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The Illusion of Choice in Gaming

Analyze ‘choice’ in video-games ranging from games that present choice (e.g. Mass Effect, Telltale Games) to games that are more open (e.g. Fallout, GTA) and discuss how both types of games are in-fact linear experiences.

  • Choice in video games is undoubtedly a linear experience because regardless of the "choices" you're given, you are still limited in what you can choose. You can choose A or B (sometimes C, or D, or even beyond) but that's as far as you can go. Ultimately, you are heading in a direction with only one or two possible endings, thus you are still being guided to the ending in a linear fashion. Choice is certainly an illusion, and games like Bioshock and Bioshock: Infinite almost satirize choice by arguing that it is, in fact, an illusion, and therefore nonexistent. – Christina 8 years ago
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  • Some games have legitimate deviating paths but they are few and far between. – ChrisKeene 8 years ago
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