Stardew Valley
Game Director for Demeo X Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked (Resolution Games), Gustav Stenmark
Making his first appearance in one of my community pieces is Gustav Stenmark, Game Director for Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked. We’ve always had a great relationship with Resolution Games, and that goodwill extends to Gustav as well. We had the opportunity to play Battlemarked alongside him and sit down for an interview to discuss the game and its future.
Gustav was an absolute pleasure to talk with—insightful, thoughtful, and genuinely passionate about the project. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what he and the team have in store next. This is what Gustav had to say about the video game world he’d choose to live in—or be trapped in.
For me, that would be Stardew Valley, not just because it is one of my favorite, most played games, but because of the overall vibe. Being able to do a bit of farming (admittedly working yourself nearly to death the first year) and netting a high yield income, while being able to pursue some of my favorite activities – cooking and fishing – doesn’t sound too bad. If life gets boring, I could always go off spelunking in one of the mines and hoard even more cash with only temporary health issues on the line.
Warcraft
Co-creator of Wicked Good Games and Not Another Gaming Podcast, Domenic (Dom)
Domenic (Dom) is someone I first met a couple of years ago at PAX East. Like us at LOGNET and ILP, he was boots on the ground, putting in the work. Alongside Tiggy, the dynamic duo known as Wicked Good Gaming, Dom is always eager to shine a spotlight on everyone—especially the incredible cosplayers—through their “Red Carpet Interviews” at events. Dom also has a deep love for sports and proudly represents as one of the best Italians around. I’ve always appreciated his insights and genuinely enjoyed every conversation we’ve had. This is what Dom had to say about the video game world he’d choose to live in—or be trapped in.
Multiple Choices, but Settles on Action
The game world I’d like to live/be trapped in… That’s tough. I’ve been debating this for a bit. I think the layup answer here would be Pokemon or Star Wars, so we’re not gonna go with that. The odds of someone existing in the world of Pokémon, becoming strong, making an impact on the world around them (and also… not being in constant mortal peril) is pretty good compared to Star Wars, but even if you were trapped in the former – there’s still a good chance that anyone could exist happily as an aspiring hero or just a guy trying to make their way in the galaxy.
Instead… Throw me into the world of the Elder Scrolls or Warcraft. I’d make a hell of a tavern keeper. Making sure the soup’s hot, the beers are flowing, and the rumors are flying. I feel like your average barkeep in a fantasy game is one of the least endangered NPCs (unless the player character is a complete psychopath), but if I’m running an inn in a main city where lots of heroic characters congregate… I’m sure I’ll be well protected.
WCW/NWO Revenge
Formerly Xbox PR & Now The Head of PR for XREAL, Ralph Jodice Jr.
As I continue diving deeper into VR, MR, and AR, I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight the incredible XREAL Glasses. And there’s no better person to hear about them from than Ralph Jodice Jr., Head of PR at XREAL. The Iron Lords Podcast brought Ralph on a while back, where he spoke about his extensive history as an Xbox PR veteran from 2012 to 2023, while also diving deep into his current role at XREAL. As someone who’s genuinely fascinated by VR, AR, and MR, I always enjoy hearing Ralph’s perspective. One quote from that ILP episode has stuck with me ever since:
XREAL is one of the top two AR glasses on the market—and let me tell you, we ain’t number two!
This is what Ralph had to say about the video game world he’d choose to live in—or be trapped in.
Oh wow! I love this topic so much. There are so many options to think about, to want to go live in, to be excited to be trapped in! I have to say, there is something really attractive about the speed and the cadence of the world of Super Hot. That’s right! A world where time stops when you stop moving. Oh man, maybe it’s my tired self talking here, but the ability for time to just freeze when I stop moving….chef’s kiss!
Now, the rest of the world of Super Hot terrifies me. Too many faceless humanoids hellbent on shooting you! Especially Super Hot VR, so immersive, so intense! But, wow, the opportunity to be in a world where time stops when you stop… give me some of that! Or, to be honest with you, give me the world of WCW NWO Revenge for Nintendo 64 in 1998! Its the best wrestling game roster ever assembled. FIGHT ME!
The Elder Scrolls
Creator and Designer of the Original Xbox, Seamus Blackley
As we approach the final two voices in this piece, it’s only right to highlight someone who helped shape gaming history itself. I’m talking about the godfather of the original Xbox—the one and only Seamus Blackley.
Seamus was the creator and designer of the original Xbox, assembling the team that would bring it to life after the project received approval from Bill Gates. His work helped redefine console gaming as we know it today. I still remember one Christmas when all I wanted was an Xbox. I even convinced my entire family to band together to make it happen.
That Christmas remains one of my favorite holiday memories—and it exists because Seamus helped bring the Xbox into the world. Beyond Xbox, Seamus has represented video game developers through the Creative Artists Agency, advocated for creators across the industry, and continued pushing technological boundaries.
He later led research and development at the augmented-reality startup DAQRI, exploring ways to create more powerful holograms, before becoming CEO of Pacific Light and Hologram in 2018. This is what the legendary Seamus Blackley shared about the video game world he would live in or be trapped in. With a focus hint on the location of Riften
His Choice Is…
I’m digging through a bunch of dusty, broken old arcade game parts and PCBs in some forgotten warehouse in a suburb of San Francisco. Treasures of vintage computing lay scattered and broken on a crappy concrete floor, forming a crazy retro tech habitrail for some very large rats. A truck drives by, and they scatter, but a strange hum persists and fills the room. What is that noise? SHIT! – I turn and notice the laser scanner thing from Tron, partially hidden under an old cloth behind me. It starts to glow, and a beam appears and begins to disassemble me. Against my will, I am cut from reality and pasted into a computer.
