An analysis of how various games use “tool” items to customize the player character and manage resources. I wrote it as guest post on the GamingPoint.org site – go read it now!
Tag: rpg
Using games to change ourselves
Open-world games like Skyrim or GTA create increasingly complex environments to explore. Whether an evil dual-wielding barbarian or Russian heartbroken thug, the gamer’s playstyle is often characterized by certain underlying tendencies and patterns, reflecting his unique personality traits. But if games can reveal our personality, could they also not be used to fundamentally change it?
Redefining RPG Conversations (Part 1)
When a player chooses a play style in a game, he is presented with a multitude of options. A “fighter” can use many weapons, parry, dodge, and use potions or magic scrolls. A “thief” can usually sneak around, hide in shadows, use sound cues, distract the enemy, turn off lights or use gadgets. Even in non-RPGs, such as a racing game, one can change their car, tweak the engine, ram into enemies or drive peacefully. And he can do it all dynamically, at any point in the game, constantly adjust and re-adjusting his strategy.
But a “conversationalist” – what can he do besides merely picking from one of the few predefined responses?