From fish to MMOs: Grouping
From fish to MMOs is a running column that re-evaluates, through a biological lens, fundamental video game mechanics and designs. This is the introduction. Titus, eighty and munching on apple skins, tells me his usual quip about lizards dancing naked
From fish to MMOs: Grouping
From fish to MMOs is a running column that re-evaluates, through a biological lens, fundamental video game mechanics and designs. This is the introduction. Titus, eighty and munching on apple skins, tells me his usual quip about lizards dancing naked
Analyzing the Modern Warfare Trilogy: Part 2 – It's full of plot holes!
A few days ago, I had a lot of praise for the plot in the Modern Warfare games. As was evident, the article was almost entirely focused on the first game, and the high standards the game set. MW1 had
Analyzing the Modern Warfare Trilogy: Part 2 – It's full of plot holes!
A few days ago, I had a lot of praise for the plot in the Modern Warfare games. As was evident, the article was almost entirely focused on the first game, and the high standards the game set. MW1 had
Soundscapes – The broken sound of console ports
There’s a problem with the sound in games that appeared in the last 5 years. Many “well done” console ports to the PC such as Alan Wake and Dragon Age 2 actually have a serious problem. If you run these
Soundscapes – The broken sound of console ports
There’s a problem with the sound in games that appeared in the last 5 years. Many “well done” console ports to the PC such as Alan Wake and Dragon Age 2 actually have a serious problem. If you run these
YOU ARE HERE: How games have become domesticated
In their dawn, games used to live in the wild. The savage beasts that they were didn’t care if you managed to collect all the 50 secret gems or if you didn’t realize that fruit basket in the living room was part of a puzzle. These beasts left you to roam without an inkling of direction.
Try to remember the last time you were lost in a game. When you had to wander aimlessly, trying to find something – even if you were still unsure of what you needed to find. In fact, when was the last time you discovered something in a game? Something cool that was not already stated in your objective list? When was the last time you found something that truly surprised you, like a secret dungeon or an item whose existences wasn’t already hinted by the vacant spot in your inventory?
Well, how far back did you have to go? I passed through a couple of Animal Crossings along the way, but was only able to find the “Era of Discovery” – when the blurb “Discover Planet X” on the back of a game box made sense – back in the days of the original Zelda and Metroid. Games during which we were asked to discover what we were supposed to be doing in the first place.
YOU ARE HERE: How games have become domesticated
In their dawn, games used to live in the wild. The savage beasts that they were didn’t care if you managed to collect all the 50 secret gems or if you didn’t realize that fruit basket in the living room was part of a puzzle. These beasts left you to roam without an inkling of direction.
Try to remember the last time you were lost in a game. When you had to wander aimlessly, trying to find something – even if you were still unsure of what you needed to find. In fact, when was the last time you discovered something in a game? Something cool that was not already stated in your objective list? When was the last time you found something that truly surprised you, like a secret dungeon or an item whose existences wasn’t already hinted by the vacant spot in your inventory?
Well, how far back did you have to go? I passed through a couple of Animal Crossings along the way, but was only able to find the “Era of Discovery” – when the blurb “Discover Planet X” on the back of a game box made sense – back in the days of the original Zelda and Metroid. Games during which we were asked to discover what we were supposed to be doing in the first place.
Is Indie Royale's Alpha Collection ready for prime time?
When I think of alphas nowadays I tend to recall Minecraft, a game eminently playable in its alpha state. In reality, alphas (and even betas) are not like that: they’re more proofs of concept than full games. Alphas are not
Is Indie Royale's Alpha Collection ready for prime time?
When I think of alphas nowadays I tend to recall Minecraft, a game eminently playable in its alpha state. In reality, alphas (and even betas) are not like that: they’re more proofs of concept than full games. Alphas are not
Is JB Hi-Fi planning on breaking Mass Effect 3's street date?
For a brief time, I was jealous of all you Americans. You were going to be playing Mass Effect 3 on the 6th of March, while down here in Australia we had to wait untill the 8th. (Don’t even get me started
Is JB Hi-Fi planning on breaking Mass Effect 3's street date?
For a brief time, I was jealous of all you Americans. You were going to be playing Mass Effect 3 on the 6th of March, while down here in Australia we had to wait untill the 8th. (Don’t even get me started
Run, Jump, Scavenge: The Next Generation of Apps
Good news everyone! I have seen the future of app games and it is good. Today I bring you, Zombies, RUN! and SCVNGR. They may not be video games in the strictest sense, but they are an interactive medium.
Run, Jump, Scavenge: The Next Generation of Apps
Good news everyone! I have seen the future of app games and it is good. Today I bring you, Zombies, RUN! and SCVNGR. They may not be video games in the strictest sense, but they are an interactive medium.
Capsized devs announce new project, Apotheon
In development since Capsized was released, Apotheon is Alientrap’s foray into the mythological. The premise is this: you’re humanity’s last champion (of course!), on a mission to end the wrath of the gods. Y’see, Hera has overthrown her husband Zeus,
Capsized devs announce new project, Apotheon
In development since Capsized was released, Apotheon is Alientrap’s foray into the mythological. The premise is this: you’re humanity’s last champion (of course!), on a mission to end the wrath of the gods. Y’see, Hera has overthrown her husband Zeus,
Why some game developers shouldn't like games
Why can’t we gamers accept that someone who doesn’t love games with the fervent passion we do can make them? I’m proud to say one of my favorite games of all time—Katamari Damacy—comes from the mind of someone who doesn’t
Why some game developers shouldn't like games
Why can’t we gamers accept that someone who doesn’t love games with the fervent passion we do can make them? I’m proud to say one of my favorite games of all time—Katamari Damacy—comes from the mind of someone who doesn’t
MACHINARIUM and Steel-coated Contemplation
Movies – and by extension, games – are afraid of silence. They are deadly afraid the silence will bore the audience – and a bored audience will walk away. In response, movies and games are now coated with noise, music, action… anything to deter that silence. In the end, they confuse content with busyness.
Machinarium is a game where you play as little robot trying to do some good, correct some wrongs and solve some puzzles as they come along. It is a game very much like a Hayao Miyazaki cartoon, with its whimsical graphics, charming characters, moody soundtrack – and, yes, the silence: various quiet “empty” moments where characters just stand in contemplation. Or maybe that was me? I’m not sure anymore.
MACHINARIUM and Steel-coated Contemplation
Movies – and by extension, games – are afraid of silence. They are deadly afraid the silence will bore the audience – and a bored audience will walk away. In response, movies and games are now coated with noise, music, action… anything to deter that silence. In the end, they confuse content with busyness.
Machinarium is a game where you play as little robot trying to do some good, correct some wrongs and solve some puzzles as they come along. It is a game very much like a Hayao Miyazaki cartoon, with its whimsical graphics, charming characters, moody soundtrack – and, yes, the silence: various quiet “empty” moments where characters just stand in contemplation. Or maybe that was me? I’m not sure anymore.