Shadows on the Screen: Why Write High Critique
Last week friend of OLC and SpawnKill.com co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Palermo told me that she didn’t understand the appeal in “Games as Art” topics. I simultaneously felt defensive, and well, guilty.
Shadows on the Screen: What does it take to be culturally relevant?
I write about all sorts of Ivory Tower topics. Games as art, protected expression, or taboo breakers. It is particularly interesting (and debilitating) to me when one of these issues holds practical value. So, let’s ask: are all games culturally relevant?
Shadows On The Screen: The Safety of Maintaining Taboo and the Importance of Social Deviance
Konami dropped Six Days in Fallujah was because of a vocal minority. Bully‘s name was changed overseas despite being the gaming equivalent of a teen summer comedy. Why do even courageous creators back away from taboo? Read more
Shadows on the Screen: What Do We Mean When We Say “Game”?
What is a game? To be honest, I’m a little afraid to weigh in on the this topic. It’s bigger than me, and voicing my opinion on it will betray some classified core belief behind all of my critique. But here I am, anyway. Read more
Shadows on the Screen: What’s an “Art Game,” Anyway?
During the past month’s Games Developer’s Conference, critic Heather Chaplain argued that the youth of video games shouldn’t be blamed for topical immaturity in the medium. The game devs themselves, she says, are “fucking adolescents.” Read more
