The Shock Element

I consider myself a fan of "edgier" games. I'm 20 and I enjoy the grand theft auto series and don't mind violence and sex in games and media, and I always find games the can poke fun at current events and religion to be enjoyable. But if me and my regular gaming group saw this game in a store, we would be kind of like "is this for real?"

When your making a game with more edgy subject matter, you need to think about what you will be making the player do in the game and what role the player will be forced to take on. So, while on the Internet Chris Hansen or Pedo-bear jokes are generally funny even if in poor taste, never is the person writing them taking on the role of a pedophile. Just like in Cards Against Humanity, you make crude and inappropriate jokes but you never take on the role of them in anyway.

Your game, in order for players to succeed, forces them to be a
pedophile. In other words, reskin. Because although I do think a party game where cops try to find other people who are responsible for crimes, basically any other crime then the one you suggested would be more acceptable.

I'm a fan of CAH and know that it can be offensive and should be taken with a grain of salt, but there's very little in it that attacks any particular sensibility. It's just sort of all-around crude in a way many people can enjoy. Meanwhile this is specifically catered to attack one sensibility which is a sensitive or uncomfortable topic. It really just feels like making an offensive joke only for the sake of making an offensive joke, and one which many won't find funny. I'd really suggest re-skinning it if you intend to actually make and release it publicly.

I know what you're saying, but at the same time SVU and similar shows never once glorify the act of pedophilia, and never once require that the audience become part of the act. Games by there very nature are largely different from films when it comes to taboo subjects due to the very nature of audience and gamer participation. Thus, there is a huge difference in what your game is requiring a player to do in comparison to what is required of me if I sit down to watch Catch a Predator. I'm all for shock value being a fantastic marketing tool, but there are just a handful of subjects that really shouldn't be touched. Its just like why children aren't in Grand Theft Auto or Elder Scrolls games, you just don't go there lol.

I think games with a taboo topic need some level of social acceptance (no matter how minor) to get to the publishing house. I am sure you can find enough people that are ok with drug use, bootlegging, prostitution, etc. to take a chance on publishing a game with those themes, but games with edgier themes may struggle.

All moral and social issues aside (and to avoid a lengthy debate about said topics :) ), the simplest business questions could be applied first; "Will the theme of this game attract or repel people?" "Will there be enough buyers to make a profit?" and maybe the scary long term question "Is this a game I want my company to be known for?"

But other than that, it sounds like a good game; how does the "collection" mechanic work?

Good luck with your design!