Game Creativity

Player Freedom with Samantha Armstrong and Beth Ann Townsend

Episode Summary

Sam & Beth Ann discuss the evolution of player freedom in games, examining sandbox games, open world games, and RPGs with branching narratives.

Episode Notes

Sam and Beth Ann discuss the evolution of player freedom in games, examining sandbox games, open world games, and RPGs with branching narratives. They also explore the past and potential future of these types of games.

Sandbox Games

• Define what we mean by sandbox games, and describe some games in the genre
• Pros: Encouraging creativity and ownership
•  Cons: Time consuming, big learning curve which is a barrier to entry
• Don't Starve
• Planet Zoo
• Animal Crossing
•  Gamecube
•  Switch
• Minecraft (transition to next section)

Open World Games

• Define what we mean by open world games and describe some games in the genre
• Pros: Hours and hours of content, complete control of where you can go
• Cons: too open and intimidating, overwhelming
• Skyrim
• Shadow of the Colossus
• Assassin's Creed
• Pokemon transformation over time
• Legend of Zelda
• Link to the Past
• Breath of the Wild
• Witcher 3 

 RPGs with branching narratives

• Define what we mean by this and describe some games in the genre
• Pros:  Allows the player to feel like they are really part of the story and what they do in the game matters
• Cons: Some games do a better job at truly branching
• Dishonored
• Undertale
• Telltale games
• Wolf Among Us  
• Walking Dead
• Cyber Punk 77
• Vampire: the Masquerade - Bloodlines