Category: Videogames
“Overpriced” Notebooks, “Hipster GameBoys,” and Your Abrasive Brand Ambassador
A repentent Gen X-er balances his sincere love of small businesses with a need to be cynical and suspicious of everything
Paying for Quiet
Amortizing the cost of the Steam Machine across decades of having to put up with consumer-hostile nonsense
I Wish People Got Fairly Compensated
The media is telling a fairy tale about scrappy young indies hitting it big, even though the happier ending isn’t even all that fantastic.
Buy-Curious, or, Being a Good Video Game Consumer in the Age of Influencers
Mix industry news with entertainment/enthusiast news, let simmer for a few decades, and you’ll end up with the state of media in 2026
My Favorite Games: Riddle of the Sphinx
The niche classic from 1982 was one of the only Atari 2600 games that were as evocative as the pictures on the box
Thoughts of a Childless Middle-Aged Man While Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The one positive thing I can say about the new Mario movie is that it made me even more appreciative of the wonderful games
Game Narratives Are About Antici…
Expanding on an essay where I talk about front-loading stories to be more present with the player from moment to moment
The Only Way To Win
A more opinionated take on the question of why there haven’t been any standout AI games
My Favorite Games: Sam & Max Hit the Road
A game that was so obviously one of my favorites and most formative that even I forgot to include it
The Vibes of SimCity
Thoughts after replaying a couple of the SimCity games, and how a single, straightforward decision can change the entire feel of a game
Where Have You Gone, Hard Hat Mack?
Discoverability, building communities, and adjusting to a market based on sustainability instead of breakout hits
My Hopes for the Steam Frame
Speculation about the near-future of accessible, approachable VR, which Valve’s new headset will totally make happen, for real this time.
