August Roundtable: Time Management

August Roundtable: Time Management

August in the Northern Hemisphere means we’re both in the hottest part of the year (in a year that’s already been scorching) and in the wind-down of summer. Speaking only for myself, I’m both longing for cooler, rainier days and already mourning the departure of the long days. What does any of this have to do with gaming? Well, I feel compelled to make each of my days count—meaning I need time management.

This month, we’re talking about time management mechanics in games. Do they make us feel rushed and stressed? Purposeful and focused? Let’s find out. (more…)

July Roundtable: Designing Our Queer Gaming Commune

July Roundtable: Designing Our Queer Gaming Commune

With summer’s arrival, temperatures are rising for those of us in the northern hemisphere and no, don’t think too hard about why it’s so hot or what that strange haze in the air is. Instead, let’s think about summer! What better way to get away from it all than to dream up your very own queer commune, filled with all your gaming faves? That’s exactly what the Sidequest squad is doing for this month’s roundtable! (more…)

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…)

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…)

April Roundtable: Earth Day

April Roundtable: Earth Day

Happy April! Despite much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I have once again declined to make our roundtable theme “frogs” despite the arguable seasonal appropriateness. The only thing we love more than Wario and Waluigi here at Sidequest is frogs. But April is the month of Earth Day, April 22—so let’s talk about the Earth, ecology, and associated themes this month. (more…)

March Roundtable: Luck Mechanics

March Roundtable: Luck Mechanics

Happy March! Here in the Pacific Northwest we’re sandwiched between bitter winter and the slightly warmer temperatures of spring, but mostly it’s just cold. How lucky we are! Thanks for applauding my super smooth transition—this month we’re talking about luck and luck mechanics in games, which is different from actual luck. I would know, considering I lose every board game I play because I have no actual luck. (more…)