That last line immediately made me think of Sunshine, but really the only scene I clearly remember was of the captain standing the in "Sun" room getting a sunburn trying to understand what happened to the previous crew.
This is a fun creativity game for all ages, really. I'll definitely try this with the kids someday. Although I think it might be "more fair" to have the GM be chosen by "next player on the left/right".
I think I can get behind the "left behind" ruling as a sort of drama inducing horror story twist. Otherwise I would skip it, personally (for the kids!).