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Timing

Timing is possibly the single most important thing to scrutinize when implementing comedy. Humor can bolster gameplay and save boring areas via providing the player with something more to enjoy. Humor is a large selling point, just as it is in movies and books. However, if not timed correctly, humor can destroy the sense of immersion that many games strive to achieve. Once immersion is destroyed, it is hard to be regained, and players are likely not to see the game in the same light they would have before.

When to Add Humor

There are some places where developers can safely add humor to a game with little to no worry. Unimportant conversations, especially in RPGs, are generally good candidates. Conversations occur so often in RPGs that players practically expect humor somewhere. Even in games where conversations aren't the focus, if there is a conversation, adding humor is generally safe so long as the conversation does not carry a serious tone. Humor can also save empty areas, such as when the player is wandering around doing nothing. Boring areas aren't usually a good idea in games, but if they can't be avoided, humor might as well be added to keep players interested. Tiny amounts of humor can be sprinkled in other places, but do not overdo it. Over-exaggerating events is often a good idea. Some people find it hilarious to watch an alien's head blow up in green slime or a creature die in an overly-elaborate way. In comedy-oriented games where the main focus of the entire product is to make people laugh, comedy can generally be added anywhere at any time.

Of course, humor can be added in other places. It is solely at the designer(s)'s discretion, and there are certainly other safe places. However, taking unnecessary risks can be hazardous. During the playtesting phase of a product, developers should ask the playtesters if the humor adds to or contracts from the game.

When NOT to Add Humor

Developers adding humor must be very cautious. This can not be stress enough - adding humor at the wrong times can DESTROY a finished product. Many games attempt to provide the player with a suspension of disbelief, that is, the belief that the player is actually within the game. A best-seller's success is often determined by its ability to immerse the player. Providing the immersion is a very delicate process, and practically everything within the game influences the immersive qualities. Humor is no exception, and just like every other factor in a game, implementing comedy in the wrong way can jerk the player from his disbelief.

Important scenes in a game are rarely a good time to incorporate humor - especially toilet humor. Imagine a highly developed character has just died, and during the middle of a heart-wrenching scene someone flatulates or says a ludicrously out of place joke - not good, and players won't appreciate it at all. Seriously toned games generally have no room for comedy. Games like Rainbow Six and Total Annihilation didn't have humor because comedy would have been out of place in those games. Action packed scenes are also not the prime place for a joke. Players can't blast 100 enemies if they're too busy laughing, and although they might appreciate the humor it is still not a good design choice.

Like many things, there are no hard and fast rules on when definitely not to add humor. The rules mentioned above could very well be broken safely, and it is up to the designer to make that critical decision.

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