Minecraft

An unseen figure holding a red and white ball stares down a yellow, rabbit-like creature with black-tipped ears and red dots on its cheeks. The entire world is rendered in blocks, the scene set on a hill of green grass and brown dirt, dotted with daisies and violets, a blue sky in the background. Red, pixelated hearts float above the creature, with an arrow pad and line of squares lining the bottom.

The History and Influence of Mods on Video Games

Video game mods allow eager fans an opportunity to partake in the medium's tradition of reiteration, reimagining cult classics in new forms.…

March 5, 2024

A young woman in hunter's garb with red hair stands stoically against a jungle background, clutching an aquamarine orb decked in gold ornamentation. She is surrounded by a trio of green monkeys with excited (and perhaps sadistic) looks on their faces, two of them holding hunting rifles while the third looks forward menacingly. As the quartet are arranged against the skyline, a field of golden grain sprouts up around their feet.

How Palworld is a Necessary Evil

Cerasela Hanseter, University of California, Berkeley

PalWorld, the creature-catching game taking the internet by storm, takes a new needed spin on classic creature-catching games.…

February 20, 2024

In this article, about how the Spotify playlist and daylist can be important towards the development of one's music taste, a blue figure with rosy cheeks is vibing to some music. He is wearing headphones and holding his smartphone high, resting on a cloud as the sun burns in pink and orange against the blue, cloud filled sky. Musical notes dance around his head.

Discovering Your Daylist

Cerasela Hanseter, University of California, Berkeley

Learning to monopolize your Spotify music history can make for greater playlists.…

February 6, 2024

An older man with short, wavy blonde hair raises his hand to his ear, wearing an old-timey ruffled collar under a maroon long-sleeve shirt.

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ Fans, Here’s Some Games You’ll Love!

Natalie VanHecke, University of Texas at Dallas

If you’re a fan of the Game of the Year, here are other video games with similarities that you’ll definitely enjoy!…

January 5, 2024

The Life Cycle of Video Games

Kirsten Kalebich, Arizona State University

What is it about older video games that make people want to keep playing them?…

December 6, 2022

Minecraft Shows How Video Games Can Help Improve Your Creativity

Braden Beck, California State Channel Islands

Video games can strengthen innovation, thinking skills and strategy in young minds.…

August 10, 2022

In an article about video games, people learning

Can Commercial Video Games Become Educational Tools?

Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez, Florida Atlantic University

Though many parents and teachers consider the medium to be distractive and harmful, it could play an important role in shaping the future of education.…

August 1, 2022

An illustration of a computer user engaging in playbor

How Fan Creativity and Playbor Are Increasingly Exploited by Corporations

Peyton Conner, Indiana University

Fans often show their love for their favorite media through fan art, fan translations and video game mods, but are they getting the recognition they really deserve?…

March 30, 2022

Illustration of an easter egg in a Mario game.

Easter Eggs and Glitches Are Crucial Aspects of Video Game Culture

Peyton Conner, Indiana University

While these details may be overlooked by novice players, the gaming community can appreciate and bond over them.…

December 20, 2021

Illustration of Wii characters from Wii Sports

How Wii Sports Has Stood the Test of Time

Jenna Amore, Oakland University

The pandemic caused people to dust off their Nintendos and start a good ol' bowling match, but will the classic game reach newer consoles?…

December 10, 2021

Illustration of creatures unveiled at Minecraft Live.

Minecraft Live 2021 Recap: Frogs, Wardens and Allays, Oh My!

Peyton Conner, Indiana University

In its annual livestream event, Mojang communicated future updates to the sensational game that fans have long been anticipating.…

November 1, 2021

An illustration of a MCYT fan sitting in a Minecraft-like environment

Minecraft YouTube (MCYT) Is Fertile Ground for Parasocial Relationships

Ian Linn, Oberlin College

Some of these influencers' platforms foster harmful attachments between themselves and their impressionable young fans.…

July 11, 2021

illustration of lilypichu, depicted as a girl with pink hair in a pink hoodie

LilyPichu Marries Gaming, Art and Music in Her Content

Sophie N. Munoz, University of Texas at San Antonio

The multitalented streamer and creator appeals to a wide audience with diverse content that ranges from lo-fi tracks to art lessons, all of which influence each other.…

April 20, 2021

Illustration by Lexey Gonzalez for an article on Minecraft and other tranquil games

Tranquil Gaming, or the Peace of Minecraft, Stardew Valley and Guild Wars 2

Amiri Rivers-David, Pomona College

While all games provide some sort of escape, there's nothing quite like the adventures you can experience from the more easygoing ones that encourage exploration.…

April 15, 2021