Where to? Riften, that’s where. A more vicious hive of scum and villainy you will not find anywhere in Tamriel. Shit and double shit, what level am I? What am I? I look at my hands, dark elf. OK. No sword, but a reasonable hunting bow. Glowing. Good. Let’s get down to the Ragged Flagon and get some business started. This I can handle. Make some coin, try not to die, and maybe retire to a nice homestead in the Reach. Keep an apartment in Whiterun. I’m good.
Sword Art Online
Community Manager for Lords of Gaming, Chris Jones
And finally—last but not least—we come to me. If you know me well, you probably expected this to end with Suikoden and call it a day. And honestly, that would’ve been a solid choice—but it’s not the one I ultimately made. There are so many game worlds I resonate with, each for very different reasons. Worlds like Mass Effect, Shadow Hearts, Kessen / Dynasty Warriors, Pokemon, and one other all crossed my mind. But this question isn’t just about admiration—it’s about choosing a world I’d actually have to live in… or possibly be trapped in. That changes the calculus entirely.
In the end, the world I chose was the VRMMO setting of Sword Art Online. And to be very specific, I mean season one of Sword Art Online. The season where players were truly trapped—unable to log out. Where death in the game meant death in real life. Where even attempting to remove the headset would kill you. As wild as that choice might sound at first glance, there’s a reason it resonated with me more than any other. So let’s get into why.
This is Why…
I know some of you are probably thinking, “Are you crazy, Chris?”
I promise you—I’m not.
When the players of Sword Art Online discovered they were trapped inside the game thanks to Akihiko Kayaba, chaos was inevitable. Thousands of people from all walks of life—young and old, casual players and hardcore gamers—were suddenly forced into a reality where death in the game meant death in real life. Fear took over. Many players never left the Town of Beginnings, choosing the safety of the protected zone over the risk of venturing out.
I wouldn’t be one of those people.
Those who stayed behind depended entirely on the players willing to fight on the front lines—to clear all 100 floors and defeat every boss, ultimately freeing everyone trapped inside the world. That responsibility matters to me. Yes, the dangers are obvious: one hundred bosses, with Heathcliff—Kayaba himself—as the final obstacle. Add in brutal monsters, unpredictable environments, and hostile player killers like Laughing Coffin, and the risks are very real.
But that’s exactly why I’d be out there.
I’d want to fight alongside others pushing forward—not for glory, but to help give everyone else a chance to go home. In a world like Sword Art Online, survival isn’t a solo experience. Trust is earned quickly, and bonds are forged under constant pressure. Parties become teams. Teams become friends. And over time, those friends start to feel like family. That kind of camaraderie—knowing people are watching your back and relying on you in return—is something that would matter deeply to me.
Beyond the danger, there’s also the sheer scale and wonder of the world itself. Each floor offers a completely different environment to explore, secrets to uncover, and systems to learn. Even within the show, we see players finding peaceful paths—fishing, crafting, trading—ways to live meaningful lives without constantly risking death. Moments spent sharing a meal, swapping stories, or simply resting after a long day of grinding are just as important as clearing the next boss.
But there is even more…
For me, the pull is growth.
I’ve always loved rare items, magic systems, powerful gear, and the journey toward becoming stronger. I’d be constantly moving, learning, and preparing—not recklessly, but deliberately. Every dungeon run, every boss fight, every discovery would be part of a larger goal: becoming strong enough to protect those who were scared or unable to fight for themselves. Planning, information gathering, and smart decision-making would be everything—not just for me, but for the people depending on that knowledge to survive.
Honestly? Being an information broker in that world would be incredibly appealing. Knowledge is power in Sword Art Online, and helping others survive through guidance, strategy, and preparation could save lives just as much as a sword ever could. Sometimes the most valuable ally isn’t the strongest fighter—but the one who knows what’s coming next.
And yes—I know the obvious counterargument: “But Chris, if you die in the game, you die in real life.”
I understand that completely. There would be tragedy. There would be heartbreak if an ally fell. But I also believe people need support, leadership, and someone willing to stand with them when fear would otherwise keep them frozen in place.
And even if the worst were to happen, I’d know I lived standing for something—building trust, forging bonds, helping others move forward, and refusing to let fear dictate my existence. At 36, I’ve lived a full, meaningful life—but I’d still fight to protect others until the very end.
That’s why, against all odds, Sword Art Online—specifically its first season—is the world I’d choose to live in… or be trapped in.
Worlds, Choices, and the People We Are
What makes this question so powerful isn’t the worlds themselves—it’s what our choices say about us.
Across every response in this piece, a common thread emerged. Whether it was the freedom of Red Dead Redemption 2, the comfort of Animal Crossing, the danger of Cyberpunk 2077, the magic of Tamriel, or the impossible stakes of Sword Art Online, these choices weren’t about escapism alone. They were about values.
Adventure.
Curiosity.
Responsibility.
Community.
Growth.
Some contributors chose worlds where they could relax. Others chose worlds where they could help. Some embraced chaos. Others sought meaning. But every answer reflected something deeply human: the desire to belong somewhere—and to matter once we’re there.
That’s the power of video games. They don’t just give us places to explore; they give us mirrors. They let us imagine who we’d be when the rules change, when the stakes rise, and when comfort is no longer guaranteed. Whether you’d stay behind in a safe town… or charge the front lines to free everyone else… the choice says everything.
So now the question turns to you: If you had to choose—what world would you live in… or be trapped in?
