History VideoGame / Ambition

[[redirect:VideoGame/ZapDramatic]]

[[quoteright:339:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ambition_3_4309.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:339:The series' logo.]]
->''"Could there be a giant conspiracy theory that would force a guy to put a bomb on himself, jump out a window, land in a mattress truck, hitchhike with the very people that’s conspiring against him and then end up in a psychological assessment where it turns out he’s actually sane and may be under this drug Paxwic which is a drug made to produce the perfect soldier? I think not."''
-->-- '''LetsPlay/{{slowbeef}}''', ''WebVideo/{{Retsupurae}}''

[[http://www.zapdramatic.com/ambition.htm Ambition]] is a WebOriginal miniseries by Michael Gibson (a.k.a. Zapdramatic), a Canadian man who creates negotiation games for both entertainment purposes and diplomatic groups. Thus far, it possesses 10 episodes, which are gradually being made free to play.

You play a FeaturelessProtagonist tasked with helping a disturbed man named Ted Hadrup reunite with his kids, who are in the care of his estranged wife, Bridget. Along the way, you'll also meet Yale and Helen, a dysfunctional couple trying to weather their shaky marriage. Numerous scenarios will play out involving these characters in which you must decide what you or they must do to alleviate the situation, with subjects such as adultery, interrogation, and even some murder thrown into the mix.

Keeping in mind that Gibson mainly intended these games as viable negotiation training for real-life situations, it is somewhat notorious for its... odd depiction of its characters, as they frequently invoke numerous [[ViolationOfCommonSense violations of common sense]], {{skewed priorities}}, and other [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} unusual behavior]] that would all likely be counterproductive for these scenarios should they actually play out in real life. [[ContrivedCoincidence But even that itself is unlikely.]]

As such, it has been riffed on by {{WebVideo/Retsupurae}}.

Not to be confused with AmbitionIsEvil, though it does contain examples of that trope.
----
!!Ambition provides examples of the following tropes:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Tropes appearing in ''Ambition'']]
* AbortedArc: The ending of episode 9 informs us that [[spoiler: we will be playing as Rolf Klink in the next episode and negotiating with "pure evil."]] None of that actually happens in episode 10. Except for the [[spoiler:negotiating with pure evil part, which ''does'' happen in the last stretch of the episode]].
* AltumVidetur: Yale, especially in episode 6.
* AmazingFreakingGrace: Ted sings it in episode 8.
* AmbiguouslyGay: Dr. Russell. He does complain about the police harassing him for his sexual proclivities, after all, though they are not stated.
* AmbitionIsEvil: Yale
* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: You'll advise nearly all the characters at some point in the series as the focus switches to each one.
* AngryBlackMan: It only comes up once, when Yale makes a comment about slavery that comes completely out of nowhere.
* AnimationBump: The characters in later episodes appear to be ''much'' more designed than the ones in the early episodes, who look rather blocky. Bridget is a rather good example - being much more thoroughly animated than the other characters. It looks almost like they had a ''completely different artist'' design the new characters.
* AntiFrustrationFeatures: Many of the episodes include a "hint" option. It doesn't really give you a hint, as it just points out what the right answer is, or informs you that you have reached the point of no return and resets the whole episode. Only a handful of episodes hide this feature or have a different take on it, such as episode 9 where failing three times has Duke take your place as the marriage counselor and walk you through the whole episode.
* ApatheticCitizens: Yale won't help you escape from the people who just threatened to murder you because he's too busy holding a dinner party.
* AssholeVictim: Ted can be a dick to others, even those who intend to help him. To be fair, [[spoiler: it's not like he can trust everyone, considering what he's been through and the lies that circulate. He's actually more calm around Bridget.]]
** [[spoiler: Bridget in episode 10.]]
** [[spoiler: Yale in episode 10. He may be a philanderer and kind of a misogynist jerk, but he doesn't deserve to be framed for a murder he didn't commit.]]
* AuthorAvatar: Ted is theorized to be one for Michael Gibson.
