9 Game Worlds I’d Move Into in 2026 (Sayonara, Reality!)

Let’s be real here—2026 hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk. Between AI overlords taking over the gig economy and my landlord still insisting the leaky faucet is “a feature, not a bug,” I’ve been daydreaming about packing my digital bags and vanishing into a video game world forever. I mean, if we’re being honest, the real world is a hot mess, and my backlog of open-world masterpieces is just sitting there, taunting me with better weather, cooler neighbors, and the distinct lack of rush-hour traffic. So, after much soul-searching (and a few too many late-night gaming sessions), I’ve cobbled together my personal list of top 9 game worlds where I’d happily shack up for good. Buckle up, buttercup—this is my permanent residency application to the virtual universe.

9. Grand Theft Auto Online (Passive Mode)

Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Los Santos? That’s a death trap!” But hear me out. Ever since Rockstar added Passive Mode, the city has become my go-to for a chill, no-strings-attached retirement. Picture this: you’re cruising down Del Perro Pier in a drop-top Caronizzare, wind in your hair, with zero fear of getting blown up by a flying motorcycle because you’ve flipped the magic “don’t shoot me” switch. It’s like a childhood hometown, if your hometown had pristine beaches, Ponsonby’s for high-end shopping, and Blazing Tattoo for when you want to commemorate your virtual midlife crisis.

Sure, you could play tennis with a buddy or hit the golf course, but the real kicker is the weather. Sunny, with a side of occasional chaos you can just nope out of. I’d spend my days collecting classic cars, customizing my penthouse, and maybe—just maybe—watching low-level players duke it out from the safety of my hot tub. It’s the American Dream, minus the paperwork. Just remember: keep that passive mode on, or you’ll be a very pretty corpse before lunch.

8. NBA 2K (The City)

I’m not even a die-hard basketball fan, but The City in NBA 2K has got me ready to sell all my earthly possessions and move into a sneaker store. It’s basically a glorified college campus, except everyone’s a 7-foot demigod and the pickup games are more intense than a corporate team-building retreat. On my way to the gym, I’ll pass skateboarders doing kickflips, dudes arguing about LeBron vs. Jordan, and the kind of virtual retail that makes your wallet spontaneously combust.

Speaking of retail, if you’re a sneakerhead like me (I once cried over a pair of retro Jordans), you’ll lose your mind in the shopping district. Every colorway, every limited release—just waiting to be digitally laced up. And when your eyes get tired ogling kicks, you can hop onto a court and prove you’ve still got handles. Just don’t blame me when a 12-year-old crosses you over so hard you question your existence. The City is my vibe: streetball, fashion, and unlimited Gatorade. Sign me up.

7. Destiny 2 (The Dreaming City)

Yeah, I said it. I want to live in a place where Screebs explode at my feet and the sky looks like a lavender watercolor painting. The Dreaming City in Destiny 2 is the kind of gorgeous that makes your jaw drop so hard you’d need a Ghost to rez you. Sprawling hills, crystalline architecture, and the distant hum of the Blind Well—it’s a Guardian’s paradise. Sure, the locals can be a bit… well, Scorn-y, but I’d trade my annoying neighbor Kevin for a screeching abomination any day. At least Screebs have the decency to explode quickly.

In 2026, I’d spend my mornings farming Baryon Boughs (don’t judge, those things are gorgeous), my afternoons joining clanmates for Last Wish runs, and my evenings just vibing at the edge of a cliff, watching the skyline. The Dreaming City has that “eternal, slightly cursed” energy I crave. Plus, with my Ghost by my side, immortality is a literal perk. The only downside? Petra Venj giving me side-eye when I mess up a jumping puzzle. Still, I’m ready to set up a tent and never leave.

6. Riders Republic

If your idea of a good time involves breaking every bone in your body for the sake of a sick trick, then Riders Republic is your nirvana. This world mashes together Mammoth Mountain, Grand Teton, and Yosemite into one massive extreme-sports playground, and it’s the kind of place where adrenaline is a currency. In real life, I attempted a skateboard ollie once and ended up in the ER. In Riders Republic, I can rewind any crash. Rewind! Imagine falling off a cliff on a snowboard, doing a full scorpion, and then just hitting a button to try again, landing like a pro. Tony Hawk would weep with envy.

I’d spend my days bombing down mountains on a bike, carving up skateparks, and occasionally wingsuit-flying through canyons just because I can. The community’s all about good vibes and no-consequence chaos, which is perfect for a clumsy soul like me. No helmets, no shame, just the sweet, sweet rewind button. If real life had that feature, I’d never look back. Literally.

