In this piece, we analyze the recent new footage from The Last of Us Part II, and include a graphic breakdown of violence enacted in the footage, particularly violence against women. If you’d like to watch the footage for yourself, you may find it here. Sony’s show at Paris Games Week was […]
violence
11 posts
We’ve been writing a bit about Westworld from a games studies perspective because it’s fascinating, but also because it’s a big, beautiful, visual version of so much we discuss already, and for me, with my interests in how we continue to think about the magic circle, and about player experience […]
When I was little, I wanted to be a cowboy when I grew up. Okay, there was a short period in preschool during which I wanted to be a ballerina, but I soon realized that tights are itchy and, also, that I can’t dance. Being a cowboy seemed a much […]
Games are alive with emotion. Maybe that emotion is excitement at finding a new piece of legendary gear, or aggression at trying to kill a particularly difficult boss, or sadness when a character dies (what, you’ve never cried during a video game? No? Yeah, yeah… me either…). One of the […]
There was a story recently stating that police and social services would be called on parents who let their children play Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, and other Mature rated games. The recommendation also suggested that children should not have Facebook accounts. While I don’t agree with this recommendation […]
A YouTube video surfaced today, illegally shot, showing the Joker (Jared Leto) slapping Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) in David Ayer’s anticipated 2016 Suicide Squad film. The video has been removed from YouTube, with a message claiming copyright by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Kotaku retained a GIF of the scene, however: Throughout […]
Obviously, all the trigger warnings for this post. “Fag down.” “Transgender kill.” “You killed that faggot.” “Straight pride.” “AIDS carrier eliminated.” These are just some of the gems from the game Kill the F*ggot, which was removed from Steam Greenlight earlier today. This is the short trailer for the game: […]
I’m back! After a semester hiatus, I’m thrilled to be back in the mix. Dr. Craig Anderson, a Professor at Iowa State, has made his career on proving the negative effects of video games on youth. He is the figurehead for this movement, and he is the primary source and […]
Earlier today, Twitter user Erika Imperial (@icequeenerika) posted a screenshot of Pillars of Eternity, calling creators Obsidian Entertainment out for the inclusion of a Kickstarter-backer’s paid message, a message about the “horror” of discovering a lover was in fact transgender. Erika pulled in noted critic Katherine Cross, and the screenshot […]
This full game review comes courtesy of guest writer Carol Hood. Welcome, Carol! The best-worst thing to ever happen to my Vita was Hotline Miami. See, no one can convince me there was a better old school beat ‘em up than Streets of Rage (1 and 2, we do not […]
Trigger Warning: this post contains discussions of rape and slavery in Minecraft Ok, as a member of a number of various historically oppressed groups I just don’t get slavery play in video games. That shit ain’t fun and it ain’t playful. That’s why I get plan old enraged when I […]