* AuthorTract: Possibly. The game is peppered with things that conservatives usually say, such as Rolf Klink saying that the two biggest threats are taxes and government regulation. However, Rolf is stated to be a member of the Fascist Party. There's also a part where Yale tells Helen to "get off [her] hypocritical liberal high horse," when she wasn't saying anything political at all. Either Michael Gibson is a conservative, or likes to mock them.
** Retsupurae noted the running theme of authority figures being dicks.
** Zapdramatic seems to be fond of these even outside of {{Ambition}}. The Psychic Ted spin-off flash (which is just supposed to be a "pick a number, do some math to get another number, and the flash will guess that number" flash) will occasionally have Ted suddenly launch into a rant about the UnitedNations.
* AxCrazy: Ted is implied and half the cast implicate him to be this. [[spoiler: He's not.]]
** Episode 5 has Helen nearly descending into this after [[spoiler: finding out about Yale's affair.]]
* TheBadGuysAreCops: [[spoiler: Duke]] is revealed to be acting as TheDragon to [[spoiler: Rolf Klink]].
* BigBad: [[spoiler: Rolf Klink]]
* BreakingTheFourthWall: There are a few episodes that do this, usually to have the characters respond to you, and sometimes they tell you [[{{Railroading}} they will not go with what you're saying]], instead going the route the game tells them to.
* BrokenAesop: Michael Gibson intended the situations in the episodes to reflect how they'd play out in real life. Therefore, the "solutions" to these problems brings up a lot of UnfortunateImplications.
** The game seems to excuse Ted's atrocities just because he's the supposed victim of an immoral wife. Despite the fact he ''tried to blow up an office building and essentially commit a mass murder''. Made worse by the fact he's canonically considered sane.
** Having a troublesome marriage? [[spoiler:Just give your wife expensive jewelry! She'll forget about all your problems because material wealth trumps working out your differences! To be fair, you will fail if you don't get them to agree on something and the game doesn't treat this as an outright happy ending since Helen admits to the player she's happier lying to herself that everything's OK, and its just delaying the inevitable.]]
** The games often fail in their goal to teach you about negotiation, in the fact that nobody really comes to an agreement on anything, and you're mostly just telling people what they want to hear, or offering decisions that really make no sense. Episode 9 even allows you to sit back and let ''someone else'' do your work.
* ButThouMust: Even though the game offers you choices, usually only one choice is ever the correct one. If more than one choice is considered correct, they still both lead to the same outcome, or an extremely similar outcome, with very minor differences.
* CardboardPrison: Ted manages to escape from prison not once, but twice. In one of Episode 10's game overs, it is stated that he escaped a third time, but it is unknown if he actually did.
* CatSmile: Duke Crabtree.
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: [[spoiler: Rolf Klink.]]
* CowboyBebopAtHisComputer: In episode 8, Bridget quoted from Cervantes "Facts are the enemy of truth" and even corrects the player for making the wrong choice. The quote is actually by [[{{Man of La Mancha}} Dale Wasserman]]...
* CrapsackWorld: Corruption is implied to be rampant in the Ambition universe.
* CreepyChangingPainting: A minor, and probably unintentional example. Rolf Klink's picture in the newspaper blinks, for some reason. It's not referenced in the game and was most likely the result of an error on the animator's part.
* DaChief: Superintendent Frank Crabtree.
* ADayInTheLimelight: Because Episode 9 enables you to have him play the game for you, this episode could focus entirely on Duke being the protagonist.
* DelusionsOfEloquence: The characters occasionally drop out-of-place flowery words in relatively casual dialogue. It can get pretty jarring.
--> '''slowbeef:''' Look at option one![[note]]Option one, in this case, is "Argue that the Roe Commission on pay equity in it's[sic] 1991 report to the World Bank reported a direct positive relationship between average annual income and productivity."[[/note]] Who ''speaks'' like this!?\\
[...]\\
''(The player accuses Yale of being defensive)''\\
'''Yale''': No, I'm not being defensive per se. I was simply stating a fact [[AltumVidetur quod erat demonstrandum]].\\
'''slowbeef''': ...Slap him.\\
'''Diabetus''': [[SarcasmMode Yes, this is how real people talk.]]
