The Illusion of Freedom in Video Games | Choice, Consequence and Agency in Game Design

[@p-y8210]

This channel is seriously underrated

[@Nesyulett]

yeah

[@nashthrashington9749]

Subbed. Refreshing to see a channel like this where the references are actually relevant. So many channels just reference random philosophers and books to sound smart.

[@RaphKoster1]

This is another great video. If I may, though, I would point you at Matt Worch's other related talk, "Talking to the Player - How Cultural Currents Shape Game and Level Design" (it's on KZbin) because I think it illuminates the larger cultural context around which this debate occurs. I responded to the "there is no choice" argument in a blog post entitled "On choice architectures" and to Worch in another called "Worch explains some of the culture wars", which contains a host of links to the huge formalist wars of 2012.m :D Lastly, I ended up doing a lengthy lecture called "Digital Bards" which is basically a full length response to Worch and much more. Looking forward to more from the channel!

[@thegameoveranalyser4835]

Thanks a lot!, its great to see people in the industry getting something from the channel. I appreciate the sources as well, which i hadn''t necessarily thought to connect to the topic here. Looking forward to exploring some more of your ideas, and thanks for the support!

[@2011Savagee]

One of the best Game Design Channels!

[@georgep.2352]

I feel so lucky that I found this channel

[@Nesyulett]

I agree

[@tedlipper5451]

This video is great! Sometimes its fun to give up complete freedom and see where the story takes you but I agree. Sandbox games are entirely different from linear games and metroidvanias are completely different from sandbox games. Freedom and choice are two completely different things, and the idea of a game ending when you might not want it to also affects things. idk its just my thoughts

[@9998thegrimeater]

man this channel is really awesome. It's made me realize just how much we have left explore and discover in video games. I feel like it's going to be a challenge but one day far in the future people are going to mix the chaotic nature of games with the emotional element of story. Same way film characters have a motivation, a set of characteristics and abilities within the universe of that film, but instead of implementing that into a scripted story, it could be integrated into the mechanics of play. One day man, one day.

[@thegameoveranalyser4835]

Thanks for the kind words! and i agree, once we find a way to reconcile interactivity with storytelling, who know what the medium will be capable of. .

[@caitlin3717]

This video is fantastic, good variety of games and examples. thank you for your research!

[@bradleysmith9924]

Heavy duty theory. Thank you, loving your analysis. Very thought provoking.

[@thegameoveranalyser4835]

Thank you Bradley, glad the videos are useful!

[@bradleysmith9924]

@@thegameoveranalyser4835 Anytime, keep up the good work. :)

[@__Mujina__]

Stylistically, your presentations have been real bullet point-y. (I know that comes off a bit harsh, but it's been a particular irony about a channel that has focused on: Fun, Play, Empathy, & Feel.) I am left wanting your video narrative to grow more towards a phenomenological experience. A prominent example of someone exercising this is Super Eyepatch Wolf, especially how he teases the viewer/listener in "How Media Scares Us: The Work of Junji Ito" @4:10.

[@thegameoveranalyser4835]

Thank you for the feedback, .....and you know what, I completely agree with you. This channel has been trying to present the literature on game design and game studies to people, and attempting to make that non bullet pointy has been a challenge. I want to find a way to reconcile academic integrity with creative presentation and its hard to find that balance. I think i may have overcompensated, and sourcing is not a common practice on youtube, so i''m still figuring it out. I am trying to be more playful in both the content and presentation of the channel! Thanks!

[@__Mujina__]

​@@thegameoveranalyser4835 #1 'F for Fake (1973) - How to Structure a Video Essay' ~ Every Frame a Painting | kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3i7p2V5bNuqjpI #2 '269. What Makes a Video Essay Great?' ~ Kevin B. Lee | vimeo.com/199577445 #3 '197. The Essay Film: Some Thoughts of Discontent' ~ Kevin B. Lee | vimeo.com/73733888 "Because it doesn't take sounds and images for granted, so that behind the screen one feels a mind at work, letting us see and hear how it thinks." from #3@05:24 is executed by the "assertive opinionating made appealing by conversational tone" from #2@02:15 found throughout #1's and supereyepatchwolf's work. I commented the moments in your Kratos video where your voice feels conversational.

[@thegameoveranalyser4835]

Thank you very much for the detailed sources and explanation both here and on the other video Ryo. Its an oversight of mine, and perhaps somewhat arrogant, in that i didn't consider that the video essay is its own medium, a medium that i don't really understand and have taken for granted somewhat. My point with this channel has been to inform people, but the delivery of the information is a huge part of it. The tone has been way too academic, and ironically un essay like, at least in the original sense of the word. I genuinely appreciate the help and will try to apply these lessons going forward.!

[@__Mujina__]

@@thegameoveranalyser4835 just recently found the videoessay that demonstrates my assertions -> 'The Unbearable Now: An Interpretation of The Witness' ~ Electron Dance | kzbin.info/www/bejne/hICtdGloqZl9nKM

[@Doddsie212]

Awesome video, you really deserve more subscribers

[@civilwarfare101]

I always wanted to make game vids deconstructing game design and wanted to become a dev but I can't mainly due to how complicated both are and I wonder if it's even worth it.

[@thegameoveranalyser4835]

Id say its completely worth it. You dont have to have a comprehensive knowledge of theory or practice in game design to share your opinion, you can bring your unique perspective on games and share that with the world.

[@jessestewart5109]

This ended up in a weird place, imo. But there were some great things to think about in here.

[@jac0bjdzw190]

0:50 name this game?

[@BrandonCourt]

Is the reading list in the description your full reading list for game design / psychology?

[@v8ga645]

this shit was so insteresting, wtf

[@watercat1248]

The truth haw Mach freedom the game I will have is up for the development haw ever meny players find Completely other way to play the game the development I did not make in On purpose I know because I'm game developer and gamer the only playble game I have mack He's got meny type off problem like and I fixed the problem on the next versions Same times the freedom the don't give the developers On purpose make the game better and same time brake the game and other times I just don't effect the game at all is Depending From what type off discovery the are

[@1ばかぶた]

the experience is different, well this game is bland though, so no experience