Category Archives: Features

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EQUIP WOLF SHIRT; USE:WHISKEY// ON: SURVIVAL

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Michelle Perez

[Editor’s Note: the following is an unflinching cry of sympathy in the face of hate. It involves trans and mental health issues and suicide, and horrifying events that result from ignorance involving them. Please read at your own discretion] I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Conversation , EQUIP WOLF SHIRT>USE:WHISKEY , Features | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , transgender issues , | 7 Comments

PAX, GDC, IGF, RIP: A Meandering, Fatigued Look At The Last Two Weeks

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Adam Maresca

Having been to PAX East this year, not even a week later most of the memories are hazy stretches of nothing. After paying the yearly tithe to the overlords of video game culture, I planned in between seeing a few … Continue reading →

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Limbo and LOST: One Is a Dark, Dreary, Ominous Excursion Into A Nihilistic Nothingness…The Other Is Limbo

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Colin Dray

>or: Wherever You Are, There You Are (Even If You’re Nowhere) An eye opens. A pair of eyes in fact. Two eyes; both opening. Two orbs waiting to perceive, to absorb their strange new surrounds, and in that act of … Continue reading →

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Games as Commentary: Reflections on an Indiecade East Panel

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Heather Hale

Medium Difficulty contributor Heather Hale was lucky enough to attend Indiecade East this year: the following is inspired by a particularly interesting panel. Panelists: Dr. Ian Bogost is a scholar, author, and game designer. Simon Ferrari is a PhD student … Continue reading →

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Fast Fingers, Brain Off: Hybrid Puzzle Games

Posted on February 14, 2013 by CPW

A few years ago I bought Puzzle Quest on the Xbox 360. This was a terrible idea. If you’ve ever played Puzzle Quest, you know it isn’t a fast-paced game. It’s essentially a match three gems game, but with a … Continue reading →

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Monkey Watch: Rhythm Heaven and the Worth of Small Victories

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Nate Andrews

Two pilots fly over forested wetlands. Tree roots twist and pale beneath the water, obscured by many leafy tops. The machines race on, cresting the growth below, until one pilot speaks without extending a glance to his companion. “You know … Continue reading →

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Interview: Kyrie Ru of Overture Interactive

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Medium Difficulty

[Trigger warning: this interview involves discussion of depictions of rape and sexual violence. Links may be NSFW. Medium Difficulty does not endorse the views contained here, but believes that they are worthy of presentation and discussion.] Could you describe Kurovadis? … Continue reading →

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Ephemeral Existence: Picking up the Pieces of City of Heroes

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Rory McCarty

Creating a game is like creating a universe. Not only does the world have to be fabricated out of nothing, so does the world’s inhabitants, its lore, its economy, and society. The developers are like the gods of that universe, … Continue reading →

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Where Art Belongs: The Interactivity and Politics of Video Games

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Kaitlin Tremblay

A while ago, I read Where Art Belongs by Chris Kraus, in which he explores the position of art in our current society. Kraus discussed specific instances of contemporary art, such as installation galleries, political zines, music; he didn’t classify … Continue reading →

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Xbox Live DRM Does Not Understand the Modern Family

Posted on October 4, 2012 by CPW

I’ve got two TVs in our living room. This isn’t for ramshackle picture in picture–I don’t even have cable–it’s because I am part of a modern family. My partner and I both play video games. We also like to play … Continue reading →

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