Quests End: 7,450 Ways to Conclude Your Game

Introduction

The culmination of any great game is its ending. It's the moment when all the loose ends are tied up, the story reaches its climax, and the player is left with a sense of closure. But coming up with a satisfying ending can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure where to start.

7,450 Ways to End Your Game

According to the Game Developers Conference, there are over 7,450 different ways to end a game. That's a lot of options! But don't worry, we've broken them down into a few simple categories to help you get started:

• The Happy Ending: This is the classic ending where the hero defeats the villain, saves the day, and gets the girl. It's a crowd-pleaser, but it can also be a bit predictable.
• The Sad Ending: This is the ending where the hero fails, the villain wins, and the world is plunged into darkness. It's a downer, but it can also be very powerful.
• The Bittersweet Ending: This is the ending where the hero achieves their goal, but at a great cost. It's a mix of happiness and sadness, and it can be very thought-provoking.
• The Open Ending: This is the ending where the story is left unresolved. It's a great way to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, but it can also be frustrating for some players.

Tips and Tricks for Ending Your Game

No matter what type of ending you choose, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to make it more satisfying:

• Tie up all the loose ends. Make sure that all of the major plot points have been resolved. Don't leave any questions unanswered.
• Give the player a sense of closure. Let the player know what happened to the characters and the world after the story ends.
• Make the ending memorable. Give the player a moment that they'll remember long after they finish the game.
• Don't be afraid to experiment. There's no one right way to end a game. Experiment with different endings until you find one that feels right.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are also a few common mistakes you should avoid when ending your game:

• Don't end the game too abruptly. Give the player a chance to process what happened. Don't just cut to black or fade to white.
• Don't end the game on a cliffhanger. This is a surefire way to frustrate your players. If you're going to leave the story unresolved, make sure you do it in a way that's satisfying.
• Don't end the game with a Deus ex machina. This is a plot device where a sudden and unexpected event saves the day. It's a cheap way to end a game, and it can leave the player feeling cheated.
• Don't end the game with a moral. This is a no-no. Don't try to teach the player a lesson. Just tell a good story and let the player draw their own conclusions.

Examples of Great Game Endings

There are many great examples of game endings out there. Here are a few of our favorites:

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: This game has one of the most iconic endings in gaming history. Link defeats Ganondorf, saves Hyrule, and returns to his childhood. It's a perfect ending to a perfect game.
• Mass Effect 3: This game has multiple endings, depending on the choices you make throughout the game. Each ending is different, but they all have a profound impact on the player.
• The Walking Dead: This game has a heartbreaking ending. Clementine, the young girl you've been protecting throughout the game, is forced to kill her friend, AJ. It's a powerful ending that will stay with you long after you finish the game.

These are just a few examples of great game endings. When it comes to ending your game, there's no one right way to do it. Experiment with different endings until you find one that feels right. And most importantly, don't be afraid to surprise your players.

Conclusion

Ending a game is a challenging task, but it's also an opportunity to create a memorable experience for your players. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can write an ending that will leave your players satisfied and wanting more.

Tables

| Ending Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Ending | The hero defeats the villain, saves the day, and gets the girl. | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man |
| Sad Ending | The hero fails, the villain wins, and the world is plunged into darkness. | The Walking Dead, Mass Effect 3, Red Dead Redemption |
| Bittersweet Ending | The hero achieves their goal, but at a great cost. | The Last of Us, Gone Home, Bioshock Infinite |
| Open Ending | The story is left unresolved. | Half-Life 2, The Stanley Parable, Fez |

Tip	Description	Example
Tie up all the loose ends.	Make sure that all of the major plot points have been resolved.	In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link defeats Ganondorf and saves Hyrule.
Give the player a sense of closure.	Let the player know what happened to the characters and the world after the story ends.	In Mass Effect 3, the player is given a choice of multiple endings, each with its own unique consequences.
Make the ending memorable.	Give the player a moment that they'll remember long after they finish the game.	In The Walking Dead, Clementine is forced to kill her friend, AJ.
Don't be afraid to experiment.	There's no one right way to end a game.	In Half-Life 2, the player is left stranded in an unknown location with no clear way to proceed.

Mistake	Description	Example
Ending the game too abruptly.	Give the player a chance to process what happened.	In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the game ends with a sudden and unexpected cut to black.
Ending the game on a cliffhanger.	This is a surefire way to frustrate your players.	In Mass Effect 2, the game ends with Shepard being shot and killed by the Illusive Man.
Ending the game with a Deus ex machina.	This is a plot device where a sudden and unexpected event saves the day.	In Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the player is saved by a deus ex machina at the end of the game.
Ending the game with a moral.	This is a no-no. Don't try to teach the player a lesson.	In BioShock, the player is given a moral choice at the end of the game.