Ever since video games moved from arcades to home consoles we have seen video games develop into the method of development and release which is similar to how board games are released, as a product. However, with the advent of mobile gaming, specifically phone and tablet gaming, we have seen games return to a games as a…
Category: Game Studies
All or nothing affinity: Why NPC interactions are broken
In roleplaying games conversation trees, and dialogue options open up a world of character expression and interaction with the non player characters. Whether it is as simple as talking to a bartender to tap into the rumors floating about town, or diving deep into the history of a companion to learn their motivations for joining you…
Consumed by the Commonwealth: Resistance is futile
Resisting the fallout During my first full playthrough of Fallout 4, which you can read more about in my article The world that he wants: the aftermath of siding with Shaun, I focused on being a morally good character, but there is a disconnect that comes from trying to maintain a goody two shoes outlook…
How genres shape the impact of a game: Forum for Creativity
Genres and what a game means to a player The use of genres to identify and categorize the content of different forms of art is nothing new, however the change in genre in games can have a massive impact on the gameplay experience. The differences and defining points of genres within gaming have grown and…
How genres shape the impact of a game: Meditative Spaces
Genres and what a game means to a player The use of genres to identify and categorize the content of different forms of art is nothing new, however the change in genre in games can have a massive impact on the gameplay experience. The differences and defining points of genres within gaming have grown and…
How genres shape the impact of a game: Roleplaying Narratives
Genres and what a game means to a player The use of genres to identify and categorize the content of different forms of art is nothing new, however the change in genre in games can have a massive impact on the gameplay experience. The differences and defining points of genres within gaming have grown and…
How genres shape the impact of a game: Competition
Genres and what a game means to a player The use of genres to identify and categorize the content of different forms of art is nothing new, however the change in genre in games can have a massive impact on the gameplay experience. The differences and defining points of genres within gaming have grown and…
Analyzing games: studying vs consuming
*Not actual gameplay footage (A detailed aircraft model featured in a Mobile Strike ad but not in the game itself) When I reviewed Mobile Strike a few months ago in my article Mobile Strike: complexity vs depth, I was incredibly let down by the gameplay experience. The experience shown in Mobile Strike‘s over-the-top, budget-busting ad campaigns, showcasing high-octane…
Tutorialize the conversation: speaking to non-gamers about games
I love talking about video games and games in general with my fellow gamers. We have shared experience that make it easy for us to connect and discuss the structure, strengths, and weaknesses of the games we play. However, I find it equally enjoyable to explain games and gaming culture to the uninitiated; people who…
Going with what works: why designing a game requires a surrender to change
When a developer decides to create a game they often begin with wanting to create an experience they themselves find interesting. The truth of the matter is, as I discussed in my article Children are Game Designer: how child’s play mirrors professional game development; developers are children at heart, seeking ways to express play, with the…
Board games are for lovers (of design): why rules documents are pure game design
Video games have taken the world by storm and it is easy to understand why, they are engaging, immersive, at times visually stunning, and grow more magnificent with each new digital technology introduced. However, gaming has a long history in analogue form dating back to the earliest days of mankind. What are the strengths of games…
Binge gaming part 5: Stasis pod
How binge gaming can help a player In truth, binging on a game when life is at a low can be a saving grace; it can help you to continue feeling like you are growing as a person even though the world around you has forced you to feel small or powerless. Since games are active pastimes, the…
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