* DemotedToExtra: Jim is a main character in Episode 1, and then all but disappears (save for a few cameos) until Episode 10. Even then, he is still only a supporting character.
** Frank Crabtree, too.
** Despite being the main character, Ted Hadrup arguably gets this treatment as well. Starting with Episode 4, the focus starts to shift away from Ted and the plot becomes about [[spoiler: the love triangle between Yale, Angie, and Helen]]. Later, it changes again to become about the mystery surrounding [[spoiler: the murder of Angie]]. After Episode 3, the only excuse Ted has for still being in the game is the fact that he [[spoiler: coincidentally escapes from custody]] around the same time that [[spoiler: Angie is murdered]]. He gradually becomes less important, and by Episode 10, he exists solely for [[spoiler: the villains to pin their crimes on]].
* DerangedAnimation: Though it arises, appropriately, from the animators' ambition exceeding their capability, instead of on purpose.
* DifficultySpike: Episode 9 is a lot harder, because you have to pose as Yale and Helen's marriage counselor and interrupt them at the right moment. Luckily, if you fail it three times, Duke will do it for you.
* DirtyCop: [[spoiler: Duke]], and possibly [[spoiler: Jim]].
* [[spoiler: DownerEnding[=/=]LeftHanging: With the exception of proving both Ted and Bridget not guilty, the player, as in the person who sat through this whole game, gains no meaningful resolution as both Rolf Klink and Duke Crabtree threatened to kill you if you don't frame someone else, and Yale ends up being imprisoned for the murder he didn't commit. To make matters worse, the series has been on halt for ''six years!'']]
* TheDragon: [[spoiler: Duke Crabtree]] to [[spoiler: Rolf Klink]]
* DrivenToSuicide: Episode 1 started with Ted willing to commit suicide with a bomb strapped around his waist. He calms down after episode 2 though.
* DropInNemesis: Throughout the series, but two of the most flagrant examples occur during Episode 10: the driver attempting to run you and Ted over in the garage, and Ted cutting the power to the courtroom. Neither of these events occurs if you choose the correct dialogue options.
* DullSurprise: How Yale reacts to the news that [[spoiler: Angie is pregnant with his child]].
* TheEndingChangesEverything: Episode 10
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Yale isn't evil, but he does often come across as a {{jerkass}} and do a lot of morally questionable things. However, in one of the bad endings of Episode 10, it is shown that he at least takes his profession as a lawyer seriously. If you tell him that [[spoiler: Rolf Klink]] thinks it would be best for everyone if Ted takes the fall for [[spoiler: Angie's murder]]. Yale angrily says that he doesn't think that would be best for ''Ted'' and says that he'll see us disbarred for saying that (you play Bridget's defense attorney in that episode).
* EvilAllAlong: [[spoiler: Duke Crabtree]].
* ExternalCombustion: Done to [[spoiler: your car]] in Episode 10.
* FallGuy: [[spoiler: Yale]] in Episode 10. Since no new content has been released in six years, [[spoiler: [[OffscreenInertia it can be assumed that he's still rotting in jail for a crime he didn't commit.]]]]
* FanDisservice: There is a quick scene in Episode 10 showing Bridget wearing a bra and green pants. It was probably intended to be FanService, but it turns into fan disservice due to the way her character is rendered.
** An intended example: During the above scene, Rolf Klink walks in wearing nothing but a towel.
* FantasticDrug: According to Yale Johnson in Episode 6, Paxwic is a new anti-depressant developed to subdue prisoners by making them blissed-out and non-violent. Angie was pursuing a study showing that Paxwic also has the effect of destroying the user's critical thinking ability, which would make her enemies with the manufacturer Somaplex if her paper on the side effects were to be published. Later we learn that [[spoiler:Ted was injected with an [[ExpoLabel ominously-labeled]] faulty batch of Paxwic which could have ''heightened'' his anxiety just before he woke up to his blood-splattered apartment.]]
