Strange Imaginary Games
RND/ To consider a critique of Dune (2021, Dir. Denis Villeneuve): – Quick capsule review; “One big, laughably embarrassing deadpan ‘Meh’. Blame Canada.” – To turn the usual toxic internet language around on itself, much like a worm that eats its own sad tale: ‘these fragments of critique are not for everyone.’ – Violently unmemorable, … Read more
RND/ In which the closer you look, the more you can’t fail to notice the utter silent desperation behind the dead eyes of Star Citizen developers – a cringy, often darkly hilarious cross of burnt-out hound dog looks, rapidly phasing in between implied meanings such as: ‘everything’s fine we swear’ ‘being forced to lie’ ‘utterly … Read more
RND/ To consider widescreen virtual photography screenshots of Sable videogame 3440 x 1440 .jpg (PC) A perfectly serviceable and beautiful looking game, offset by painfully slow desert hoverbike travel and a lack of genuine threats – other than rapidly increasing terminal boredom. A sterile nonplace of fetch questy repetition, despite its rich worldbuilding. While impressive … Read more
RND/ To consider how something about Davy Wreden faintly grates on your tits and maybe always has. A scenario, in which the LA videogames publisher Annapurna Interactive had a showcase in 2021. Despite being entirely happy, smooth, slick and obviously well produced, its overall atmosphere of patchouli scented Glade Plugin whiteness and whimsy felt cloying. … Read more
RND/ To consider a philosophical reality theory of videogame emptiness. Some paintings: 3440 x 1440 .jpg – via SCUM (just another D.O.A. survival multiplayer game-thing, by ‘Gamepires’) In which you’ve often considered why the vast majority of videogames have not truly appealed to you for a long time. That it might be something to do … Read more