June Roundtable: The Definitive Ranking of Bad Dads of Games, Part I

June Roundtable: The Definitive Ranking of Bad Dads of Games, Part I

We may be past the height of the daddification of games discourse, but bad dads are eternal. This month, in celebration (?) of Father’s Day, we’re returning to our series of listicles in which we nominate our favorite (?) bad dads and our Patrons vote on which bad dad reigns supreme. (more…)

Nintendo, Zelda, and Me: Finding Refuge in Video Games

Nintendo, Zelda, and Me: Finding Refuge in Video Games

My mom used to read picture books to me, like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. The whimsical stories transported me to places where fun and magic were as abundant as air. Through her retellings, snuggled in my Minnie Mouse comforter, these worlds influenced my dreams. I looked forward to our nightly adventures to Where the Sidewalk Ends or to see The Lorax. It was the last time I felt safe in my mother’s arms. I longed to find that space of comfort and safety again—eventually, I was able to find that same sense of enchantment and refuge in video games. (more…)

May Roundtable: Labor in Games

May Roundtable: Labor in Games

May Day may have come and gone, but it’s always a good time to talk about labor and worker’s rights. Both in and out of games (and the games industry), we’re seeing a growing consciousness of how exploitative labor practices shape our society. From increased pushes for unionization to games explicitly about striking or exploitation in the workplace, these ideas are also part of ongoing conversations within the gaming industry. That’s what we’re discussing this month—labor and work within the games industry, both representationally and behind the screen. (more…)