* FindOutNextTime: Episode 4 and onward decided to raise some questions and encourage the player to find out in the next episode.
** Subverted for episode 9. The ending implied that you would play as a "business tycoon" talking to [[spoiler: "pure evil"]]. That never happened and a different scenario plays out instead.
** Also subverted (for now, at least) in Episode 10. The [[spoiler: cliffhanger was supposed to have been resolved in a sequel called "Ambition: The Mystery Continues." As of June, 2013, it has not (and probably will not) been released.]]
* {{Flanderization}}: When Yale is introduced in Episode 2, he comes across as a nice guy, if slightly uptight. Fast-forward to Episode 9, and he's turned into a pretentious {{jerkass}}.
** The sheer difficulty of speaking to Ted only seemed to get worse as the episodes went on, to the point that you couldn't even speak to the character in Episode 6 without him telling you to get out of his sight.
* FreudianSlip: Yale does this in Episode 9.
--> '''Yale:''' "I love you, money-- I mean honey."
* GambitRoulette: The plot to [[spoiler: set Ted on a Paxwic-fueled frenzy, then frame him for Angie's murder]] is incredibly, unnecessarily convoluted. Doubly so once you realize that they seemingly ''didn't even try to complete the plan'' the first time around. Instead, [[spoiler: they set Ted up as a crazed lunatic, ''caught him'', and then ''allowed him to escape so they can capture him again''.]] Firstly, if they had simply [[spoiler: had Angie killed while Ted was still under the drug's effects the first time]], none of the other attempts would have been necessary, and neither would the murders of other seemingly random people. This is doubly strange when you remember that, according to Bridget, [[spoiler: almost everybody involved, including the judge, are actually in on the conspiracy, they probably could have simply had Angie killed anonymously and had the case worked in any way they desired, making Ted's entire involvement unnecessary.]]
* GodwinsLaw: While interrogating Yale as the detective, you get the option to compare something that Yale says to something that Adolf Hitler would have said. Much like a typical case of Godwin's Law, it makes no sense in the context it's used.
* {{Gonk}}: The prosecutor in Episode 10. He has yellow teeth, and the way his face is drawn makes him look like he's wearing a saggy mask made from human skin.
** And the stenographer, who appears to be a globular mass of melting human flesh with a mustache tacked on, thanks to a static pose that does little to separate his face from the hand he's resting it on.
* GoodAdulteryBadAdultery: Yale seems to be content with the fact that he's cheating on Helen with Angie, and even planned on leaving her after he makes partner for his law firm. With some convincing, he decided to cut the act and let Angie go. [[spoiler: Too bad he impregnated her.]]
** No one seems to have a problem with [[spoiler: Rolf Klink, a married man,]] dating [[spoiler: Bridget]]!
* GoodLawyersGoodClients: [[spoiler:Possibly. Bridget seems more of an accomplice than the perpetrator. Played somewhat straight with Ted and Yale.]]
* GoshDangItToHeck: Duke says things like "what the [[PerfectlyCromulentWord bejiminy]]."
* GroinAttack: The player has the option of doing this to Duke in Episode 10.
* GuideDangIt: Episode 10 has no hint feature, and there are a couple points in the game that will force you to continue, even if there are no winning solutions. This becomes confusing as a major scene can occur after negotiating with [[spoiler: Rolf]], and it turns out to be a dead end. The "replay from last mistake" option does help this a little.
* HandWave: When Ted is declared legally sane and aware of his actions, the story allows him to shirk criminal responsibility by passing off his previous behavior as a "temporary dissociative state" resulting from the shock of discovering that his kids are missing.
* HeroesWantRedheads: Yale and Angie.
* HollywoodLaw: According to this game since Ted is declared legally sane, he is not responsible for his actions. In real life, that would make him criminally responsible for his actions.
** The trial in Episode 10, which only bears a vague resemblance to an actual case.
* {{Hypocrite}}: The judge. In two different game overs. He can fire you because he sees you as incompetent, and he can also fire you for questioning the competence of a police officer.
