Author Archives: Ethan Gach
How do you Solve a Problem Like Max Payne?
The man is a high-functioning alcoholic. He spends his nights drinking himself into oblivion while the light of day finds him planting heavy metals deep into the flesh of his enemies with the biologically-ingrained certainty of a fifth generation lead
How do you Solve a Problem Like Max Payne?
The man is a high-functioning alcoholic. He spends his nights drinking himself into oblivion while the light of day finds him planting heavy metals deep into the flesh of his enemies with the biologically-ingrained certainty of a fifth generation lead
Don't Front. We All Love The Violence.
Violence is the name of the game. Well, not literally. And not for all games. There’s Nintendo and the indie scene and whatever new craze is lying in wait on the App Store. But the core of gaming right now remains unmistakably violent. As many people have noted,
Don't Front. We All Love The Violence.
Violence is the name of the game. Well, not literally. And not for all games. There’s Nintendo and the indie scene and whatever new craze is lying in wait on the App Store. But the core of gaming right now remains unmistakably violent. As many people have noted,
Feedback Loop: How Videogames Stole my Daydreams
When my brother and I were younger our parents used to force us to spend a certain amount of time outside every day. In the summer especially, when school was out and the days were lazy, we were cast out
Feedback Loop: How Videogames Stole my Daydreams
When my brother and I were younger our parents used to force us to spend a certain amount of time outside every day. In the summer especially, when school was out and the days were lazy, we were cast out
E3 2012 is Upon us, but What Choices lie Ahead?
The mood is unmistakable. The current generation isn’t quite over, and the next one hasn’t gotten started yet. Unlike recent years, everyone has both eyes looking into the future even as both feet remain firmly planted in the present. It
E3 2012 is Upon us, but What Choices lie Ahead?
The mood is unmistakable. The current generation isn’t quite over, and the next one hasn’t gotten started yet. Unlike recent years, everyone has both eyes looking into the future even as both feet remain firmly planted in the present. It
From Rockband to Monsters and Why These Devs are Happier for It
Bryn Bennett and Steven Kimura started working in the videogame industry around 1998 and have a history with notable companies (Irrational, Harmonix) and big games (Bioshock, Rockband). Now, more than 10 years later they’ve struck out on their own as
From Rockband to Monsters and Why These Devs are Happier for It
Bryn Bennett and Steven Kimura started working in the videogame industry around 1998 and have a history with notable companies (Irrational, Harmonix) and big games (Bioshock, Rockband). Now, more than 10 years later they’ve struck out on their own as
How Many Warlocks Does it Take to Screw up an Empire?
Arcane comes from the Latin word “arcanus” meaning hidden or secret. Paradox Interactive’s new game revels in both of these things, asking players to learn its quirks before unlocking its potential. Cajoling into place an erratic mixture of city planning,
How Many Warlocks Does it Take to Screw up an Empire?
Arcane comes from the Latin word “arcanus” meaning hidden or secret. Paradox Interactive’s new game revels in both of these things, asking players to learn its quirks before unlocking its potential. Cajoling into place an erratic mixture of city planning,
Size Does Matter: What "Indie" Really Means in Videogames
In June of 1992 the Journal of Human Evolution published an article by R.I.M Dunbar entitled, “Neocortex size as a constraint on group size in primates.” Jargon-filled but widely cited, the scholarship established what is now known as Dunbar’s Number:
Size Does Matter: What "Indie" Really Means in Videogames
In June of 1992 the Journal of Human Evolution published an article by R.I.M Dunbar entitled, “Neocortex size as a constraint on group size in primates.” Jargon-filled but widely cited, the scholarship established what is now known as Dunbar’s Number:
Feedback Loop: When Rape is Just a Game
I have always been especially sympathetic to parody, satire, and general irreverence. I’m skeptical of authority and find tradition and convention extremely dubious. And when topics are off-limits or taboo, the benefits to silencing discourse rarely makeup for what’s lost
Feedback Loop: When Rape is Just a Game
I have always been especially sympathetic to parody, satire, and general irreverence. I’m skeptical of authority and find tradition and convention extremely dubious. And when topics are off-limits or taboo, the benefits to silencing discourse rarely makeup for what’s lost
What Does It Mean For Video Games to be Smart?
In recent weeks the argument was put forth that most games are dumb. Writing for the Atlantic, gamer and author Taylor Clark provided an in-depth profile on indie video game creator Jonathan Blow. In so many words, both Clark and
What Does It Mean For Video Games to be Smart?
In recent weeks the argument was put forth that most games are dumb. Writing for the Atlantic, gamer and author Taylor Clark provided an in-depth profile on indie video game creator Jonathan Blow. In so many words, both Clark and
Review: Fez is where I want to be
Home is where i want to be Pick me up and turn me round –“This Must Be the Place“ Fez is an anachronism. It shouldn’t exist. At least not here, not now. It belongs to another era, but in a
Review: Fez is where I want to be
Home is where i want to be Pick me up and turn me round –“This Must Be the Place“ Fez is an anachronism. It shouldn’t exist. At least not here, not now. It belongs to another era, but in a