Entries by Danny Homan

Heavy Lifting: Meta-Responsibilities of a Game Writer

Behold, the game writer’s fundamental paradox: I want to focus on the second point — the multiple responsibilities of game writers, things that aren’t directly about telling a story or creating a character — and how these responsibilities add value to the player experience and game at large. Then, I want to take a wider […]

Invisible Blockers: Hidden Obstacles to Storytelling in Video Games

Invisible blockers are everywhere in video games. Blockers are designed to prevent you from going somewhere that might get you into trouble. Could be an area you’re not leveled-up enough to explore. Or just the edge of a level. We’ve all had that experience before — wanting desperately to explore an area in a game, […]

Borderlands 3 Narrative Design: Typhon DeLeon, the First Vault Hunter

The following article contains major spoilers for Borderlands 3. I wasn’t sure whether fans would love or hate Typhon DeLeon. After all, the Vault Hunter is one of the most pervasive myths in the Borderlands Universe. It’s an aspiration. Vault Hunters come in all shapes and sizes of course, but one thing they all have […]