Nola Pfau, Author at Sidequest

February Roundtable: Representations of Culture in Games

by Nola Pfau | Feb 27, 2020 | Opinion, Roundtables, Video Games

In 2020, we can all agree that representation is important. Having games from different cultures with characters of different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, abilities, and sexualities enriches the art form. But representation is only one hurdle to overcome—there’s more to diversity than visibility. For the month of February, the Sidequest crew is chatting about representations of culture, including what games get it right and what games have a ways to go. (more…)

Melissa Brinks

Melissa Brinks is Sidequest’s editor in chief, co-creator of the Fake Geek Girls podcast, author of The Compendium of Magical Beasts, and an aspiring beekeeper. She once won an argument on the internet, and tweets at @MelissaBrinks.

January Roundtable: Positive Body Diversity in Games

by Nola Pfau | Jan 30, 2020 | Opinion, Roundtables, Tabletop Games, Video Games

Games are not really known for having the greatest body diversity. But you know what? Some games are doing all right. This month, we chatted about what body diversity in games means to us, how it can be meaningful, and what, if anything, we think is enough. (more…)

Melissa Brinks

Melissa Brinks is Sidequest’s editor in chief, co-creator of the Fake Geek Girls podcast, author of The Compendium of Magical Beasts, and an aspiring beekeeper. She once won an argument on the internet, and tweets at @MelissaBrinks.

Crush Crush CRUSHED! A Postmortem

by Nola Pfau | Dec 10, 2019 | Features, Video Games

Nola: Should we start with introductions? Hello, I’m Nola, and it’s been fourteen days since I last played Crush Crush.

Melissa: I’m Melissa, and I don’t remember the last time I played Crush Crush, and I won’t open it again. I won’t, I won’t, I won’t.

Nola: Melissa, did I mention they’ve added new girls? (more…)

Nola Pfau

Nola is a bad influence.

November Roundtable: Let’s Talk About Travel in Games

by Nola Pfau | Dec 2, 2019 | Roundtables, Tabletop Games, Video Games

Let’s talk about travel! Some of us will likely be traveling to visit family or friends, and others will be traveling through virtual spaces and the spaces of our imaginations. Travel is a bit contentious in games; in theory, they’re the perfect means to explore new worlds and do things you could or would never do in real life. In practice, travel can be a chore in bloated open worlds and same-y forests as you move between dungeons. But virtual and tabletop travel can also be a wonderful thing, as our Sidequest team can tell you! (more…)

Melissa Brinks

Melissa Brinks is Sidequest’s editor in chief, co-creator of the Fake Geek Girls podcast, author of The Compendium of Magical Beasts, and an aspiring beekeeper. She once won an argument on the internet, and tweets at @MelissaBrinks.