Episode #484 from 21:26
Open world video games
There's often been a tension through your work between an open world, that freedom, and the narrative- ...driven storytelling. And I think you've often, maybe always, gotten the balance right. So what is it? What is the value of each, and how do you get the balance right? Well, I think the open world is intrinsically pretty fun. It's just fun to be in a world and have complete freedom. And certainly, I think at various points, we debated or, you know, I'd have theoretical discussions in my own head with myself, or other people in the team would really push for less story, less story. You know, let the whole thing evolve organically. You know, have it all be procedural. Have it all just evolve from what you do. I think for me, I would always come back to going, "Story can be, if done well, incredibly compelling, and it gives you some structure, and something to do, and it helps you from a game design perspective unlock the features."
Why this moment matters
There's often been a tension through your work between an open world, that freedom, and the narrative- ...driven storytelling. And I think you've often, maybe always, gotten the balance right. So what is it? What is the value of each, and how do you get the balance right? Well, I think the open world is intrinsically pretty fun. It's just fun to be in a world and have complete freedom. And certainly, I think at various points, we debated or, you know, I'd have theoretical discussions in my own head with myself, or other people in the team would really push for less story, less story. You know, let the whole thing evolve organically. You know, have it all be procedural. Have it all just evolve from what you do. I think for me, I would always come back to going, "Story can be, if done well, incredibly compelling, and it gives you some structure, and something to do, and it helps you from a game design perspective unlock the features."