Alright so I woke up to 150k views & have NO CHANCE to reply to everyone so I just wanna say thank you guys! I’ve seen your own theories & interpretations and it’s all so fascinating! Be sure to give my other content a watch if you enjoyed this video! Have a great day!
Nice video! I do however think the dealer is dead. I think he also simply cannot lie or cheat, neither can you. I think with it being a demonic entity the contract is absolute. You have to follow it. Thats why he was able to kill god. God didnt have any extra powers and lost, fair and square, even omnipotence being annulled by the contract, therefore him dying. So the same must be true for the dealer, especially seeing how its fair.
i didnt see the link or any title next to the music: in the description and just incase you didnt provide it its from King's Field IV which is a great game by the way and very fun you should play it if you havent even if just on your own :)
He doesn't actually insert them in a random order. He himself admits it, It's in an 'Unknown' order. He knows what the order is and hints at it, but never directly tells the player. It rewards those who pay attention to him instead of blitzing past the dialogue.
I remember manlybadasshero's playthrough of this game which ended with the dealer (on permadeath mode) saying "are you ready?" smoking two cigarettes, drinking three beers, leaving no blanks in the shotgun, turning the gun on himself and just blows his own head off.
The 'victory' ending including the shotgun is so creepy in the context of addiction. You've won, but you're taking the addiction with you. You'll be back...
@@chaosinc.382 also, money in that universe may be very limited, or almost everyone is poor, so 70K could be like, super rich, so he needs a shotgun for well, self defense against people who wanna murder him for the money.
What gets me is that there's a brief moment where you THINK The Dealer is showing his true face. Those red lights blink to life like eyes. That beep sounds like the game's ambience becoming disorientingly tense, and so you wait for the twist... and then out comes the case. But what's IN the case? You have to unlock it yourself. Letting the tension rise with each clasp and the raising of the case's lid... and then you see the money. He was being honest. And then as the bloody waiver you got slipped before and his clearly inhuman nature sets in, you realize he's likely being honest for the same reason any casino operator is honest. You don't get a lot of customers if you never pay out. Being fair keeps customers coming in. Customers who need the money fast. Customers who likely won't live long anyway if they don't have the money. Customers who can't afford to be patient. And The Dealer can afford _many_ things, most of all patience. But in the end, that only begs one question; He clearly doesn't take your soul, and in fact seems to _express ship you to Heaven_ regardless of the fact that you don't seem to be squeaky clean yourself. He has plenty of blood to give you through transfusions. He doesn't fulfill or demand any favors. He could wipe his butt with the money if he had one. Were you being rewarded for winning a wager... or compensated for providing entertainment?
Thing I find interesting is that if you die on the first two levels, Dealer will say "Welcome back" when you play again. But if you die on the third stage (going to "heaven") and come back, Dealer will say "I better not see you again.". That's the only moment in the game where he actually seems upset, as if to say "Bruh, I won, fair and square. Why did you come back?"
That actually lends itself to a more interesting interpretation; the dealer isn't against you. Why would he care if you kept coming back? What if that line isn't a threat, but a warning. In other words "you already died and you're back again?! This had better not happen again". Like a kid who keeps trying to do tricks on a skateboard and is in the ER for the third time this month. That'd also explain why he never cheats; he doesn't actually want you to lose, he wants you to learn.
th-cam.com/video/Rubc6CB_9HY/w-d-xo.html NO ITEMS BUCKSHOT took forever ik self promo is bad but gotta get the vid out somehow kinda for that (sorry fr)
The first issue is that the dealer isn't a villain, he's just the antagonist; he's not doing anything evil, he's entirely fair, and does not double cross you. The player character challenged him, you're not a "victim".
Finally someone acknowledged the dealer as not a villian. He's your opponent, not the villian. You're both playing a game you agreed to. He doesn't cheat or doesn't back out on anything. He follows the rules, gives you your money, and doesn't tell you to keep playing (unless double or nothing, but that might be more lore because it's a machine asking, but idk). The definition of villian is "a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot". While the full story is unknown, he's not doing anything actually evil. Sure, he shoots you, smokes, drinks, but you're also doing that. He's an honest guy, follows the rules, handcuffs himself, and even cuts off his lifeline when low on health.
That's like saying a drug dealer isn't doing anything wrong because they're just selling you the heroin you wanted. Now, the player character is definitely not a saint either - they open exactly two doors by snap kicking them open with no concern to who might be on the other side.
Yes, the dealer is absolutely addicted to the game and the items too. You can tell by his AI. He always smokes a cigarette to try to heal even after his wires are cut, just because he can, and he always drinks all his beer, even after he checks the round to find a blank he ejects instead of just shooting himself to get the extra turn.
In the case of cigarette to be fair when your lifeline is cut they just take an inventory slot for nothing, consuming them free up the spot for another item the next round should you survive the one you’re in
Personally, I thought the "God" character was someone who thought they were invincible (ie, believed themself to be God) and so played this game of russian roulette, believing that they physically couldn’t lose the game, only to ultimately fail.
@@fenrirsrage4609 Sure... but its so vague and random, that its meaningless. Thats what I hate about traditional horror, it focuses too much on shock value and not enough in the logic department. This game isn't that good, its too short and simple.
When you go to heaven you don't see god The god play the game of dealer and die you can't see god in heaven in items box there Page of someone god and you can't name yourself god because he dies
I think how "fair" the dealer is the whole game is probably the most menacing part of him for me. -He never uses an advantage you don't have, you can clearly see he doesn't look at the shells when he loads the gun and never uses a mechanic the player doesn't have access to. -Sometimes his AI is most likely programmed to fail on purpose, to give the player a chance, which would explain some of his behavior. -He makes you sign a waiver to play, so you can't do anything you don't agree to. -In the final round, he severs his own lifeline, and doesn't seem to regret it any more than he would regret severing yours. -The most important one to me, being that when you win, the player is genuinely rewarded. There's no bait and switch "prize was a trap," or anything along those lines, you do receive the money you were promised, it just isn't enough to be worth the trouble. All of these, in my opinion, make him far more intimidating than if he actually did cheat the player. He genuinely doesn't seem to care about anything other than the simple thrill of the game. Given he always leaves you with a charge, he's likely not even rewarded for winning like you are. And most important of all, nothing here is a trick. The player opted in, and are getting exactly what they were promised.
The dev stated that the Dealer here is an AI, so he is programmed to do everything to keep the game going. He is fair because of his programming, to the point of handcuffing himself or cutting his defibrillator lines when close to defeat. Still, he is really terrifying. He only play by the rules against us as we do, and when we know that the next shot is the live one, we are really doomed.
I also find it particularly interesting that when you win, the single denomination of dollar bill in the briefcase is the $50 bill. In gambling, $50 bills are typically seen as a bad omen or a sign of bad luck, and are not accepted or paid out by many dealers or establishments. With that in mind, it seems like, even in victory, the player is dealt bad luck. That would also play into the gambling addiction theory, as even if you win, you'll always come back and feed the addiction more (I.e., bad luck)
A quick Google search shows it's due To the associated president. Ulysses s Grant. Who is (and I better not see any modern political comments in the bottom) usually regarded as the most disappointing president. He was a war hero and did.not do well in office. As he failed to really. Do mutch and hell most history buffs actually forgot he was a president. The other (likely more inspired take) is those were the bills early Vegas investor bugsy siegal died holding when he was murdered ...much like the trope of the dead man's hand or 2 dollars being a symbol for crime
I’m a games dealer in a casino, and honestly yeah this is pretty accurate in terms of addiction. I see it happen all the time, people will just keep on pulling out more and more money and losing over and over again. You can always tell when that type of customer comes in, and you know that they won’t leave until their wallet is completely empty. Even if they win a massive hand, they just keep going. When they win they can’t leave because they’re ‘on a roll’ and when they lose they can’t leave because they don’t want to end on a loss, so it just keeps on going forever until they eventually lose everything. It’s very depressing to see, and I like how this game somewhat touches on that. I have a few ideas of how it could be improved if this was the aspect that the creator wanted to emphasize on, but all in all this was very well made for one person I gotta say.
I always hated how everyone said that this guy sucked, but i looked at him as more of an entity that really did not care about life. Or so intoxicated to the point that he doesnt care about himself. This is a very interesting video
Another interpretation: the Dealer is actually an AI (as stated in the game page), which is programmed to keep the game going and keep it fair for both players. Noone can and will cheat because of his programming. He has access the same information and actions as the player has, and will act accordingly as the player does as well.
I just thought of something. There has been a long running meme of contradicting Mark on his statement that he is 'not a masochist' with facts and video footage being interpreted (playground bench, Getting Over It again...) What if his familiarity with the game was because of IRL experience...? (That would be terrifying since he'd either have to come back to life or just have never lost once, which would be supernatural luck at that point)
@@MageBurger"what if markiplier had irl experience with russian roulette" bruh do you HEAR yourself? He either got lucky stumbling thru the game bc he has what we call a good game sense OR he did retakes until he won bc youtube is 99% staged content
I think your read on addiction is pretty accurate. One thing that wasn't explored is the dealer's addiction. There doesn't seem to be anything in it for him, it doesn't appear that you're paying money to be there, there's no audience to make bets to profit off of. He seems to be in it for the thrill of the game, you're feeding his addiction as much as he's feeding yours. Interestingly, as well as the intentional mistakes the AI makes, the player has one more advantage: They always get to go first when the gun is reloaded, so even if you go blow for blow each round, the dealer's going to drop first. Not sure if that has any deeper meaning, just something I noticed.
@@HarrowedDweeb Look I'm not smart. I entirely forgot they didn't emit light. Once again my dumbass told a thing without fact checkin. Now that I actually think about it it's probably because the room we are in is a storage room. We are high above the dance floor. Near the ceiling so keeping the lights up here for storage so that you can later get them without traversing the entire building to install them makes sense to me. Don't know if that's what they would actually do but hey.
that's the cool thing about interpreting creative works differently from what the author intended. it's even better when it's something that happened by accident but the original author likes it so much they turn it canon
Mike's games are all deeply profound, check out his website, or if you can't justify buying games at a buck a piece, then look up some other playthrus. These games are deeper than any triple A not released by Fromsoft.
It is so refreshing to have a game where the villain doesn't cheat. I played inscription and though I really love it, I didn't like how often the main villain cheats to get his way. I would love if they made a followup to this game with bosses that have specific gameplay gimmicks that kinda tackle different sins. Like Greed will take one extra item per round, leaving you with one less, envy will steal an item away from you at a random time, things like that will make the game feel so different and make the player wonder why their first boss didn't play unfairly. Why were they the gracious loser while all the others fought so hard to survive even through cheating to get their way? I know it won't happen but it's a little thought I thought of while watching the video.
The dealer isn’t so much of a villain. They look to have played the game lots of times as a result of addiction. The dealer doesn’t cheat because they like the thrill of the game. If there were cheats, there wouldn’t be much fun in that. Even if the dealer wins, they don’t really get anything out of it, they just like playing the game.
