TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Trope Idea Sounding Board

Go To

Have an idea for a new trope, but don't know for sure if it's a good idea? Did Trope Finder give you similar concepts, but not exactly what you wanted? Are you just looking for a focus to a broader idea?

You've come to the right place!

On this thread, you can share your ideas with the masses before making that TLP draft, so if there's any lingering uncertainty about the validity of your idea or you just want some help pinning down a good idea, ask away and help others out, too!

A related sandbox I need to pitch is the Trope Idea Salvage Yard. If you've an idea but can't personally work on it, you can add it to the yard and let someone else create the draft. Or you can browse it yourself if you need more draft ideas, whether or not you feel they should be mentioned here first.

Got ideas for non-trope pages you need help with? Never fear, the New Page Workshop Thread is here!

With that out of the way: Let's discuss some ideas.

Edited by MacronNotes on Feb 27th 2022 at 1:49:11 PM

Amonimus the "Retromancer" from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle
the "Retromancer"
#8676: May 30th 2024 at 11:03:49 PM

I feel these can be classified as parodies of hard games and have certain shared features

  • The challenge itself is the main part, so there is almost no plot or other mechanics
  • It's difficult to progress even if you know what you're doing due to game design inherently demanding high level precision. You're in danger any time you move.
  • It's easy to fail, most of the time by Trial-and-Error Gameplay and situations that the player would have no way of knowing until they're hit by it.
  • Checkpoint Starvation, a single mistake can lead to effectively restarting the game.

TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup
IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
#8677: May 31st 2024 at 12:01:14 AM

I think Rage Game is one of those things that is definitely a real trope, but something that would be misused as a page and need a lot of maintenance.

^ Those qualities are a really good starting point. Would also preempt a lot of pushback you'd get in TLP for fear of misuse.

One criticism I expect you're going to hear is why not just make tropes for each of the listed qualities rather than ascribing a genre label to it?

Edited by IronAnimation on May 31st 2024 at 12:02:49 PM

deerhornsaresopretty Since: Jun, 2023
#8678: May 31st 2024 at 1:00:37 AM

Is it okay if I move my trope idea to thw TLP to get more examples? So far I can only name 3

IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
#8679: May 31st 2024 at 1:21:03 AM

3 is the standard minimum for TLP, you're fine to move there if you'd like.

DRCEQ Since: Oct, 2009
#8680: May 31st 2024 at 2:18:32 PM

"Clumsiness Simulator"

... Yeah I can make that work. Okay, I'm going to salvage that old TLP and use these suggestions to flesh out a new trope!

I'm looking over SomeDexterityRequired/VideoGames and QWOP and Getting Over It are listed there. This gives me more reason to think there's a game genre trope that could be made here.

Edited by DRCEQ on May 31st 2024 at 5:08:06 AM

Malady (X-Troper)
#8681: Jun 1st 2024 at 8:29:16 AM

Unskippable Sequential Boss Phases: Not sure if it's too complainy:

  • ThatOneBoss.Genshin Impact: Yet another point of contention is that players are actively punished for trying to kill her too fast, as hitting Signora with a single suffieciently powerful attack in a bid to One-Hit Kill her will not only [[No-Sell negate]] the surplus damage beyond a set percentage of her max health (30% in her first phase, and 20% in her second).
  • YMMV.Hi Fi Rush: Scrappy Mechanic: The bosses are designed so that each phase cannot be completed until the music has progressed far enough that it can smoothly transition into the next phase.

Edited by Malady on Jun 1st 2024 at 8:29:47 AM

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
mightymewtron Word Up from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Word Up
#8682: Jun 1st 2024 at 8:48:40 AM

Reminds me of my "Cutscene Fatigue" idea, where a game gets critique because there are many unskippable non-gameplay moments back-to-back. Pokémon Sun and Moon came to mind. I haven't tried it because I worry it's too complainy.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
MacronNotes (she/her) (Captain) Relationship Status: Less than three
(she/her)
#8683: Jun 1st 2024 at 3:38:54 PM

Grandmas are associated with cookies a lost. Is that it's own this or just Grandma's Recipe?

Macron's notes
IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
#8684: Jun 1st 2024 at 4:52:28 PM

^^^ technically covered by Boss Vulnerability. Although that pages scope is a bit absurdly large, and I welcome developing subtropes.

Edited by IronAnimation on Jun 1st 2024 at 4:53:33 AM

WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000)
#8685: Jun 1st 2024 at 5:54:38 PM

[up][up] Overlaps with Sweet Baker too

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
Nen_desharu Nintendo Fanatic Extraordinaire from Greater Smash Bros. Universe or Toronto Since: Aug, 2020 Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Nintendo Fanatic Extraordinaire
#8686: Jun 1st 2024 at 6:13:58 PM

[up]x4 Princess Peach: Showtime! also exhibits cutscene fatigue, especially for 100% playthoughs as the cutscenes in the stages cannot be skipped and each stage has to be played at least twice for 100% completion as each stage has post-game collectibles. Yes, I play that game to 100% completion, so I know first-hand.

Thus, it should be a valid example just like Pokémon Sun and Moon and I am saying so as someone who really likes the Lillie character.

