Week 11 - Due Nov 5 (Discussing Videogames)

Read:

1. Luke Plunkett, Kotaku, "Firewatch: The Kotaku Review"

2. Melissa Kagen, "Walking, Talking, and Playing with Masculinities in Firewatch"

3. Oli Welsh, Eurogamer, "Death Stranding review: a baffling, haunting, grand folly"

4. Ryan House, "Likers Get Liked: Platform Capitalism and the Precariat in Death Stranding"

Originally, I had planned for us to talk about Values in/of Games and Play, but through the way the class developed, we already discussed that a few weeks ago. Instead, let's shift to thinking about the ways these games are talked about. Above, you'll find a review and an (admittedly, academic) piece on two games: Firewatch and Death Stranding. As you read, consider the ideas from the HeavyEyed video about how videogames are discussed as both products for material consumption and artistic works to be experienced. (And please, don't be afraid to critique these readings, especially mine!)

Watch:

How We Talk About Games - HeavyEyed (~1:10:00)

This is an interesting mix of video essay and podcast conversation between video essayists about the way we discuss videogames and how its developed over the past ~40 years. This will serve as the backbone of our discussion this week.

Games:

1. Firewatch (~3 hrs; full game walkthrough/ no commentary)

2. Death Stranding (~1 Day; full game walkthrough/ no commentary)

You're obviously not obligated to watch these in full, but watch at least the beginning bits of each. Try to get a good understanding of what each game is "about" in terms of the experience of play, not necessarily narrative. Click around as much as desired.