Don't turn a night out into a nightmare game

To view the 'Don't turn a night out into a nightmare game', you must install the Adobe Flash Player.

DHA Binge Drinking Game:
THE GAME OF LIFE/DON’T TURN A NIGHT OUT
INTO A NIGHTMARE

 

THE SCRIPT

It’s been a long week, but finally Saturday night has arrived. Before you head out, tell us a bit about yourself.
Are you male or female?

1. Male/Female

How old are you?

1. Under 18/18+

 

You’ve just been invited to a party and a few of your mates are hooking up for a couple of drinks at before you head over to the party.

Q1 First of all, are you planning on drinking tonight?

1. No, drinking’s not my thing.
2. Tonight is going to be massive. I’ve got all Sunday to sleep it off.
3. I’ll have one or two. I’ve got a few things to do tomorrow.

(Item 2 is to not drink at all, Item 4 is to drink a small amount. Don’t think having them identify a specific number of drinks is accurate)

 

Q2 (Under 18 only) So, you’re planning on having some drinks at your mate’s place. Where are you getting them from?

1. My older brother or sister is going to fix me up.
2. I’ll probably just nick a couple of drinks from my folks.
3. I’m going to try my chances at a bottle shop on the way over.
4. I’m sure my mate will have some at their place.

 

Q3 It’s time to make a move to your friend’s house. How are you getting there?

1. Get a lift with another mate on their way through.
2. My parents are going to drop me off.
3. Walk, it’s not that far away.
4. I’m going to drive, I know how to pace myself.

The pre-drinks gathering

Q4 (Drivers ONLY) Alright, you’re here. As far as your car goes…

1. It’s staying here tonight. I’ll come back and grab it tomorrow.
2. I’m not drinking, so I’ll probably drive a few people over to the party later on.

Q5 You’ve just walked in the door. What ‘s the first thing you do?

1. Grab a drink and plonk down on the couch.
2. Say g’day to everyone, stand around and find out what they’ve been up to.
3. Check who needs to do a bottle shop run.
4. Pass on the drink my mate just offered me. The night is still young.

Q6 You’re just finishing off your second drink (Note: if the player is not drinking, this reference will be removed). Your friend walks in with a six pack. Do you…

1. Grab one. Their offering, so why not?
2. Maybe next round.
3. Tell him I’m not drinking tonight and grab a soft drink instead.

Q7 Someone’s just suggested a game of pool.

1. Great, I’ll grab my drink and count myself in.
2. I’m not really into pool, but I can just have a drink and watch.
3. I’m up for pool.

Q8 It’s nearly 9pm, time to leave your friend’s house and get going to the party. How are you getting there?

1. Round up a couple of mates, I’ll drive.
2. Get everyone to chip in for a cab.
3. Leave my car here, but jump in with my friend. They’ve only had two beers, so he’ll be right.
4. We’ll all walk. The party’s only about 15 minutes away.

Note: after this choice card, the player is given one of the following:

If they decide to drive: You’re doing your mates a favour by getting them to the party, but you also need to make sure you get them home. As a rule of thumb, if you’re driving, don’t drink.

If the player has selected the driving option and has been drinking: You only drive three blocks from your friend’s house when you see flashing lights in your mirror. The police breath test you and charge you for having excessive alcohol in your system. Your license is suspended and you’re issued a fine. Because you refused to be responsible with alcohol, you’re now much, much worse off for it. Your night out has turned into a nightmare. (Game ends)

If they decide to get a lift with a mate: Your first instinct is to trust your friends, but it’s always worth checking if your friend should be driving before getting in the car. Do the right thing by your friends, if they shouldn’t be driving, don’t let them.

If they decide to get a cab:  Good one. It might cost you all a few bucks each, but it’s a safer option.

If they decide to walk: Fresh air, a bit of exercise and best of all it’s free.

At the party

Q9 Hang on, what about drinks for the party?

1. No worries, there’s a bottle shop on the way.
2. Way ahead of you, we’ve got plenty of drinks on us. In fact, I’m having one now.
3. You know what, I’ve had a few already. I might just wait and see what’s at the party.
4. Come to think of it, I might pass on the extra drinks.

Q10 (Player has selected most drinking options so far ONLY. All others continue to next question) OK, looks like you might have hit it off a little too hard. You’ve just made a bad first impression by stumbling through the front door and knocked over a lamp.

1. No one saw it, so no one will know it was me.
2. Fess up and help clean up the mess. It’s my screw up, after all.

(Player ignores the broken lamp ONLY) You’ve decided to leave the broken lamp on the ground and now your friend has cut themselves. Fortunately it’s not too serious, but your friend is far from happy.

Q11 Alright, you’ve arrived at the party and you’ve just bumped into a friend you haven’t seen in ages. After saying hi your friend offers you a drink…

1. Accept the drink. I haven’t seen my friend in so long, it’d be rude not to.
2. Tell your friend you’re right for the minute and ask what they’ve been up to lately.

Q12 Look out, someone’s just started up the karaoke.

