gaming culture
An Unsung Hero of Gaming History Deserves a Higher Profile
Jerry Lawson, the inventor of the game cartridge, isn't quite a household name. A podcast aims to shed some light on his life and accomplishments.
This Fallout TV Show Is a Terrible Idea—Unless It's a Comedy
Game studio Bethesda’s successful franchise is full of surrealist comedy, and Amazon’s forthcoming adaptation should reflect this.
Are Rhythm Games Ready for a Comeback?
Big publishers stepped away from the genre that spawned Guitar Hero and Rock Band. But a few small studios—and hungry fans—are keeping the dream alive.
Tabletop RPG Rule Books Can Be Beautiful and Accessible
Role-playing rule books are being designed to be more experimental and unique. Here’s how they can be designed for accessibility, too.
Galloping Ghost Gives Arcade Gaming an Extra Life
One of the world's largest arcades is still making history, preserving video games for posterity and inviting anyone who wants to play to the table.
Game Studios Are Turning Play Into Work
Video games are being split into titles geared toward fun and those that beguile us into productivity with points, rewards, and even NFTs.
Skábma: Snowfall Is a Huge Win for Indigenous Game Makers
The game tells the story of a Sámi reindeer herder reconnecting with the ancient ways of his people.
Video Games Already Do What the Metaverse Just Promises
Virtual hang-outs, digital currency, weddings? Online games have been making space for these things for decades.
'Gaymers' Are Taking Brazil by Storm
Dressed in drag, Brazilian streamers are breaking stereotypes with a lot of humor and a dash of glitter.
Indie City-Building Games Finally Reckon With Climate Change
City- and empire-builders like Cities: Skylines totally simplify the climate crisis, if they address it at all. A new wave of titles are far more complex.
The 9 Games We Loved in 2021
In a year of continued stasis, these games brought us a lot of joy.
The Best Indie Games You May Have Missed in 2021
It's been a great year for developers and gamers alike.
Tetris Helps My Stress and Anxiety Fall Away
When I revisited my preferred childhood pastime, I wondered if the game would still serve as a mental reset. Turns out, it did.
Battlefield 2042 Turns the Climate Crisis Into a Playground
DICE and EA's latest sci-fi shooter is an example of art imitating life, complete with the trappings that got us all here.
A Totally Fair Progression System Is Impossible
The developers of Halo: Infinite fell short when designing the game's reward system. Some systems are far more equitable, and here’s why.
The Best Games of 2021 Were an Explosion of Color and Charisma
As the pandemic continued, these exuberant titles looked beyond the long dark night.
This Marvel Game Soundtrack Has an Epic Origin Story
Guardians of the Galaxy has one of the 2021's most ambitious video game scores. An MCU-obsessed composer and a made-up metal band brought it to life.
The Fall and Rise of Real-Time Strategy Games
They used to dominate sales charts and spawn entire esports leagues. Can new RTS games revive the beloved genre?
Rumbleverse Adds a Melee Twist to the Battle Royale
Epic Games’ first published title is a free-to-play romp where competitors unleash elbow drops and dropkicks as they leap across streets and scale rooftops.
This Conference Puts Accessibility in Gaming Front and Center
The Game Accessibility Conference brings developers, advocates, and government officials together to imagine and work toward a more inclusive games industry.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Sims
I’d been avoiding the game for years because I feared it would take over my life. Now I don’t mind if it does.
Why I Love to Scrounge in Video Games
It is so satisfying to ruffle the pockets of every dead body and poke around the library.
It’s Never Been More Obvious That You Suck at Video Games
Comparing ourselves to professional gamers and checking online ranking systems can be humbling—and fun.
Why Do Games Still Struggle With Trans Inclusion?
AAA titles often feel exploitative of trans people and trauma. But some indie games are getting it right.