Today’s Schwartzean value of interest is independence, again from the “self-direction” category. Reference.com hits us up with this definition: “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others”. As in, an absence of other people and all the stuff that they imply. The dictionary definition is phrased very positively, and there’s a tendency in Western cultures to view independence that way – but of course in other cultures, being independent of other people would be considered sad and depressing.

As I mentioned yesterday, a big moment in the game is when you step out of the Vault and into the uninterrupted landscape of the game’s world. This is not only a moment of sensing “freedom”, but a definitive enforcement of your independence. The contrast with the complete dependence on the system and hierarchy of your former life is very start. The game, then, heavily emphasises a value of independence, whether you want it or not.

This is ultimately carried through in most aspects of the game. Although you do interact with others, it’s never at an especially emotional level. There’s a definite sense of being dependent on others in terms of the game structure – you need them in order to progress the narrative(s) of the game. Without other people, life would have no meaning beyond what you could construct by walking around.

The one major exception to your “kind-of” independence is that you occasionally pair up with another character. This amounts to the other character fighting anything hostile to you. The “other character” might be your dad, a renegade Super Mutant, a Brotherhood of Steel Paladin, or a dog. The only reason I might question these relationships is that you don’t really depend on them, they’re just an additional gun in the fight – not specifically necessary. (My only caveat would be the potential more powerful emotional relationship you might develop with the dog – I haven’t had the experience yet, though I’m working on it.)

Fallout 3 is a game in which you are essentially forced to be independent of others because there aren’t really relationships to be had. Sometimes people depend on you to do things for you, but it tends not to be reciprocal in a strong sense beyond your pressing need to finish a quest, which is more of a “ludic” dependence. You’re on your own, even your dad barely has the time of day for you.