1. This will be good for a laugh, but there’s no way I’m singing.
2. I wouldn’t dream of it unless I’d had a few drinks.
3. You know what, I’m game to have a go. Who cares if I can’t sing. It’s all part of it.

Q13 A few of your best friends have scored the chairs out the back and are swapping some really funny stories.

1. Add in a few of my own. I’m comfortable enough around my friends to know I don’t need to drink to feel like I’m fitting in.
2. Unless I’ve had something to drink, I probably won’t be much fun. Hopefully I won’t say anything stupid though.

Q14 The night is getting on and the party is firing up. A friend slaps a drink in your hand and passes around a few others then suggests a drinking game…

1. Drink the whole thing, I don’t want to be the odd one out.
2. Just drink a couple of mouthfuls, at least it looks like I’m in.
3. Stick to your guns and let them know you’ll sit this one out.

(If the player chose to fully participate in the drinking game (Item 1)) You’ve pushed it too far. You sit on the couch feeling queasy and before you know it you’ve just vomited all over yourself and the carpet. The smell is horrible and the party host is really angry about the mess you’ve made and kicks you out.
(Player then jumps straight to Mini Game 2)

Q15A (If player is MALE and has been drinking heavily so far) More people are heading out the back on to the balcony. All the seats are taken, so it looks like standing room only.

1. Sit up on the railing of the balcony so you can keep talking to your mates.
2. Well then, it looks like I’ll have to stand.

(Note: if the player decides to sit on the railing, it results in a fall, a serious injury, a trip to the hospital and loss of respect, effectively ending the game here.)

Q15B (If player is MALE and hasn’t been drinking or has been drinking responsibly) Everyone is gathering on the balcony. Your friend has had a few drinks and is sitting on the edge of the balcony railing.

1. So what? There aren’t any more chairs.
2. Convince them to get off the railing. Don’t want them falling.

(Note: if the player says nothing, the friend falls from the railing and the game ends as per the previous choice card. If the player intervenes, then their friend comes down and is not injured.)

 Q15C (If the player is FEMALE, both drinking and not) Your friends have just put on your favourite song and are dancing in the lounge room.

1. Get up on the glass table and show everyone your moves.
2. Join your friends on the floor next to the stereo.

(Note: as per the campaign, if the player decides to get up on the table, it results in them falling through the table, serious injury, being taken to hospital, and loss of respect)

Mini Game 1: The Chat

As the night goes on, you wind up meeting talking to new people. Hopefully you’ve been pacing yourself, because if you haven’t, chances are you’ll wind up saying or doing something you might regret.

Mini Game Description: The player and a character from the opposite sex have a conversation. You need to select appropriate responses to ensure a positive outcome (you become friends and aim to catch up again some time) and avoid negative outcomes (either an embarrassing sexual relationship: “Hey, you wanna get out of here for a while?”, or a fight if you say something offensive: “Look, I’m just here for some action.”

Conversation avoids a distinctly sexual tone, but negative options are likely if poor choices are made. You’ll start off by introducing yourself, asking and answering a few questions about interests, movies, music, etc then channel towards a ‘next steps’ choice where you can either become friends and aim to catch up another time (plan to see a movie/concert), subtly proposition to “Get out of here for a while”, or to abruptly proposition to “Just get some action.”

Subtly and abruptly propositioning the other character will result in a “No” response from the other character, but you will have to option to either leave it alone and seek to get to know each other first (the movie/concert option) or keep pushing and receive a negative outcome of embarrassing sex in the bushes (if the proposition is more subtle) or a fight with a male friend of the girl, where the girl winds up being hit accidently (if a more abrupt proposition is attempted).

The mini game will also treat males and females equally, with each having the same options and control over the situation.

The end of the night

Q16 Looks like the party is coming to an end. People are starting to clear out…

1. Whatever, I’m here as long as there’s something to drink.
2. Do the goodbye rounds and make your way to the door.
3. Quickly down a drink and clear out.

(If player refuses to leave when asked ONLY) Can’t take a hint? Well, the party host isn’t in the mood for subtly and storms you out of the house. After the way you’ve acted tonight, I doubt you’ll be getting another invite.

Mini Game 2: The Exit

The night is drawing to a close, but will your graceful exit be just a plain old disgrace? Make your way to the exit, but watch you don’t run into people and cause trouble. Sounds easy, right? Well, that all depends on how sensible you’ve been tonight.

Mini Game Description: The player needs to navigate their character from the front door of the house party, through a constantly moving crowd of people to the curb without bumping into people. The player essentially has three “lives” where they get two free bumps but the third will result in an altercation.

The more alcohol the player has consumed during the game, the harder this task will be as the screen blurs and the player struggles to walk a straight line. If the player does end up in a fight, there will be no options available. The player is simply told they were involved in a fight, causing injury to themselves and further damage to friendships and respect.

After successfully navigating the mini game, the player then receives their final choice card.

