Auto Added by WPeMatico
The horror movie sensation of 2026 has its roots in gaming’s discovery of ‘noclip’ – and the hidden virtual realms that could be opened up inside games. Developers explain how everyone got lost in these liminal spacesIt starts on 4chan, in a May 2019 thread entitled “unsettling images”. The first post was a photo showing […]
Glitched into empty space: why video games are obsessed with the Backrooms Read More »
With players leaving EA’s series once life there felt like a grind beset by ethical concerns, this quirky new sim promises a better life elsewhereFor 26 years, the life-sims genre has been dominated by one series: The Sims. Originally designed by Will Wright, creator of Sim City, EA’s virtual dollhouse series has grown into a
What is Paralives? The creative life simulator game that could rival The Sims Read More »
A preview of the forthcoming sci-fi game from Gareth Damian Martin showcases their unmistakable talent for innovation and game designOver the past decade, an impression has taken root among gamers that any real creativity and originality in the industry is to be found in the indie, rather than mainstream, sector. Gareth Damian Martin can claim
Signet City – futuristic parasites feed off 80s social realism in dystopian RPG Read More »
Genki Kawamura’s eerie new film expands on a haunting video game that leaves players lost in endless subway tunnels. He explains how this makes viewers and players face their worst fearsGenki Kawamura is something of a polymath. A bestselling author, film-maker, script writer and producer – he is also a lifelong gamer who grew up
‘Opening the hidden door within us’: how Exit 8 took a simple game to purgatory Read More »
In this week’s newsletter: the creator of All Will Rise standing up to the tech giant –and joining the No Games for Genocide movement• Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereVideo games are in a funding crisis. Investor money flowed freely during the pandemic gaming boom, but now the well has
Why an up-and-coming indie developer is returning Microsoft’s money Read More »
Team Artichoke; PC/MacAncient Greek gods, adorable raccoons and hypnotic puzzling from Olympus to the mortal realm and backThere’s been a trend for a while where familiar puzzle game genres are imbued with novel stories to give them depth and meaning beyond simply clearing a screen for points. Occult object sorter Strange Horticulture and historical romance
Mythmatch review – a match-three game made in heaven Read More »
From the ghostly Shutter Story to road trip adventure Outbound and strategy puzzler Titanium Court, here are the titles we enjoyed the most from this year’s Steam Next Fest showcaseThese days, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that every new indie game is either a co-op extraction shooter or a roguelike deck-builder
Five of the most interesting upcoming indie games Read More »
Since 2016, the cosy, inclusive, non-heteronormative escapism of the beloved farming sim has inspired a community of devoted fans, and helped it shift 50m unitsWhen farming sim Stardew Valley first came out back in 2016, most of us saw it as a modest indie hit, offering charm, wit and a beautiful little world. Ten years
Stardew Valley at 10: the anticapitalist game that cures burnout and inspires queer art Read More »
Glowfrog Games; PC Short but very sweet tale asks the player to compile a scrapbook of mementoes telling the story of a heartfelt bond that frays over timeThere are few things sadder than the end of a close friendship. Whether it happens in a sudden moment of betrayal or after years of gradual separation, the
The team behind Baby Steps discuss why they made a whiny, unprepared manbaby the protagonist – and how players have grown to love Nate as he struggles up a mountain“I don’t know why he is in a onesie and has a big ass,” shrugs game developer Gabe Cuzzillo. “Bennett just came in with that at