Potential mechanics: The Covetous (Greed): Will *always* pull the max 4 items even if you do not. (Or) Pulls items until he has max/more than you do. The Jealous (Envy): Steals an item that you have that it doesnt. (Ex. You have a saw, it does not, so it steals your saw) The Boastful (Pride): Will pull as many items as neccessary to surpass the number of items you have by 1. (Or) Will not use items normally, but will do so if you do. The Seducer (Lust): Will prioritize handcuffs and smokes and has a higher chance to draw these items. The Gullet (Gluttony); Will increase the potency of beer and cigs (rack gun twice, recover 2 charges). Will use these items even when unnecessary. The Sluggish (Sloth): Only 1 item per draw for both you and it. Moves slower in general, and takes less risks. (Or) Passively regenerates charges when not using items. The Bloodthirsty (Wrath): Highly aggressive. Increased chance to draw the saw. Will attempt to shoot the player unless it is certain there's a blank. Cannot be handcuffed (it'll smack them out of your hands or break them before putting them on).
I mean Inscryption is trying to tell a story more than it's trying to present a pure gameplay experience. The villains' cheating is part of their characters--Leshy is trying to get you to play out his intended story, like an overbearing DM who railroads you if you go too far, while P03 preaches about rules and balance as a cover for the fact that he just wants to Win. There is a more balanced true roguelite mode once you beat the game
I think one minor detail that supports some comment theories of the dealer itself being addicted to this game is how he actually helps you a bit early on. He starts by taking turns a bit slow, describing every step he takes and even calling out the number of live and blank rounds to you, and of course if you die on an early round, you revive. Last round though, he doesnt count shells for you just saying "you know the drill", the pace is much faster, and he seems to use items more aggressively. It feels like he wants to help train you to be competent at the game all in order to get to the last round where the stakes finally become real, for both of you, and he can go all out on equal footing, as opposed to say having one round with death already a possibility and ending up probably killing a lot of challengers before they really grasp the game fully
The ai thing isnt true. He just get more items lol. His ai is programmed to use as many items as possible, so long as they have a benefit (like only using 1 magnifier if he has 2) in a basically random order.
this is a pretty solid interpretation. honestly i always thought personally that the bloody contract was the dealer's and that implied he’s actually god, but him actually killing god is also another crazy possibility
@@68poundercarronade I would disagree. Alot of times in stories, villains who use contracts are bound by them, so if he offers a reward, he has to give it if the conditions are met. And he has to offer some sort of reward to get anyone to risk their life. As for being evil, of course he is, he lures you into a gambling addiction where unless you are lucky and survive, you will die to it eventually. And if you do survive, what are the chances you will come back for more. That is evil, he is certainly the antagonist, therefore he is the villain.
@@lizzarddoggo8775 You as the player make the decision to play with no knowledge of any reward and you chose to meet him, that statement is as asinine as you going out of your way to knock down the doors of a police force or a gang to join them for money and then blaming anybody but yourself because your life is in danger, if you regret it the only thing you can blame is your own stupidity. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to play the game, He wasn't the one busting down your doors to see you, He didn't tell you of any reward. In short, own your shit, noone else in this world is responsible for your actions as brilliant or as stupid as they are but yourself. It puts you in control of your life, should you choose otherwise, best of luck, you'll already think it's out of your hands when in reality the steering wheel has been in front of you the whole time.
He may not be responsible for the actions of the player, but he sure isn’t helping. In this scenario, it took the both of them to step up to the table to play the roulette. Unlike you, the dealer doesn’t play double or nothing. He a nearly as hooked as the player. It like looking at the drug addict and the drug dealer. You are supplying the temptation and on that regard may be as responsible as the people who take it. Both of them are addicts and both of them are ruining each other. We can see this The British sealed opium to China. They understood that the root cause of the problem where the suppliers as much as the addicts.
i’m so obsessed with this game. like why is the player there? what circumstances led them to play such a brutal, high stakes game? what did they have to do to find the dealer? it’s not like the room looks publicly accessible, and he knows you already know what’s happening when the player enters, so clearly you had to seek him out, not the other way around. It’s all so fascinating whether through the lens of it being a metaphor for addiction or not. like either interpretation still offers so much to think about and i love it for that.
5 months late but a theory i had is that you needed money, so you find anyway to get it and stumble upon his game. The reason i believe that is because everytime you aim the gun towards yourself, it shakes alot, which mean the player isnt there for the thrill of it unlike the Dealer.
I do love that Mike's games are gaining more popularity. His first release to gain any traction was, "the other side" coming out roughly around the same time as Iron Lung. He's been making a lot of these short rusted industrial dystopia games since then and nearly all have been released for free
I think an important aspect is that you take the money and the shotgun if you win. As if to say that the thrill of the game itself is part of the prize, just like IRL gambling. It could also mean you intend to play again since you have the means to do so. The problem with addiction is you can never get enough until you quit, die, or end up in prison. Also, as someone who has struggled with addiction, I can say part of it is the ritual behind it. Whether that's mixing up a drink or in this case loading up the gun and firing it.
@@zombine555yess, just thought of it, tho more like we become ANOTHER dealer. And with the message of "god is dead" addiction is being spread like an illness and the world is slowly dying
I saw one theory that the dealer is actually God Himself. Which would explain his fairness, his attitude, and also the bloodstained waiver; He signed it as a show of good faith that He's under the same contract as everyone else, and the blood is from the first time He lost.
When I encountered the "God" contract, I read the title "lease of liability" and interpreted it as "God has declared that he is no longer responsible for or watching over me." While I don't believe it's meant to be this at second glance, I think it works really well to convey how some people who suffer from addiction feel. As someone who struggles with it myself, I can definitely relate, the whole game was full of these kinds of signals and I really enjoyed it.
Same, i really thought that was the reason, and maybe reason there's blood in the contract might mean god lost and all, but to me it was a guy praying to god after realizing he is bound to lose, and the dealer showing this contract to the person in shock, in which the dealer immediately shot him
The dealer being an honest, cut and dry entity really sells the addiction symbolism. The Dealer works more as a force of nature than anything and it takes a bit of digging to realize that.
The Dealer reminds me of The Edge villain from Furi. We play to win physical prizes, but he plays to win emotional prizes. In a way he wants us to beat him, he wants a truly challenging opponent for the thrill of this game. Which explains why he refuses to cheat and even grants us second chances when we are learning the game. In video games we all wish to win, but when you win too much, the winning itself becomes absolute. The best matches aren't those that are stomps, but those where you give it all. The Dealer wants us to win, he wants us to best him. He wants the thrill of giving it all. In a way, us winning makes both win. We got our prize and left living. And The Dealer got the challenging thrilling match he so wanted.
Two things One: The nightclub actually fits well with the addiction theory. Night clubs are known to serve alcohol. alcoholism is an addiction that can take the lives of yourself and others. Two: i legit thought the god waver was a metaphor. Like the game is trying to say somthing like "god is dead"
Nightclubs in general are places of indulgence and perhaps decadence. So if I was going to see a Russian roulette-esque game anywhere, it would probably be at some nightclub
I also don't think the Dealer dies. It can feel pain, sure but I don't think it can die that easy. On the last hit he takes in the third round, you can still hear a defibrillator zap. Definitely spot on on his loyalty to the game. I do like the varied animations between the player and the dealer. The dealer has the strength to cut the barrel in one slash whereas the player uses a lot of effort to cut it. The dealer looks through the magnifying glass while the player has to pick up the weapon to take a peek at what's inside.
@@VanNguyen-gt8cc I guess it's more of a declaration gesture than anything. Like "Hey, I'm using this now, so I'm allowed to take a look at the shell" sort of a deal, rather than just pushing it forward on the table and grabbing the shotgun to check the chamber when the action of a small push could easily be missed.
I think this game really nails its atmosphere. Ive heard several people who played this comment how even when they know for a fact a round is a blank, the act of pointing the barrel at yourself and shakily pulling the trigger still makes them nervous
something else to add: when the dealer uses the magnifying glass, instead of looking in the gun like you do, he simply smashes it onto the table and looks through the broken lens. this to me implies he can always tell if the round in the chamber is live or not, he just chooses to play along
My favorite item detail is how willingly he cuffs himself. You don’t place the cuffs on him, and when he cuffs you he only does one hand. You just pick up the cuffs and the Dealer reaches over, takes them and places them on both hands without a hint of hesitance.
It was confirmed by the creator himself in a TH-cam commentary related to secrets in the game’s files that the intro bathroom is an Easter egg of the half-life mod Afraid of Monsters, made by Andreas Ronberg, aka Rumpell who also made the free game Cry of Fear.
honestly this has always made me wonder what the protagonists face looks like after the game, if it’s really just the dealer reviving you with blood transfusions and defibrillators then I really doubt it’s looks pretty
@@ricekrispies4994 I always thought that the protagonist actually looks like the dealer. It would explain how they both can just tank several buckshot rounds to the face.
If this game gets an online mode it can become huge. the simplicity of it's mechanics and the excecution of it's style can make a very addicting experience. imagine if Voice IP was implemented in a tasteful way, the social aspect might elevate the simple yet perfect gameplay loop.
I am a sober drug addict and i totaly agree with you saying that the dealer may represent addiction. Even when i overdosed few times, landed in hospital because of taking i still felt like i needed to go back. But one thing, addiction never plays fair like the dealer in game does
Another theme of addiction is actually hidden with how the AI reacts. It attempts to play perfectly so in order to limit possibilities it constantly wants to eject shells which is why that item in particular might be beer. But also you may notice that after doing so it might have mistakes possibly the AI being "drunk"
Either that, or being addicted to the thrill of the game and wanting to keep going instead of just winning, may also be why the Dealer has no advantages whatsoever.
Lore-wise it makes sense, but in the code the Dealer does a coin flip every time he can't be sure of what the next shell is, without weighting odds of it being a blank or a live shell Although, the Dealer will always know what the last shell is, is kind of a trade of upper hands (You know the odds of the next shell while he knows what that last one is)
no, the dealer uses items as quickly as possible in the order it pulls them from the box. there are exceptions, for example if it's at max charges it won't use a cigarette, or if it doesn't plan to shoot it won't use a handsaw. there's also a strange glitch where of there's a blank in the chamber and dealer learns that using a magnifying glass, then uses a beer, dealer still thinks it knows there's a blank, even after ejecting the blank with the beer(s). as such, it shoots itself. also it'll just chug as many beers as possible because of the coding saying to use items ASAP. every time the dealer isn't aware of the next shot (not magnifying glass or last shell) it basically flips a coin. there's more, but i can't explain all of it here. if you want more info search "the dealer AI is stupid" here on youtube and you'll find it.
i love the setting, a backroom inside of an underground club. a place where addiction and vice runs rampant. where you play the ultimate game of gambling your own life. it feels pretty heavy with how the music changes throughout the rounds and could really make you think how stressful it would be to have your life on the line over a game. it makes me think that this place is some different version of hell where instead of an inferno its a twisted place where the same people who are partying at a club will go and play roulette with a shotgun for a measly amount of cash
A place where people that feel nothing visit. Perhaps the horror is not that god gambled his life, but that he felt indifferent to everything. Enough to consider this path. Probably from the same vices in front of you in the game.
Personally, I think the "winner" ending isn't actually about winning the game of roulette. I think it's about beating the environment of addiction, but only by becoming the dealer. I also think the dealer's name is a double entendre going with the addiction and drug theme.
I like how this game offers a lot of implications for the player to discover and interpret how they think is correct. Something you can't quite see is always more scary than something you can see. Not like the dealer would care if you understand why you're playing russian roulette with a shotgun.