If the player was unsuccessful and was involved in a fight, one of two random options will apply: a) the fight is broken up by your friends, but results in a dramatic loss of respect and you proceed to the next question, or b) the fight escalates, police are called and you are escorted home to your parents, skipping the next question.

Q17 Time to think about how you’re going to get home…

1. Call a cab. If all of us contribute, it won’t cost much.
2. My mate is driving, and I don’t think he’s had too much to drink.
3. You know what, I think I’ll walk.
4. Good thing I drove here, means I’ll be home in under 10 minutes.

Note: after this choice card, the player is given one of the following:

If the player decided to get a cab: Good one. Even though it takes a little longer and costs you a few bucks, it’s worth it just knowing you’ll get home in one piece.

If the player decided to get a lift with a mate: Are you sure about that? Exactly how much did they have to drink tonight? Were you even paying that much attention? Even though you trust your mates, binge drinking affects everyone’s judgement: yours… and theirs.

If the player decided to drive and has been drinking: Not long after you drive away from the party you see flashing lights in your mirror. The police breath test you and charge you for having excessive alcohol in your system. Your license is suspended and you’re issued a fine. Because you refused to be responsible with alcohol, you’re now much, much worse off for it. Your night out has turned into a nightmare.

If the player decided to drive and has not been drinking: You stuck to it and it’s paid off. Only by not drinking before you get behind the wheel can you be sure you’re in a safer position. Sure, your mates might have had a bit to drink tonight, but at least you won’t have a hangover tomorrow.

If the player decided to walk: Not a bad choice, but just because you’re not behind the wheel doesn’t mean you’re safe. Wandering the streets alone in the middle of the night can lead to all sorts of trouble, and if you’re thinking of walking along the road, you better make sure you don’t accidently stumble into the path of a car. In other words, you need to be extra careful.

Notes: If the player chose to catch a cab, they will arrive home safely, though their level of drunkenness will determine the severity of repercussions from parents or partners.

If the player chose to ride with a friend, there is a chance they may be involved in serious or minor collision, which is randomised according to real-life stats.

If the player chose to drive themselves, again, there is a chance they may be involved in serious or minor collision, which is randomised according to real-life stats depending on whether the player choose to drink within zero or safe limits.

If the player chose to walk home, there is a chance of a minor pedestrian accident if the player has been drinking.

The aftermath

At the end of the game, players will be presented with the consequences of their actions. These consequences will have a variety of implications. Some may involve trouble with the law, some may result in trouble with friends or family, others may result in severe physical harm and others could be a combination of those factors.

The consequences are presented harshly to reinforce a point that simply making responsible choices can avoid the whole mess, along with tips and stats to support the decisions made.

The player is given a final rating on their Respect-ometer and the game concludes, welcoming repeat plays to make better decisions the next time.

For example:

Positive response: “Your night out was a fun one. You had a good time with your friends and kept your drinking under control. By drinking sensibly you’ve avoided all the things that can typically go wrong on a night out: fights over misunderstandings, making yourself sick, and doing something stupid you wouldn’t usually do. It goes to show that you don’t have to binge drink? to have a good time.”

Negative response: “You’ve turned a night out into a nightmare. Drinking to excess has so many consequences besides just feeling sick the next day. 70 young Australians are hospitalised in an average week due to alcohol fuelled assault, and a shocking 4 young Australians die  because of alcohol-related injuries in an average week. Not only that, but you’re also far more likely to do or say something you’ll really regret and that could lose you the respect of your friends and family. You really need to start making better decisions, or risk being a statistic.”

Tips and stats

These tips and stats will be scattered along the non-event/non-choice tiles. Some will offer a small bonus such as a slight reduction in drunkenness for a “Have a water or soft drink instead”.

 Alcohol-related harm causes 3,000 deaths in Australia every year.

Alcohol-related harm causes 65,000 hospitalisations in Australia every year.

On average, 1 in 4 hospitalisations of 15-25 year-olds happen because of alcohol.

70 young Australian under 25 are hospitalised because of alcohol-related assault in an average week.

4 young Australians under 25 die due to alcohol-related injuries in an average week.

 1 in 2  Australians aged 15-17 will do something while drunk that they now regret.

In some states it is illegal to drink in public and you can be fined for it. That includes when you’re on your way to a party.

It is illegal to purchase alcohol if you’re under 18. There are enormous fines for both you and the place you attempt to purchase from, so don’t think “They’ll let you”.

One of the most difficult consequences to overcome as a result of binge drinking is losing respect of friends and family. Trust is not easily rebuilt.

When you’re drunk, not only are you more likely to say or do something you’ll regret, but others or more likely to misinterpret you, leading to arguments and assaults.

Don’t always feel like you have to drink. Your friends will still respect you even if you decide to stay sober.

Standing up to peer pressure can be hard, but you’ll respect yourself more if you make your own decisions, not just doing what others tell you to.

Don’t think that because you’re drinking that you have to binge drink. If you keep it responsible you can still have a drink and stay safe.

 Example bonus tile:
Have a water or soft drink in between each alcoholic one. (Small reduction in drunkenness, small increase in respect)