Essay
A Short Hike captures the physicality and social interactions of hiking we’re missing
A worthwhile journey. Hiking can be a challenge in the pandemic. While getting outside is a lower risk activity, it can be challenging to find uncrowded trails where you can maintain a safe distance from
Criticizing Monster Hunter: World’s Trophy Hunt
Big game hunting. Dramatic upheavals in the behavior of the Elder Dragons–fierce creatures perhaps best described as forces of nature–have resulted in you being sent to investigate what’s happening in the New World. For reasons
Stamp the Dog is Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s weaponized mascot
An analysis of propaganda and kids media in Final Fantasy 7 and Japanese history Without competitors or a need for political neutrality, the weapons company synonymous with Midgar’s government in FFVII Remake, Shinra, is able
Choice and consequences in the Underground
Breaking the fourth wall. Why would kids actively enjoy steeping themselves in the worlds of happy-go-lucky characters whose lives are disrupted and ripped apart instead of being creeped out and scared? How is it that
Animal Crossing and the future of ‘Cozy’ Twitch streams
Demographic shifts. I’m used to having my Twitter feed flooded with gaming content, but nothing quite compared to the weeks leading up to the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It seemed like everyone was
Takahashi’s triumph: The long road to Xenoblade Chronicles
Ten years later, we look back at the pitfalls and triumphs that led to the legendary game. Update 2 PM MTN, May 28, 2020: Comments made by Monolith Soft president Sugiura Hirohide to this month’s
Unmasking Peter Parker: Grief and Loss in Amazing Spider-Man 2
The death of Uncle Ben is one of the most iconic stories of our time. Leave it to Spider-Man to be one of the few characters in gaming to actually tackle grief.
Tom Nook is a socialist
Too often, critiques of Tom Nook argue he is a greedy capitalist. But what if we apply a different lens, from the earliest days of socialism? We might come to like the raccoon.
Exploring the Outer Wilds
Explore the Outer Wilds and your own understanding of the scientific method with this piece.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ shopkeepers stress me out
Mabel’s hovering and the Nook family’s suggestive selling is a retail nightmare. After more than a decade of working in a retail setting where I sold expensive and luxurious goods, I know just about every
