Jesse brings on guests Bebo (of Be Bold Games) and Rich Malena-Webber (of Atomic Game Theory) to talk about how time travel is used in games. We dig deep into how videogames use time travel, including one secret time travel mechanic that's been a staple of videogames since the beginning.

We also talk about several board games that use time travel in different and interesting ways, and even brainstorm how we could bring time travel into Dungeons & Dragons!

New Rule:

When using time travel in games, keep the mechanics highly constrained: time travel is hard enough to work in when you have complete control of the narrative; adding multiple authors (players) complicates that exponentially. Make the rules very clear, and limit the ability of the travelers to affect the narrative to something you can manage.

Media References:

Super Mario Bros. Chrono Trigger Quantum Break Max Payne Viewtiful Joe Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Super Meat Boy Celeste Dark Souls Series https://www.sekirothegame.com/ Moonlighter Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Groundhog Day T.I.M.E. Stories Braid Dungeons & Dragons Escape from Monkey Island