Player Agency
Ongoing coverage on Player Agency.
Latest coverage
"If the player trusts you enough, they are not going to savescum": Why the makers of some of the best RPGs on PC want you to get used to failing
Several RPG developers discuss the concept of player failure in digital versus tabletop role-playing games. They explore how game design can encourage players to embrace failure as a narrative tool rather than something to be avoided through savescumming, emphasizing trust and agency.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation’s Director Kept Coming Back To The Witcher 3 For Inspiration
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Horizon served as significant inspirations for the game's cinematic storytelling and player agency. Hamaguchi frequently revisited The Witcher 3 for its excellence in delivering satisfying, cinematic moments within gameplay mechanics. Square Enix aims for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to feature a "planetary scale" world upon its April 2027 release.
Warlock is "fundamentally a linear story," Wizards of the Coast says
Wizards of the Coast and Invoke have stated that their upcoming Dungeons and Dragons title, Warlock, will feature a fundamentally linear story, contrasting with the player agency seen in games like Baldur's Gate 3. While set in an open world, the narrative will focus on a pre-written campaign for the character Kaatri, with no branching paths or morality system. This approach is intended to deliver a strong narrative experience, with Invoke's VP Dominic Guay emphasizing that the core campaign outcomes are set.
Playing Mass Effect spiritual successor Exodus was the best kind of surprise
Exodus, a spiritual successor to Mass Effect developed by Archetype Entertainment, offers a compelling blend of action combat and deep player agency. The preview highlights a mission focused on infiltrating a space station, showcasing the game's striking visuals, flexible combat system with diverse companion abilities, and a narrative that emphasizes meaningful choices with long-term consequences, including a unique time dilation mechanic.
How 40 Years of Metroid Have Impacted The Biggest Metroidvania Developers
This article explores the profound impact of the Metroid series, particularly Super Metroid, on the development of the Metroidvania genre. Developers from various studios discuss how Metroid's interconnected worlds, exploration mechanics, and atmospheric design have inspired their own games, shaping core design philosophies and influencing everything from level design to player agency.
GTA 6 Will Make Players “Forget That They’re Simply Playing a Game,” Says Co-Studio Head
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson stated that Grand Theft Auto 6's interconnected systems and player agency will allow players to "forget that they’re simply playing a game." The upcoming title aims to provide unprecedented freedom in how players approach situations and missions. The game is set to release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
GTA 6’s Extended Gameplay Highlights Its Biggest Evolution
Grand Theft Auto 6's latest gameplay reveal highlights significant evolutions in its open-world design, focusing on player agency and the lasting impact of actions within the game world. The article suggests that the game will feature a more dynamic environment where player choices, from criminal activities to personal habits, will shape the protagonists' identities and how the world remembers them, potentially setting a new benchmark for the genre.
Warlock's magic system was built on game-bending player choices
Invoke Studios is focusing on player agency through a deep magic system for their upcoming single-player action-adventure game, Warlock, set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Founder Jeff Hattem explained that instead of trying to replicate the boundless choices of the tabletop RPG, the team is building systemic interactions between spells, the environment, and enemies. This approach allows for emergent gameplay, turning unexpected player actions into features and rewarding creative problem-solving.
GTA 6 Has ‘Big and Small Choices’ in Its Story, As Rockstar Takes Red Dead Redemption 2’s Player Agency to the Next Level
Rockstar Games is expanding on the player agency seen in Red Dead Redemption 2 for Grand Theft Auto 6. The upcoming title will feature "big and small choices" that will influence the narrative journey of protagonists Jason and Lucia.
GTA 6 players won't be as "overpowered" as previous games: "You are not the only one capable of…
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson stated that players in Grand Theft Auto 6 will not be as overpowered as in previous titles, aiming for a more unpredictable world where NPCs can also pose a threat. This design choice intends to create more engaging gameplay by introducing consequences for reckless actions and making the world more reactive to the player's behavior.
