History Main / IntercomVillainy

** Hans Gruber, the main villain of ''Film/DieHard'', communicates with him John [=McClane=] over walkie-talkies that [=McClane=] looted off of Gruber's dead minions. With each talk, [=McClane=] manages to get a better idea of why Gruber attacked Nakatomi Plaza and Gruber learns a new tidbit he needs to deduce which of his hostages [=McClane=] cares about, all without the two ever meeting face-to-face.

** Hans Gruber, the main villain of ''Film/DieHard'', communicates with him John McClane over walkie-talkies that McClane looted off of Gruber's dead minions. With each talk, McClane manages to get a better idea of why Gruber attacked Nakatomi Plaza and Gruber learns a new tidbit he needs to deduce which of his hostages McClane cares about, all without the two ever meeting face-to-face.
** Simon in ''Film/DieHardWithAVengeance'' doesn't use an intercom, but he talks to the main characters on payphones throughout New York City. He smugly commands McClane to do horrendous or dangerous tasks in order to save civilians, making McClane all the more determined to find Simon and knock him down a peg.

* Simon in ''Film/DieHardWithAVengeance'' doesn't use an intercom, but his messages have much the same effect.
* Jigsaw in the ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' series communicates with his victims via pre-recorded messages on microcassette tapes, but it's more or less the same trope.

* In ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' and ''VideoGame/XCOM2'', the bosses contact you thelepatically throughout the final mission.

* ''Videogame/{{BioShock|1}}'' After a certain point, the tyrannical Andrew Ryan will start communicating with you via the portable radio you picked up at the start of the game, even as you hunt him down. This becomes even more common once you realize [[spoiler:Sofia Lamb does the same in the [[Videogame/BioShock2 sequel]].

* ''Videogame/{{DeBlob 2}}'': Although he's technically speaking gibberish, Comrade Black taunts you throughout the final level, promising that you can't get to his orbital hypno-ray in time. He even gets kind of meta, telling you to access the menu and quit the level.

* ''HalfLife'' 2: You hear Dr. Breen through public address systems throughout the game. In the final chapter, as you approach his office, he talks to you directly through the building's intercom.

-->"Let's try it her way. Fatty. Adopted fatty. Fatty-fatty-no-parents."

* Tomator from ''VideoGame/TheLostVikings'' and its sequel.

* ''VideoGame/MysteryCaseFiles'': Escape From Ravenhearst -- Charles Dalimar included an audio system in the underground areas specifically so he could tell the Master Detective what she\'s supposed to learn about him in this area.
* Several bosses in ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' do the telepathic version of this.

** SelfDemonstrating/GLaDOS in the first game, possibly the TropeCodifier. A malevolent supercomputer with a quick wit and a sharp tongue that cracks wise almost constantly in her CreepyMonotone. In this case, the fact that she's an actual character and not just a series of prerecorded messages [[TomatoSurprise is a major plot twist]], [[ItWasHisSled though it's well-known now]].
** Wheatley from ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' attempts this, but he just can't match the wit of his predecessor.

* ''VideoGame/SonicColors'': Doctor Eggman makes funny announcements over a PA system and occasionally tries to lure Sonic into an obvious trap.

* ''Videogame/{{BioShock|1}}'' After a certain point, Andrew Ryan will start communicating with you via the portable radio you picked up at the start of the game. Sofia Lamb does the same in the [[Videogame/BioShock2 sequel]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'': Handsome Jack does this through the echo system.

* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3'': Sometimes it is just your allies being snarky but it is Tim Curry on that one and Andrew Divoff.
* ''Videogame/{{DeBlob 2}}'': Although he's technically speaking gibberish, Comrade Black taunts you throughout the final level, promising that you can\'t get to his orbital hypno ray in time. He even gets kind of meta, telling you to access the menu and quit the level.

** Throughout all of ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum'', the player hears the Joker mocking Batman over Arkham Asylum's intercom and making announcements as if the Joker really was the asylum's warden. He ends up with more dialogue than Batman in the game because of this. This gets a CallBack in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamOrigns'' and the DLC for ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'', where the Joker does the same thing in Blackgate Penitentiary and the Seagate Amusement Park.

