The Paradox of Freedom in Games

What the talk is about

Yurii Shevaha looks at the "paradox of freedom" in games: real freedom never exists in a game, but the feeling of freedom can be created. The player should be offered options unobtrusively, so the decisions feel like their own. Too many choices lead to analysis paralysis, which he illustrates with tabletop role-playing games. Every choice should have consequences and be morally grey rather than a split between good and bad. He shows how the "mind palace" mechanic in Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments let players interpret evidence and pick the culprit, and what its drawbacks were: linear evidence gathering and rigid limits. He also mentions the studio's new open-world project and recommends game design books. Useful for game designers, especially those working on narrative and player choice.