Feature
Player-Character Dynamics, Identity, and Sexuality in Video Games
The relationship between the creator, the product, and the audience, are all important contexts to consider during media analysis, especially with games. This is because the audience is an active participant in the media. So if you are creating a
Player-Character Dynamics, Identity, and Sexuality in Video Games
The relationship between the creator, the product, and the audience, are all important contexts to consider during media analysis, especially with games. This is because the audience is an active participant in the media. So if you are creating a
Dwarf Fortress as Spectator Sport
When the Museum of Modern Art announced it was going to be adding 14 videogames to its collection, I was startled to find Dwarf Fortress on that list. This is not because I don’t like Dwarf Fortress, or think it’s
Dwarf Fortress as Spectator Sport
When the Museum of Modern Art announced it was going to be adding 14 videogames to its collection, I was startled to find Dwarf Fortress on that list. This is not because I don’t like Dwarf Fortress, or think it’s
Esther and Stanley and Fate
Often we talk about narrative logic when we talk about stories. Does a thing hang together, make sense? Does it have plot holes? How shall we plug them? How can we make it all correct? The metaphor suggests an orderly
Esther and Stanley and Fate
Often we talk about narrative logic when we talk about stories. Does a thing hang together, make sense? Does it have plot holes? How shall we plug them? How can we make it all correct? The metaphor suggests an orderly
A Moment of Perfect Beauty
A lot has been written about Adam Cadre’s seminal work of interactive fiction, Photopia (1998). A quiet, thoughtful exploration of the preciousness of human life, it remains a deeply moving example of interactive storytelling for adults and is still very
A Moment of Perfect Beauty
A lot has been written about Adam Cadre’s seminal work of interactive fiction, Photopia (1998). A quiet, thoughtful exploration of the preciousness of human life, it remains a deeply moving example of interactive storytelling for adults and is still very
Communication Impossibilities
Communication is the weirdest thing. It just kinda works, unless it doesn’t. In practice, it works not because the connection between thought, intention, and language is perfect. It isn’t. It works because we usually share large parts of our worldview
Communication Impossibilities
Communication is the weirdest thing. It just kinda works, unless it doesn’t. In practice, it works not because the connection between thought, intention, and language is perfect. It isn’t. It works because we usually share large parts of our worldview
The wonderful accessibility of Dear Esther
It’s the final year of college, and I’m writing a book on videogames. It’s one of the loneliest projects of my life. I don’t just mean the regular cycle of locking myself in my room to play a game and
The wonderful accessibility of Dear Esther
It’s the final year of college, and I’m writing a book on videogames. It’s one of the loneliest projects of my life. I don’t just mean the regular cycle of locking myself in my room to play a game and
Rinoa and death
Rinoa is mind controlled. Rinoa does something bad. Rinoa floats through space. Rinoa dies. You should watch the scene here (turn off the sound, the LPer running the game is a total asshole who ruins it.) For those who don’t
Rinoa and death
Rinoa is mind controlled. Rinoa does something bad. Rinoa floats through space. Rinoa dies. You should watch the scene here (turn off the sound, the LPer running the game is a total asshole who ruins it.) For those who don’t
Characters that Count
Note: This article contains story spoilers for Shadow of the Colossus. There are many memorable characters in games, but what makes a truly great character, and how are they a more integral part of storytelling than a simple avatar?
Characters that Count
Note: This article contains story spoilers for Shadow of the Colossus. There are many memorable characters in games, but what makes a truly great character, and how are they a more integral part of storytelling than a simple avatar?
Pursuing My True Self
“Call me Mattie.” It was the first time I had ever said that. I remember being at an old hookah bar when I did, Java D’lights. I was waiting on a glass of wine and my good friend hovered near
Pursuing My True Self
“Call me Mattie.” It was the first time I had ever said that. I remember being at an old hookah bar when I did, Java D’lights. I was waiting on a glass of wine and my good friend hovered near
Are strategy games and horror compatible?
There’s a moment in the first tutorial of XCOM: Enemy Unknown that felt like a revelation. Skip past the languid tutorial pacing, the stilted voice actor telling you what to do, and instead focus on the structure of the mission.
Are strategy games and horror compatible?
There’s a moment in the first tutorial of XCOM: Enemy Unknown that felt like a revelation. Skip past the languid tutorial pacing, the stilted voice actor telling you what to do, and instead focus on the structure of the mission.