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Forms of Life: Reading Xenoblade Chronicles 3 through Wittgenstein
Only through the lens of a philosopher at war with himself can we understand a game at war with itself.
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Before the Law and Before Gaming: Kafka, Players, and Avatars
Kafka's "Before the Law" offers a new lens for meditating on the relationships between avatars, bosses, developers, and players in gaming.
Podcast
Director’s Commentary: How Elden Ring Turns Its Player into an Outer God
Listen to an extended discussion about Aaron Suduiko's analysis of the player's role as an Outer God in Elden Ring.
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How Elden Ring Turns Its Player into an Outer God
The Outer Gods of Elden Ring aren't just extra lore: they're also the cipher to understanding the player's place in the Lands Between.
Dark Souls
The Gwyn Moment
Have you ever played a game where a single moment changes your feelings about it from hate to love? A meditation on the first Dark Souls.
Podcast
With a Terrible Fate Podcast Episode 17: Silent Souls
This week on the podcast: analyzing Dark Souls and Silent Hill through the lens of a hypothetical mashup, plus PAX West 2021 reflections.
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“How Gaming Will Change Humanity as We Know It”: A Reply
A point-by-point rebuttal of Tyler Cowen's article criticizing the ability of video games to have cultural value within a literary canon.
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Critical Review: The Path to Necron as Elenchus in Final Fantasy IX
Where some JRPGs represent philosophical views, Final Fantasy IX tricks its player into actually doing philosophy without even realizing it.
Podcast
With a Terrible Fate Podcast Episode 14: Maps—Salvation or Sin?
Listen in on a discussion of how maps can interfere with—or improve—the storytelling of your favorite video games.
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Final Fantasy VII Remake is the Template for “Grown-Up” JRPGs
Final Fantasy VII Remake's storytelling makes JRPGs more accessible to adults—along with a new postgame model, "The Chadley Interpretation."