** Similarly, the sequel, ''Banjo Tooie'', introduces the "Eagle-Eyed Foreman", a nameless, faceless corporate goon who informs you of certain goings-on and sics [[DemonicSpiders robotic drones]] on you if he spots you on one of his many security cameras.
* The Joker and the Riddler throughout ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum''. Hugo Strange and the Riddler throughout and the Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and Two-Face in their respective bases in ''Arkham City''. Enigma throughout ''Arkham Origins'', and [[spoiler: the Joker]] in Blackgate Prison. The Scarecrow and the Riddler in ''Arkham Knight'', with several lampshades given in the EnemyChatter.

* ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'': Porky taunts you as you travel to every floor of the Empire Porky Building EXCEPT the 100th floor.

* ''VideoGame/AssaultOnDarkAthena'': Revas uses the intercom of the ''Athena'' to taunt Riddick from time to time. When he hijacks a Mech suit of armor, she does the same with a one-way video uplink.
* ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'': In the sub-game ''Revenge of Meta Knight'', the crew of the Halberd airship you're storming would throw threats at Kirby over the intercom while also conversing with themselves. They become increasingly irate the further you go through. In ''Super Star Ultra'', the new sub-game ''Revenge of the King'' also has this in Dedede's Castle stage, mainly with Dedede and Bandana Dee.

Villains in {{video games}} sometimes use an intercom system to [[{{troll}} relentlessly mock]]
the player character, or simply to make funny comments that amuse the player and offer some insight into the villain's personality—particularly, that they feel confident enough in their strength to not make greater efforts to stop you, feeling content to merely make fun of you in often clever ways. This almost always overlaps with {{sinister surveillance}}, as it demonstrates that your enemy can see your every action.

You'll usually hear the villain become less confident and more desperate as you destroy their {{Mooks}} and get closer to them. You might even hear a VillainousBreakdown over the intercom. Also expect a lot of ThisCannotBe.

You'll usually hear the villain become less confident and more desperate as you destroy their {{Mooks}} and get closer to them. You might even hear a Villainous Breakdown over the intercom. Also expect a lot of ThisCannotBe.

* The Joker and the Riddler throughout ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum''. Hugo Strange and the Riddler throughout and the Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and Two-Face in their respective bases in ''Arkham City''. The Riddler throughout ''Arkham Origins'', and [[spoiler: the Joker]] in Blackgate Prison. The Scarecrow and the Riddler in ''Arkham Knight'', with several lampshades given in the EnemyChatter.

* The Joker throughout ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum''. The Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and Two-Face in their respective bases in ''Arkham City''.

* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'': [[BigBad Dagoth Ur]] does this to the player once you enter the final dungeon and prepare to face off with him, taunting that you could not possibly defeat a god.

* ''Videogame/{{BioShock|1}}'' After a certain point, Andrew Ryan will start communicating with you via the portable radio you picked up at the start of the game. Sophia Lamb does the same in the [[Videogame/BioShock2 sequel]].

* In ''Videogame/{{Fable}}'', during fights with Jack of Blades' minions, he constantly taunts you telepathically, with cruel but hilariously accurate imitations of your own StopHelpingMe guildmaster.

* VideoGame/{{Morrowind}}'s [[BigBad Dagoth Ur]] does this to the player once he enters the final dungeon and prepares to face off with him, taunting that he could not possibly defeat a god.

* The Joker throughout ''BatmanArkhamAsylum''. The Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and Two-Face in their respective bases in ''Arkham City''.

* Joker does this to Batman in the graphic novel ''TheKillingJoke''.

* Simon in the third ''DieHard'' installment doesn't use an intercom, but his messages have much the same effect.
* Jigsaw in the Saw series communicates with his victims via pre-recorded messages on microcassette tapes, but it's more or less the same trope.

* ''Videogame/{{Bioshock}}'' After a certain point, Andrew Ryan will start communicating with you via the portable radio you picked up at the start of the game. Sophia Lamb does the same in the sequel.

%%* ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar Gears of War 2]]'' offers a subversion of this when Cole takes over the speaker system the queen is using for giving orders he offers this little gem.

