Opinion

Critical Thinking: On Branching Narrative

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Last time, I mused a bit on the concept of linearity versus openness in gaming. Today, I’d like to continue that line of thought, with a look at narrative paths in game design. See, I was reading an article the other day – an interview with TellTale Games – where it was revealed that they almost cut Clementine from The Walking Dead. If you’re among those who’ve played the game, I’m sure you’ll agree that it would have been a catastrophic choice which would have resulted in one of the best features of the game – one of the game’s sole driving factors – being absent.

Today’s piece is all about meaning.

Six Games You Might Not Know Were Spiritual Successors

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See, sometimes an honest-to-god sequel simply isn’t in the cards. There are many reasons for this. Perhaps the studio that originally made the game is now defunct, and the rights are lost – in this case, the only choice is to create something entirely new. Perhaps the developer has already told the story they wanted to tell, and feel that it’s time to move on to something new – all while retaining the feel of the series they’ve come to know and love as much as their fans.

Or maybe they were just inspired by someone else to make something grand. Whatever the case, there are quite a few games out there which draw heavy inspiration from – and are considered successors to – the games of yesteryear. Some you might know better than others.

Seven Video Game Weapons that could Easily Ruin your Day

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Ever since some ancient barbarian first figured out how to stab someone with a pointy stick, human beings have been constantly coming up with new and inventive ways to kill one another. This drive for creative destruction isn’t limited solely to the real world, obviously: we’ve designed some downright devastating methods with which we can inflict violence upon our foes.

These are the weapons that every gamer wants. They’re the reason many of us play – the reason so many of us scramble our way up the food chain: to bring to bear one of these devastating devices against our foes. Today, let’s commemorate some of the most memorable, most powerful weapons of mass destruction in gaming.

Gaming’s Creative Drain and the Rise of the Indie Developer

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Anyone who follows video games to any degree has probably noticed that independent games – titles developed without the aid or input of a publisher – have taken off like wildfire. It’s not hard to see why – there’s a heavy, crippling ennui settling over mainstream, AAA gaming; a heavy and oppressive wave of war shooters and manly men and brown hues and bloom.

An Insightful Look at Valve’s Employee Handbook

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It?s fairly common knowledge that Valve is unique as an organization. It operates outside the norm, and as a result, it has become one of the most beloved businesses in the gaming industry. Of course, all I?m doing is telling you folks what you already know ? that Valve?s a pretty cool organization, and Gabe Newell is a pretty cool guy.