* ImprovisedWeapon: Helen, threatening to beat Yale into porridge with a $12,000 violin.
* InformedAttribute: Ted's being a good father, at least according to slowbeef and Diabetus.
* {{Insistent Terminology}}/EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Bridget only ever refers to Yale as "the black dude."
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: Rolf Klink]] and [[spoiler: Duke Crabtree]] because the series has [[spoiler: NoEnding]].
* LadyMacbeth: [[spoiler:Bridget appears to be a poor man's version of this.]]
* LazyArtist: Many characters usually stand at the front of the camera, though some can face other directions. Particularly noticeable with Angie, who never once faces another direction. This may have to do with the fact she seems to be based upon clip art one can find upon the web unlike much of the other cast members.
* LightsOffSomebodyDies: Happens in one of the game overs in Episode 10 if you choose to doublecross [[spoiler: Rolf]] and [[spoiler: Duke]] in court. The lights go off, and Jim the cop comes in and evacuates the building because [[spoiler: Ted]] has supposedly escaped and cut the power. [[spoiler: Duke]] kills you as you are leaving.
* LimitedAnimation: The characters appear to just slide around instead of walking, and their movements are jerky.
* LimitedWardrobe: Averted with Ted Hadrup and Rolf Klink, who have two outfits, but played straight with everyone else.
** Almost everyone gets a change of clothes in Episode 10. The only characters to play it straight are Frank and Duke Crabtree and Dr. Russell.
* LoveTriangle: Yale, Angie and Helen.
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Helen punches Yale in the face in episode 2 with enough force to give him a nosebleed. His only reaction is to say "ow!" in a way that one might say it if they bumped themselves on something.
** There's also [[spoiler: Duke]]'s reaction to being [[GroinAttack kicked in the crotch]] in Episode 10. He just says "ow, what'd you do that for?" and then pulls out his gun and shoots you. Those who see [[spoiler: Duke]] as a MemeticBadass just write this off as another example of his being a badass.
* TheManBehindTheMan: [[spoiler:Rolf Klink seems to be this to both Duke and Bridget. The ending of the marriage counselor implied the final episode would involve the player taking on Klink's role and talking to "pure evil".]]
* ManOfAThousandVoices (The creator)
* MindScrew
* MinorCrimeRevealsMajorPlot, [[spoiler: GovernmentConspiracy]]: Maybe.
-->'''Bridget''': [[spoiler:They're all in on it. The Judge, the cops.]]
* MurderTheHypotenuse: A possible motive for Angie's murder.
* MySecretPregnancy: [[spoiler: Angie. She reveals it to Yale as leverage in episode 5.]]
* [[spoiler: NoEnding]]: [[spoiler: Episode 10 ends with Yale getting arrested after you make a deal with Rolf and Duke to let you live if you retract your question about Duke's notebook. The FindOutNextTime message mentions an all-new cycle called "Ambition- The Mystery Continues," but it's been six years and no new content has been released.]]
* NonEntityGeneral: The player character from episodes 6-9 is not given much of a history, beyond being a detective who annoyed the Superintendent with [[NoodleIncident some remark]]. The defense attorney from episode 10, is given even less history. In episode 5, you're essentially someone whose office Helen runs in.
** In episodes 1, 2, 4 and the beginning of 5, the game does not even assign a character (if any). With 4, it's assumed that you are an acquaintance of Yale and Angie (presumably two different acquaintances), while 1, 2, and the start of 5 just has you advising them, regardless of whoever you are.
* NoodleIncident: Whatever the player character said to annoy Frank Crabtree on Sunday in episode 6. Attempting to find out only fails the negotiation for extra time.
* NoSell: Helen hits Yale a few times in Episode 5, and he doesn't even acknowledge it.
* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: Ted jumps out of a very high window, but lands on a mattress truck and is completely fine.
* OffModel: Increasingly so, as the characters generally [[LimitedAnimation slide around]], have faces that face only one direction (some episodes don't do this, though), or their faces make very weird expressions.
