Tag: gaming
2001 - a walk in the woods
In just a few short weeks, Halo: Combat Evolved undergoes a personal transformation for me. It officially becomes Halo: Campaign Evolved. Looking back, Halo wasn't just a video game; it was one of those rare, definitive franchises that completely anchored my 20s. But my obsession with it actually started years before the first Xbox even hit store shelves. Iâll never forget watching the 1999 Macworld keynote when Steve Jobs proudly unveiled Halo to the world as a premier Mac and PC title. The sci...
2026 - calderone's return
For my brother, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City wasn't just a game; it was a time capsule of a world he loved. It's hard to believe it was released just one year after Grand Theft Auto III. Even though life took him away from gaming, the hype for Grand Theft Auto VI brought back that spark. He didn't make it to see the official cover reveal, but I feel his excitement reflected in every piece of it. Going back to those neon streets is going to be bittersweet. A piece of him will always belong to that...
1985 - nobody beats the wiz
If you grew up in North Jersey in the 1980s, Route 17 in Paramus wasn't just a roadâit was a retail battleground. And right in the thick of it, attached to the Garden State Plaza, stood a neon-lit temple of electronics: The Wiz). The Wiz was the destination for audio gear, packed to the gills with massive receivers, wood-paneled speakers, and dual-cassette decks. While my sister and my dad were evaluating home stereos, I wandered off toward the center of the showroom floor. And thatâs when I saw...
e557 â The British are Coming!
Andy talks to fellow Brit Ian "epredator" Hughes about all things AAA gaming, all with a British slant - from IP, to studios, and actors. Plus, the fully-funded Virtual Worlds museum.
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The Regulated Reality of China's Gaming Industry
China's extremely developed and ginormous gaming industry and how it has been shaped by regulations and restrictions to become a growing international powerhouse. Covering restrictions, alternate Chinese versions, censorship, internet cafĂŠs, e-sports and a great deal more.
Sony Increasing PS5 Prices
Due to the 'global economic landscape'.
Experiencing Zen in the Ratz Instagib Meat Grinder
A love letter to Ratz Instagib, a breakneck, fast-jazz, neon-laser, and instant-death first-person shooter played entirely on instinct. Discussion of the feeling of playing, the community, the style, the complex simplicity, and the intoxicating flow state one falls into while playing.
e536 â Can we skip all AI this time?
A look at what the team was playing in 2025, some retro gaming hardware, restoring old paintings, and Public Domain Day 2026.
Joining the Streaming Game
See you on YouTube.
Role Played
Thoughts on getting back into modern-day gaming later in life after taking a very long break. (Warning: This is a very elder millennial post, leaning on geriatric.)
The Game Genie Generation
For an unlicensed game accessory, the Game Genie sure casts a long shadow. It reshaped the games we already ownedâand had a profound effect on copyright law.
Minecraft, Nostalgia, and Growing Up
A look back on Minecraft, its editions, its culture, and how it shaped me as a person as I transition into adulthood.
"Halo: My Thoughts"
Explore my journey through the Halo series, from the iconic Combat Evolved to the latest release, Infinite. Discover my thoughts, experiences, and insights into each game's virtues.
Bridge To Nowhere
Trying to understand why bridge is an influential enough game that the BBC felt it was deserving of its own dedicated video game console in the â80s.
Intellectual Pinball
Q: Following the great video game crash of 1983, where did arcade operators and bar owners go next? A: Trivia games!
A Requiem in Stereo(scope)
More than just a gimmicky gadget, the Nintendo 3DS was a marvel of handheld gaming in the 2010s. And now, a decade after it appeared, itâs gone for good.
Installing Overwatch on Arch Linux
I hadn't played video games in what felt like ages, but suddely a strong urge to get back into Overwatch overcame me..
Total Edutainment Forever
The problem with edutainment in the 1990s was that, while it covered the education, it didn't do enough to entertain the kids. Sorry, Math Blaster.
Saved, But Not Forgotten
The evolution of saving in video games, from the password to the cloud, and nearly every obscure memory card format in-between.
In Total Control
From the arcades to the living room, how the controller has evolvedâand why one tech historian, Benj Edwards, started building his own.
Itâs New To You
The story of FuncoLand, the retailer that made the used video game market a thingâand how GameStop, which bought Funco, sort of bastardized that mission.
Sharper Pixels
The push for pixel perfection at the heart of the enthusiast retro movementâand the company that wants those pixels to look better than you remember.
âIt's Weird That it Didn't Seem Weirderâ
Donât Dieâs David Wolinsky, a fellow traveler in the world of tech and gaming, offers his take on NESticleâs place in the broader culture of video games.
Virtual Reality is the Future
Big in Brazil
The Sega Master System was an also-ran in the United States, but in Brazil, it's still on the marketâand still moving units. Here's how it happened.
8-Bit Archaeology
Retro gaming is a culture that holds a soft spot for any kid born in the '70s or '80s. Here's a deep dive into the world of retro gaming enthusiasts.