Are mainstream gamers actually gamers? Five simple words that have ignited debate from the moment that gaming evolved from two white sticks throwing a ball between each other to a multi-billion dollar industry with its own rapidly-changing, always-evolving subculture. Elitism is my absolute biggest pet peeve, so I have no problem pointing out the fact that just about all of us started as mainstream gamers and need to get off our high horses. Hate leads to suffering and all that, so let’s treat the younglings with some sympathy.

Read More »

Want to win? Join the red team. You’ll be more likely to win, according to research published in CyberPsychology & Behavior.

In a scientific study done on Unreal Tournament 2004, a multiplayer FPS, researchers discovered that in this game, the red team had a slight advantage over blue. Taking the outcome of 1,347 matches from public servers worldwide while allowing players to freely choose between the colors, researchers recorded that the red team won 55% of the time. So, this would apply to Halo 3, Team Fortress 2, and other first-person shooters that use the blue and red color scheme as well.

Read More »

When I was in college, I worked at a Japanese toy store. Fan boys would approach me to pay, but somehow decided to first show off the pictures in their wallet. Nope, no photos of pets, family members, or girlfriends; instead, I saw their favorite anime characters scantily clad in bikinis and lingerie. This made me realize a trend amongst hot illustrations and the people that love them.

If it were an equation, I think it would read something like this: disproportionate fictional chick + least amount of clothing possible = ultimate dork hotness. Seems like a Suicide Girl realized this, too, in one of her video game-inspired shoots.

Read More »