Quick definition:A conclusion to a game in which the player's character fails, dies or leaves the story in an unhappy state, usually the result of poor choices or unmet objectives.
Meaning
A bad ending is a way a game can finish when the player has not met its conditions for success. The hero may lose, the world may be destroyed, or allies may be lost, and the final scene reflects the failure in sound and imagery.
Many games with several endings use earlier decisions, hidden values or missed tasks to decide which one appears. Players who want the best result often follow guides or replay with different choices, and some games reward a second playthrough with a new start that keeps progress.
Bad endings can serve the story as much as the good ones. They can show that choices have consequences and give meaning to victory. Some games treat them as a normal part of play, allowing the player to reach a conclusion early and then start again without penalty.
Origin:The phrase is a plain description that grew in use as games began offering more than one conclusion. Branching stories, in which the final scene depends on earlier choices or performance, became common in adventure and role-playing games. Players then sorted the outcomes into good, bad and sometimes neutral or true endings.
Example:After ignoring warnings from her companions all game, Fern reaches the final scene and watches her village fall into ruins. The credits roll with sad music, and a message tells her that another outcome exists. She reloads her last save, makes different choices in the final chapter and hopes for a happier result.
Did you know?Some bad endings are a deliberate joke or a quick surprise, such as an early, unexpected failure. Others are carefully designed to be memorable, and a few players prefer them, saying that a sad or dark conclusion can feel more honest or lasting than a happy one.