** A very bad example is Duke Crabtree, whose ''facial structure changes entirely'' when he's viewed at a 3/4ths angle.
** There's also Rolf Klink, whose head is obviously too big for his body in his second appearance and likely to be clip art as opposed to the other hand-drawn characters.
* OneWordTitle
* OrphanedSeries: It's been six years since the tenth episode, and neither a new episode or sequel has come out.
* PapaWolf: Ted Hadrup, despite his suicidal tendencies, genuinely loves his sons and will do anything to see them again.
* PerfectlyCromulentWord: "Anti-feministic" and "intellegosity," among others.
* PixelHunt: The crime scene investigations in Episode 6, particularly the search through a room which is merely a photograph so blurred that nothing stands out but the furniture.
* PointOfNoReturn: Using the hint system in certain sections will tell you that you have reached this point and cannot win the game and resets it for you.
** Can be invoked if you strike a deal with [[spoiler: Rolf to have Yale dispose of the pizza receipt]]. [[GuideDangIt There is no winning solution once you get to that point]].
* PoliceAreUseless: Ted believes that the police cannot help him. Supported by the fact that [[spoiler: they can't even hold Ted, especially after escaping ''twice'' before episode 10!]]
** [[spoiler: Possibly justified. Ted has escape custody twice in a row, which followed with a couple of murders. The third time he's caught, Duke wanted to pin '''your murder''' on him! This implies that they made it easy for Ted to escape just so he can be pinned in a couple of murders.]]
* PublicDomainSoundtrack: The series' soundtrack largely consists of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLFVGwGQcB0 Gnossiennes 1]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_RU2NcJ9c 3]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE8ReAAcZjU 4]] by Erik Satie.
* {{Railroading}}: At least one episode will have the characters ''talk to you'' about how they're not gonna do what you're suggesting, and instead go the way that they wish to go.
* ReusedCharacterDesign: Practically everyone in Ambition appears in at least one other [=ZapDramatic=] negotiation game in a new role, not always with the same name or voice. Ted is an unusual case in that his voice and AuthorFilibuster tendencies match the character from [[http://www.zap.ca/negotiateIntro3.html "Interview with a Vagabond"]], but he looks completely different. As Episode 2 once refers to Ted as "The Vagabond", we may be expected to believe that this is after he raised enough money to clean himself up and get back on his feet. Jim the cop is another of [=ZapDramatic's=] most frequently [[RecurringCharacter Recurring Characters]], to the point of leading players to debate whether we keep running into the same busy cop, or if the [[YouALLLookFamiliar entire police force]] is made up of [[InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals clones of Jim]].
** WordOfGod states that Jim is a separate character from the monochrome cop. That doesn't clear up too much, but it means that the town has at least two cops, as opposed to one.
*** Additionally, Officer Jill from [[http://www.zapdramatic.com/mod.htm "Move or Die"]] makes a [[TheCameo Cameo]] appearance in Episode 10.
* {{Retcon}}: Rolf Klink in Negotiator part 3 mentioned having a wife and plans on hosting an anniversary dinner. Either Rolf divorced his wife at some point to date Bridget, that part got completely dropped, or the negotiator pertains to it's own continuity (which has yet to be confirmed).
** Based on a comment made by Helen in Episode 9, [[spoiler: it's possible that Rolf is having an affair with Bridget, though why he'd attend a public meeting with his mistress instead of his wife is anybody's guess.]]
* RougeAnglesOfSatin: All over the place.
* SaltAndPepper: Two examples. Yale and Helen, Yale and Angie.
* ScheduleSlip: Some episodes had several years pass before the next part was released. It's currently in its sixth year of hiatus (assuming the series isn't dead already).
* SesquipedalianLoquaciousness: More so in the later episodes. Made especially jarring because, as mentioned above, characters often use flowery words that sound out of place in casual conversation.
* ShoutOut: Rolf Klink's name may be a shout out to Colonel Klink of Hogan's Heroes, considering his demeanour. Interestingly, the plot of the tenth episode ''isn't'' a reference to the VisualNovel/AceAttorney series, as said series came out long after ''Ambition'' ended.
