This month in Joystick Division - April 2012

The games that define me: Part one [Infinite Ammo]
The first in a two-part series exploring the games that helped shape my life, picked me up when I was down and brought me closer to my friends.

It's a Golden Age for gaming [Infinite Ammo]
Sure, things aren't perfect. But on the whole, it's never been a better time to be a gamer than it is right now.

Video games: A constant supply of achievement [Infinite Ammo]

If "sense of accomplishment" were a drug, then video games would be the best dealers out there.

Wii U's "power" not part of the equation [Infinite Ammo]

Is the Wii U really less powerful than current gen consoles? Here's a better question: Does it really matter?

This month in Joystick Division - March 2012

Hells yeah to video game warning labels [Infinite Ammo]

I fully support putting warning labels on our video games...No. Seriously.

Enjoying the seasonal slump in new game releases [Infinite Ammo]

Annual video game release slowdowns don't always have to be a bad thing.

Why Journey is so important [Infinite Ammo]

While Journey receives much-deserved recognition for its various bits and pieces, it should also be praised for creating an experience that can only be achieved in video games.

So, I bought a Vita. Wanna make something of it? [Infinite Ammo]

My three-part PlayStation Vita rant finally comes to a close. I bought one. Here's what I think. (Spoiler: I flippin' love it.)

Don't like the way Capcom does business? Stop giving them your money. [Infinite Ammo]

I know it can be tough, but the best way to let a publisher know you're unhappy with the way they're doing business is to stop giving them yours.

Todd McFarlane brings a comic artist's eye to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning [Via Gamasutra]

Comic book creator Todd McFarlane joined the likes of Curt Schilling, R.A. Salvatore and Ken Rolston to create 38 Studios' first video game, the ambitious open world RPG, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reconing.

McFarlane spoke with me about how he got involved with the project, what it was like moving from comic books to video games, and how he worked with the team as Executive Art Director to give the game its darkly whimsical look.

The story has been published by Gamasutra and can be found at the following link:

Interview: Todd McFarlane brings a comic artist's eye to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

This month in Joystick Division - February 2012

I fought the hype and the hype won [Infinite Ammo]

Hype runs rampant in the world of video games. Will the buzz surrounding the PlayStation Vita push me over the line to making a purchase?

Viva la Vita: Is there room in the pocket for Sony's new handheld? [Infinite Ammo]
The portable gaming landscape has changed drastically over the past five years. Is Sony's latest handheld console, the PlayStation Vita, targeted at a market that no longer exists?

Sometimes I just want to punch stuff [Infinite Ammo]

We tend to fault games that don't attempt to elevate the form to new levels. This week, I ponder when it stopped being okay to just enjoy the mindless fun video games can provide.

Online passes: The good, the bad and the ugly [Infinite Ammo]

Whether you see them as an attack on used game sales or as a means for publishers to stay afloat, it looks like online passes are here to stay.

This month in Joystick Division - January 2012

Why do we love bad games? [Infinite Ammo]

Even terrible video games manage to garner a few diehard fans. In this week's Infinite Ammo, I ponder why that is.

Amy- Frustration has a new name [Review]

What's in a name? In the case of Amy, the answer is "an infuriatingly unfinished game."

Dreamcast: My next gen is old school [Infinite Ammo]
With a new console generation on the horizon, I look to the past for some quality gaming at a fraction of the cost.

The evolution of the complex hero [Infinite Ammo]
Follow the video game hero through its many form, growing to become more relatable, flawed antagonists.

Video games' unsung heroes of 2011 [Infinite Ammo]
In this week's Infinite Ammo, I take a gander at some of the best titles of the year that will likely be overlooked in most "top 10" lists.

This month in Joystick Division - December, 2011

The unbeatable backlog [Infinite Ammo]
Like many gamers, I have a backlog that would probably take years to actually get through. But should I beat myself up over it?

Pining for the days of scarcity [Infinite Ammo]
Back in my day, we were thankful if we got to play a game or two a year. We also had to walk to the video game store. Up hill. Both ways. In the snow.

Dark Souls hates me, and that's why I love it [Infinite Ammo]
Dark Souls is easily one of the most difficult games to every grace consoles. Find out some of my favorite ways the game pulverizes the player, and why I keep coming back for more.

Farewell, sweet multiplayer [Infinite Ammo]
Multipalyer gameplay and I have grown apart over the past year or so. Here are my thoughts on a relationship that, as of late, harbors little love.

This month in Joystick Division - November 2011

Uncharted 3 proves third time's the charm - Review
Uncharted 3 is out and, yep, it's fantastic. Read all about it here in my review for Joystick Division.

The funneth overfloweth: Rayman Origins review
Find out why Rayman might be the single best platformer to come out in a very long time.

Video game journalism deserves a bit more respect [Infinite Ammo]
I make the argument that, while it may not be the romanticized version of the gig we all have in our heads, video game journalism deserves some respect.

Are video games mainstream yet  [Infinite Ammo]
My first Infinite Ammo column for Joystick Division dives into video games' rise to relevance.

Linear gameplay- In defense of a guiding hand [Infinite Ammo]
I argue that, if it's for the good of the story/experience, we shouldn't be so hard on linear design in our video games.

This month in Joystick Division - October 2011

Rochard rocks hard - Review
Find out why I dug this puzzle/platformer and all its low-gravity, mind bending goodness.

inFamous: Festival of Blood a Halloween treat - Review
Find out why inFamous fans will want to head back to New Marais to take on a vampire horde.

Fighting with physics: An interview with Rochard's Hulu Virtanen
Recoil Games treated gamers to a great side-scrolling physics-based puzzle romp with Rochard. Hear about the game's origins, development and more from Lead Designer Hulu Virtanen.

Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken doesn't quite soar
It looks great and pulls off all the basics of puzzle platforming/shooter well enough, but a lack of original ideas kept me from being too impressed.

READ MORE>>

Amy's guiding hand, Paul Cuisset [via Joystiq]

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing game director Paul Cuisset (VectorCell) concerning his studio's upcoming downloadable title, Amy.

Paul shared details about the game's origins, development, and how he hopes Amy will help bring the survival horror genre back to its roots.

The story has been published by Joystiq and can be found at the following link:

Interview: Amy's guiding hand, Paul Cuisset

This Month in Joystick Division - Sept. 2011

The holiday window is too narrow for all of these games
In which I pose the questions "What would be so wrong with releasing more of these AAA games throughout the year, rather than all at once?"

Eternal Darkness - Lessons learned from a decade-old game
I dove into the Gamecube's Eternal Darkness recently and, man, the video game landscape sure has changed in the past 10 years.

Blood on the walls - An interview with BloodRayne: Betrayal Art Director Matt Bozon
Matt Bozon discusses BloodRayne: Betrayal's unique aesthetics, how it evolved through development and why it looks so damn good.

Five franchises that would make good fighting games
As the fighting genre makes a comeback, I look at a handful of existing IPs that might translate well into fighters.

Resistance 3 review - A reason to keep fighting
Here's what I thought about Insomniac's latest alien-infused shooter. Spoiler: It was pretty great.

READ MORE>>