When I think of Rockstar Games, I think of movies.
Rockstar’s greatest trait as a studio has always been their ability to create worlds that felt organic and lived in, and in the case of their GTA series, that means hyper-real American cities chock full of the same kinds of people that inhabit those spaces in real life.
Rockstar Studios and their impact on American culture Read More »
I’m glad Sufjan Stevens’ 50 State project failed.
The allure of having an album about your home state is obvious, and I understand why fans are eager to beg Stevens to step beyond the Midwest. But really, it would be too easy to make albums called California or New York.
Sufjan Stevens’ 50 state project Read More »
Steam recently removed a large number of tags from their store and added a new bunch in their place.
Of these recently removed tags, one that got my attention was “America.”
What’s in a tag?: redefining what’s American Read More »
Meow Wolf experiences are difficult to describe because they do so many things at once. They are part art installation, part escape room, and part immersive theater.
But is their game design art?
Meow Wolf, Tavers, and immersive Game design Read More »
For as long as the series has been a thing, Dark Souls and its spiritual successors have led the conversation around difficulty. Whether the conversation is held in bad faith or not, any Soulsborne fanatic will tell you the highest barrier of entry for the series is difficulty, after which you’ll likely hear any number of stock community in jokes. More often than not that joke will be “git gud,” a meme that originated in the early era of Souls’ popularity.
Get busy “gud”ing or get busy dying over and over Read More »
There is a force in the city that weighs me down. A force that until recently I had blamed on living in a metropolitan area. A weight I suspect we all feel. I am referring to the churn – the hustle and bustle, the work work work – that seems to define much of the American experience.
Bleeding trees and ballet Read More »
Every upcoming indie game is friendslop. Or at least, that’s the impression that certain corners of the internet will give you.
It’s Peak all the way down Read More »
A few weeks ago, I spent the better part of an evening or so putzing around the utility apps on the Nintendo DSi and 2DS I grew up with. It was like a weird time capsule from a pre-algorithmic era where interactions with music meant something.
A new old way to play music Read More »
Breakup songs are one of the best vessels for exploring the feeling of catharsis, even more so when the subject of that heartbreak (or ire, or ambivalence) is sharing the stage with the author.
Onstage couple’s therapy: catharsis and breakup songs Read More »
You don’t need me to tell you that things are bad, but many players have stepped up in the last few months to do what they can to fight against fascism and support our communities, and they have been doing it all through the thing they know how to do best: play.
Fighting fascism through play Read More »
