Game of Darkness
From Janime
Games of Darkness are dangerous supernatural games which at first are conjured up by the owner of a Millennium Item, but later in the series are summoned by various different methods The person who loses a Game of Darkness may be forced play a penalty game as punishment. Any game can be played as a Game of Darkness, but there are often extra rules which affect the minds and perceptions of the players. In the various Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, these games are often accompanied by visual signs like fog, strange flames or smoke.
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[edit] History
Dating back to the beginning of the 5000-year history of games, the Games of Darkness were used as rituals to decide the fates of kings and citizens in Ancient Egypt, as well as to foresee the future. The Millennium Items which were created 3000 years before the story of Yu-Gi-Oh!, by the Priest Aknadin are intertwined with the Games of Darkness, as they have the power to play a normal game as a Game of Darkness, and inflict a penalty game on the loser of the game (or the one who cheats).
[edit] Games of Darkness in Yu-Gi-Oh! (manga)
In the very first chapter of the manga, Sugoroku Mutou tells his grandson, Yugi Mutou, that the last words from the last survivor of the British expedition who discovered the Millennium Puzzle in the early 20th century were referring to the Games of Darkness. It is later revealed that it was actually Sugoroku himself who retrieved the Puzzle, in 1960. When Yugi solves the Millennium Puzzle he becomes possessed by Dark Yugi, who holds the first Game of Darkness seen in the series. Against the Domino High School hall monitor Tetsu Ushio, he plays a simple game where each player must try to pick up yen bills from on top of their hand using a knife. The aim is to get as much money as possible without stabbing yourself. Once Ushio cheats, Yugi inflicts a penalty game upon him.
[edit] Games of Darkness in Yu-Gi-Oh! (Toei series)
The Games of Darkness in the Toei series follow those of the manga vaguely; however, they are far more outlandish, often defying the laws of physics. Yugi messes with the minds of his opponents in order to bring both players to strange and colorful environments which appear to be completely real, even though they are just an illusion conjured up by the Game of Darkness. Often, the simple games from the manga are made more elaborate or totally replaced. For example, the first Game of Darkness is changed from the simple knife game to a game where both players are climbing a tower. The players climb a certain distance depending on the number on the playing card they drawn from a deck.
[edit] Games of Darkness in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
In Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, the Games of Darkness become almost completely tied together with Duel Monsters. There are very few other games played as Games of Darkness in the anime, other than the Ultimate Dark R.P.G.. Some of the Games of Darkness from the manga are loosely adapted. For example, Ryo Bakura's Monster World story is changed into a game of Duel Monsters where Yugi and his friends become cards themselves. In the anime, Games of Darkness are always accompanied by a dark fog which makes the presence of the Game clear to onlookers, and prevents them from interfering. This is quite different to the Games of Darkness in the manga, which generally did not look suspicious to outsiders, their magic being only visible to those playing the game.
[edit] Games of Darkness in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX
Games of Darkness are first referenced in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX by Titan, who tricks his opponents into believing they are playing real Games of Darkness. When he duels against Judai, the game actually becomes a real Game of Darkness, and Titan is eaten by dark creatures as the penalty game when he loses. Later, the Seven Stars attack Duel Academia using seven Dark Items. These items were given to the Stars by Kagemaru, and give the ability to summon Games of Darkness. When each of the Seven Stars loses their duel, they suffer a penalty game.
[edit] Games of Darkness in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (manga)
In The Yu-Gi-Oh! GX manga, Games of Darkness are played as a result of the release of a Ka spirit called Tragoedia. The 3000-year-old spirit possesses people as part of his plan, and two of his most important pawns are Reggie Mackenzie and David Rabb. These two students from the American Duel Academia wear an earring with a piece of Tragoedia's soul sealed inside, and with these earrings they are able to hold Games of Darkness. David Rabb is responsible for the penalty game given to Koyo Hibiki which gradually drains away his life.
[edit] Games of Darkness in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Games of Darkness are held by the Dark Signers with the power of their Dark Birthmarks. The leader of the Dark Signers, Rudger Godwin, is able to transfer portions of his power to other people in order to control them as a Dark Signer. In the first Game of Darkness in 5D's, Yusei Fudo duels Dick Pitt, who is under to the control of Rudger's Spider Birthmark. When Dick loses, the spider dies rather than him. However, when a normal Dark Signer duels they place their own life on the line. Eventually, all of the Dark Signers are killed when they lose their Games of Darkness; however, the only ones not to be revived when the last Earthbound God is defeated are Rudger and his brother Rex.
5D's also introduces a new form of Game of Darkness: the Riding Duel of Darkness. Standing Games of Darkness in 5D's are surrounded by rings of purple flame in the shape of the Dark Birthmark of the Dark Signer dueling, and in a Riding Duel of Darkness this purple flame is treated like a racing track, with the players driving their D-Wheels around between narrow walls of flame. The player who is first round the earliest corner takes the first turn. These duels are extremely dangerous, as the damage caused by the Duel Monsters can knock a player toward the wall of fire.
