GAMES
Obsidian's Fallout Director Josh Sawyer on RPG Design: Limitations Make Games Better
Josh Sawyer, director of Fallout: New Vegas, has discussed his design philosophy for an upcoming Fallout game reportedly in development at Obsidian Entertainment. Sawyer argued that RPGs work best when players don't have complete control over everything, and emphasized the value of constraining player agency to create meaningful tension and emotional stakes rather than positioning the protagonist as an all-powerful character.
First seen Jul 20 ago2 sources covering
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Reported lead of Obsidian's new Fallout game wants you to feel a "sense of agony" when playing an RPG, rather than being an all-powerful god-splatterer
Rock Paper ShotgunJul 21
Reported Director Of Obsidian's Upcoming Fallout Game Says RPGS Are 'At Their Best...When You Can't Control Everything'
KotakuJul 20
What we know
- Josh Sawyer is reportedly directing a new Fallout game at Obsidian Entertainment
- Sawyer advocates for RPG design that limits player agency and control rather than giving players god-like power
- He believes constraints create a 'sense of agony' and stronger emotional engagement than unrestricted gameplay
- Sawyer's philosophy opposes the trend of making protagonists all-powerful characters
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