We, as a species, need to travel more. I like the comforts of home. When I go away, even for a few hours to toil at a dayjob, I miss them. I miss my cat, my desk, my games, and my friends. I like being able to dip into the fridge or pantry for a… Continue reading 500 Words on Travel
Month: May 2014
Tabletalk: What's In A Game?
As pleased as I am to see board gaming emerging from basements and grottos to become a more visible and enticing hobby, I think some people still see it as something of an enigma. The average person probably still thinks of Monopoly or Risk when ‘board games’ are mentioned. Thankfully, modern games provide a lot… Continue reading Tabletalk: What's In A Game?
Game Review: Transistor
Big budget studios love their hype machines. They see their customers as fuel for mechanical devices that print money. They choke the causeways of industry news with information on pre-orders, exclusive editions, the latest innovations and “ground-breaking” technology, sometimes before we even get a screenshot of the game in question. Independent studios tend not to… Continue reading Game Review: Transistor
Informing Through Action
I have many, many good things to say about Transistor. I’m processing my thoughts for a review that will go up tomorrow, but my immediate takeaway was that Supergiant Games have done it again. They’ve shown how coherently and completely a story can be told in the medium of video games, with a bare minimum… Continue reading Informing Through Action
Flash Fiction: Outcropping
For the Terribleminds challenge 100-Word Stories. I lean out around the rock outcropping I dragged Riley behind to give us cover. I can’t see the shooters. But gunfire keeps my head down. “Dave? Are they still shooting?” “Yes.” “Don’t get shot. It sucks.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” Riley coughs. His hands are over his… Continue reading Flash Fiction: Outcropping
500 Words on Personal Space
Today I’m taking a break from talking about stories and games. Today there’s something on my mind that really bothers me. Since it’s not personal, I won’t be tucking it away in a note or text post elsewhere. It’s going to be here, for all to see. Because not only is this bothering me, I… Continue reading 500 Words on Personal Space
Tabletalk: The Rules of the Game
Courtesy Theology of Games There are only a few board games that one can play entirely on their own. They essentially become very complex puzzles that you setup and solve on the fly, rather than being assembled, disassembled, or arranged correctly. Sometimes this is fine, but for the most part, you’ll want to get other… Continue reading Tabletalk: The Rules of the Game
Game Review: Splendor
Board games come in all shapes and sizes, and run the gamut from frenetic, brief bursts of simple gameplay, like Escape! The Curse of the Temple, to day-long brain-burning grand strategy experiences, such as Twilight Imperium. Some games, however, manage the tricky feat of being both easy to learn and play, and deep in terms… Continue reading Game Review: Splendor
Too Much Story
Storytelling is (sometimes literally) my bread and butter. I lean towards games with strong story emphasis. I often value story of spectacle in movies and television. I write stories in the hope they will be enjoyed by others. A question, however, has occurred to me: is it possible for a game or novel or film… Continue reading Too Much Story
Flash Fiction: Rayo de Baja, Jr
For this weeks Terribleminds Flash Fiction Challenge, we have been tasked to use one of these photos. I chose #47. The sun was blazing high in the sky, and there were no clouds nearby to get in its way. Traffic was far below the rooftop terrace where he reclined, tropical drink in his hand. He… Continue reading Flash Fiction: Rayo de Baja, Jr