Return to the Yo Ho
Sid Meier remakes the classic Pirates! game, and it’s no surprise that this is one of the best titles we have seen in a long, long time.
Nate Wooley, Founding Publisher
Recent Posts
That's Incredible!
If you have seen the hit Incredibles movie, then you owe it to yourself and your kids to get the game.
The Greatest Generation's Game
Call of Duty: United Offensive expands the original Game of the Year title with tougher AI, harder missions and more historic accuracy.
Games That Heal
Computer games can be so realistic that they are downright scary, and that can be a good thing. Researchers at the University of Quebec in Outaouais found that video games can be more effective in treating patients with phobias than commercially developed virtual environments costing as much as $10,000, and the games do it at a fraction of the cost. "In some respects, despite their low cost, therapeutic virtual environments derived from games are superior to their commercial counterparts," researchers reported in a study published in the November 5th issue of the journal CyberPsychology & Behavior. Using map editing programs … Continue reading Games That Heal
Hungry like the wolf
So there I am"a superhero. I always wanted to be one"ever since I was little. I wanted superpowers, an adolescent power fantasy, the works. Picture me in junior high thinking ‘Man, if I were the Hulk I’d just stomp that bully.’ But I never pictured that I’d have such a casual disregard for human life"and that I’d like it so. Yes, folks, I’m playing Wolverine’s Revenge by Activision. And I’m really enjoying it. I’m usually a bluenose about gratuitous violence in games (to the point where the GiN editors were all ‘are you SURE you want this one"we can find … Continue reading Hungry like the wolf
It’s a Kind of Magic
I’ll make this clear up front: I’m not a great advocate of ‘collectible card games.’ I’ve played Magic: The Gathering and some of the other ones. But the sheer volume of knowledge required to even handle the basics seemed like too much squeezing for the juice. All the accounting required to keep everything straight killed the fun of it for me, and there would always be questions that arose during play, such as cards with seemingly opposable powers and situations that arose that required the intervention of a referee to determine what the correct course of action was. But now … Continue reading It’s a Kind of Magic
Hunter: The Reckoning Rocks Xbox
I’ve had trouble trying to put my thoughts on Hunter: The Reckoning (Interplay) in a coherent format. Some aspects of the game appeal to me and some don’t. And those that don’t almost repulse me. I received an assist on this recently when I hosted a party at my home. The kids fired up the XBox and began playing Hunter. Most of the kids thought it was cool (except for two who thought it was dumb) and every single one of the adults thought it was terrible. That’s when I think I discovered what was bothering me: this isn’t a … Continue reading Hunter: The Reckoning Rocks Xbox
Sethi Rules Educational Games
Sethi and the Crown of Egypt is one of those rare gems that lets parents and children play together and have fun, while both the child and the parent are entertained. And if you want to teach your child about life in ancient Egypt, you would be hard pressed to find a better method. The player takes on the role of Sethi, an Egyptian farmer child who leads a simple life. He has a remarkable lemur pet named Pepi, who is his constant companion throughout the game. Pepi often provides comic relief. And since he can talk, he also gives … Continue reading Sethi Rules Educational Games
My Days at the Academy
A talk with the new leader of the AIAS. As most of you may know the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences has, for about half a decade, been promoting this industry by recognizing each year's greatest achievements in it. Each year, AIAS (sometimes referred to as ‘The Academy' within our industry) has given awards to people who have not only made great advances in technology, but have contributed to the computer game industry in many other ways. Now the Academy has a change in Presidency, for I believe the first time in its history. What changes will this new … Continue reading My Days at the Academy
Exploitation On The Show Floor
AN EYE OPENER TO A PROBLEM I’ve just gotten back from E3, land of games and sex. Sex? More realistically, E3 is about games and the tease of sex. There isn’t any commercial sex there, other than what is always available in LA I suppose. Don’t forget Heidi Fleiss worked the LA market. But even without prostitutes, a lot of exploitation of women goes on right there on the show floor. You know what I’m talking about if you have ever been to E3. The young women, usually called Booth Babes, appear in booths with two goals in mind: first, … Continue reading Exploitation On The Show Floor