office space diaries

Office Space Diary

"March 17, 2003 Monday

The luck `o the Irish! Yeah baby! Can't wait to tip back some green

beer...in celebration of my Irish heritage. So what if I'm not

Irish..."

No, this is not a note from my personal diary. It's from the dairy of

the main character of "The Office Space" game we did back in 2003.

It's a map-based game, and each new map represents a new day at work.

The idea is to "survive till vacation", which is on July 4th. There

are 131 maps, and each starts with a short diary note. All together

they create a sad-and-funny story of a generic, middle-aged office

worker trapped in his cubicle.

We thought it would be nice to have this story leading the character

through the game. It's all about details, though I didn't think

anybody was really going to pay attention to these texts. To my

surprise, when the game got a silver award from I.D. Magazine, they

did mention the diary entries.

You never really know what details will appeal to the end user. We

just like to play with details like that and at the end it pays off.

For those who want to check these diaries without playing the game, we

are attaching them below.

Office Space Diaries

January 2, 2003 Thursday

The new year celebration has come to an end. Your carpet is soaked in

alcohol, there is a mountain of dishes in the sink, and nameless faces

are passed out in your living room. As you race to beat the clock, you

can't get your car door to unfreeze, and you spill steaming, hot

coffee down your wrinkled suit. Once you get your "mileage" care

warmed up, you slide to work listening to "Everybody Hurts". You

startle from your daze as you realize it's the first day of the work

year...and 4 th of July is far, far away.

January 3, 2003 Friday

Well, I guess it's time to suck it up and make my New Year's

resolutions. Last year, I was a mess...didn't even make it a week.

This year will be different! I will succeed. Firstly, I will lose 25

pounds. I will quit smoking. AND I will not drink during the week.

It's Friday, so I'm giving myself the weekend off - will start full

steam ahead on Monday!

January 6, 2003 Monday

Okay. I am ready to go. No cigarette with my morning coffee. No smoky

treat on the commute to work. Had a huge breakfast of eggs and bacon -

I am LOVIN' this Atkins thing!

January 7, 2003 Tuesday

Chewed a whole pack of Nicorette after I beat the living daylights out

of the copier. Is it too much to ask for a stupid machine to copy

front and back?

January 8, 2003 Wednesday

Last night I strangled my dog Tootsie. I NEED a cigarette!!! Just one

little puff. One tiny little hit off a Marlboro, and I will be

satisfied. NO! I can't do it. Will buy the patch and join an on-line

support group. At least I'll have someone to talk to at work.

January 9, 2003 Thursday

I have a savior! Found low-carb bread. Can you actually believe it?! I

am sooo gonna stick to this diet. Doc Atkins is my hero!!!

January 10, 2003 Friday

Feel like crap. Went out with a few guys I use to bowl with. I didn't

drink. Took some crap for that. I smoked. I caved in. I couldn't help

myself! I have to look on the bright side - at least it's pay day!

Read the rest of the diary here:

www.theoworlds.com/games/os/story.html