You know that phone in your pocket? The one you always carry with you? It’s being underutilized. People and smartphones are nearly inseparable yet video game developers have yet to unlock the full potential of this “second screen.” Removing busy user interfaces, preparing for game sessions away from home, even choosing your next move in a game of wits are all possible with a second screen. There’s one in everyone’s pocket already, right? Why not take advantage of it?
I love playing video games with a big group of friends. Logging on, getting into a party chat, and diving into our favorite fantasy RPG or sci-fi shooter. After hours of dungeon crawling, of conquering hour-long bosses, we claim our loot and XP. Unfortunately, that is the only experience we will share. We will then go our separate ways to appraise our spoils and upgrade our respective characters. Don’t get me wrong, this is all a jovial experience, but why is it that the extent of our interactions are only in-game? Why does the cooperative element in video games feel so formulaic and shallow? Continue reading
2016 took us all on a very long, very welcome trip down memory lane and 2017 is doing much of the same. Franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Parappa the Rapper are back and better than ever and a slew of other classic revivals are on the horizon. But there are still a few franchises out there that are showing no signs of coming back. I’ve compiled a list of a select few of those dormant franchises below, particularly ones that have made a significant impact in my life. Note that this list excludes any games that have been rebooted, are being rebooted, or are similar enough to titles that have been developed or are currently being developed. Examples include Quake, Banjo Kazooie, Silent Hill, Onimusha, etc.
‘Little Inferno’ is a beautifully simple game with a beautifully simple premise: stay warm in a very cold place. What’s more is that in order to stay warm, you must burn items that you yourself purchase. That’s about it. The art style is similar to other games by The Tomorrow Corporation but there is something particularly special about this game. Although strange on the surface, ‘Little Inferno’ is a brilliant work of art whose atmosphere and simple mechanics reveal a message that can resonate with everyone.