Learning chess as a video game
Since the Covid-19 pandemic started there has been a notable renewed interest in chess, as many players flocked to the internet as the defacto alternative to the legendary board game. However, it wasn’t until the release of the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit that internet chess really started to boom.
An old — but not often heard — tale that is highly relevant to the current pandemic
Back in September of 2005, the jungle capital city of the trolls Zul’Gurub dared to summon the blood god. The release of this new 20 player raid had players take on quite a few new and memorable encounters, but none would be as infamous as Corrupted Blood. The final boss, Hakkar the Soulflayer, cast a potent damage-over-time ability capable of killing even high-level characters. …
Although Cyberpunk 2077 was announced nearly 8 years ago, the hype around the game and what it represents has reached an all time high. CD Projekt the developer of hit 2015 action role-playing game The Witcher 3 will be trying to outdo themselves, and just about every single player RPG. Even with the recent delays to the games release, the importance of delivering an experience with truly open ended gameplay and story is possibly the most precious and sought after idea for gamers and developers.
Shadowlands drew me back in
I first started playing World of Warcraft (WoW) when a group of friends suggested we level characters together. That one act led to many sleepless nights, a ton of headaches, but much more enjoyment, achievements, and memories. Like many others, ever since beginning WoW I have technically never stopped, I just took breaks, sometimes short, sometimes exceedingly long.
I ‘stopped’ playing World of Warcraft at the end of high school. There were other games that had come out at the time, and I finally had a lot more free time. Of course, there were plans to go back but no…
And why it’s more effective than games like 1986’s Mafia
Among Us is one of the most played games in the world right now. A few months ago, nobody would have guessed it would be so successful. This online take on the “social deduction game” was originally released in June 2018 by developer InnerSloth. Like Mafia, Werewolf, or other variations, the goal of the game is about figuring out which one of your friends is actually the killer. The game has since become so popular that developers have canceled their plans for a sequel and decided to update the game instead.
The developers attribute this success to Twitch livestreams, which…
The impressive technology allows you to create almost anything you can imagine
Ever since its reveal at E3 2015, Dreams has interested many game enthusiasts. Dreams is a ‘creation system’ that the creators of Little Big Planet, Media Molecule, have been working on for roughly the past 10 years. In their latest update Dreams added PSVR functionality allowing creators to start creating their own virtual reality experiences.
Last year when it went into early access I was happy to give it a try. The game offers two modes, a creation mode and a browsing mode called “dream surfing” that allows you to explore the Dreams other people have created. …
Electronic beats and slick action provide a decent workout
Originally released on Steam and the Oculus store last year, Pistol Whip, created by Cloudhead Games just released on PSVR and makes for an action packed bullet fueled workout. Although it looks similar in gameplay to Superhot or Beat Saber, the game is a unique blend of an on-rails shooter, coupled with a synthwave aesthetic, music, and great gun feel. Shoot and punch your way through an onslaught of bad guys while racking up points to the electronic sound track.
Upon booting up the game the first thing I noticed was how great the guns feel. Sure they are just…
Step into Iron Man’s shoes on PlayStation VR
Iron Man VR, one of Playstation VR’s exclusive titles, was released last Friday on July 3rd. Developed by Camoflaj, creator of République and it’s VR counterpart. Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Iron Man VR seeks to bring the Marvel superhero suit to your home. Much like Insomniac’s 2018 Spider-Man, which was praised for putting you in the mind of Spider-Man, this VR title really ‘makes you feel like’ Iron Man.
Since the early days of VR, one of my dreams has been to ‘suit up,’ look at the futuristic heads-up-display that is so prominent in the Iron Man movies, and…
Vacuum up ghosts and hunt for objects in this haunted house roguelike
Spectro is a neat roguelike-meets-Luigi’s Mansion developed exclusively for VR. Explore a procedurally generated mansion and try to make it to the top floor while trying not to get spooked.
Made by Borrowed Light Studios, the developers of the Vincent van Gogh VR tribute The Night Cafe, Spectro is more than just a virtual reality recreation of a depicted environment. With a Ghostbusters-themed experience, the game draws upon a lot of great spooky thematics and concepts to make Spectro more than the average fun-filled ghost hunting experience. It is a gauntlet of great environments fueled by satisfying upgrades and mysteries…
Pop on a VR headset and step into your locale of choice
Have you ever been stuck inside or at work, or in your home during quarantine, and craved a retreat to nature for some good old forest bathing? Brightdawn Entertainment’s A Walk in the Woods allows viewers one of the most relaxing virtual experiences of a nature walk I’ve seen yet in VR.
While other ‘walking sims’ have tried to stand out from the crowd with additional mechanics, A Walk, as well as a few other ‘nature walking sims’ have caught my eye for their approach to deliver the most realistic escape to nature possible. …
Joshua Gad
Game Designer with a Bachelor of Science. I talk about techno life and design ethics while I make games.
