Source 3: Choice Architecture in Fallout: New Vegas
Citation: Sawyer, J. (2012). Do (Say) The Right Thing. Link Category:
#agency#narrative
- What it covers: Josh Sawyer, the game director of Fallout: New Vegas, breaks down the “Choice Architecture” used in the game. He explains the reputation system, faction disguises, and how they structured dialogue trees to ensure players felt genuine agency.
- Why it is valuable: It offers direct insight from a master of the genre. Sawyer explains the logic behind the choices such as how they tracked variables to prevent game-breaking bugs while maintaining narrative freedom.
- Who would benefit: Narrative designers and writers who need concrete examples of how to structure branching storylines.
- Limitations: The talk is highly technical regarding Obsidian’s specific proprietary tools.