Adding to the addiction theory, two of the consumable items are literally beer and cigarettes, two of the most common addictions in the world. I'd also argue the handcuffs might be indicative of a sex addiction, for the particularly kinky. Not sure for the saw and magnifying glass, though. EDIT: Actually in this vein, Beer and Cigarettes are the only two consumables tracked on the ending screen it seems. My gut is telling me that the other three items might have a different theme linking them
Probably foresight or awarness as you may or may not know that you are addicted but in the end it wouldnt matter as some escape but majority fail but thats just me bs'in fr tho the saw ig the cutting of others in your life cause you maybe to far gone as the barrel on it is closer to. The dealer yet does less damage while cutting off the barrel being less closer to the dealer it does more damage
honestly, I think since you take the shotgun that it might mean that the dealer truly did die, but he knows deep down that you aren't really done here, and you'll be back to take his place
0:41 The dealer shot himself because it was essentially GG. You had 2 charges left to his 1 with only live rounds. If he shot you you'd still have 1 charge and then you'd shoot him and win the round. The dealer is not only fair, he's a good sport and essentially says GG when he knows he's bound to lose.
cool theory but unfortunately the dealer is just stupid. the way his ai is programmed means the only way he knows if the current round is live or not is if he uses a magnifying glass or if its the last round. even if theres a 100% chance of it being live he wont know unless its the last one
For me what's most terrifying about this game is the fact of the dealers fairness if he was a cheat then everyone would call him out for it but that fairness and that fact of both of your lives being on the line puts things in an equal situation where a lot of tense nervous fear is generated from the shear fact of one of us will die and I've already agreed to this and likely need the money so the risk of death is something you have to actively fight because you've already ended up here and your to invested to leave
Okay, I've been seeing this all over the internet, and I am so confused as to why this is a weird thing. I just went and downloaded the game, and beat it in a single go without getting shot. Why are people making this out to be hard?
I like how the people in this game are so used to not dying that they treat life itself as a bet in a twisted game like this one, and of course you gotta have money involved
Admittedly seeing this video late at night compelled me to kind of confess that if this game is about addiction, it's a damn good one. Especially with the fact that this version of Roulette ups the ante massively compared to normal Russian Roulette and the fact that the gameplay loop can be very enticing. I remembered playing the game under a fake name, than my 2nd playthrough on a nickname of my own, than after my 2nd victory with no loss, I decided for the 3rd playthrough to drop all tone and just, play as my own name. It's surreal doing so and actually thinking about the consequences of it and even if it is a game yeah, as someone who's struggled and sometimes visualized dark ideas of both ideation and addiction this hits on so many levels. I remembered sometimes holding my breath whenever aiming at myself, and exhaling out when I heard a click. I don't think I'll ever forget the fear I felt when on the 3rd round he was at full health and I lost my defibs first and I only barely managed to clutch it back to where he lost his defibs as well. One shot for either of us was instant death with no way to come back. I'll never forget how the AI slammed down 4 beers, used a magnifying glass, the handcuffs, and then a saw before it pointed at me. Over the course of my playthroughs I started to memorize the bullets and count how many blanks or live rounds there were and I remembered bracing hard when I thought he got it on a live round but, when I heard the click, I was shocked and when I picked up my gun and just shot him after ignoring my items, getting the money didn't feel like earning the money but moreso a sign of, "You're playing with fire thinking you're invincible." All the more apt that the end screen feels less like victory and moreso, "Here's what you almost died for." and it feels...hollow almost. That dreary drive home with a box of cash and a shotgun. Hell if you want to get dark about it, you don't need two people to play the game. The darkest thought would be the protagonist taking the gun home, thinking "Maybe one last game" and putting in 3 shells blindly, and winding up unlucky. Addiction is a vice, and it's got one hell of a grip even from the most unexpected of places.
I have a dad who's a addict...not gambling but meth ...I've seen a lot of addicts and all of them always just say 'last one I swear' 'this is the last one I swear' 'firgive me but I MUST just do one more' And then.... Nothing...it usually does be there last game. Or hit. Because they get unlucky. And take one last hit....or in this case....one last round
I notice a more unique way that the game resonates with the themes of Addiction. Sure there's all the "drugs" on display, the pills, the cigarettes and the beer that you could get addicted to, but even the gameplay resonates that. It's fun and suspenseful and it plays really nicely too, you might even sink a few hours playing before you decide to put it back down. Though You don't, It's still pretty fun to play so you keep going. You learn how it works and start to play more optimally, the suspense is lacking now since you're more accustomed with it. It doesn't feel the same, it's not as amazing as before, you're still having fun but it's lacking. You want more from it, willing to give up your time and/or money to have a better experience. You might just get that with time; something newer and fresher, though not necessarily better. It won't matter, it'll satisfy you for a little longer, quell that itch in your brain you didn't recognize till now. It's not as severe, but you experience a smaller version of what true addicts have to feel. The Rush, the Crash and the Desire for More. From Drugs to Gambling to Thrill Seeking. It can put into perspective how the people inside the spiral won't notice their downwards trajectory until they hit the floor with nowhere else to go, and that is truly horrifying.
Theres one more thing that points towards the "good ending" not actually being good in my opinion: He takes the shotgun with him, which points towards him having the intention to play again.
I mean the Player also always takes a few shotgun shells to the face. He most likely looks as disfigured as the dealer by the end....At this point why not become a dealer yourself?
8:04 I may have a hard time explaining this but I think a reason the game becomes sort of addictive is also tied to the music. its a simple beat to bob your head to, and catchy at that. whenever you are revived by a defibrillator the music blares up again and similar to how people use sounds to trigger dogs or cats dopamine to train them, I too think that music is a little dopamine rush when we come back too, after that tense moment of being shot. the release afterwards is gratifying and gets you back into it, the music is just a sound cue that you can associate with that dopamine rush which brings you back to the game anytime you think of it.
All I can say is WOW! Your interpretation of the game is chilling. You can really gain a sense of hopelessness and depravity from that lens. Makes you realize that you don't rule your addictions, but they rule you.
Fun fact, the Dealer is an alcoholic. If he has beer, there is a significantly higher chance that he'll use it over other items, even if it doesn't make any sense.
Even if he knows theres a blank in the current chamber. He'll still drink the beer. Even knowing he couldve used on himself and save the beer But this shows hes an alcoholic
The OST in this game is shockingly good, it really adds to the atmosphere. Also, the title theme starting out of tune only to morph into tune is ear candy.
I like how the creator added the "double or nothing" update. Which only intensifies the gambling aspect. What I don't like is that the dealer doesn't seem to count the shells (initial or expended), it's a tossup if it will shoot you or itself. The only exception seems to be the last shell, where the dealer will always perform the best move. There's also the use of items that aren't always used in the most optimal manner. Phenomenal game regardless. From the music, aesthetics, to the gameplay... It is very... addictive.
My take on the good end is that the dealer is still perfectly alive and conscious. The red dots are his eyes- he’s mad. But he calms himself down enough to hand over the prize money, because he recognizes that you won fairly. I think that it makes him a little scarier, because while he plays fair, his patience isn’t endless I do really like the theory that he represents addiction, though !
I’ve heard that the second round always has the Dealer always loads them in the exact same order, which means the Dealer is dancing around the rules a bit to give it an advantage, but will still play honourably (or at least give the impression) just like a casino would act.
I always thought it was still "honorable" because he will change how he informs you about the shells. Sometimes it's random sometimes it's an "unknown/hidden" sequence which implies it's no longer random.
Playing it several times each round is completely random and isn’t the same, yeah the combinaison of shell are the same (eg: 2 blank 1 live) but the way they are loaded in the gun is random
I absolutely did not expect you to cover this game. Cool you did though. (People have definitely said this before but this game seeing it did remind me of inscyption it’s a completely different game yes but to me more so the vibe. The mystery. I’m specifically talking about act 1 of inscyption though but that’s my thought its definitely a cool game)
@@Gorguinni well if you like card games hey I recommend it it’s not to long or short but that also depends on your ability to win unless it’s not your thing it’s not bad to give it a try.
@@GorguinniI second Kitishu's comment. Inscryption is quite the game. It can be a long game, but it has good osts, good characters, interesting mechanics. Even if you don't make a video out of it, if you have the time it is worth a playthrough
Playing a tabletop game against a dealer/DM with your life on the line, with postprocessed creepy graphics and aesthetics, and similar camera movements
3:09 the dealer truly only cares about the fact that youre playing, any other details are meaningless. He wins simply by you playing. Your willingness to take his risk is all he's after. And once you're there it truly doesn't matter what he does, you're in it now till you win or die and then he'll go on to the next person willing to flip that coin.
Something that I find really fascinating about The Dealer is something so minor but really elevates this game for me even more. When you die in the 3rd round and choose to retry the level, when you walk in the door The Dealer's dialogue is as follows: "..." "I better not see you again". Which I think really gives credence to something you said about The Dealer; he's just there to do his *Job*. Considering this roulette room exists at all, the "God" liability waiver, and him saying that to the player when you retry, it really makes me believe not only is The Dealer not dead, but that he may even see players like ours over and over and over again; players who are self destructive and addicted to this game to the point that even The Dealer hopes not see familiar faces.
I believe his reaction is because as far as he's concerned. You just cheated. Your supposed to be DEAD the reason he's not chucking you out is because he himself also comes back. So he doesn't wanna seem like a hypocrite.
@@doot7730 Well apparently if you fail again after he sees you return on round three, you cannot retry again, and your only option is to quit. So maybe it is more of the case of him trying to make you learn your lesson.
You get the shotgun at the end of the game. You have more than enough money to buy defibulators, as long as you played your cards right. The dealer knows that this game might end badly for him, because the game ended badly for the one he got the shotgun from. The addiction continues, where the one who obtained the addiction becomes the dealer, and the one who was the original fades from existence, perhaps dead, perhaps still living, handing out buckshot roulette to others.
The way I see it, the nightclub could be where an addiction could start or could even reinforce that addiction. The stereotype I've seen with nightclubs is people doing lines or molly in the bathroom before they hit the dance floor. So for the games message, I guess, to be about addiction it makes sense 🤔
Cool video! I really do hope they expand on this concept, it's so good. I adore the aesthetic and how seamlessly the mechanics weave into the brutal setting
I honestly like both interpretations of what this thing is. Either a manifestation of vice and addiction, perpetually risking your life for dwindling boosts of pleasure through alcohol, smokes, pills and thrill in a decaying world and life. And an immortal monster so bored of existing that it plays russian roulette forever because of how worthless life is, knowing something as ruined as you will always come back for more. These kinds of situations are usually a trap in games, a traumatic situation the player wants to get away from. But this guy doesn't even care, tossing beers to the floor, smashing magnifying glasses, and taking shots with shaking that looks more like withdrawal than actual hesitation
I feel the item set definitely fits in with the theme of addiction as well. The cigarette and beer being obvious, but the knife could relate to self-harm, damaging yourself and others. Somewhat of a stretch, but the magnifying glass could relate to some people being addiction to find more, always looking for something even they don't know (i.e., curiosity killed the cat)
3:45 that reminds me of a proposal I read an article about for geographically/architecturally indicating "danger, stay away" in a totally culturally independent way for nuclear waste dump sites
Honestly I like to roll with what's probably the most common theory out there You're playing against the devil Waver in the box means God won't interfere in the game, you're free to exercise your free will and risk your life Devil makes obvious errors in the first two rounds seemingly just to fuck with you for a little longer, but when the game is about (your) life and death he gets serious. When he losses in round 3 he stares at you from the dark, his eyes glowing red, most likely indicating rage. That would mean he isn't indifferent to the outcome of the game, he really wanted you to die. As for the end screen, notice how the only way to get 70K is to not smoke any cigs or drink any beer, you get rewarded not doing any addictive substances. Relaxing song plays in the background and you can't choose to play another round, only exit the game. You've won your life
That read on addiction seems pretty accurate. You gamble with your life, if it doesn't kill you now, it can later. Also the fact that two of the items you use are also addictive substances (cigarettes and alcohol) and that you are in a club where people often injest weird stuff seems to also work in favor of that theory. (Gambling is also an addiction that can ruin your life, but people do it because they could possibly win money, no matter the amount.)