No Law is An Immersive Sim With a Small But Densely Layered City Where You Can Kill Any NPC
Neon Giant's upcoming immersive sim, No Law, will allow players to kill any NPC, with permanent consequences for their actions and the game world. The game, launching in 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, emphasizes player agency and offers multiple approaches to gameplay, including hacking, stealth, and combat within its densely layered city of Port Desire.
47 video game things that spark joy
This article compiles a list of small, often overlooked moments in video games that bring players joy, ranging from humorous bugs and satisfying combat mechanics to clever design choices and nostalgic elements. Contributors share personal anecdotes about specific instances that enhance their gaming experience, highlighting the unique pleasures the medium can offer.
Sam Barlow reveals new horror game, PRECOGNITION, collaborating with Brandon Cronenberg
Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story and IMMORTALITY, has announced PRECOGNITION, a new live-action sci-fi horror game developed in collaboration with director Brandon Cronenberg. The game, which features dynamic, non-linear storytelling and player agency, is set to launch in Spring 2028 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Players will control Diana, who gains visions of the future that can be altered by her choices.
Reinventing Extraction: Inside Delta Force’s Most Ambitious Map Yet
Delta Force's new season, Meltdown, introduces the AZ3 map on Xbox Series X|S, aiming to reinvent the extraction shooter experience. Game Director Shadow Guo and Game Design Director Ricky discuss how the map's reactive environment, player-driven narrative, and escalating threats like radiation and the H1000 boss create a dynamic and immersive run. Player actions collectively determine the outcome, whether it's stabilizing the reactor or facing a full meltdown, offering a fresh sense of adventure with each playthrough.
Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami believes devs need to "make games that leave people wanting to clear them with their own hands" rather than being content watching a playthrough
Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami believes that games should be designed to encourage players to complete them themselves, rather than being satisfied by simply watching a playthrough. He argues that if watching is enough, the game wasn't compelling enough. This sentiment was echoed by Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and Final Fantasy 7 Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi, who also expressed concerns about player agency in modern RPGs.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Is “Primarily A Narrative Sandbox”, Per Rebel Wolves’ CEO
Rebel Wolves CEO has stated that The Blood of Dawnwalker will function as a narrative sandbox, drawing inspiration from classic Fallout games to offer players significant freedom in their approach to the story. The game, set to release in September, will feature a 30-day in-game timeframe for players to destabilize a vampire regime before confronting the main antagonist. The studio also plans to release free add-ons post-launch.
Fable Might Be Reviving the RPG Feature Everyone Forgot
The upcoming Fable reboot from Playground Games aims to set itself apart with a deeply reactive NPC system that remembers player actions and shapes their relationships. This focus on player agency and a living, breathing world offers a unique take on the RPG genre, moving beyond traditional metrics like map size or quest count. While concerns exist about the long-term impact and potential for systems to be too easily manipulated, the preview suggests a game that prioritizes personal, chaotic, and joyful player stories.
Where Birds Sleep is a game about control. Or, well, your lack of control
Where Birds Sleep is a unique point-and-click adventure game that challenges traditional player control by making the protagonist Cormo override player choices. Developed by Quiet Little Feet, the game explores themes of morality and consequences, with player actions influencing Cormo's attributes and opening or closing narrative paths. The game aims to create a struggle for control and agency, offering a different experience from games like Baldur's Gate 3 or Disco Elysium.
‘We aren’t a killing game’: Subnautica 2 doesn’t reeeaaally want players mass-murdering fishies
Developers at Unknown Worlds are discussing the combat and creature interaction mechanics for Subnautica 2, aiming to provide robust deterrence options rather than direct player weaponry. The team is exploring ways to make encounters with predators more engaging without encouraging mass culling of underwater wildlife. This comes amidst player feedback and internal discussions about the game's design philosophy regarding player agency and interaction with the environment.
Former Witcher 3 devs "can't" and "don't want to challenge" bigger games and companies with new RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker, and staying smaller let them "focus on the player's agency"
Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by veterans of CD Projekt Red, is developing the gothic RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker with a focus on player agency and a dense, smaller world rather than competing with larger titles. Lead quest designer Rafał Jankowski and CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz emphasize offering meaningful choices with high stakes, inspired by games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Gothic. The game is set to release on September 3.