** GLaDOS in the first game, possibly the TropeCodifier. A malevolent supercomputer with a quick wit and a sharp tongue that cracks wise almost constantly in her CreepyMonotone. In this case, the fact that she's an actual character and not just a series of prerecorded messages [[TomatoSurprise is a major plot twist]], [[ItWasHisSled though it's well-known now]].

* ''CommandAndConquer Red Alert 3'': Sometimes it is just your allies being snarky but it is Tim Curry on that one and Andrew Divoff.

** GLaDOS in the first game, possibly the TropeCodifier. A malevolent supercomputer with a quick wit and a sharp tongue that cracks wise almost constantly in her CreepyMonotone.

* Simon in the third ''DieHard'' installment doesn't use an intercom, but his messages have much the same effect. Jigsaw in the Saw series communicates with his victims via pre-recorded messages on microcassette tapes, but it's more or less the same trope.

** Gruntilda in ''{{BanjoKazooie}}1'', possibly the [[TropeMaker trope]] ''[[TropeMaker maker]]''. She harasses you constantly as you traverse her lair, making {{badass boast}}s and cracking jokes at Banjo and Kazooie's expense, [[RhymesOnADime always in rhyme]]. She also speaks up the first time you're hurt by specific hazards. Once you beat her, you can still explore her lair, but the intercom is silent.

* \'\'BioShock\'\' After a certain point, Andrew Ryan will start communicating with you via the portable radio you picked up at the start of the game. Sophia Lamb does the same in the sequel.
* \'\'VideoGame/{{Borderlands2}}\'\': Handsome Jack does this through the echo system.
* \'\'CommandAndConquer Red Alert 3\'\': Sometimes it is just your allies being snarky but it is Tim Curry on that one and Andrew Divoff.
* \'\'DeBlob 2\'\': Although he\'s technically speaking gibberish, Comrade Black taunts you throughout the final level, promising that you can\'t get to his orbital hypno ray in time. He even gets kind of meta, telling you to access the menu and quit the level.
* ''DukeNukem I'': Dr. Proton mocks Duke in some levels via videophone.
* In ''{{Fable}}'', during fights with Jack of Blades\' minions, he constantly taunts you telepathically, with cruel but hilariously accurate imitations of your own StopHelpingMe guildmaster.
* ''{{FEAR}}'': In the third game, a succession of psychic commanders taunt you (they seem to really hate the Point Man, possibly because of his connection to Alma, and thus the highly traumatic \"upgrades\" they were given).
* ''GearsOfWar 2'' offers a subversion of this when Cole takes over the speaker system the queen is using for giving orders he offers this little gem.

* Tomator from ''TheLostVikings'' and its sequel.
* In ''{{Manhunt}} 1'' you are trapped in some sort of sick cinematographic experiment and the director follows you around and trolls you through the earpiece.
* ''MaxPayne'': In the final level, Nicole Horne taunts you as you make your way to her in the Aesir Corporate Building.
* ''VideoGame/{{Mother3}}'': Porky taunts you as you travel to every floor of the Empire Porky Building EXCEPT the 100th floor.
* {{Morrowind}}'s [[BigBad Dagoth Ur]] does this to the player once he enters the final dungeon and prepares to face off with him, taunting that he could not possibly defeat a god.
* ''MysteryCaseFiles'': Escape From Ravenhearst -- Charles Dalimar included an audio system in the underground areas specifically so he could tell the Master Detective what she\'s supposed to learn about him in this area.
* Several bosses in ''NeverwinterNights'' do the telepathic version of this.

** GLaDOS in ''{{VideoGame/Portal}}'', possibly the {{trope codifier}}. A malevolent supercomputer with a quick wit and a sharp tongue that cracks wise almost constantly in her {{creepy monotone}}.
** Wheatley from ''{{VideoGame/Portal}} 2'' attempts this, but he just can't match the wit of his predecessor.

* In ''RocketRobotOnWheels'', Jojo will taunt you whenever you activate ticket switches. He also does this throughout Jojo World.

the player character, or simply to make funny comments that amuse the player and offer some insight into the villain\'s personality--particularly, that they feel confident enough in their strength to not make greater efforts to stop you, feeling content to merely make fun of you in often clever ways. This almost always overlaps with {{sinister surveillance}}, as it demonstrates that your enemy can see your every action.