A better point for the congrats ending is that "The house always wins" extends to when people in the casinos win the cash prize. Sure, the casino makes one payout, but that one win just encourages more people to gamble, and out of that wave only one if any of them can win. Casinos essentially run on the rule of large numbers and effectively have a steady stream of income with an occaisional hope fee, which is why when they do fail it's more about mismanagement rather than an actual loss of funds.
One thing I would like to add on about your theory about the fair play entity representing addiction is the fact that two of the items you can use in the game are cigarettes and beer, things that can become addictive. And the interesting part is the fact that in the game, those items can give you an advantage, like smoking a cigarette gives you an extra life and drinking a beer let's you safely eject a shell from the shotgun without having to risk getting yourself shot, giving you a bit of safety knowing that there's one less shell in the gun to worry about. I know that people who are addicted to stuff like smoking and alcohol think that those stuff are going to make their life better, and that it helps them live their life, when in reality it's actually destroying them, whether that be you ending up getting health problems from smoking or your alcoholism making it harder for you to function as a person.
i guess in terms of the game you think the beer & cigarettes are going to make your life better by helping you win the game, but it's actually just prolonging the time you spend playing the game as the stakes get more and more dangerous. So whilst you think you're escaping your problems, you're actually just making them worse in a sense.
The afterlife depicted in the game resembles radiation warning architecture, large spikes meant to evoke danger to the body and foreboding. (Landscape of Thorns, conceptualized by Michael Brill and drawn by Safdar Abidi is a great example). It's as if the plane has been condemned and symbolizes the gluttony the dealer represents. Because of this, the setting of the game reminds me of the long-term nuclear waste messages that are meant to universally describe the dangers of radiation long after we are gone: "This place is not a place of honor... no highly esteemed deed is commemorated here."
That ties back into the theme of addiction. If you get that ending - you died because of your addiction, and you gained nothing from it. There's no highly esteemed deed to commemorate there. There is no reward. And if you get the other ending, where you win the game - you were given the money and the tools (shotgun) to keep going with your self-destructive addiction. Really there is no good ending as long as you participate in the cycle.
I've been playing this game with my dad every day and one thing I pointed out to him was how trustworthy the dealer is. This video is great and sums up all of my thoughts entirely.
Great video. Loved the interpretation of the contract being, because God died heaven was open to anyone and so it lies in ruins. Hopefully there will be more lore to this game.
With the new double or nothing update, i think you hit this nail right on the head. a gabling addiction makes so much sense especially in the games context.
6:02 you DID say it incorectly, but you ned to do it like this: Mike KlubnIka you focus on the i in Klubnika and fun fact: klubnika is strawberry in russian
Heyyy! Didn’t know he’s the guy who made carbon steel! Glad to see he’s hit it big with shotgun roulette, I really liked his style of games and hope he’ll find the means and motivation to continue his awesome work.
Okay, I have a couple of takes about this game that I wanna hear opinions on: Notice how the only objects in this world that are low-poly are the people. They run off charges yet are affected by beer, cigarettes, and medicine. They can survive infinite rounds given it's not the last stage. The adrenaline, despite being a pretty nasty-looking tool, doesn't seem to hurt our character, as if they have a port for it. The "humans" in this nightclub are partially or fully artificial, and due to their durability, they're likely addicted to the thrill of playing these games which seem extreme to us. That may also explain the low amount of prize money; a being of that nature may have less financial responsibilities than a human would. The Dealer is referred to as "it," which strengthens the demonic entity angle, but moreover a "deal with the devil" is a very common trope in literature. It would make sense for the Dealer to be incapable of breaking the rules laid out in its contract, and it would also make sense for the Dealer to get God to play its game, as demons are famously known for hating God and wanting to usurp him, which it seems is what happened.
I interpret the "happy" ending the following way: Not a "was it worth it?" thought for an ending, but more like "Look at what I have left behind" Addictions are hard to lose, but if you do, depending on the time spent on it, you will find yourself fucked up, but free at last. People that won addiction to something often acknowledges it wasn't worth it and advice other people not to do it
Something else I think should be pointed out in the ending where you win is that you take the shotgun with you. Signifying the lasting effect of your addiction.
The AI is unbelievably simple.. it works like this: Step 1: Always use an item in a random order, but only if it has an effect (he won't use a magnifying glass twice or on the last shell, nor cigarettes if he's at full health). Step 2: Always react properly if the next shell is known (he always knows what the last shell is, and if he uses a magnifying glass) Step 3: Otherwise, 50/50 chance of pointing at you or himself if the shell is not known. That's all there is to it. It's so simple and fair, and in fact, the developer kinda threw the player a bone (I think this was done intentionally) in that the Dealer only keeps track of what the last shell is, and ISN'T counting blanks vs live that are used during the match. So if there's 2 or more left, he loses track of how many until there's only 1 left.
I really would like a buckshot roulette 2. I think the canon ending (good or bad ending depends on what the crwators think) would have your character become the next dealer. I personally think the both endings would make this perfect. And the cycle would continue.
My therory is that YOU are the dealer. After winning, you become addicted to the thrill and use the money you bought and the shotgun you inherited to keep playing the game with other players. It's an endless, vicious cycle.
![[ENGSUB] UNPRODUCTIVE DAY ใช้ชีวิต (เปื่อยๆ) ด้วยกัน 1 วัน! | OUROAD CLOSEFRiEND SS2 EP.9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pyYKZ3kra9w/mqdefault.jpg)
Alright so I woke up to 150k views & have NO CHANCE to reply to everyone so I just wanna say thank you guys! I’ve seen your own theories & interpretations and it’s all so fascinating! Be sure to give my other content a watch if you enjoyed this video! Have a great day!
Congrats man I could never do this
Nice video! I do however think the dealer is dead. I think he also simply cannot lie or cheat, neither can you. I think with it being a demonic entity the contract is absolute. You have to follow it. Thats why he was able to kill god. God didnt have any extra powers and lost, fair and square, even omnipotence being annulled by the contract, therefore him dying. So the same must be true for the dealer, especially seeing how its fair.
i didnt see the link or any title next to the music: in the description and just incase you didnt provide it its from King's Field IV which is a great game by the way and very fun you should play it if you havent even if just on your own :)
Underated channel keeps up the good work buddy
He doesn't actually insert them in a random order. He himself admits it, It's in an 'Unknown' order. He knows what the order is and hints at it, but never directly tells the player. It rewards those who pay attention to him instead of blitzing past the dialogue.
I remember manlybadasshero's playthrough of this game which ended with the dealer (on permadeath mode) saying "are you ready?" smoking two cigarettes, drinking three beers, leaving no blanks in the shotgun, turning the gun on himself and just blows his own head off.
that made me laugh so hard dude, i cried
Wow,I'm sorry I missed that & watched AlphaBetaGamer instead. . .
💀
@@chee.rah.monurB he still uploads?? i haven't watch him in years
@@ehannasir8464 Oh,for sure.I don't often get a chance to watch his longer videos but he still uploads regularly.
The 'victory' ending including the shotgun is so creepy in the context of addiction. You've won, but you're taking the addiction with you. You'll be back...
Or maybe he just likes thw shotgun and grabs it as a throphy.
you will turn into a dealer, soon
The House always wins, even when it loses.
@@murderous_dummy Personally, that's what I'd do. 'A fitting trophy, if I may say, and seeing as *he* no longer needs it..."
@@chaosinc.382 also, money in that universe may be very limited, or almost everyone is poor, so 70K could be like, super rich, so he needs a shotgun for well, self defense against people who wanna murder him for the money.
What gets me is that there's a brief moment where you THINK The Dealer is showing his true face. Those red lights blink to life like eyes. That beep sounds like the game's ambience becoming disorientingly tense, and so you wait for the twist... and then out comes the case. But what's IN the case? You have to unlock it yourself. Letting the tension rise with each clasp and the raising of the case's lid... and then you see the money.
He was being honest. And then as the bloody waiver you got slipped before and his clearly inhuman nature sets in, you realize he's likely being honest for the same reason any casino operator is honest.
You don't get a lot of customers if you never pay out. Being fair keeps customers coming in.
Customers who need the money fast. Customers who likely won't live long anyway if they don't have the money. Customers who can't afford to be patient.
And The Dealer can afford _many_ things, most of all patience.
But in the end, that only begs one question;
He clearly doesn't take your soul, and in fact seems to _express ship you to Heaven_ regardless of the fact that you don't seem to be squeaky clean yourself. He has plenty of blood to give you through transfusions. He doesn't fulfill or demand any favors. He could wipe his butt with the money if he had one.
Were you being rewarded for winning a wager... or compensated for providing entertainment?
Man i had never of thought this way about this. Thanks for the anilisis
@@lucasanimations5102your spelling of analysis made me choke on my drink
The studio lights lead me to think this is a recorded event and you're just getting paid for participating
@@XSpamDragonXsounds like an STI
Whoa.
Thing I find interesting is that if you die on the first two levels, Dealer will say "Welcome back" when you play again. But if you die on the third stage (going to "heaven") and come back, Dealer will say "I better not see you again.". That's the only moment in the game where he actually seems upset, as if to say "Bruh, I won, fair and square. Why did you come back?"
What's more interesting, if you die after he says that on the third round, you can't go back I'm pretty sure. It only prompts you to close the game.
That actually lends itself to a more interesting interpretation; the dealer isn't against you. Why would he care if you kept coming back? What if that line isn't a threat, but a warning. In other words "you already died and you're back again?! This had better not happen again". Like a kid who keeps trying to do tricks on a skateboard and is in the ER for the third time this month.
That'd also explain why he never cheats; he doesn't actually want you to lose, he wants you to learn.
@@felixjohnson3874 actually, that makes sense. Considering it prompts you to close the game, maybe the dealer is trying to help you quit this game.
the enemy lucio telling yours to hop off, and you are unsure if they are saying it out of frustration with you or pity
(edit: its because hes a frog)
th-cam.com/video/Rubc6CB_9HY/w-d-xo.html NO ITEMS BUCKSHOT took forever ik self promo is bad but gotta get the vid out somehow kinda for that (sorry fr)
The first issue is that the dealer isn't a villain, he's just the antagonist; he's not doing anything evil, he's entirely fair, and does not double cross you.
The player character challenged him, you're not a "victim".
