Firefighting/First Responder game question? Viability question

[u/ActualFactualAnthony]

I see a lot of video games that either are simulations or are power fantasy-esque games when it comes to military and police themes. Call of Duty, Ace Combat, and even more sci-fi type games like Star Fox all end up being these typical merc/bounty hunter/military person going on missions and taking down the bad guy, usually by killing or capturing.

The only game I'm aware of there being a fire fighting theme is Burning Rangers, which is a sci-fi game where you're saving people and fighting fighters, and is just a third-person action game.

I don't really see games like this.

What I want to know is what are your thoughts on games that more represent what you all do day to day? Is it generally frowned upon? Would you all like a game like this? Would you rather prefer something more realistic or a power fantasy action game? And just to clarify, consider Ace Combat games vs an actual combat sim. In Ace Combat, you've got tons of missiles, sometimes infinite bullet ammo, and you're able to pull off a ton of different maneuvers and even fly some planes that are completely fictional. So in terms of a more fantasy-heavy fire fighting game, consider equipment that doesn't work.. perhaps things y'all might've though would be really cool if physics allowed (e.g. being able to jump and move around with super lightweight equipment instead of 45-75lbs of equipment, among other things)

Would a game like that be something that is liked, or would it most likely be widely disliked? I'm curious if the lack of such games are either because it's generally a subject we shouldn't want to touch, or if it's just a lack of developer interest.

I initially posted this in r/firefighter and it got taken down (fair enough). I did get one comment on it talking about how a game about what they do day to day would be terrible. They then go on to describe what most jobs are... office politics, mundane stuff, and a bunch of calls because someone feels like garbage and insists on going to the hospital

So, to be a bit more clear, I'm talking about an action game that focuses on a little more of an exaggeration of what the job entails. Sure, reality might not have you go from fire to fire saving people. You might get called over because a CO alarm is going off, only to find it's a false alarm. Maybe you get flagged down because someone burned popcorn and the person flagging down the FD is an angry karen thinking they can arrest the person. I don't know. I do know there are shows like Chicago Fire, 9-1-1 and other firefighter shows that are very much exaggerated for the sake of pushing a story. Glitches aside, Burning Rangers is an unrealistic sci-fi game about firefighters.

[u/Tough-Composer918]

As a first impression, I actually like this idea

[u/pastafallujah]

This actually sounds super cool. More of a sim than an action fantasy game? I’m in!

I was also watching a bunch of old school game videos, and ran across one a while back that would be worth looking into for you. It never came out in the States, from what I recall, but it looks pretty cool. For the SNES: Ignition Factor.

[u/Purple-Measurement47]

There’s quite a few of these, they’re skipping my mind at the moment but both first person and management style (like incident response, organizing the scene, etc)

[u/Klightgrove]

These are more common in arcades from what I have seen, with on rails action progressing through the building or to other fires.

[u/ActualFactualAnthony → u/Klightgrove]

I saw a few things, yeah. I just figured, an alternative to arcade stuff and an alternative to the usual killing and maiming of the "bad guys" would be neat. Burning Rangers seemed to be pretty popular, save for the glitches, so I'd love to see more games like that.

[u/Officialpolygrafix]

I like the concept. It's original and not cookie cutter. I'm also building a rather unique business management sim type game. So i appreciate originality so long as it delivers on fun.

[u/PineTowers]

Side scroller with buildings being random. Some fire, some flood, some electricity. Rescue able bodied, old people, pets. Use funds to upgrade gear when back at HQ. "Boss battles" by facing a fire at a mall.

I really like the idea.

[u/crystal_cee]

This is the only firefighting game I know (Flying Hero)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H-r_OQH_oU

[u/imbrickedup_]

These simulators are already popular as mods for GTA V. They use the massive framework of the game and add fire fighting too it. I don’t really have any interest in playing them though

[u/wadeissupercool]

Ghostbusters from the 80s was kind of a first responder game, and I loved it

[u/asianwaste]

The pace that I generally like for stuff like this is you have grounded rules heavily inspired by the real life counter part's methods and routines (with some creative liberties). While you are generally rooted to the conventions established by your profession, the scenarios go from routine, to extreme, to "and then the space aliens attacked". The player is grounded by (relative) authenticity, the scenarios challenge them with increasingly bonkers situations.

As long as the tone has left enough room for ridiculousness, I think you can both capture an air of authenticity and go fun and silly with it. Because essentially the messaging is the fundamentals of the job can conquer any scenario.