Gaming & Side Quests: How Games Help World Building and Storytelling with Citlalin (Tati) Ossio

A special conversation for LegendHaven 2023!

Visit: instagram.com/citlalinossio | Register: legendfiction.com

Tati, an esteemed member of the Legend Fiction Community, explores the captivating aspects of video games that inspire world building and storytelling. Tati delves into the immersive nature of gaming, the thrill of exploration, and the significance of side quests.

Drawing from personal experiences and insights, Tati highlights how video games can spark creativity, deepen self-awareness, and offer a unique form of contemplation.

Key Points/Highlights:

1. The Immersive Experience: Tati shares her love for video games, particularly Legend of Zelda, and how they allow players to become fully immersed in fantastical worlds, offering experiences beyond real-life limitations.

2. Gaming as Playful Contemplation: Video games provide a safe space for players to explore different aspects of themselves, try out new perspectives, and develop problem-solving skills.

3. The Power of Exploration: Tati discusses how video games, especially open-world RPGs and MMOs, enable players to freely explore and discover new environments, fostering a sense of wonder and enhancing world building in storytelling.

4. Side Quests as Short Stories: Tati explores the significance of side quests in video games, comparing them to short stories that provide a break from the main plot while still contributing to character development and overall narrative.

5. The Transformative Potential: By engaging in video games, players can gain insights into their own fears, desires, and responses, allowing them to better understand themselves and their potential for growth.

6. Video Games and Faith: Tati recommends the "God and Gaming" series by the Word on Fire Institute, which explores the intersection of faith and video games, highlighting the presence of truth, goodness, and beauty in gaming.

7. The Importance of Paying Attention: Tati emphasizes the value of paying attention to the intricate details in video games, such as visuals, sounds, and world-building elements, which can inspire richer storytelling and world creation.

8. Side Quests in Life: Tati draws parallels between side quests in video games and side quests in real life, suggesting that pursuing hobbies or temporary interests can provide valuable skills and insights that contribute to personal growth and the main quest of life.

9. The Need for Playful Contemplation: Gaming offers a form of contemplation that allows players to engage with reality in a playful and creative way, fostering self-discovery and a deeper understanding of one's desires and purpose.

Notable Quotes:

• "Video games are like reality with fewer consequences, allowing us to have fun and learn from our experiences."

• "Side quests in video games are like short stories that provide a breather from the main plot while still contributing to character development."

• "Gaming fills the creative well within me and draws on something bigger than myself."

• "Exploring video game worlds and paying attention to the details can inspire richer storytelling and world-building in our own creative endeavors."

• "Side quests in life, like hobbies and temporary interests, can contribute to personal growth and provide valuable skills for the main quest of life."

Suggested Further Reading/Viewing:

- "God and Gaming" series by the Word on Fire Institute (YouTube)