On a conceptual level, were all living in a multiverse.
As video games grow bigger and more complex, the future of multiversal storytelling lies with them.
So, [multiverses] force us to think about the world outside of ourselves, Gavankar says.
Alan Wake 2Epic Games
The last few years have done a great job of using multiverses well in storytelling, like theSpider-Verse.
Its now in the zeitgeist, and everybody understands it.
They gave everyone an education.
But the proliferation of the concept hasnt come without growing pains.
I only think its lazy if youre actually lazy.
That means youre just doing a bad job with the tool.
Its not a hammer, Gavankar says.
Anybody who experiences anxiety or circular thinking can immediately identify with the idea of a multiverse.
Youre constantly thinking about the other way things could have turned out.
If we think about film or TV, were watching a very carefully curated experience.
That requires there to be a lot more content, but its also an opportunity.
Its a concept that exists independent of whichever story youre discussing.
Ive been wanting us to get to the stage were at with Remedy Universe for a long time.
Any one of these games can be a doorway into the universe.
Personally, I think its confirmed we can trust audiences with more complex storytelling.
Players enjoy serialized stories because we can build on what exists to create something richer, Strauder says.
I think theres a lot of territory in between to explore, Lake says.
In that sense, every choice could branch to a new reality.
Id be disappointed if we wouldnt see more innovative takes on that concept in the coming years.
