Critically Speaking

Maturity and violence have long gone hand in hand in the gaming industry. But do they have to? If the only axis on which we judge our games' maturity is how violent they are, it is unlikely that we will see other modes of play moving into dominant positions. Perhaps other concepts, such as delight, might be better vectors for enjoyable gaming experiences.

• Fragments: Alora's Tear, Volume I (Barham Ink)

• Warlords of Draenor

• Can joy be more 'adult' than violence?

• Rebecca Black? Friday! Friday!

Controversy. How does an industry with games that feature so many guns and so many deaths not have controversy? According to this week's feature article, there are no controversial games. Nate and Scott try their best to understand and shed some light on the issues facing gaming and its audience.

Notes

• The Glorious Master Race!
• Yahtzee Croshaw, Zero Punctuation
• New study suggests violent video games improve moral behavior
• E-sports tournament now open to all genders after internet outrage
• There are No Controversial Videogames

Theme is more than a simple bullet point to be added amongst the various graphical effects, multiplayer modes, and stat systems. When big name titles aim for thematic resonance, is there ever a possibility in which they can be successful in the way that writing and filmmaking can be? If not, the possibility exists that AAA games are just not the place for thematic subtlety.

Notes

Big games are often light on themes
Destiny on PC is a heavy point of discussion at Activision
Yoshida: PS4 games are being delayed because of the console’s power and potential

When does marketing become sheer deception? It's one thing to manipulate the audience in benign ways, getting them excited for a product that the creators are equally or more so excited about. It's entirely something else when he marketing dictates what will be included in a game or when a game must be shown in order to generate revenue.

Notes:

• Open-world Zelda
• Ubisoft Is Excluding Women From The New “Assassin’s Creed” And People Are Furious
• Dan Golding — Notes on Ubisoft’s Charlotte Corday
• Is 'we don't have the resources' an OK excuse for keeping female heroes out of games?
• Animating women should take 'days,' says Assassin's Creed 3 animation director
• Are E3 Demos Intentionally Deceptive?
• Monument Valley iOS
• Republique
   

What qualifies someone who is passionate about a topic? Be it art, film, or gaming, there is a tendency to designate between those who feel strongly about a medium—and demonstrate those feelings by spending vast amounts of time on it—and those who simply care enough to spend what little time they have being involved. With games, this designation usually produces negativity. Is there a way to be both passionate and spend less time than others or even your past self?

Show Notes:

• Guilt, Conflict, and Loathing on being a "Passionate Gamer"
• Watch Dogs Promotion Triggers Bomb Squad Response to Major Publication
• How to Pronounce Ubisoft
• Do You Have a Mountain Bike?