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What Defines the Player-Character?
“The world lies on the brink of destruction. Only a select few may be able to save it.” This is the actual description on the back of the box for a well-known video game. But do you know which one? How many different games could this apply to? Whether you’re about to wage war against…
By Kate Finegan -
Can Gaming Allow You to “Level Up” in the Workplace?
Next time someone’s ripping on you for playing video games, either because they think you’re too old or they consider it a waste of time, just tell them it’s offsite job training. Forbes published an article this week on how playing video games in moderation can help improve your overall job skills. According to John…
By Kate Finegan -
Jose Gonzalez Records Acoustic Performance at Rockstar
Jose Gonzalez recently dropped in to Rockstar Games’ New York offices to record an acoustic version of his song “Far Away,” featured on the Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack. On their roof no less! The song can be heard in-game during John Marston’s ride to Mexico on horseback. [Thanks oldage]
By Kate Finegan -
Call of the Wild West, Land of the… Ethical Treatment of Animals?
I CAN outrun a bear. I can just about outmanoeuvre a wild boar. Although I’ll get taken down by a pack of wolves fairly fast. A wild cougar will tear my fleshy neck asunder. The Majestic Buffalo This contains spoilers There are two particular parts of Red Dead Redemption’s single player story when the underlying…
By Kate Finegan -
Motion in Public
The Nintendo Wii launched nearly four years ago and it undoubtedly changed how we view and approach gaming. Even now, its influence is demonstrably strong on Microsoft and Sony. This fall, both companies are launching their own motion control hardware, wrangling in the remaining consumers eager to shake their dongle or their booty at the…
By Kate Finegan -
In Defence of the Cut-scene
A lot can (and has) been argued against the use of cut-scenes in games. They are broadly seen as an archaic film mechanic that stumbled into gaming convention in an age when games were too young and naïve to put forward any other alternative. I agree wholeheartedly that instead of relying on the storytelling mechanics…
By Kate Finegan