* SplitScreenPhoneCall: Yale and Helen have one in Episode 4.
* StupidEvil / RevealingCoverup: If you agree to go along with [[spoiler: Rolf and Duke's plan to frame Yale for the murders in exchange for Ted's freedom]], but then go back on your word and reveal the plot in court, a Game Over cut scene plays in which, immediately after this information is revealed, [[spoiler: the power goes out in the courtroom, which is then evacuated, while Duke stays behind and kills you with a tire iron, ''right there in the middle of the courtroom''.]] One has to wonder how stupid or crooked the area's entire legal system has to be for this not to be the most obvious cover-up ever.
* StupidityIsTheOnlyOption: Sometimes, you may find a choice that falls into this, like Yale scolding a man armed with a ''bomb strapped to his chest'' for insulting Helen. Good thing he happens to be sympathetic towards Yale.
* SuddenNameChange: Ted's last name is inexplicably changed from Hadrup to Hartrup.
** Angie appeared to be a case of this, going from "Dr. Killup" in episode 2 to "Dr. Raleigh" in episode 4, but in episode 6 Yale explains that Angie was in the process of changing her name to dissociate herself from her abusive father. This might have been a clever {{Retcon}} of the author's forgetfulness if Yale didn't go on to mention that Angie's father still lives in Florida, [[SeriesContinuityError contradicting]] the Tarts' statement in the same episode that Angie lost her parents in a car accident two years ago.
* SuicideAttack: Ted Hadrup tries this in episode one. He ends up jumping out the window.
** Does it again in episode 2 as he hitches a ride. Yale convinces him to not go through with it though.
* TitleDrop: In episode 10.
--> '''[[spoiler:Duke]]:''' [[spoiler:Dr. Raleigh]] suffered from the same problem you do: ''ambition''.
** Though, it can be invoked in episode 4 by Yale if you get a game over.
* TokenMinority: Yale.
* {{Transplant}}: Virtually every character from Zapdramatic's previous Negotiator games take on a major role in this series and onward.
* TyopOnTheCover: Episode 9 is titled "The Marriage Counsellor".
* UndisclosedFunds: Averted. See ImprovisedWeapon.
* UnexpectedGameplayChange: Episode 6 plays out like a detective game, requiring you to negotiate for more time (the game is nearly impossible otherwise), and use the time to gather all the evidence and information within that in-game time limit, with a couple of negotiation sequences.
** Episode 9 takes the 'gameplay' from part one of the Mediator. Basically, you have to interject at the right moment, probably making this the hardest of all the episodes. Luckily, failing three times gives you the option to let Duke do it all for you.
* UnusualEuphemism: According to Yale, Helen "puts the screws to [him]."
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: The desk lady in the first episode, while a little worried about Ted, who has a bomb strapped to himself, is rather stoic about it. Another lady Ted bumps into seems to overlook the dynamite and mistakes him for a pushy courier.
* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: It's definitely there, given the fact you usually serve as the adviser for ''all opposing parties involved'', somewhat defeating the purpose of finding a logical conclusion. So feel free to give really bad advice or do really stupid things--[[DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist it's not like losing has significant consequences]].
* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment: Honestly, who seriously thinks that the option in episode 8 to "Tell Duke he is a meddling creep and punch him in the nose" will do anything ''but'' that? Though, Frank telling him to [[WalkItOff don't be a pussy]] does make it worth it.
** This gets called back in episode 10, where you have the option to punch Duke again. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, he's hi-jacked the taxi you're riding in.]]
** Episode 2, if you choose to consult Helen, have the option to allow her to punch Yale, and even punch Ted, just in case you are feeling suicidal.
* ViolationOfCommonSense: The secretary, and a worker, sees Ted armed with a bomb around his waist. Their reaction? Well, it's quite an under-reaction to be blunt...