You\'ll usually hear the villain become less confident and more desperate as you destroy their {{Mooks}} and get closer to them. You might even hear a Villainous Breakdown over the intercom. Also expect a lot of ThisCannotBe.

Is this tropeable? Also, if anyone has a really fitting quote for this, I\'d appreciate it.

* Joker does this to Batman in the graphic novel \'\'TheKillingJoke\'\'.

* Simon in the third \'\'DieHard\'\' installment doesn\'t use an intercom, but his messages have much the same effect. Jigsaw in the Saw series communicates with his victims via pre-recorded messages on microcassette tapes, but it\'s more or less the same trope.

* \'\'VideoGame/BanjoKazooie\'\':
** Gruntilda in \'\'{{BanjoKazooie}}1\'\', possibly the [[TropeMaker trope]] \'\'[[TropeMaker maker]]\'\'. She harasses you constantly as you traverse her lair, making {{badass boast}}s and cracking jokes at Banjo and Kazooie\'s expense, [[RhymesOnADime always in rhyme]]. She also speaks up the first time you\'re hurt by specific hazards. Once you beat her, you can still explore her lair, but the intercom is silent.
** Similarly, the sequel, \'\'Banjo Tooie\'\', introduces the \"Eagle-Eyed Foreman\", a nameless, faceless corporate goon who informs you of certain goings-on and sics [[DemonicSpiders robotic drones]] on you if he spots you on one of his many security cameras.
* The Joker throughout \'\'BatmanArkhamAsylum\'\'. The Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and Two-Face in their respective bases in \'\'Arkham City\'\'.

* \'\'DukeNukem I\'\': Dr. Proton mocks Duke in some levels via videophone.
* In \'\'{{Fable}}\'\', during fights with Jack of Blades\' minions, he constantly taunts you telepathically, with cruel but hilariously accurate imitations of your own StopHelpingMe guildmaster.
* \'\'{{FEAR}}\'\': In the third game, a succession of psychic commanders taunt you (they seem to really hate the Point Man, possibly because of his connection to Alma, and thus the highly traumatic \"upgrades\" they were given).
* \'\'GearsOfWar 2\'\' offers a subversion of this when Cole takes over the speaker system the queen is using for giving orders he offers this little gem.
* \'\'HalfLife\'\' 2: You hear Dr. Breen through public address systems throughout the game. In the final chapter, as you approach his office, he talks to you directly through the building\'s intercom.
* Tomator from \'\'TheLostVikings\'\' and its sequel.
* In \'\'{{Manhunt}} 1\'\' you are trapped in some sort of sick cinematographic experiment and the director follows you around and trolls you through the earpiece.
* \'\'MaxPayne\'\': In the final level, Nicole Horne taunts you as you make your way to her in the Aesir Corporate Building.
* \'\'VideoGame/{{Mother3}}\'\': Porky taunts you as you travel to every floor of the Empire Porky Building EXCEPT the 100th floor.
* {{Morrowind}}\'s [[BigBad Dagoth Ur]] does this to the player once he enters the final dungeon and prepares to face off with him, taunting that he could not possibly defeat a god.
* \'\'MysteryCaseFiles\'\': Escape From Ravenhearst -- Charles Dalimar included an audio system in the underground areas specifically so he could tell the Master Detective what she\'s supposed to learn about him in this area.
* Several bosses in \'\'NeverwinterNights\'\' do the telepathic version of this.
* \'\'VideoGame/{{Portal}}\'\':
** GLaDOS in \'\'{{VideoGame/Portal}}\'\', possibly the {{trope codifier}}. A malevolent supercomputer with a quick wit and a sharp tongue that cracks wise almost constantly in her {{creepy monotone}}.
** Wheatley from \'\'{{VideoGame/Portal}} 2\'\' attempts this, but he just can\'t match the wit of his predecessor.
-->\"Let\'s try it her way. Fatty. Adopted fatty. Fatty-fatty-no-parents.\"
* In \'\'RocketRobotOnWheels\'\', Jojo will taunt you whenever you activate ticket switches. He also does this throughout Jojo World.
* \'\'VideoGame/SonicColors\'\': Doctor Eggman makes funny announcements over a PA system and occasionally tries to lure Sonic into an obvious trap.