Tim Cain’s Perspective on RPGs and Violence
As the co-creator of the beloved Fallout series, Tim Cain has seen his fair share of orcs, mutants, and, of course, explosions. Recently, he shared his thoughts on a pressing issue in the gaming industry: the prevalence of violence in AAA RPGs. In a candid YouTube video released on New Year’s Day, he declared that violence will remain a staple of these games as long as it keeps cashing in. After thousands of hours spent battling digital foes, it’s a sentiment that resonates, albeit with a twinge of disappointment.
The Default Mode of Interaction
Combat seems to be the go-to mode of interaction in big-budget role-playing games. While studios continuously explore expansive worlds filled with incredible lore and character dynamics, they rarely stray far from the battle mechanics that players have grown accustomed to. Even in titles professing player freedom, the excitement of engaging in strategic warfare trumpets the silence of explorative gameplay. Can you picture a high-stakes RPG where negotiation or friendship outshines the thrill of smashing swords together? Neither can I.
Buy What You Want to See
Cain’s insights remind us that the gaming industry is nothing if not a business. Companies will continue to innovate as long as we keep purchasing the same blood-soaked experiences. If players demand medal-collecting and tranquil farming simulators over the urges for battles and quests, might we finally see a shift? Until then, expect minesweeper-like RPGs, as Cain aptly suggests, to remain in the spotlight as long as they’re selling like hotcakes.
