in ''WebVideo/TheCartoonMan'' [[spoiler:which turns out to be [[ChekhovsGun a pen the characters found earlier.]]]] In the third movie, [[spoiler: the Glove of the Animator becomes one as well.]]
192	* This trope was featured in Episode 2 of the TV Tropes podcast ''Podcast/OnTheTropes''.
193	* The Rise of the Budget remake of WebOriginal/{{Troopers}} has the Orb. Lampshaded, of course.
194	-->'''Dread Lord''': I kinda feel like the Orb is this vaguely defined [=MacGuffin=].
195	* The campaign in ''[[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7atuZxmT95508O3ylmNMe_DOG6ksPdFn LARPs]]'' features a magical artifact called the Eleventh Eye.
196	* Dave Sindelar of ''[[https://fantasticmoviemusings.com Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings]]'' coined the term "Gizmo MacGuffin", to refer to a MacGuffin that is a type of advanced science fiction technology that is not used, but only fought over. An example from many serials of the 30s and 40s is a death ray that the good guys and the bad guys fight over.
197	* The Imperial Hereditary Seal in ''Fanfic/FarceOfTheThreeKingdoms.'' Sun Ce openly refers to it as a PlotDevice, and everyone treats it as though it is important, although it really doesn't bestow anything. Later [[spoiler: the narrator]] steals it from Cao Cao's effects in order to use it to legitimize Liu Bei.
198	* ''WebAnimation/OverlySarcasticProductions'' has a video discussing the subject, citing [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse the Infinity Stones]] as a textbook example, having great power but only being used to power up the villain at most (the Time Stone is the exception, since it's used as a ChekhovsGun), while [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings the One Ring]] is a subversion, since its inherently [[ArtifactOfDoom corruptive nature]] is intrinsic to the story, and could not be replaced with any shiny jewelry.
199	* In ''WebVideo/PotionSeller'', a knight is trying to purchase the strongest potions before heading into battle, and the potion seller refuses to serve the knight on the grounds that the potions are too strong for the knight to handle. The video is entirely about the knight and the potion seller arguing about the potions, and the actual nature of the potions themselves is never really elaborated on.
200	* The grand prize for competition-based ObjectShows rarely if ever gets mentioned but it remains the driving force for why the contestants want to compete in the first place. The prize can be anything under the sun no matter how ridiculous, oddly specific or unwanted it turns out to be as listed below:
201	** A dream island for ''WebAnimation/BattleForDreamIsland'' and ''WebAnimation/BattleForDreamIslandAgain'' and a "BFDI" and "BFB" for ''WebAnimation/BattleForBFDI'' which all double as a MacGuffinTitle.
202	** A million dollars - ''WebAnimation/InanimateInsanity'' (The one which popularise as the standard prize), ''WebAnimation/InanimateInsanityInvitational'', ''WebAnimation/BattleOnMurderIsland'', ''WebAnimation/BattleShowCoolYeah''[[note]]Although the cast planned on splitting it between themselves with the winner getting the extra two cents[[/note]], The first season of ''WebAnimation/ExcellentEntities'' , ''WebAnimation/FightInFlight'', ''WebAnimation/JeopardizedObjects''[[note]]Presumably what the contestants thought until it's revealed to be just a single dollar[[/note]], ''WebAnimation/ObjectConnects'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectCringe''[[note]]Parodied in the last episode[[/note]], ''WebAnimation/ObjectMadness'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectOppose'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectOverload'', ''WebAnimation/PaperPuppets'' and ''WebAnimation/TheStriveForTheMillion''
203	** A billion dollars - ''Webcomic/TheBigCompetition'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectInvasion'' and ''[[WebAnimation/ObjectUniverse Object Twoniverse]]''
204	** Other amounts of money such as one hundred million dollars (''WebAnimation/BattleOfTheBreeds''), a trillion dollars (''WebAnimation/BattleForATrillionDollars''), one [[EleventyZillion bajillion]] dollars (''[[WebAnimation/ExcellentEntities Extraordinarily Excellent Entities]]''[[note]]Until that proved to be a hoax in the finale[[/note]]), five million dollars (''WebAnimation/ObjectHavoc''), ten million dollars (''Literature/ObjectOblivion'' and ''WebAnimation/ObjectLockout''), ''three'' dollars (''WebAnimation/ShowHostObjectShow'') and a hundred-thousand dollars (''WebAnimation/ObjectUniverse'' and ''WebAnimation/TownAttack'')
