In this episode, hosted by Jem, the GTS team explores how games use death as a storytelling tool, a gameplay mechanic, or a cheap shot. From emotional companion deaths to endless respawn loops, we dig into what death actually means in games, and why some deaths hit hard while others barely register.

Death throws

We discuss the difference between narrative deaths and mechanical deaths and how respawn loops shape how we think about failure. Share our experiences of tense and infuriating moments when death *matters* and talk about the games we've found that make death meaningful (Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us, Tomb Raider, God of War, Returnal, Valheim, RimWorld)

Content Warning

Discussion of death, violence, and loss in video games, plus mild body horror references.

#DeathInGames #GameMechanics #NarrativeDesign #Permadeath #RespawnLoop #GhostOfTsushima #TheLastOfUs  #EmotionalGames 

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