The Office: The Game: The Missed Opportunity

Written by Marc DeAngelis

Thursday, 24 September 2009 06:30

For such a brilliantly-written show, the PC game based on The Office sure was underwhelming. Being so poorly marketed, most critics didn't even bother to review it, and it surely didn't rake in many Schrute bucks. It wasn't even nominated for a Dundee. Now, I'm no game designer (though I'd have no problem if you want to hire me), but I think I've got a much better idea for an Office game.

The main sub-plot (and biggest flaw, in my opinion) of The Office is the ongoing romance between Jim and Pam. But the sub-plot that lends itself most easily to the videogame medium is that of Dwight's bizarre antics. Between making alliances with Jim, subverting Michael's power, volunteering as a Lackawanna County volunteer Sheriff's Deputy, and courting the priggish Angela, Dwight would be the most interesting and amusing character to play as.

An action game obviously wouldn't fit for an Office game. If the game was based on the operation and management of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, perhaps a real-time strategy game would suffice. But for a game based on Dwight's tomfoolery, a point and click adventure game would be most suitable. This genre would also allow for quite a bit of text, giving way to many opportunities for comedy. It would also allow the player to make his own decisions. I won't go into too much detail, but what follows is what I would do if I was able to create my own game based on The Office.

Imaging being pranked by Jim for the millionth time. Should you rat him out by telling Michael, or should you keep it cool and plan you're own elaborate counter-attack? Perhaps put some artifact from mother nature into his desk drawer or put his own stuff in a Jello mold for once. The choice is yours.

Another part of the game could be more dialogue based. Dwight could attempt to get his "monkey," Angela, back from Cornell grad, Andy. Discuss babies dressed as adults, or God's gift to lonely people, cats. Or maybe Dwight could convince Andy to say or do something Angela would find offensive, like surprise her with a puppy.

Dwight could also go on one of his many secret missions assigned by Michael. For example, he could spy on the closet drunk, uterus-less, and too-often ignored character, Meredith. Hilarity would ensue as Dwight learns secrets about Meredith that can never be unlearned.

In my opinion, The Office features scripts that are second only to Arrested Development and maybe Curb Your Enthusiasm. The brand deserves a much better videogame adaptation, and such a game could flesh out - that's what she said - the background of the Scranton branch's employees. Come on, NBC; some cross marketing and media synergy never hurt anyone!