Depo Doom

Depo Doom is Joel A. Kaufmann's deposition-training arcade game, using the familiar presentation of rounds, health bars, counters, and momentum without depicting physical combat. Each fictional session begins by choosing one of five litigators and a witness from a twelve-character roster. A coin flip then places the player on either side of the table: taking the deposition by asking questions, or defending a witness by responding to opposing counsel.

The two roles exercise different judgment. Examiners establish foundations, work with exhibits, address evasive answers, and identify opportunities to impeach a contradiction. Defenders decide whether to make no objection, identify a form or foundation problem, protect privilege, or create a record about harassment. A simulated seven-hour clock adds pressure, while the review screen explains strong choices, missed issues, and questions that could have been framed more effectively. The cases, testimony, lawyers, and witnesses are expressly fictional, and the author labels the project a simplified training simulation rather than legal advice. The dependency-free single-page game is released under Apache-2.0.

Choose a litigator, then select a witness and circuit. After the coin flip assigns your role, read each prompt and use the on-screen choices to control the record. When taking the deposition, build the necessary foundation before pursuing important facts, introduce exhibits at the appropriate time, follow up on evasive testimony, and use prior material only when there is a sound basis for impeachment.

When defending, evaluate each incoming question instead of objecting automatically. Choose no objection when the question is proper, identify the specific form defect when it is not, protect privileged material with the appropriate instruction, and make a record when questioning becomes abusive. Watch the record and witness meters as well as the simulated time limit. At the end of the round, open the review and compare its explanation with your decisions before trying another lawyer, witness, or side of the table.