Critical Distance curates and archives important games criticism, and works to put it in context for readers today and researchers in the future. Find more atCritical-Distance.com.Games criticism has stepped up. I remember a time, years ago, when it seemed that games writing was mostly about reviews, technology upgrades, and the battles being waged between corporations. There was always a group of games critics doing insightful, reflective work on the fringes, but there was often a sense that this work was not valued.
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Now, when we perhaps need it the most, games writers are asking not just which games we should play, but how those games impact the world around us, and how their power might help us to face some of our greatest challenges. I've chosen just six pieces about how games offer us hope and produce a kind of magic.
"As the wealthy ascend further and the weather turns unfamiliar and our jobs flounder and we gaze with horrified fascination into our phones, we are all overwhelmed with shock. Capitalizing on this fear by continuing to make games that drive this fear is a short term strategy. Agitating young men's fear makes money. Slot machines make money. But it's the coward's choice and it's a boring choice. "
"There is now a procedure for requesting Pokestop removal. He also said the company has a "healthy relationship" with park operators and local governments, with whom it is in "continuous dialogue." Still, I wonder if they really comprehend the forces they are calling up. "
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