Episode 27 – Open World Video Games

“I was an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee.” Mike and Casey completely abandon their quests to consolidate their pixelated criminal empires and save the kingdom from dragons, so that they can play darts and brew potions with video game journalist and YouTuber Kinsey Burke, and returning panelist Patrick Johnson. Our non-essential side quest? To dig into the massive phenomenon of Open World Video Games. From Fallout 3, to Skyrim, to Grand Theft Auto V,  there is an video games where the storyline is optional and immersive player-initiated exploration are their biggest sell points. What is the appeal of a game that lets you make your own agenda in a fictional city, or epic fantasy realm or post-apocalyptic future? What are the limits of a game that aspires to let you be and do anything you want? And why are these games so damned buggy? Music:  “Welcome to Los Santos” from Grand Theft Auto V by Oh No Previously titled: “The World Doesn’t Look Bright for Us Completionists”