Tag: gaming
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Blockbuster Games Should Be Treated Like Blockbuster Movies
Red Dead Redemption 2 has brought to light a specific philosophy of game design used in blockbuster games that emphasizes technological achievement over everything else. Rockstar has unapologetically perused a line of development in which the creation of the most life-like atmosphere in a game is the most important factor in crafting an experience. Chasing realism…
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How the Evolution of Witches Affects Gaming
Witches are easily one of the most recognized monsters in the world, and their history is a long one. From being sought out and killed in Salem, Massachusetts, to being presented as a common mystical villain, to becoming fashion and lifestyle icons, witches have made their mark in popular culture and will continue rise in…
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Prepare to Die: Gaming with ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a common behavioural disorder that is often overlooked. It is usually noticed at a young age, between 6 and 12 years old. The symptoms come in two main categories, ‘inattentiveness’ and ‘hyperactivity and impulsiveness’. Inattentiveness includes symptoms such as having a short attention span, making careless mistakes, being…
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Publishers Need to Do More to Fight Gaming Disorder
Gaming Disorder has recently been recognised as a medical condition, and in many countries can now be treated as such. The news has had varied reactions. Most outlets just used it as an excuse to film some kids who play Fortnite a lot. Recognition of digital services as exploiting human tendencies for addiction has been…
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Should Trigger Warnings be Commonplace in Gaming?
Video games have always been a type of media and entertainment that, in a way, combine books and films. You get to see what is happening to have a visual to go along with the storyline, much like a movie. You also get to come up with your own ideas, your own head canon to…
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Warframe Devs ask “What do you want?”
In the face of the recent microtransaction controversies, one company looks to be dialing back one of their more annoying monetization practices. You might be surprised to hear that it’s a free to play game, Warframe, that is looking to change this practice. They plan to make changes to the Prime Vault system in the…
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Razer Tweeted a Racist Meme, Then Mocked Critics
Razer, Inc.‘s social media manager thought it would be funny to post a “Ugandan Knuckles” meme as a way of promoting its brand. In doing so, the gaming accessory company stumbled into a long, difficult conversation about bigotry in gaming. On Saturday, Razer posted the meme to Twitter, taking the opportunity to admonish its fans…
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Why are Gamers So Angry?
Hey, dude raging in the voice chat, quick question: when did gaming stop being fun? No, seriously. When did the joy of playing a video game get sucked out of your life? I can tell you when it left mine. It’s when people like you started to become the loud minority of gamers that other…
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Don’t Let Ready Player One Sell You Your Identity
Ready, Player One? Dig up your artifacts, still warm from hype and channel static. Excavate your chipped neo-antiques; line the walls of your museum with references gouged from their frames. Haunt every shot with the specters of gutted franchises. Fan fiction is never enough. Consumer fiction is that new hotness. Shut up and take my…
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Is There a Link Between Intelligence and Playing Video Games?
The stereotype that gamers are lazy slobs has been floating around ever since video games were first invented. Although I don’t see anything wrong with leading a chill life, there’s now scientific research to prove the haters wrong. A recent study was conducted by the University of York (United Kingdom), on the link between video…
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10 Gifs That Perfectly Describe Gamers on Live Chat
Let’s face it, almost all of the bigotry that comes from online gaming comes straight from the live chat. Whether it’s via text form or over voice chat, you always get a slew of gamers who just do not know when to stop talking. Sometimes you’ll find feminist-friendly servers, or at least a match full…
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Horror Games That Don’t Rely On the ‘Mental Illness is Scary’ Trope
If I asked you to think about the average horror game setting, then chances are that your mind probably wandered to an abandoned mental hospital, or a spooky forest inhabited by “crazy people.” I know mine does. The horror game market is so overly saturated in games about mentally ill villains, that it’s clear many…
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The Difficulties Of Being A Transgender Livestreamer
If you’ve read my bio or the title, I guess, you’re aware that I’m a transgender woman and an active livestreamer. But it’s not always easy doing both of those things. There are a few things some of us have to put up with. These problems are why somedays I don’t even want to turn…
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The Sims Isn’t Just a Game, It’s a Therapy Tool
There’s always been a bit of controversy around The Sims. From the way Maxis/EA handles monetizing content, to the frequency in which they implement features. But, for all intents and purposes, Maxis/EA is made of human beings and human beings are fallible. As others have pointed out, making games is hard work, and there are…
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Stream Etiquette For Trans Allies
I’m sure you’ve all seen some variation of Twitch etiquette for different Twitch streamers. They typically have suggested rules that will make the viewing and chatting experience better for you and the streamer. But not everyone has met a transgender person before, or how to be an ally to them. I’m going to share some basic…
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The Hypocrisy of our Love of Sheik: A Character to be Seen and Not Heard
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, wasn’t a very popular game in my social group. The Scottish kids I grew up with were more interested in soccer, boy-girl pop groups, and Furbys. As such, I never really heard the name ‘Zelda’ being thrown around. [SPOILERS For Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, and…