By Kevin L. Clark
Here, we spotlight the movements, mods, and works of art within gaming culture for your ultimate enjoyment. The weekly post is your central point to see just how video games influence the world around us.
For anyone above the age of 30, growing up, and realizing that you’re an adult is a daily exercise in futility. Unfortunately, those of us who are still in love with gaming, realize this double-edge sword and attempt to circumvent Father Time. According to Kill Screen Daily‘s Jess Joho, that is probably the quickest route to insanity, but who cares when you’re having fun, right?! Peter Padder Pauleypop is an interesting new game that made its debut this past week and explores the panged existence of becoming a grown up. Inspired by the Final Fantasy game, Illusion of Gaia, players are isolated and full of anguish. What’s crazy is that one moment you’ll feel the creak in your dusty and old bones, and the next you’ll be enjoying the game.
The name Koji Kondo is an indelible part of gaming history, specifically to those who love Super Mario Bros. Having been tied to the title since 1985, his composition for the Mario games through 1996’s Super Mario 64 have endeared him to the masses a lifetime over. Add to that, the 53-year-old composer and sound director was the main wellspring of inspiration behind the audio in Zelda’s Ocarina of Time, then you can understand just how important Koji Kondo is to the gaming community. In an exclusive interview with Gamasutra, Christian Nutt chats with the legend about his work over the years, his advice to other game composers, and what players can expect from 2015’s Mario Maker for the Wii U.
Smosh Games always comes with it when it comes to the Honest Game Trailers. The team’s latest finds them revisiting the operatic, super-dramatic, post-apocalyptic survival game The Last Of Us. The (honestly) superb game still prompted questions about the hyperrealism of the world, as the folks picked relentlessly at Joel and Ellie’s emotional journey. NY Videogame Critics Circles own, Evan Narcisse, provided us with the laughs. Extra points go for the creative names given to the characters from the game. You can watch this hilarious video by clicking here.
If you see anything that you feel is culturally relevant, artistic in merit, or just all-around cool for gamers — please don’t hesitate to let us know @HaroldGoldberg, @KevitoClark, and @HarryRabinowitz.