Console games – You’re playing someone else’s vision – are they imagination blockers?

A friend of mine did something really interesting this year, he sold his Xbox and decided to dedicate his spare time to Warhammer 40k (a tabletop strategy game). He’s written an article about it titled “Why 40k is infinitely better than Xbox” where he explains his reasonings and he’s pleased he made this decision.

He describes console games as “Imagination blockers”.

“Console games are limited, they are a platform for us to experience the developer’s set of rules and visuals.”

I love console games, but I do agree. Console games have limits. Even sandbox games. Play-by-post games (that we play here on OngoingWorlds) allow for so much more flexibility and creativity.

Ownership of your own world

Instead of playing a console game set in the world created by a team of developers, the world you’re creating in your roleplaying game is YOURS. Even if you’re a new player, you can still contribute to the world just as much as veteran players. And you do contribute to and build the world, with every single post.

A flexible, changing world

In play-by-post games our world can change so quickly and easily, just read this guide about worldbuilding – “Don’t set your world in stone”.

There are of course console games where you can take some great inspiration. Here’s some articles on this blog about console games where you can take inspiration.