In this comic, Bee Tee Dee examines different ways that death is used in videogames. It can be instructive, comedic or it can be employed to toy with a gamer’s emotions. (more…)
Ever since I was a small boy, I’ve had a peculiar obsession.
I know that is an intriguing first sentence and you’re instantly titillated, but I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. You see, my obsession is statistics. Did I suck you in only to lose you completely two seconds later? Well, I won’t apologize. You shouldn’t be so easily titillated. In fact, it’s a little disgusting to be visiting Unwinnable to get your rocks off fantasizing about the obsessions of small boys. Okay, this article has already gotten away from me. Let’s start over. (more…)
It is a common misconception that I play a lot of videogames.
I do see a lot of games. I also spend a lot of time writing about games (no complaints, truly!). But playing them, beginning to end, at a leisurely pace of discovery – that is a challenge that has nothing to do with gameplay. (more…)
On January 17, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study on pathological videogaming and its effects on or implications in relation to depression, anxiety and a host of other behavioral disorders. The study, conducted in Singapore, surveyed children across 12 schools (6 primary and 6 secondary) focusing on grades 3, 4, 7 and 8. The work, while seemingly well evidenced and informative, cautions, “it is critical not to pathologize behaviors needlessly; therefore the weight of the evidence would need to be strong as well as consistent.” Strangely, admitting its own Achilles’ heel, the confession, “The evidence has not yet met these criteria” (320) immediately follows.
