What “Favor” Really Looks Like
In theory, being a video game protagonist might sound like fun… but if I added up everything that I put them through, it isn’t a very compelling job offer. “Do you […]
Submission in the Valley of the Shadow of Death
I have a feeling that most of my favorite game characters wouldn’t like me very much if they met me… not me as a human being, but me as the […]
The Uncomfortable Path to Becoming “More Than a Conqueror”
Most gaming protaganists are designed to be underdogs… massively outnumbered, woefully outgunned, and facing an overpowered and seemingly unstoppable opponent. But that’s what makes our co-dependent journey with them so rewarding… […]
Crafting: Finding the Significance of the Seemingly Insignificant
Often the most relatable part of my character’s journey is when they are forced to pause their grand destiny to save the world in order to hunt down some sticks, […]
Punishment or Purpose?
When we start a new game, we are choosing more than the world we are about to inhabit… we’re also selecting the character we will be experiencing this story with. We […]
Master Chief, Link, and When Less is More
Perpetually stoic and silent protagonists are pretty common in our video games, and many of our most beloved characters like John-117 or Link from the Legend of Zelda series are […]
Shining a Light When We Aren’t “Feeling It”
Games have become so immersive that it can be easy to forget that the concept of “light” in a video game is actually just a visual construct by the designer… […]
The Legend of Zelda, Iron Boots, and Timeless Solutions for our Modern Problems
My character’s progression in a video game takes many forms… it may be from experience that is earned through the battles I have faced, storyline moments that unlock a new […]
An Ocarina for All Times
Few items are more powerful or essential to their story than Link’s iconic ocarina in “The Ocarina of Time”… this simple instrument could call for support, access healing points, unlock closed […]
Hey, LISTEN!
In most of my favorite video games I find that the famous “less is more” adage typically applies… I appreciate when a game sticks to what it does best and […]
Finding God in Video Games 