205	** A manor - ''WebAnimation/ObjectCringeAgain'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectLockdown'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectShow'' (Plus a million dollars) and ''WebAnimation/RaceToTheMansionOfTomorrow''
206	** A wish for anything - ''WebAnimation/AnimatedInanimateBattle'', ''Battle For A Wish'', ''WebAnimation/ChallengeToWin''[[note]]Previously a beach in pre-production before it was changed into a magic lamp[[/note]], ''WebAnimation/ObjectCubes'', ''WebAnimation/ObjectTowel'' (Plus a towel), ''WebAnimation/{{ONE}}''[[note]]Although this was revealed to be a hoax since the host needed an excuse for the contestants to continue competing[[/note]], ''WebAnimation/VictoryWillBeMine''[[note]]In the form of a magic note that grants wishes on whatever you write in it[[/note]] and ''Webcomic/{{Wishful Thinking\|2018}}''
207	** A mysterious magical orb - ''WebAnimation/MysteriousObjectSuperShow'' and ''WebAnimation/UntitledObjectShow''
208	** No prize (Subversion) - ''WebAnimation/ObjectAsylum''[[note]]No budget and the cast is stranded on a deserted island to even have one[[/note]], ''WebAnimation/ObjectCringe''[[note]]None of the contestants bother to ask since they all mindlessly joined thinking there is one[[/note]], ''Webcomic/QuickUawesomeAmazingDicksbattling''[[note]]The contestants forced into one by the host[[/note]], ''WebAnimation/UltimateInsanity''[[note]]The hosts kidnapped all the contestants to compete against their will[[/note]]
209	** ''WebAnimation/TheAlmostValentineslyObjectShow'' has one of becoming the host's girlfriend/boyfriend/partner since he specifically made the competition to find one and he's not picky.
210	** ''WebAnimation/BattleForCircle'' had a circle despite everyone being identical [[LivingPolyhedron anthropomorphic circles]] themselves.
211	** ''WebAnimation/BattleForTheRightToBeatDerpToDeath'' is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin self-explanatory]].
212	** ''WebAnimation/BurgerBrawl'' offered a Burger King gift card for life even though all the contestants don't like the fast food there but still wanted it for bragging rights.
213	** ''WebAnimation/TheDailyObjectShow'' has several with The Really Good/Bad/Neutral/Chaotic Smelling Lotions (Seasons 1, 3, 6 and 7 respectively), a hyper-realistic one-dollar bill (Season 4), a "dream island" (Season 8) and a Jack In The Crack coupon and [=McDonalds=] gift card (ConsolationPrize for seasons 1 and 7).
214	** A toy guitar from ''Music/TheWiggles'' for ''WebAnimation/GreenysGrandGame''
215	** ''WebAnimation/LazyLeague'' had a spraypaint can (Season 1) and a hoverboard (Season 2) from the host which he is reluctant to give up as a bunch of strangers want his belongings without taking no as an answer.
216	** ''Webcomic/NiceShowForWeenies'''s enticing prize of a billion-dollar cheque and an unlimited credit card instantly convinced the contestants to stay in the competition despite being forcefully kidnapped.
217	** ''WebAnimation/ObamasHiddenInfoObjects'' got the ridiculous prize of knowing Obama's last name. The [[Webcomic/ObamasHiddenInfoObjects webcomic]] adds on the information on who said it, a [=McDonalds=] gift card, Evil Default Discord Profile Picture's powers (Which he took back almost immediately) and a million dollars for the next four seasons respectively.
218	** ''WebAnimation/ObjectTerror'''s two reboots have the contestants competing for a giant cruise ship.
219	** ''WebAnimation/OtherworldlyRavenousBeast'' has ORB leave their [[GeniusLoci sentient planet Earth]] be alongside removing the curses they place on the contestants throughout the competition if they manage to complete their challenges.
220	** ''Webcomic/SplitObjectComic'' has The Narrator's narration abiltities which can do absolutely anything through the power of speech.
221	** ''WebAnimation/TheStruggleForTheWorld'' probably has the biggest prize in which the winner becomes the president of the entire planet of Earth.
222	** ''WebAnimation/SuperPoweredObjectShow'''s prize is a comic book called "Super Object" with the second issue for its second season ''Duo-ver''.
223	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / MacGuffin