Evan Narcisse has posted the skeleton of a design document over at Crispy Gamer. Though not fully fleshed out – he’s a writer, not a designer – it’s a provocative proposal for an open world action/RPG type game.

As we talked, the high concept came into focus: You play as a slave escaping from a plantation in the United States during the 1800s. Our hero or heroine makes a fateful decision to flee from servitude in Virginia when he/she finds out his/her family is being sold to another slave owner. With that story springboard, let’s assume the basic elements of a open-world title — a mission-rich sandbox environment with multiple paths running through it — is in place.

I think the deeper South would be more interesting than Virginia, but what do I know?

Narcisse sets up the article by talking about race relations and African American perspectives, but this is more than just a variation on seeing East European criminal immigrants in GTA4. It’s a call for greater variety in our sandbox adventure games. The thug life well is in no danger of running dry, but what’s left for Rockstar? White collar crime and high class call girls?

You could argue that a game like Runaway would only target a specific audience, particularly African Americans. To which I say, so what? Not every game has to be for everyone in America. After all, there’s a thriving African American movie production system ranging from auteurs like Spike Lee (who often draws outside his main audience) to hacks like Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion).

As a history nut, I’d play it and I’d certainly be more likely to buy it than I would Saints Row 2.

Would it be fun? Who knows. The subject itself may not be enjoyable to the masses, but you can have a fun concept and make a terrible game. I see no necessary connection between seriousness of topic and drudgery.