Gamedesign | With A Terrible Fate

Time’s Arrow: Chester Burklight in Tales of Phantasia

In Tales of Phantasia almost 30 years ago, Chester Burklight taught us why the most important character in a story is the one shut out of it.

By Aaron Suduiko, 1 year ago January 30, 2024

Join us in a podcast about gaming meta-discourse: what does it take to have productive conversations about our experiences with games?

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago December 15, 2023

Enjoy a podcast breaking in December with reflections on awards culture, holiday gaming, the semiotics of recommendation, demos, and more!

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago December 5, 2023

Celebrate video-game horror storytelling on Halloween with a podcast conversation ranging from Pokémon to FNaF to Silent Hill to JRPGs!

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago October 31, 2023

Pokémon Generation 4 showcases not only how mythopoeia illuminates Pokémon, but also how Pokémon satisfies the human need for mythopoeia.

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago August 22, 2023

A case study of Regal Bryant casts Kratos Aurion in a new light and shows how Tales of Symphonia's relationship system informs its story.

By Aaron Suduiko, 2 years ago August 11, 2023

With a Terrible Fate invites you to a PAX West 2023 panel on Pokémon, JRPGs, and what we do when we talk about video game stories!

By Aaron Suduiko, 2 years ago July 19, 2023

Within the DNA of Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby's storytelling dwells an invitation to reinterpret yourself as a player—and a person.

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago July 14, 2023

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire pushed the series' storytelling in a new direction by inviting its player to reconsider the meaning of rivalry.

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago June 29, 2023

What can Pokémon villains teach us about the value—and limits—of dreams?

By Dan Hughes, 2 years ago June 21, 2023