Finally someone acknowledged the dealer as not a villian. He's your opponent, not the villian. You're both playing a game you agreed to. He doesn't cheat or doesn't back out on anything. He follows the rules, gives you your money, and doesn't tell you to keep playing (unless double or nothing, but that might be more lore because it's a machine asking, but idk). The definition of villian is "a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot". While the full story is unknown, he's not doing anything actually evil. Sure, he shoots you, smokes, drinks, but you're also doing that. He's an honest guy, follows the rules, handcuffs himself, and even cuts off his lifeline when low on health.
If the game is about addiction the player character is technically a victum
@@X-SPONGEDBut so do you its the last shell you count you know he wouldn’t be cheating if hes just counting the shells
That's like saying a drug dealer isn't doing anything wrong because they're just selling you the heroin you wanted.
Now, the player character is definitely not a saint either - they open exactly two doors by snap kicking them open with no concern to who might be on the other side.
@@X-SPONGEDIf even you don't know the last shell in the chamber, you clearly aren't playing right
Yes, the dealer is absolutely addicted to the game and the items too. You can tell by his AI. He always smokes a cigarette to try to heal even after his wires are cut, just because he can, and he always drinks all his beer, even after he checks the round to find a blank he ejects instead of just shooting himself to get the extra turn.
In the case of cigarette to be fair when your lifeline is cut they just take an inventory slot for nothing, consuming them free up the spot for another item the next round should you survive the one you’re in
I saw a clip somewhere where the dealer, on the final turn, smoked two cigarettes and chugs three whole beers before shooting itself in the face
@@breadstick4458 That has happened to me.
@@breadstick4458 Manlybadasshero's video
@@breadstick4458based af
Personally, I thought the "God" character was someone who thought they were invincible (ie, believed themself to be God) and so played this game of russian roulette, believing that they physically couldn’t lose the game, only to ultimately fail.
Honestly i think the god page is just a joke reference to nitcheze i believe with the famous quote "god is dead and we have killed him"
I've also heard that it really was God and the game over screen could be a look into heaven which is looking incredibly fucked up
@@fenrirsrage4609 Sure... but its so vague and random, that its meaningless.
Thats what I hate about traditional horror, it focuses too much on shock value and not enough in the logic department. This game isn't that good, its too short and simple.
@@davidvaldez3833In other words, “we merked God lmao”
When you go to heaven you don't see god The god play the game of dealer and die you can't see god in heaven in items box there Page of someone god and you can't name yourself god because he dies
I think how "fair" the dealer is the whole game is probably the most menacing part of him for me.
-He never uses an advantage you don't have, you can clearly see he doesn't look at the shells when he loads the gun and never uses a mechanic the player doesn't have access to.
-Sometimes his AI is most likely programmed to fail on purpose, to give the player a chance, which would explain some of his behavior.
-He makes you sign a waiver to play, so you can't do anything you don't agree to.
-In the final round, he severs his own lifeline, and doesn't seem to regret it any more than he would regret severing yours.
-The most important one to me, being that when you win, the player is genuinely rewarded. There's no bait and switch "prize was a trap," or anything along those lines, you do receive the money you were promised, it just isn't enough to be worth the trouble.
All of these, in my opinion, make him far more intimidating than if he actually did cheat the player. He genuinely doesn't seem to care about anything other than the simple thrill of the game. Given he always leaves you with a charge, he's likely not even rewarded for winning like you are. And most important of all, nothing here is a trick. The player opted in, and are getting exactly what they were promised.
Whole thing just makes him seem more insane, da fact he playz a game of life & death and isn’t even tempted by an advantage or tricking the player
The honesty is really the scariest part
The dev stated that the Dealer here is an AI, so he is programmed to do everything to keep the game going. He is fair because of his programming, to the point of handcuffing himself or cutting his defibrillator lines when close to defeat.
Still, he is really terrifying. He only play by the rules against us as we do, and when we know that the next shot is the live one, we are really doomed.
Leaves you with a charge?
@@elgatochurro You know, a defibrillator charge in rounds 1 and 2.
I also find it particularly interesting that when you win, the single denomination of dollar bill in the briefcase is the $50 bill. In gambling, $50 bills are typically seen as a bad omen or a sign of bad luck, and are not accepted or paid out by many dealers or establishments. With that in mind, it seems like, even in victory, the player is dealt bad luck. That would also play into the gambling addiction theory, as even if you win, you'll always come back and feed the addiction more (I.e., bad luck)
why?
A quick Google search shows it's due To the associated president. Ulysses s Grant. Who is (and I better not see any modern political comments in the bottom) usually regarded as the most disappointing president. He was a war hero and did.not do well in office. As he failed to really. Do mutch and hell most history buffs actually forgot he was a president.
The other (likely more inspired take) is those were the bills early Vegas investor bugsy siegal died holding when he was murdered ...much like the trope of the dead man's hand or 2 dollars being a symbol for crime
@@TheObnoxiousSquirrelI forgot to @you in the response I made.
@@Suckmynards9000 it's just a lad sepculating on potential symbolism, don't get butt hurt about it.
@@Suckmynards9000 wah wah people cant have fun theorising and talking about a game they're wasting their time and being dramatic huhuuuu 😢
I’m a games dealer in a casino, and honestly yeah this is pretty accurate in terms of addiction. I see it happen all the time, people will just keep on pulling out more and more money and losing over and over again. You can always tell when that type of customer comes in, and you know that they won’t leave until their wallet is completely empty. Even if they win a massive hand, they just keep going. When they win they can’t leave because they’re ‘on a roll’ and when they lose they can’t leave because they don’t want to end on a loss, so it just keeps on going forever until they eventually lose everything. It’s very depressing to see, and I like how this game somewhat touches on that. I have a few ideas of how it could be improved if this was the aspect that the creator wanted to emphasize on, but all in all this was very well made for one person I gotta say.
@JayJay-iz7xj
id like to know what you'd change
@@gwennorthcutt421 same lol
@@gwennorthcutt421change?
I always hated how everyone said that this guy sucked, but i looked at him as more of an entity that really did not care about life. Or so intoxicated to the point that he doesnt care about himself. This is a very interesting video
I never thought about it like that. Maybe he’s the one addicted too
@@mazen2657 FOR REALLLL
Hell maybe he’s just as much a victim as you. Maybe you’re both two souls fighting to see who gets to go back
Another interpretation: the Dealer is actually an AI (as stated in the game page), which is programmed to keep the game going and keep it fair for both players. Noone can and will cheat because of his programming. He has access the same information and actions as the player has, and will act accordingly as the player does as well.
@@Aurontime777”both” players? If thats in the video sorry, I scroll before watching it all 😅
Watching Markiplier stumble through this game and only getting shot 3 times was truly something to behold.
Mark made the game look so easy 😭
I just thought of something. There has been a long running meme of contradicting Mark on his statement that he is 'not a masochist' with facts and video footage being interpreted (playground bench, Getting Over It again...)
What if his familiarity with the game was because of IRL experience...? (That would be terrifying since he'd either have to come back to life or just have never lost once, which would be supernatural luck at that point)
@@MageBurger"what if markiplier had irl experience with russian roulette" bruh do you HEAR yourself? He either got lucky stumbling thru the game bc he has what we call a good game sense OR he did retakes until he won bc youtube is 99% staged content
@@MageBurger ain't no way you typed that and said yeah that sounds good and posted it💀
It’s fair to bring up that he was effective in strategy, taking probability and likelihood into consideration. He calculated every risk he took
I think your read on addiction is pretty accurate. One thing that wasn't explored is the dealer's addiction. There doesn't seem to be anything in it for him, it doesn't appear that you're paying money to be there, there's no audience to make bets to profit off of. He seems to be in it for the thrill of the game, you're feeding his addiction as much as he's feeding yours. Interestingly, as well as the intentional mistakes the AI makes, the player has one more advantage: They always get to go first when the gun is reloaded, so even if you go blow for blow each round, the dealer's going to drop first. Not sure if that has any deeper meaning, just something I noticed.
There’s clearly big ass lights and cameras projecting the game by the dealer
Well not necessarily, if the first shot is a blank and the second is not, the dealer would have the advantage
@@HarrowedDweeb You mean that the source of light that are there to help see the room so that it isn't pitch dark are there to provide light!??!?!
@@anonymousfox4620 weird to have a source of light that doesn’t emit any light. Your head is full of rocks my man, you ever seen a light?
@@HarrowedDweeb Look I'm not smart. I entirely forgot they didn't emit light. Once again my dumbass told a thing without fact checkin. Now that I actually think about it it's probably because the room we are in is a storage room. We are high above the dance floor. Near the ceiling so keeping the lights up here for storage so that you can later get them without traversing the entire building to install them makes sense to me. Don't know if that's what they would actually do but hey.
i love when people really analyze some game characters like this and the creator responds with "No hes just a cool lil goober i made up"
that's the cool thing about interpreting creative works differently from what the author intended. it's even better when it's something that happened by accident but the original author likes it so much they turn it canon
@@dirtfriendNo. Lol.
@@thephonepersonally what
Mike's games are all deeply profound, check out his website, or if you can't justify buying games at a buck a piece, then look up some other playthrus. These games are deeper than any triple A not released by Fromsoft.
@@thephonepersonally???
It is so refreshing to have a game where the villain doesn't cheat. I played inscription and though I really love it, I didn't like how often the main villain cheats to get his way. I would love if they made a followup to this game with bosses that have specific gameplay gimmicks that kinda tackle different sins. Like Greed will take one extra item per round, leaving you with one less, envy will steal an item away from you at a random time, things like that will make the game feel so different and make the player wonder why their first boss didn't play unfairly. Why were they the gracious loser while all the others fought so hard to survive even through cheating to get their way? I know it won't happen but it's a little thought I thought of while watching the video.
The dealer isn’t so much of a villain. They look to have played the game lots of times as a result of addiction.
The dealer doesn’t cheat because they like the thrill of the game. If there were cheats, there wouldn’t be much fun in that. Even if the dealer wins, they don’t really get anything out of it, they just like playing the game.
Potential mechanics:
The Covetous (Greed): Will *always* pull the max 4 items even if you do not. (Or) Pulls items until he has max/more than you do.
The Jealous (Envy): Steals an item that you have that it doesnt. (Ex. You have a saw, it does not, so it steals your saw)
The Boastful (Pride): Will pull as many items as neccessary to surpass the number of items you have by 1. (Or) Will not use items normally, but will do so if you do.
The Seducer (Lust): Will prioritize handcuffs and smokes and has a higher chance to draw these items.
The Gullet (Gluttony); Will increase the potency of beer and cigs (rack gun twice, recover 2 charges). Will use these items even when unnecessary.
The Sluggish (Sloth): Only 1 item per draw for both you and it. Moves slower in general, and takes less risks. (Or) Passively regenerates charges when not using items.
The Bloodthirsty (Wrath): Highly aggressive. Increased chance to draw the saw. Will attempt to shoot the player unless it is certain there's a blank. Cannot be handcuffed (it'll smack them out of your hands or break them before putting them on).
I mean Inscryption is trying to tell a story more than it's trying to present a pure gameplay experience. The villains' cheating is part of their characters--Leshy is trying to get you to play out his intended story, like an overbearing DM who railroads you if you go too far, while P03 preaches about rules and balance as a cover for the fact that he just wants to Win. There is a more balanced true roguelite mode once you beat the game
@incognitoburrito6020 I know, I beat the game 100%. Kaceys mod is a brutal mode, especially skull storm.
