I’ve been struggling to understand my affinity for World of Warcraft lately. Historically, I’ve never held a sustained interest in the game beyond a month or two. Don’t get me wrong: the online world of Azeroth is charming, mesmerizing, and unforgettable. But WoW’s core gameplay pales in comparison to the richness of other titles. Where other…
I’m willing to wager that the coronavirus pandemic has been largely terrible for everyone. However, I’ve been fortunate to discover one upside of self-imposed quarantining: it’s freed up a few hours in my everyday life that I’d otherwise spend on transit or other mundane activities. Faced with a newfound surplus of free time, I opted…
The internet has ushered in a new era of creative publishing. In just a few clicks, any internet user can upload their content online and gain exposure in a limitless creative marketplace. But as liberating as the online world is for self-publishing, it’s also decidedly ephemeral. Because these creative works are accessed purely in a…
I’ve played World of Warcraft on-and-off extremely casually since 2009. The game’s colorful, charming art style and extensive lore still hold a certain allure all these years later, even if WoW’s emphasis on grinding has repeatedly pushed me away. But now that WoW is more respectful of its players’ time, I’ve found more reason to stick around…
The Last of Us Part II is one of the most subversive video games I’ve ever played. As you may have read or heard, TLOU2’s post-apocalyptic story doesn’t attempt to placate fans of the first game: this is a brutal story set in a brutal world. But rather than developing the story and gameplay as…
After seeing Uncut Gems (2019) earlier this year, I knew I’d have to start exploring the previous works of Josh and Benny Safdie, the two brothers who wrote and directed the film. So I started my foray into their catalog with Daddy Longlegs (2009), a comedy-drama about an irresponsible but loving father. Coming from Uncut Gems, Daddy Longlegs is…
I don’t consider myself someone with an addictive personality. I know when to stop scrolling through social feeds and put my phone down. I always limit myself to no more than four Oreos per day. And I’ve managed to evade the grasp of compulsive masturbation and digital gaming addictions. But if there’s one dark angel…
It was a few weeks after the launch of World of Warcraft Classic, and I was navigating my Gnome Mage through the tepid Wetlands. With a click of my keyboard, my character deftly weaved his hands and hurled a magical bolt, dealing the killing blow to a nearby spider. The fuzzy-legged creature fell and writhed in agony.…
Back in late February, my partner and I took a trip to Austin, Texas. For me, the trip served to reconcile my fond childhood memories of the city with reality — and Austin didn’t disappoint. We were met with sunny days, fantastic food, and friendly service. People lined the streets and shopping centres buzzed with…
Grinding, or repeatedly participating in a mundane in-game activity in anticipation of an in-game reward, is nothing new. Both single-player and multiplayer games have featured elements of grinding, whether intentional or as a byproduct of bad design. While I don’t have a problem with optional grinding in standard games, the inclusion of grinds in subscription-based…
