It’s a sad conundrum.
Developers put in huge amounts of work to provide interesting options for the player.
Patel said something thought-provoking about the purpose these options serve for most players.
“I think it’s interesting to consider: what is the point of the evil path?
And sometimes I think it’s just to have a counterpoint to the more heroic path,” Patelsaid.
“You’re only making a choice if there’s something else available for you to do.”
In this conception, developers are playing god but not a micromanaging, predestining one.
Instead, theyre the deity who honors free will.
What Lies Beneath
Its the iceberg technique.
It’s like the massive chunk of an iceberg hiding beneath the surface of the water.
But, I say, let’s start seeing it!
Too many players pick up an RPG and play idealized versions of themselves.
They make the good choice.
They’re kind to their companions.
They don’t murder innocents, and they definitely don’t side with the bad guy.
They’re goodie two shoes.
Sorry, but that’s boring.
If you were experiencing a story in another medium, would you like a protagonist who was that vanilla?
Do you like to read novels about characters who never make mistakes and have no regrets?
We like scars, we like depth.
Start playing your characters as characters, not just lawful good self inserts.
Create an original character, write up their backstory, androleplay as them.
If the choices are nice, great.
If they’re mean, fine.
At least they’ll be something motivating them beyond the desire to not step on anyone’s toes.
Let’s give him his flowers!