I think one minor detail that supports some comment theories of the dealer itself being addicted to this game is how he actually helps you a bit early on. He starts by taking turns a bit slow, describing every step he takes and even calling out the number of live and blank rounds to you, and of course if you die on an early round, you revive. Last round though, he doesnt count shells for you just saying "you know the drill", the pace is much faster, and he seems to use items more aggressively. It feels like he wants to help train you to be competent at the game all in order to get to the last round where the stakes finally become real, for both of you, and he can go all out on equal footing, as opposed to say having one round with death already a possibility and ending up probably killing a lot of challengers before they really grasp the game fully
That's just how long cons work.
The ai thing isnt true. He just get more items lol. His ai is programmed to use as many items as possible, so long as they have a benefit (like only using 1 magnifier if he has 2) in a basically random order.
@@Nuclear5094 Guess that makes sense
this is a pretty solid interpretation. honestly i always thought personally that the bloody contract was the dealer's and that implied he’s actually god, but him actually killing god is also another crazy possibility
Thats very interesting. Like this was supposed to be his box but it got switched up to you and now you can see his contract
Interesting theory. It sort of goes with my theory that once you "win" the game you become the new dealer
lmao imagine the waiver waives god's immortality
I never considered your possibility. I just assumed since the God waiver appeared on your side that God was sitting on the same chair you were.
Interesting to consider
This is probably the most lawful evil villain I have ever seen.
The most underrated of underrated comments.
Can't be a villain if you signed a waiver to fight him and actually gets the prize
@@68poundercarronade I would disagree. Alot of times in stories, villains who use contracts are bound by them, so if he offers a reward, he has to give it if the conditions are met. And he has to offer some sort of reward to get anyone to risk their life. As for being evil, of course he is, he lures you into a gambling addiction where unless you are lucky and survive, you will die to it eventually. And if you do survive, what are the chances you will come back for more. That is evil, he is certainly the antagonist, therefore he is the villain.
@@lizzarddoggo8775 You as the player make the decision to play with no knowledge of any reward and you chose to meet him, that statement is as asinine as you going out of your way to knock down the doors of a police force or a gang to join them for money and then blaming anybody but yourself because your life is in danger, if you regret it the only thing you can blame is your own stupidity. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to play the game, He wasn't the one busting down your doors to see you, He didn't tell you of any reward.
In short, own your shit, noone else in this world is responsible for your actions as brilliant or as stupid as they are but yourself. It puts you in control of your life, should you choose otherwise, best of luck, you'll already think it's out of your hands when in reality the steering wheel has been in front of you the whole time.
He may not be responsible for the actions of the player, but he sure isn’t helping. In this scenario, it took the both of them to step up to the table to play the roulette. Unlike you, the dealer doesn’t play double or nothing. He a nearly as hooked as the player. It like looking at the drug addict and the drug dealer. You are supplying the temptation and on that regard may be as responsible as the people who take it. Both of them are addicts and both of them are ruining each other. We can see this The British sealed opium to China. They understood that the root cause of the problem where the suppliers as much as the addicts.
i’m so obsessed with this game. like why is the player there? what circumstances led them to play such a brutal, high stakes game? what did they have to do to find the dealer? it’s not like the room looks publicly accessible, and he knows you already know what’s happening when the player enters, so clearly you had to seek him out, not the other way around. It’s all so fascinating whether through the lens of it being a metaphor for addiction or not. like either interpretation still offers so much to think about and i love it for that.
I think a movie like "would you rather" really brings the questions you ask into perspective.
5 months late but a theory i had is that you needed money, so you find anyway to get it and stumble upon his game. The reason i believe that is because everytime you aim the gun towards yourself, it shakes alot, which mean the player isnt there for the thrill of it unlike the Dealer.
I do love that Mike's games are gaining more popularity. His first release to gain any traction was, "the other side" coming out roughly around the same time as Iron Lung. He's been making a lot of these short rusted industrial dystopia games since then and nearly all have been released for free
I think an important aspect is that you take the money and the shotgun if you win. As if to say that the thrill of the game itself is part of the prize, just like IRL gambling. It could also mean you intend to play again since you have the means to do so. The problem with addiction is you can never get enough until you quit, die, or end up in prison. Also, as someone who has struggled with addiction, I can say part of it is the ritual behind it. Whether that's mixing up a drink or in this case loading up the gun and firing it.
I like that idea. Neat analysis
Screw you, stop being everywhere man you’re driving me nuts
That begs the question. Do you become the next dealer?
@@zombine555yess, just thought of it, tho more like we become ANOTHER dealer. And with the message of "god is dead" addiction is being spread like an illness and the world is slowly dying
@@wellidontknow1941 that's a good one. This game needs multiplayer, i think. That could feed the lore.
I saw one theory that the dealer is actually God Himself. Which would explain his fairness, his attitude, and also the bloodstained waiver; He signed it as a show of good faith that He's under the same contract as everyone else, and the blood is from the first time He lost.
Hmm. I like their theory
Hmm. I like their theory
Hmm. I like their theory
Hmm. I like their theory
Hmm. I like their theory
When I encountered the "God" contract, I read the title "lease of liability" and interpreted it as "God has declared that he is no longer responsible for or watching over me." While I don't believe it's meant to be this at second glance, I think it works really well to convey how some people who suffer from addiction feel. As someone who struggles with it myself, I can definitely relate, the whole game was full of these kinds of signals and I really enjoyed it.
Same, i really thought that was the reason, and maybe reason there's blood in the contract might mean god lost and all, but to me it was a guy praying to god after realizing he is bound to lose, and the dealer showing this contract to the person in shock, in which the dealer immediately shot him
That's actually a good take
The dealer being an honest, cut and dry entity really sells the addiction symbolism.
The Dealer works more as a force of nature than anything and it takes a bit of digging to realize that.
Same as movie no country for old men
The Dealer reminds me of The Edge villain from Furi.
We play to win physical prizes, but he plays to win emotional prizes.
In a way he wants us to beat him, he wants a truly challenging opponent for the thrill of this game. Which explains why he refuses to cheat and even grants us second chances when we are learning the game. In video games we all wish to win, but when you win too much, the winning itself becomes absolute. The best matches aren't those that are stomps, but those where you give it all. The Dealer wants us to win, he wants us to best him. He wants the thrill of giving it all.
In a way, us winning makes both win. We got our prize and left living. And The Dealer got the challenging thrilling match he so wanted.
Two things
One: The nightclub actually fits well with the addiction theory. Night clubs are known to serve alcohol. alcoholism is an addiction that can take the lives of yourself and others.
Two: i legit thought the god waver was a metaphor. Like the game is trying to say somthing like "god is dead"
Nightclubs in general are places of indulgence and perhaps decadence. So if I was going to see a Russian roulette-esque game anywhere, it would probably be at some nightclub
Plus the music masks the sound of the shotty
God is dead, and he died playing Buckshot Roulette.
I mean. You can get a lot more than alcohol at night clubs. It's not just addiction, it's Addiction Plus.
uhhh obviously? lol
I also don't think the Dealer dies. It can feel pain, sure but I don't think it can die that easy. On the last hit he takes in the third round, you can still hear a defibrillator zap.
Definitely spot on on his loyalty to the game. I do like the varied animations between the player and the dealer. The dealer has the strength to cut the barrel in one slash whereas the player uses a lot of effort to cut it. The dealer looks through the magnifying glass while the player has to pick up the weapon to take a peek at what's inside.
I think it be cool if you became the next dealer. It would make sense for both endings. It be a great buckshot roulette sequel.
i thought i was the only one who noticed that the dealer's animations are much more "exaggerated" than the player's
And the fact that the player take the magnifying glass, immediately break it, and then look inside the weapon, it makes no sense 💀
@@VanNguyen-gt8cc I guess it's more of a declaration gesture than anything. Like "Hey, I'm using this now, so I'm allowed to take a look at the shell" sort of a deal, rather than just pushing it forward on the table and grabbing the shotgun to check the chamber when the action of a small push could easily be missed.
I think this game really nails its atmosphere. Ive heard several people who played this comment how even when they know for a fact a round is a blank, the act of pointing the barrel at yourself and shakily pulling the trigger still makes them nervous
i feel like the music plays a massive role in that
@@bigbrain3907the rave music? I always put on a noir playlist when I play this game
something else to add: when the dealer uses the magnifying glass, instead of looking in the gun like you do, he simply smashes it onto the table and looks through the broken lens. this to me implies he can always tell if the round in the chamber is live or not, he just chooses to play along
but... when you use magnifying glass you also smash it..
@@mirin2912 yeah, and then you pick up the gun and look inside the chamber. the dealer doesnt look into the chamber, he just knows whats in there
My favorite item detail is how willingly he cuffs himself. You don’t place the cuffs on him, and when he cuffs you he only does one hand. You just pick up the cuffs and the Dealer reaches over, takes them and places them on both hands without a hint of hesitance.
Interesting , so he knows it even when he kills himself?
It was confirmed by the creator himself in a TH-cam commentary related to secrets in the game’s files that the intro bathroom is an Easter egg of the half-life mod Afraid of Monsters, made by Andreas Ronberg, aka Rumpell who also made the free game Cry of Fear.
I KNEW IT
NO WAY
HOLY SHIT ALL IN LE HEAD GAME REFERENCED!!!! 🗣🗣🗣🗣
DUDE I SO THOUGHT SO 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
you should definitely play cry of fear, it's got stuff like this game all over the place
To be fair, you did also survived a point blank shot to the face and revived only using a defibrillator.
And a blood transfusion.
@@omegahaxors9-11 right, but where did that brain go, lol
honestly this has always made me wonder what the protagonists face looks like after the game, if it’s really just the dealer reviving you with blood transfusions and defibrillators then I really doubt it’s looks pretty
@@ricekrispies4994 I always thought that the protagonist actually looks like the dealer. It would explain how they both can just tank several buckshot rounds to the face.
@@quan-uo5ws probably what those rounds do to faces in this world
5:55
“There’s signs of addiction elsewhere”
*camera pans up to reveal six cans of beer in front of the dealer*
Dealer: "I don’t know what'd be worse, the pain of death, or the hangover if i live to see tomorrow."
If this game gets an online mode it can become huge. the simplicity of it's mechanics and the excecution of it's style can make a very addicting experience. imagine if Voice IP was implemented in a tasteful way, the social aspect might elevate the simple yet perfect gameplay loop.
I am a sober drug addict and i totaly agree with you saying that the dealer may represent addiction. Even when i overdosed few times, landed in hospital because of taking i still felt like i needed to go back. But one thing, addiction never plays fair like the dealer in game does
Another theme of addiction is actually hidden with how the AI reacts.
It attempts to play perfectly so in order to limit possibilities it constantly wants to eject shells which is why that item in particular might be beer.
But also you may notice that after doing so it might have mistakes possibly the AI being "drunk"
Either that, or being addicted to the thrill of the game and wanting to keep going instead of just winning, may also be why the Dealer has no advantages whatsoever.
