Maps: Salvation or Sin?

Maps are profoundly practical. They help players find orientation in extensive game worlds, indicate points of interaction, and track progress. Yet by the same token, they complicate a player's relationship to the world of a game's fiction. This week, we discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of those complications. Later: Stefan kicks off his Yakuza: Like a Dragon diary; we discuss the order in which we unlock the final trophies of a game; and Dan recaps his visit to last week's Classic Game Fest in Austin. Support us on Patreon! Main Story 00:05:53 Maps: Salvation or Sin? Related listening and reading: "Why 'Immersion' is a Dirty Word in Gaming Discourse" (Dan Hughes & Aaron Suduiko) "The Aesthetics of User Interfaces" (Aaron Suduiko) "Beacon Received: The Satisfaction of Discovery in the Metroid Series" (Laila Carter) Side Quests 00:44:10 Yakuza: Like a Dragon Diary 00:48:25 The Art of Unlocking Platinum Trophies "The Language of Trophies in Final Fantasy VII Remake" (Aaron Suduiko) 00:59:37 Classic Game Fest Austin Ukiyo-e Heroes Publication | Twitter | Facebook