Edited by Nen_desharu on Jun 1st 2024 at 9:15:24 AM

Kirby is awesome.
IronAnimation Since: Jan, 2012
#8687: Jun 1st 2024 at 6:54:01 PM

"Unskippable Sequential Boss Phases" also makes me think of Invulnerability Phase which should definitely be a sister trope.

Malady (X-Troper)
#8688: Jun 1st 2024 at 7:37:35 PM

Thanks for the support! Will make once I launch something else. Or you could take the idea. I'm running 3 drafts right now.

Do you mean Mercy Invincibility?


[up][up] - Makes me think about snowcloning Marathon Level into Marathon Cutscene.

Edited by Malady on Jun 1st 2024 at 7:45:37 AM

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
Amonimus the "Retromancer" from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle
the "Retromancer"
#8689: Jun 3rd 2024 at 4:16:09 AM

Two tropes I couldn't find.

  • Villain Jurisdiction Area: Antagonists operate strictily in the same city The Hero lives in, despite being able to complete their plan in a different city with no opposition.
  • Guardian Diety: A Physical God or something worshiped as one who acts (treated) as an authority figure within one local region.

TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup
Malady (X-Troper)
#8690: Jun 3rd 2024 at 5:19:52 AM

Would splitting Lost in Translation into whether it was a pun vs plot info that was lost, be useful?

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
TMH-Sir-Iron-Vomit The clown of STEEL from Ichnusa Since: Mar, 2024
The clown of STEEL
#8691: Jun 3rd 2024 at 5:22:54 AM

[up]Isn't the latter already covered by Dub-Induced Plot Hole?

Oo oo ah ah
AquaEclipse hiding a clown costume under my lab coat from the rabbit hole of academia Since: Jul, 2018 Relationship Status: Chat, is this real?
hiding a clown costume under my lab coat
#8692: Jun 3rd 2024 at 8:26:03 AM

^^ Mhm, Guardian Deity is indeed a red link.

they/she/xyr; editor of Minecraft SMPs
Malady (X-Troper)
#8693: Jun 3rd 2024 at 9:21:41 AM

[up][up] - I don't think this is a Plot Hole? It doesn't seem like it impacts plot understanding, just character impact?

  • The English dub of Tears of the Kingdom significantly downplays and simplifies Ganondorf's motivations from the original Japanese, to the point that some English-speaking fans have complained of his lack of character in the game. While the English dub still retains his full Blood Knight characterization and his thoughts on Hyrule being ruled by "weak, peace loving cowards", the Japanese version (as explained by this video) is much more detailed about his motives and end goal, believing that Rauru "looked down on him" as a god-like king, and that the past ruled by demons bred people who had "more fighting spirit". Ganondorf's end goal in the Japanese version isn't just to Take Over the World, but to return it to a state of chaos where everyone has no choice but to fight to survive.

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
MacronNotes (she/her) (Captain) Relationship Status: Less than three
(she/her)
#8694: Jun 4th 2024 at 8:15:03 PM

Character has a hard time saying sorry because of their pride. Can't find it anywhere

Macron's notes
WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000)
#8695: Jun 4th 2024 at 8:16:09 PM

I think it's currently lumped into The Unapologetic.

If you make a draft I'd have an example. Two, actually.

Edited by WarJay77 on Jun 4th 2024 at 11:16:29 AM

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
MacronNotes (she/her) (Captain) Relationship Status: Less than three
(she/her)
#8696: Jun 4th 2024 at 8:30:41 PM

Oh, I see that the Spongebob examples I have been thinking about are on The Unapologetic. I think splitting is worth it so I can make a draft later.

Macron's notes
Admiralakbar1 Admiral Ackbar from none of your business Since: Dec, 2013
Admiral Ackbar
#8697: Jun 5th 2024 at 9:44:20 AM

Do we have a trope for "sparing someone because I find them funny"? The first one that springs to mind is in ASOIAF where Joffrey is convinced not to kill a knight by making him his court fool.

taotruths Live Jet Reaction (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: I sleep in a big bed with my wife.
Live Jet Reaction
#8698: Jun 5th 2024 at 10:13:45 AM

[up]The one immediate example I thought of in relation to that is how Trevor Slattery survived All Hail the King, as he explains in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that the person he was mocking found his acts Actually Pretty Funny and spared his life, making him a Court Jester in the process, though I don't know if that's exactly what you're aiming for.

Edited by taotruths on Jun 5th 2024 at 10:14:12 AM

Admiralakbar1 Admiral Ackbar from none of your business Since: Dec, 2013
Admiral Ackbar
#8699: Jun 5th 2024 at 11:00:48 AM

[up]I'd say that counts. Basically anything that falls under "I can and normally would kill you, and the only reason I don't is because I think you're funny."

taotruths Live Jet Reaction (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: I sleep in a big bed with my wife.
Live Jet Reaction
#8700: Jun 5th 2024 at 12:52:36 PM

I'm suggesting that Actually Pretty Funny might be what you're looking for

Edited by taotruths on Jun 5th 2024 at 12:52:58 PM


Total posts: 11,344
Top