Lore-wise it makes sense, but in the code the Dealer does a coin flip every time he can't be sure of what the next shell is, without weighting odds of it being a blank or a live shell
Although, the Dealer will always know what the last shell is, is kind of a trade of upper hands (You know the odds of the next shell while he knows what that last one is)
no, the dealer uses items as quickly as possible in the order it pulls them from the box.
there are exceptions, for example if it's at max charges it won't use a cigarette, or if it doesn't plan to shoot it won't use a handsaw.
there's also a strange glitch where of there's a blank in the chamber and dealer learns that using a magnifying glass, then uses a beer, dealer still thinks it knows there's a blank, even after ejecting the blank with the beer(s). as such, it shoots itself.
also it'll just chug as many beers as possible because of the coding saying to use items ASAP.
every time the dealer isn't aware of the next shot (not magnifying glass or last shell) it basically flips a coin.
there's more, but i can't explain all of it here. if you want more info search "the dealer AI is stupid" here on youtube and you'll find it.
@@StarlieW it would know because you can count the shells that were fired. So if you take the count you would know what is the last shell.
i love the setting, a backroom inside of an underground club. a place where addiction and vice runs rampant. where you play the ultimate game of gambling your own life. it feels pretty heavy with how the music changes throughout the rounds and could really make you think how stressful it would be to have your life on the line over a game. it makes me think that this place is some different version of hell where instead of an inferno its a twisted place where the same people who are partying at a club will go and play roulette with a shotgun for a measly amount of cash
A place where people that feel nothing visit. Perhaps the horror is not that god gambled his life, but that he felt indifferent to everything.
Enough to consider this path.
Probably from the same vices in front of you in the game.
The fact that the paper that says this shows up in the second round makes me think that the player character is invested in the game.
He's just a silly little guy
Personally, I think the "winner" ending isn't actually about winning the game of roulette. I think it's about beating the environment of addiction, but only by becoming the dealer. I also think the dealer's name is a double entendre going with the addiction and drug theme.
I like how this game offers a lot of implications for the player to discover and interpret how they think is correct. Something you can't quite see is always more scary than something you can see. Not like the dealer would care if you understand why you're playing russian roulette with a shotgun.
Adding to the addiction theory, two of the consumable items are literally beer and cigarettes, two of the most common addictions in the world. I'd also argue the handcuffs might be indicative of a sex addiction, for the particularly kinky. Not sure for the saw and magnifying glass, though.
EDIT: Actually in this vein, Beer and Cigarettes are the only two consumables tracked on the ending screen it seems. My gut is telling me that the other three items might have a different theme linking them
Probably foresight or awarness as you may or may not know that you are addicted but in the end it wouldnt matter as some escape but majority fail but thats just me bs'in fr tho the saw ig the cutting of others in your life cause you maybe to far gone as the barrel on it is closer to. The dealer yet does less damage while cutting off the barrel being less closer to the dealer it does more damage
The saw and magnifying glass probably have no meaning
The handcuffs could also symbolize being trapped by addiction
I mean, magnifying glass are used to find out crime evidence
The saw and magnifying glass don't mean anything, they're just obvious ways to convey their respective mechanics.
The fact that some of the items are cigarettes and alcohol also ties in very well with themes of addiction as well.
Especially since those two items aren't exactly associated with their effect.
honestly, I think since you take the shotgun that it might mean that the dealer truly did die, but he knows deep down that you aren't really done here, and you'll be back to take his place
So you kinda become another dealer in some way
@@ulforcemegamon3094 yeah my thought is that no addict stays away for long, so you return to become a new dealer.
Yeah exactly. The Dealers face isn't fucked up because he's a demon or a monster, it's fucked up because he's played this game many times before.
0:41 The dealer shot himself because it was essentially GG. You had 2 charges left to his 1 with only live rounds. If he shot you you'd still have 1 charge and then you'd shoot him and win the round. The dealer is not only fair, he's a good sport and essentially says GG when he knows he's bound to lose.
cool theory but unfortunately the dealer is just stupid. the way his ai is programmed means the only way he knows if the current round is live or not is if he uses a magnifying glass or if its the last round. even if theres a 100% chance of it being live he wont know unless its the last one
Yes
8:48 "What else can you expect from a limited game made by 1 person?"
Lethal Company:
Fnaf moment
Amazing! I love the idea that the bloody contract with “God” written on it symbolized that god had played the game and lost
hell has become heaven vibe
god lost to a shotgun
wouldn't be the biblical kind of god at least anyway, considering god can't die.
@@cr1tikal_arcNot every god is from the bible
@@Capivara_Studiosthis is obviously the Christian god what other god is referred to as nothing but god
For me what's most terrifying about this game is the fact of the dealers fairness if he was a cheat then everyone would call him out for it but that fairness and that fact of both of your lives being on the line puts things in an equal situation where a lot of tense nervous fear is generated from the shear fact of one of us will die and I've already agreed to this and likely need the money so the risk of death is something you have to actively fight because you've already ended up here and your to invested to leave
I feel like every single track in this game is a banger, really makes you feel in the zone for what is essentially Russian Roulette
Especially the menu
My Top 3 are: Blank Shell, You Are An Angel, and Before Every Load
Markiplier winning this in one try was my favourite thing
Because markiplier faced life before
Okay, I've been seeing this all over the internet, and I am so confused as to why this is a weird thing. I just went and downloaded the game, and beat it in a single go without getting shot. Why are people making this out to be hard?
@@jijonbreaker because again,
Not everyone has faced life.
But their time will come.
@@jijonbreakerIt’s random chance, so some people won’t win their first try. Also, Mark is known for being dumb sometimes lol
@@jijonbreakerpeople are fucking stupid dude
I like how the people in this game are so used to not dying that they treat life itself as a bet in a twisted game like this one, and of course you gotta have money involved
Admittedly seeing this video late at night compelled me to kind of confess that if this game is about addiction, it's a damn good one. Especially with the fact that this version of Roulette ups the ante massively compared to normal Russian Roulette and the fact that the gameplay loop can be very enticing.
I remembered playing the game under a fake name, than my 2nd playthrough on a nickname of my own, than after my 2nd victory with no loss, I decided for the 3rd playthrough to drop all tone and just, play as my own name.
It's surreal doing so and actually thinking about the consequences of it and even if it is a game yeah, as someone who's struggled and sometimes visualized dark ideas of both ideation and addiction this hits on so many levels. I remembered sometimes holding my breath whenever aiming at myself, and exhaling out when I heard a click.
I don't think I'll ever forget the fear I felt when on the 3rd round he was at full health and I lost my defibs first and I only barely managed to clutch it back to where he lost his defibs as well. One shot for either of us was instant death with no way to come back.
I'll never forget how the AI slammed down 4 beers, used a magnifying glass, the handcuffs, and then a saw before it pointed at me. Over the course of my playthroughs I started to memorize the bullets and count how many blanks or live rounds there were and I remembered bracing hard when I thought he got it on a live round but, when I heard the click, I was shocked and when I picked up my gun and just shot him after ignoring my items, getting the money didn't feel like earning the money but moreso a sign of, "You're playing with fire thinking you're invincible."
All the more apt that the end screen feels less like victory and moreso, "Here's what you almost died for." and it feels...hollow almost. That dreary drive home with a box of cash and a shotgun. Hell if you want to get dark about it, you don't need two people to play the game. The darkest thought would be the protagonist taking the gun home, thinking "Maybe one last game" and putting in 3 shells blindly, and winding up unlucky.
Addiction is a vice, and it's got one hell of a grip even from the most unexpected of places.
i am begging you to become a writer or something. this is insane. i need to inject this comment into my bloodstream forever
I have a dad who's a addict...not gambling but meth ...I've seen a lot of addicts and all of them always just say 'last one I swear'
'this is the last one I swear'
'firgive me but I MUST just do one more'
And then.... Nothing...it usually does be there last game. Or hit. Because they get unlucky. And take one last hit....or in this case....one last round
I notice a more unique way that the game resonates with the themes of Addiction. Sure there's all the "drugs" on display, the pills, the cigarettes and the beer that you could get addicted to, but even the gameplay resonates that.
It's fun and suspenseful and it plays really nicely too, you might even sink a few hours playing before you decide to put it back down.
Though You don't, It's still pretty fun to play so you keep going.
You learn how it works and start to play more optimally, the suspense is lacking now since you're more accustomed with it.
It doesn't feel the same, it's not as amazing as before, you're still having fun but it's lacking.
You want more from it, willing to give up your time and/or money to have a better experience.
You might just get that with time; something newer and fresher, though not necessarily better.
It won't matter, it'll satisfy you for a little longer, quell that itch in your brain you didn't recognize till now.
It's not as severe, but you experience a smaller version of what true addicts have to feel. The Rush, the Crash and the Desire for More. From Drugs to Gambling to Thrill Seeking. It can put into perspective how the people inside the spiral won't notice their downwards trajectory until they hit the floor with nowhere else to go, and that is truly horrifying.
Theres one more thing that points towards the "good ending" not actually being good in my opinion: He takes the shotgun with him, which points towards him having the intention to play again.
Or perhaps becoming another dealer considering the fact that you take the dealers shotgun.
I mean the Player also always takes a few shotgun shells to the face. He most likely looks as disfigured as the dealer by the end....At this point why not become a dealer yourself?
8:04 I may have a hard time explaining this but I think a reason the game becomes sort of addictive is also tied to the music. its a simple beat to bob your head to, and catchy at that. whenever you are revived by a defibrillator the music blares up again and similar to how people use sounds to trigger dogs or cats dopamine to train them, I too think that music is a little dopamine rush when we come back too, after that tense moment of being shot. the release afterwards is gratifying and gets you back into it, the music is just a sound cue that you can associate with that dopamine rush which brings you back to the game anytime you think of it.
All I can say is WOW! Your interpretation of the game is chilling. You can really gain a sense of hopelessness and depravity from that lens. Makes you realize that you don't rule your addictions, but they rule you.
BUDDAY
The first ending isn't an ending at all. There are only two endings in the game. You either win or you lose the game.
ig, but it does effectively send you to the start again, although not the same way as the other two endings.
Fun fact, the Dealer is an alcoholic. If he has beer, there is a significantly higher chance that he'll use it over other items, even if it doesn't make any sense.
Even if he knows theres a blank in the current chamber.
He'll still drink the beer. Even knowing he couldve used on himself and save the beer
But this shows hes an alcoholic
5:30 it's implied that the dealer isn't immortal, he just takes blood transfusions
The OST in this game is shockingly good, it really adds to the atmosphere. Also, the title theme starting out of tune only to morph into tune is ear candy.
I like how the creator added the "double or nothing" update. Which only intensifies the gambling aspect. What I don't like is that the dealer doesn't seem to count the shells (initial or expended), it's a tossup if it will shoot you or itself. The only exception seems to be the last shell, where the dealer will always perform the best move.
There's also the use of items that aren't always used in the most optimal manner.
Phenomenal game regardless. From the music, aesthetics, to the gameplay... It is very... addictive.
My take on the good end is that the dealer is still perfectly alive and conscious. The red dots are his eyes- he’s mad. But he calms himself down enough to hand over the prize money, because he recognizes that you won fairly. I think that it makes him a little scarier, because while he plays fair, his patience isn’t endless
I do really like the theory that he represents addiction, though !
I’ve heard that the second round always has the Dealer always loads them in the exact same order, which means the Dealer is dancing around the rules a bit to give it an advantage, but will still play honourably (or at least give the impression) just like a casino would act.
