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Imagine a hidden door in your favorite game world, leading not to a secret level but to an entirely different reality! That's the basic idea of the multiverse – a mind-blowing concept that's become a playground for video game creators.
Here's the breakdown …
Multiple Realities:
The multiverse theory suggests there's not just one universe (our own) but countless others existing simultaneously. These realities could be vastly different, with alternate versions of you slaying dragons, chilling on a space station, or maybe even being a talking cat (who wouldn't want to try that?).
Science Fiction or Fact?
The multiverse is a head-scratcher. There's no scientific proof yet, but some theories in physics suggest it's a possibility. Think of it like a super advanced in-game easter egg – something cool that might exist but we haven't unlocked yet.
Why is it hot in video games?
Endless Possibilities: For game developers, the multiverse is a treasure trove of creative freedom. Imagine fighting alongside a samurai version of your character or facing off against an evil doppelganger in a twisted reality. It opens the door for epic crossovers, mind-bending storylines, and endless replayability.
Exploring Big Questions: The multiverse can also be a way to tackle philosophical themes in games. What makes "you" you? Do our choices truly matter? By confronting alternate versions of ourselves and the consequences of different decisions, games can make us ponder the nature of reality in a way that's both fun and thought-provoking.
So, is the multiverse real? As gamers, we can appreciate it for the creativity it brings to our favorite worlds. Whether it's pure sci-fi fantasy or a hidden truth waiting to be discovered, the multiverse in video games lets us explore the what-ifs and experience endless possibilities beyond the limitations of our own reality.
Here's a list of ten titles that will have you questioning everything you know:
1. BioShock Infinite (2013):
We begin where we left off. Columbia, the floating city, is a prime example of a parallel universe gone wrong. Travel through multiple realities as Booker DeWitt, uncovering the connections between them and the consequences of manipulating the fabric of existence. Did you snag all the Voxophones to piece together the bigger picture?
2. Quantum Break (2016):
Time travel gets a multiverse twist in this action-adventure. Jack Joyce gains the power to manipulate time after a lab accident creates a fracture in reality. Choices ripple through timelines, and you witness the butterfly effect of your actions across alternate realities. Did you experiment with your time powers to see how different choices played out?
3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000):
Don't be fooled by the cartoony graphics. This classic Zelda title features a three-day time loop, a mechanic hinting at a cyclical existence. Link can manipulate time to save Termina from destruction, but is Termina simply another reality on the brink of collapse?
4. Dishonored (2012):
The world of Dunwall is a grim industrial metropolis, but things get weirder with the Outsider, a mysterious figure granting supernatural abilities. The Outsider hints at a vast cosmic network, potentially representing a multiverse where Corvo Attano's actions have consequences beyond Dunwall.
5. Outer Wilds (2019):
This mind-blowing exploration game throws you into a 22-minute time loop within a solar system on the brink of destruction. Each loop allows you to explore different planets and uncover secrets, hinting at a vast and potentially infinite universe with repeating cycles. Did you manage to break the loop and unravel the mysteries of the time anomaly?
6. Deathloop (2021):
Stuck in a time loop on the island of Blackreef, assassin Colt must eliminate eight targets before the day resets. However, Julianna, another player or AI, disrupts your plans. The existence of two timelines existing simultaneously within the loop hints at a potential multiverse at play.
7. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020):
Miles Morales' adventure introduces the concept of interdimensional travel through a rift created by a powerful energy source. This opens the door for future storylines exploring alternate realities and potentially bringing together various Spider-Men from different universes.
8. The World Ends with You (2007):
This unique action RPG features the Shibuya Underground, an alternate plane of existence where players battle for their very survival. The game explores themes of death, regret, and alternate realities, leaving you wondering about the true nature of the game's world and the consequences of actions taken.
9. Life is Strange (2015):
Max Caulfield's time-rewinding powers introduce the concept of branching timelines, potentially representing alternate realities. Every choice you make as Max alters the course of events, suggesting the existence of a multiverse where every possibility plays out. Did you agonize over which timeline to choose in the heart-wrenching ending?
10. NieR: Automata (2017):
This action RPG is known for its mind-bending narrative and multiple endings. The game delves into themes of existentialism and cyclical existence, hinting at a multiverse where humanity's struggle against machines repeats across different realities. Did you unlock all the endings and witness the true scope of NieR's bizarre world?
*This is just a glimpse into multiverse video games' vast and mind-bending world. So, prepare to have your reality challenged as you explore these titles and ponder the infinite possibilities that lie beyond your own perceived reality.
Want to know more about the multiverse?
References for more information…
Greene, B. (2011). The hidden reality: Parallel universes and the deep laws of the cosmos. Vintage Books.
Grünbaum, A. (2010). Why is There a Universe AT ALL, Rather Than Just Nothing? In Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion (pp. 463-473). Routledge.
Kaku, M. (2005). Parallel worlds: A journey through creation, higher dimensions, and the future of the cosmos. Doubleday Books.
Linde, A. D. (2008). Inflation and the multiverse. https://physics.stanford.edu/events/imagining-universe-andrei-linde-universe-or-multiverse
Articles
Carr, B. (2007). The landscape of possible universes. https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/5/7/176
Guth, A. H. (2000). Inflation and the new era of cosmology. https://physics.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/physicsatmit_02_cosmology.pdf
Tegmark, M. (2003). Parallel universes. Scientific American, 288(5), 40-51. https://www.wkbpic.com/wkbx/SA/2003/2003-05-01.pdf
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