Video games are about more than entertainment. They are a form of escapism that lets us dive into an alternate life and truly step inside the shoes of another character. In recent years, the settings of video games have become as integral to the experience as the actual plot and gameplay mechanics.

Gamers of all stripes enjoy immersing themselves in the life of their character, imagining themselves as residents of Los Santos, Skyrim, Renaissance-era Italy, or near-future Detroit. A key part of what makes these kinds of games so immersive is the houses that you, as the player, get to call your own.

Some video game houses are masterpieces of architecture and home design and would make highly desirable places to live in real life. With that in mind, let’s take a look at four houses from video games that we would love to live in. 

1. Franklin’s Safehouse: GTA V

The Grand Theft Auto franchise provides players with an abundance of uber-luxurious real estate as a reward for a life of crime. Of all of the glitzy safehouses available to players, the one we’d most like to call home is Franklin’s sleek Vinewood Hills mansion. This modernist concrete and glass structure comes equipped with a wraparound terrace, an infinity pool, and breathtaking views of the Los Santos skyline. 

2. Croft Manor: Tomb Raider Anniversary

The ancestral home of Lara Croft is a typical English country manor house that takes luxury to the next level. Given that the sprawling pile is located in the highly desirable area of Epsom in Surrey, real estate experts have put the IRL value of Croft Manor at around $43 million. Of course, homebuyers in the region need not fork out that much for the Croft experience. Homes in Surrey can be obtained by those with more modest means – free online mortgage advisor services such as Trussle work to help UK homebuyers compare the most competitive mortgage rates possible for their budget. Even for a home as palatial as Croft Manor, good mortgage deals are available. 

3. Villa Auditore: Assassin’s Creed II 

Many of us have dreamt of owning our very own palazzo in the rolling hills of Tuscany. For players of Assassin’s Creed II, that dream is at least virtually possible to live out. The family home of the game’s protagonist, Ezio Auditore, is a crumbling yet elegant palace that overlooks the real-life Tuscan village of Monteriggioni. Although the property is not in ideal shape, the player can spend their hard-earned Florentine coins fixing it up and transforming it into a home fit for an Italian duke. 

4. Lakeview Manor: Skyrim

Finally, let’s not forget the beautiful rural manor lodge located deep in the forests of Falkreath in The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. While there are many whimsical homes available for players to buy with their gold coins, this one is by far the most expensive, costing 5000 coins to buy outright. While in US dollars, 5000 Skyrim gold only equates to $12,500, there are no mortgage plans available in the world of Skyrim, meaning you’d have to slay a lot of dragons
to be able to get your hands on Lakeview Manor. 

These are the most desirable pieces of virtual real estate that we can think of. Drop us a comment if you have any places that you think deserve to be on this list