Lately, I find myself thinking a lot about a common trope that used to be in a lot of sitcoms in the 90s. One of the parents would get caught up in some kind of get rich quick scheme (usually some sort of MLM) and the solution to it all would either be finally asking that boss for a raise or committing to doing what they love because the family has enou…

Every week, Gies give you the bullet points on what you need to know about the news in the video game industry. But once a month, we’re here to go a little deeper. Come for the headlines, stay for the metaphors.

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Games are art. So why do we rarely see them in museums?

I’m grateful for games that help me process whatever we’ll eventually call the past six years.

“This game is grindy."

A few times a month, a young writer will reach out asking about how to break into game writing. Notably, I can’t remember anyone asking if they should get into the industry — and that’s with all of the recent terrible news. But the question I get often: is it enough to be just a writer?

CTRL Panel

“Jitterbugs are always above you,” said Duke Ellington. As the great critic Clive James elaborated in his magisterial book Cultural Amnesia, Ellington meant that he, as the performer and bandleader, was ultimately there to serve the audience—the jitterbugs. People who came to his concerts so they could get on the floor and move their feet. That’s what j…

A data breach at Rockstar Games exposed GTA Online’s internal financials, showing $1.3 million in average daily revenue and approximately $500 million annually; Take-Two’s stock rose by over $1 billion in response.

Today I'm trying something a little different than what I usually write about. Instead of reminiscing too much about the past, this post will be talking about a day out I recently had.

Take-Two Interactive laid off its head of AI and multiple team members, weeks after the company’s CEO publicly endorsed generative AI.

NOTE: Mild spoilers for aspects of Zevran and Alistair’s story in Dragon Age Origins, and Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3.

Solarpunk is a bit of a recent area of interest for me. Or, at least, it’s a genre and aesthetic I’ve gotten more into in the last few years. I recently wrote about solarpunk projects and initiatives around the world, from flying wind turbines to sponge cities, for example, but for this piece I want to look at solarpunk media, in much the way I did when…

Note: Today’s newsletter is a bit different. The planned lead item needs a little more time, but the rest was done. So you’re getting a headless edition. Consider it an easy skim to wrap up your week. (And if you like this format, let me know!)

Friends,

Adults playing video games get a lot of hate. Generally, people who don’t play video games hate on men playing them, not necessarily women, but I still take offense because they’re generally frowned upon, no matter what. I think it’s because there’s some sort of stereotype that men playing video games are neglecting their partner or their other “duties,…

It’s been nearly two months since I posted an update on my Substack, and I think I owe you a new one.

Above is the mashup cut of part 3, but here below is the entire part 3 run. (The other parts are also on the YT channel.)

Happy Monday! Another week, another amazing spotlight. I cannot believe we are almost halfway through April. This year is flying by, and I owe a thank you to all the amazing people who have made this year a great one. Lots of amazing things are coming this year so be sure to share and check in on our socials for updates.

For most of my life, I’ve associated video games with being a bad habit or an indulgent hobby. They’re something I’m supposed to feel guilty about and obviously grow out of. As a 40 year old, I’m playing more video games than I ever have. Here’s why.

A game hands you a choice, and in that moment, you have to decide how to respond. You pick the kind option, or the ruthless one, or the answer that feels clever, or the one that keeps you safe. The screen frames it as roleplaying as you step into a character and act within a world that invites experimentation. Are you becomi…

A few days ago, I went through an emotional moment, not directly my own, but involving a friend of the family. It was one of those situations that makes you stop and think about grief, about difficulty, and about how we deal with those moments when life doesn’t go the way we expect.