5. The Sims 4 (Del Sol Valley)

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Here’s the thing: in The Sims 4, money literally grows on trees. I’ll repeat that: money. Literally. Grows. On. Trees. Sure, you can plant some weird seed and, boom, simoleons sprout like daisies. Why on earth would I stay in a world where I have to deal with taxes and student loans when I can move to Del Sol Valley, live in a modest bungalow, and just harvest cash in the backyard? That’s the definition of a no-brainer.

Del Sol Valley’s got that small-town charm without the nosy HOA. It never snows, the weather’s always jacket-optional, and there’s a palpable celebrity energy—because, hello, it’s the Hollywood of Sims. I’d adopt a whole clowder of cats (my real apartment landlord can’t stop me here!), and spend my days perfecting my mixology skill while waiting for the money trees to bloom. The only downside is the occasional death by laughter, but let’s be honest—if I go out, that’s how I want to go. Laughing my way to the bank, with a cat on my lap.

4. Far Cry Primal (Oros Valley)

For all the survivalist nutjobs (affectionate) out there, Oros Valley in Far Cry Primal is the ultimate off-the-grid experience. You wake up in a land where you’re definitely not at the top of the food chain, with nothing but a stick and a dream. Sound terrifying? Maybe. But for me, it’s a chance to live like our ancestors did—struggling, hunting, and occasionally taming a sabretooth tiger to ride into battle. Yes, you can ride a sabretooth. I’ll let that sink in.

The valley is as brutal as it is beautiful. Lush forests, snowy peaks, and plenty of prey if you’re worth your salt with a bow. I’d build a cozy little hut, maybe befriend some Wenja, and steer clear of the rival Udam tribe who always seem to have a bone to pick (literally). At night, I’d stare at prehistoric stars and feel a primal connection to the earth—or I’d just be paranoid about wolves. Either way, it’s a simpler life. Last time I checked, my current job doesn’t let me ride extinct felines. So, yeah, Oros Valley wins.

3. Ghost of Tsushima

Feudal Japan in Ghost of Tsushima is the kind of postcard you stick on your wall and weep into your morning coffee over. Golden fields, serene bamboo forests, and waterfalls that look like they’ve been painted by a divine hand. And oh, you get to be a ninja. Not a wannabe sneaking around in a Halloween costume; a full-blown samurai-ninja hybrid with a heart of gold (or maybe a heart of steel, depending on your playstyle). I’d spend my days riding through meadows on my trusty steed, discovering hidden hot springs, and watching sunsets that would put Instagram filters out of business.

The foxes… the foxes! They’re everywhere, and they let you pet them. That alone is worth the price of admission. In 2026, I’m more than ready to trade my smartphone for a katana and my office chair for a mountainside shrine. The community feel is unmatched—tiny villages where everyone knows your name, and the only drama is the occasional Mongol invasion. It’s a life of honor, peace, and very sharp objects. Sign me up as Jin Sakai’s understudy.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Yeehaw, partner—this is where my frontier fantasies come alive. Red Dead Redemption 2’s world is the most immersive Wild West sandbox you’ll ever saddle up in. I’m talking dusty desert plains, bustling turn-of-the-century cities, and enough outlaw shenanigans to fill a dime novel. I’d set up camp in New Austin, spend my days hunting legendary animals, and my nights playing poker in a smoky saloon. The danger is real—bandits, lawmen, cougars, you name it—but that just keeps things spicy.

If I’m feeling social, I’d roll with a posse of like-minded cowpokes and plan the perfect train heist. There’s something undeniably romantic about riding off into the sunset after a successful score, your loyal horse panting beneath you. Arthur Morgan’s soul may be troubled, but mine would be living its best life. Throw in some cold beers around a campfire and a banjo soundtrack, and I’m ready to delete my real-life GPS entirely. Just don’t ask me to play dominos with Abigail; she cheats.

1. Jurassic World Evolution 2

Topping my list is a world where I can literally walk among dinosaurs. I mean, come on—dinosaurs! Jurassic World Evolution 2 puts me in charge of my very own park, but even if I’m just a visitor, the sheer awe of seeing a Brachiosaurus lumbering past while I sip a piña colada is the pinnacle of human achievement. Sure, there’s a 99% chance a raptor figures out how to open a door and ruins my day, but Chris Pratt taught us that a firm hand gesture can basically tame anything. I’ve been practicing in the mirror.

In 2026, I’d happily move into Owen’s ranch, surrounded by trained velociraptors and the occasional mosasaur splash. The constant, low-grade terror of a breakout would keep me on my toes, and honestly, I’d rather deal with a T-Rex than my HOA’s passive-aggressive emails about unapproved garden gnomes. Plus, imagine the bragging rights: “Oh, you saw a pigeon today? That’s cute. I fed a triceratops.” No contest. This world is chaos wrapped in wonder, and I’m here for it with a syringe full of adrenaline and a tranquilizer rifle. This is the dream, folks—the absolute apex of video game residency.