** There's actually a lot of this present in the game. In Episode 2, Yale scolds Ted (who still has the bomb strapped to himself) when he makes a comment about Helen. Let's just say that Yale is extremely lucky that Ted happens to be sympathetic towards him.
** The player can actually choose to do this in Episode 8. It's pretty obvious that punching Duke in the nose will result in a Game Over, but most people can't resist it because of both Duke's and Frank's reactions.
* WhamLine: Episode 10 has this gem:
--> [[spoiler:''"Calmly ask Duke why he has hijacked your taxi cab"'']]
--> [[spoiler:'''Duke:''' ''[in his high-pitched, nasally voice]'' Because ''I'm a terrorist!'']]
** For anyone watching the youtube video titled "How To Handle The Police, [[spoiler: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDeWIroK4Z8&feature=youtu.be&t=9m11s the time the line was delivered is both shocking and hilariously effective]]]].
* WhamShot: Moments before the WhamLine, you look at the taxi driver's ID with the mugshot of a stereotypical Arabian taxi driver. Then the camera pulls up to reveal [[spoiler:a familiar redhead has hijacked the cab]].
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: In one of the game over scenarios in Episode 1, Ted asks you to feed his dog Bingo before detonating his bomb and blowing himself, and (presumably) everyone else in the building, to HELL! First of all, this raises the question of who will feed Bingo since the person Ted told to feed him has been killed. Secondly, Bingo is not mentioned at any other point in the game, so it's not known what happened to him.
* WomanScorned: Helen. [[spoiler:She probably isn't the killer, though.]]
* WorldGoneMad: The creator's depiction of how the characters act ranges from "pretty odd" to "batshit insane", which makes it all the more hilarious when you realize he intended these scenarios to be as realistic as possible.
* XRaySparks: Episode 10 does this whenever the DramaticThunder sounds.
** Oddly, even the statue has a skeleton for some reason.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Tropes appearing in ''Sir Basil Pike Public School'']]
* BrokenAesop: Bullying is wrong...except for when you physically assault people whom you mistakenly believe stole from you, mock them for their handicaps when they try and defend themselves, and refuse to apologize when the truth is discovered and the situation resolved. In which case, you're just being assertive.
* CoolShades: Ted wears a pair of literal rose-colored glasses.
* HiddenDepths: The overweight loner Janina is actually a talented (well, talented in-universe anyway, but your mileage may vary on that) musician.
* JudgmentOfSolomon: Ted offers to cut the bike in half in order to solve the dispute between you and Dave the Brave. He actually [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this if you choose certain options.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Although this game is not a sequel to ''Ambition'', it features many characters appearing in it. Since it was made after ''Ambition'' wrapped up, it isn't clear if that game took place in an alternate continuity, or if the conflict was just resolved offscreen.
[[/folder]]

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* JudgementOfSolomon: Ted offers to cut the bike in half in order to solve the dispute between you and Dave the Brave. He actually [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this if you choose certain options.

HiddenDepths: The overweight loner Janina is actually a talented (well, talented in-universe anyway, but your mileage may vary on that) musician.

* CoolShades: Ted wears a pair of literal rose-colored glasses in ''Sir Basil Pike Public School''.

* ShoutOut: Rolf Klink's name may be a shout out to Colonel Klink of Hogan's Heroes, considering his demeanour. Also, [[VisualNovel/AceAttorney women's ghosts advising lawyers against hostile odds]], while the judge sides with the persucetor all too easy and the defense attorney is [[spoiler:forced to side with the murderer in one case]]?
** Though the second is unintentional, as said series came out long after ''Ambition'' ended.

* ShoutOut: Rolf Klink's name may be a shout out to Colonel Klink of Hogan's Heroes, considering his demeanour. Also, [[VisualNovel/AceAttorney women's ghosts advising lawyers against hostile odds]] while they're [[spoiler:forced to side with the murderer in one case]]?

* CowboyBebopAtHisComputer: In episode 8, Bridget quoted from Cervantes "Facts are the enemy of truth" and even corrects the player for making the wrong choice. The quote is actually by Dale Wasserman...