I always thought it was still "honorable" because he will change how he informs you about the shells.
Sometimes it's random sometimes it's an "unknown/hidden" sequence which implies it's no longer random.
I want proof
Playing it several times each round is completely random and isn’t the same, yeah the combinaison of shell are the same (eg: 2 blank 1 live) but the way they are loaded in the gun is random
I absolutely did not expect you to cover this game. Cool you did though. (People have definitely said this before but this game seeing it did remind me of inscyption it’s a completely different game yes but to me more so the vibe. The mystery. I’m specifically talking about act 1 of inscyption though but that’s my thought its definitely a cool game)
Yes I’ve seen that too but never did play that game
@@Gorguinni well if you like card games hey I recommend it it’s not to long or short but that also depends on your ability to win unless it’s not your thing it’s not bad to give it a try.
@@GorguinniI second Kitishu's comment. Inscryption is quite the game. It can be a long game, but it has good osts, good characters, interesting mechanics. Even if you don't make a video out of it, if you have the time it is worth a playthrough
Playing a tabletop game against a dealer/DM with your life on the line, with postprocessed creepy graphics and aesthetics, and similar camera movements
3:09 the dealer truly only cares about the fact that youre playing, any other details are meaningless. He wins simply by you playing. Your willingness to take his risk is all he's after. And once you're there it truly doesn't matter what he does, you're in it now till you win or die and then he'll go on to the next person willing to flip that coin.
Something that I find really fascinating about The Dealer is something so minor but really elevates this game for me even more. When you die in the 3rd round and choose to retry the level, when you walk in the door The Dealer's dialogue is as follows: "..." "I better not see you again". Which I think really gives credence to something you said about The Dealer; he's just there to do his *Job*.
Considering this roulette room exists at all, the "God" liability waiver, and him saying that to the player when you retry, it really makes me believe not only is The Dealer not dead, but that he may even see players like ours over and over and over again; players who are self destructive and addicted to this game to the point that even The Dealer hopes not see familiar faces.
I believe his reaction is because as far as he's concerned. You just cheated.
Your supposed to be DEAD the reason he's not chucking you out is because he himself also comes back. So he doesn't wanna seem like a hypocrite.
@@doot7730 Well apparently if you fail again after he sees you return on round three, you cannot retry again, and your only option is to quit. So maybe it is more of the case of him trying to make you learn your lesson.
You get the shotgun at the end of the game. You have more than enough money to buy defibulators, as long as you played your cards right.
The dealer knows that this game might end badly for him, because the game ended badly for the one he got the shotgun from.
The addiction continues, where the one who obtained the addiction becomes the dealer, and the one who was the original fades from existence, perhaps dead, perhaps still living, handing out buckshot roulette to others.
The way I see it, the nightclub could be where an addiction could start or could even reinforce that addiction. The stereotype I've seen with nightclubs is people doing lines or molly in the bathroom before they hit the dance floor. So for the games message, I guess, to be about addiction it makes sense 🤔
Cool video! I really do hope they expand on this concept, it's so good. I adore the aesthetic and how seamlessly the mechanics weave into the brutal setting
I honestly like both interpretations of what this thing is.
Either a manifestation of vice and addiction, perpetually risking your life for dwindling boosts of pleasure through alcohol, smokes, pills and thrill in a decaying world and life.
And an immortal monster so bored of existing that it plays russian roulette forever because of how worthless life is, knowing something as ruined as you will always come back for more. These kinds of situations are usually a trap in games, a traumatic situation the player wants to get away from. But this guy doesn't even care, tossing beers to the floor, smashing magnifying glasses, and taking shots with shaking that looks more like withdrawal than actual hesitation
I feel the item set definitely fits in with the theme of addiction as well. The cigarette and beer being obvious, but the knife could relate to self-harm, damaging yourself and others. Somewhat of a stretch, but the magnifying glass could relate to some people being addiction to find more, always looking for something even they don't know (i.e., curiosity killed the cat)
I love how this man is literally just like
Yeah this is a good game im fine with dieing
3:45 that reminds me of a proposal I read an article about for geographically/architecturally indicating "danger, stay away" in a totally culturally independent way for nuclear waste dump sites
Honestly I like to roll with what's probably the most common theory out there
You're playing against the devil
Waver in the box means God won't interfere in the game, you're free to exercise your free will and risk your life
Devil makes obvious errors in the first two rounds seemingly just to fuck with you for a little longer, but when the game is about (your) life and death he gets serious.
When he losses in round 3 he stares at you from the dark, his eyes glowing red, most likely indicating rage. That would mean he isn't indifferent to the outcome of the game, he really wanted you to die.
As for the end screen, notice how the only way to get 70K is to not smoke any cigs or drink any beer, you get rewarded not doing any addictive substances. Relaxing song plays in the background and you can't choose to play another round, only exit the game. You've won your life
I always remember Manly’s last game against the ai where it chugged like three beers then shot himself.
That read on addiction seems pretty accurate.
You gamble with your life, if it doesn't kill you now, it can later.
Also the fact that two of the items you use are also addictive substances (cigarettes and alcohol) and that you are in a club where people often injest weird stuff seems to also work in favor of that theory.
(Gambling is also an addiction that can ruin your life, but people do it because they could possibly win money, no matter the amount.)
A better point for the congrats ending is that "The house always wins" extends to when people in the casinos win the cash prize. Sure, the casino makes one payout, but that one win just encourages more people to gamble, and out of that wave only one if any of them can win. Casinos essentially run on the rule of large numbers and effectively have a steady stream of income with an occaisional hope fee, which is why when they do fail it's more about mismanagement rather than an actual loss of funds.
One thing I would like to add on about your theory about the fair play entity representing addiction is the fact that two of the items you can use in the game are cigarettes and beer, things that can become addictive. And the interesting part is the fact that in the game, those items can give you an advantage, like smoking a cigarette gives you an extra life and drinking a beer let's you safely eject a shell from the shotgun without having to risk getting yourself shot, giving you a bit of safety knowing that there's one less shell in the gun to worry about. I know that people who are addicted to stuff like smoking and alcohol think that those stuff are going to make their life better, and that it helps them live their life, when in reality it's actually destroying them, whether that be you ending up getting health problems from smoking or your alcoholism making it harder for you to function as a person.
i guess in terms of the game you think the beer & cigarettes are going to make your life better by helping you win the game, but it's actually just prolonging the time you spend playing the game as the stakes get more and more dangerous. So whilst you think you're escaping your problems, you're actually just making them worse in a sense.
5:04 i always thought the music represents a sigh of breath after a intense situation that you finally overcome.
The afterlife depicted in the game resembles radiation warning architecture, large spikes meant to evoke danger to the body and foreboding. (Landscape of Thorns, conceptualized by Michael Brill and drawn by Safdar Abidi is a great example). It's as if the plane has been condemned and symbolizes the gluttony the dealer represents. Because of this, the setting of the game reminds me of the long-term nuclear waste messages that are meant to universally describe the dangers of radiation long after we are gone: "This place is not a place of honor... no highly esteemed deed is commemorated here."
That ties back into the theme of addiction. If you get that ending - you died because of your addiction, and you gained nothing from it. There's no highly esteemed deed to commemorate there. There is no reward. And if you get the other ending, where you win the game - you were given the money and the tools (shotgun) to keep going with your self-destructive addiction. Really there is no good ending as long as you participate in the cycle.
I've been playing this game with my dad every day and one thing I pointed out to him was how trustworthy the dealer is. This video is great and sums up all of my thoughts entirely.
Like how the credits music is literally named 70k.
2:08 jesus he's an alchoholic aswell
Great video. Loved the interpretation of the contract being, because God died heaven was open to anyone and so it lies in ruins. Hopefully there will be more lore to this game.
With the new double or nothing update, i think you hit this nail right on the head. a gabling addiction makes so much sense especially in the games context.
Just found your channel, and honestly, you're so underrated. I hope you continue to make more entertaining videos for all of us to enjoy
Thank you!
i think its interesting that the nightclub looks more like a prison hosting a rave to me. makes the metaphor even better imo
6:02 you DID say it incorectly, but you ned to do it like this: Mike KlubnIka you focus on the i in Klubnika and fun fact: klubnika is strawberry in russian
I love this fact.
"Who would be the name of the guy who created a tension-full experience, mixed horror, style game?"
*"Mike Strawberry."*
Heyyy! Didn’t know he’s the guy who made carbon steel! Glad to see he’s hit it big with shotgun roulette, I really liked his style of games and hope he’ll find the means and motivation to continue his awesome work.
I am genuinely drying of laughter at the name poop
Okay, I have a couple of takes about this game that I wanna hear opinions on:
Notice how the only objects in this world that are low-poly are the people. They run off charges yet are affected by beer, cigarettes, and medicine. They can survive infinite rounds given it's not the last stage. The adrenaline, despite being a pretty nasty-looking tool, doesn't seem to hurt our character, as if they have a port for it. The "humans" in this nightclub are partially or fully artificial, and due to their durability, they're likely addicted to the thrill of playing these games which seem extreme to us. That may also explain the low amount of prize money; a being of that nature may have less financial responsibilities than a human would.
The Dealer is referred to as "it," which strengthens the demonic entity angle, but moreover a "deal with the devil" is a very common trope in literature. It would make sense for the Dealer to be incapable of breaking the rules laid out in its contract, and it would also make sense for the Dealer to get God to play its game, as demons are famously known for hating God and wanting to usurp him, which it seems is what happened.
I interpret the "happy" ending the following way:
Not a "was it worth it?" thought for an ending, but more like "Look at what I have left behind"
Addictions are hard to lose, but if you do, depending on the time spent on it, you will find yourself fucked up, but free at last.
People that won addiction to something often acknowledges it wasn't worth it and advice other people not to do it
Something else I think should be pointed out in the ending where you win is that you take the shotgun with you. Signifying the lasting effect of your addiction.
4:00 i think that's a metaphor- in this game, there's no god
“God is dead and he fucking killed himself”
The AI is unbelievably simple.. it works like this:
Step 1: Always use an item in a random order, but only if it has an effect (he won't use a magnifying glass twice or on the last shell, nor cigarettes if he's at full health).
Step 2: Always react properly if the next shell is known (he always knows what the last shell is, and if he uses a magnifying glass)
Step 3: Otherwise, 50/50 chance of pointing at you or himself if the shell is not known.
That's all there is to it.
It's so simple and fair, and in fact, the developer kinda threw the player a bone (I think this was done intentionally) in that the Dealer only keeps track of what the last shell is, and ISN'T counting blanks vs live that are used during the match. So if there's 2 or more left, he loses track of how many until there's only 1 left.
2:11 that's an alcoholic dealer right there
I really would like a buckshot roulette 2. I think the canon ending (good or bad ending depends on what the crwators think) would have your character become the next dealer. I personally think the both endings would make this perfect. And the cycle would continue.
this is a good game, the mechanics are good, and i love how the graphics look. and the intensity is so nice. 10/10 game right here
2:05 Hopefully the ATF doesn’t catch wind of that 😂
This game got that Ludwig Göransson type soundtrack and it honestly has no right being so good
My therory is that YOU are the dealer. After winning, you become addicted to the thrill and use the money you bought and the shotgun you inherited to keep playing the game with other players. It's an endless, vicious cycle.