A Comprehensive Theory of EarthBound
How EarthBound Brought Fatherhood to Gaming
In a decade that gave us a library of games about orphans, EarthBound reminded us how important fathers are to their sons.
A Comprehensive Theory of EarthBound
The Drawing Board: What is a “Comprehensive Theory” of a Video Game?
On our latest podcast episode, we chat with two of our team members who are developing "comprehensive theories" of landmark video games.
A Comprehensive Theory of EarthBound
Better the Devil You Notice: The Enemies of EarthBound
EarthBound’s most pervasive villainy isn’t its final boss: it’s the everyday evil of people you know.
Featured
The Real Architect of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is Plato
One of the world's oldest thinkers gives us a surprising view into one of the world's newest forms of storytelling.
A Comprehensive Theory of EarthBound
The Horror of Setting in EarthBound
If you think that Giygas is the scariest part of EarthBound, think again.
Featured
What King Rhoam’s Reign Teaches Us about Breath of the Wild
Understanding the nature King Rhoam’s kingship gives us a whole new understanding of Link’s latest journey.
General Video Game Theory
How Okami Transformed the Meaning of Characters like Amaterasu
Take a deep-dive into how the characters of Japanese mythology were transformed through a video game and novel.
General Video Game Theory
Beyond Main Quests: How Horizon Zero Dawn’s Gameplay Killed its Story
Horizon: Zero Dawn offers a new take on an old problem of open-world storytelling.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Does Five Nights at Freddy’s Belong in the Video Game Canon?
The monsters jump out at you in games, novels, and stuffed-animal displays. Does FNaF have storytelling value?
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A Three-Stage Method for Analyzing Video-Game Stories
Casual talks, reviews, and academic papers are all parts of a unified strategy for analyzing games.