Netflix Games Is Still Happening. Just Don’t Hold Your Breath
Netflix Games wants to cater to every kind of player. Not only that, says head of external games Leanne Loombe, it wants to be “a publisher that developers from all…
‘Lemon Cake’ Is the Perfect Recipe for Casual Gamers
I can’t remember the last time I finished a video game. I’ve had my Nintendo Switch Lite for two years now, and it’s riddled with a number of titles I’ve…
Move Over, Oprah. Video Game Book Clubs Have Arrived
When video games were just abstract concepts on university computers, book clubs were already popular. When Toad told Mario the princess was in another castle, introducing video game narrative to…
Even the Pandemic Couldn’t Stop Button Soccer
Luciano Araújo, a designer, decided to organize a small button soccer tournament with his family on the eve of the 2014 World Cup, but he couldn’t find all his old…
‘Tetris’ Helps My Stress and Anxiety Fall Away
Until last winter, I hadn’t played video games since my parents let me combine allowance and birthday money to buy an original Nintendo Entertainment System, the old 8-bit home video…
Why You Gravitate to Puzzles When You’re Depressed
As the summer of 2021 dragged on, my mental health waned toward depression—and I’m certainly not the only one struggling right now. Along with other depressed gamers, I turned to…
Cozy Management Games Remind Us How to Care
I’m alone in a darkened room before my screen. The game loads up. Purples, reds, hues of orange and pink wash over me, calling me in. Start Game. Yes, please.…
‘Last Stop’ Is a Playable Love Letter to London
London 1982. Big Ben except it’s not actually Big Ben, just a poster for tourists. As the camera pulls back, we see teenagers Sam and Pete running through a Tube…
The Joy of Walking in Games
When the world locked down, I chose to walk. In a world that was slowly closing in, wandering the vast landscapes of walking simulator games felt like a release. I…
‘Pac-Man 99’ Is a Battle Royale Game That’s Actually Accessible
“I like 99 a lot—the modern take is introducing more chaos over the simple gameplay,” says Lapetino. Deep Down, 99 Is the Pac-Man You Know and Love Jeff Pickles knows…