Last year, the organizers of the Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF) began carving out a space for video games with the inaugural Comics vs. Games display. It went so well that they’re continuing the trend in 2013, filling out Comics vs. Games 2 with new panels, new collaborations, and – perhaps most importantly – a new location for the inaugural Bit Bazaar. Continue reading
What’s going on with Game Jam: The Documentary? Dork Shelf’s Eric Weiss talks to director Troy Morrissey to get some answers. Continue reading
These days, most games billed as Metroidvania don’t live up to the moniker. Enter Guacamelee!, an excellent Mexican-themed brawler that oozes 2D authenticity. The latest offering from Toronto’s DrinkBox Studios maximizes the Metroidvania concept with tight combat, intricate level design, and a colourful aesthetic that reminds players that more is not necessarily better. Continue reading
Given Roger Ebert’s well-publicized opinions about gaming’s (lack of) potential as an art form, some might find it strange to eulogize him in the context of video games. Personally, I think it’s important. While the many accounts of his unrivaled contributions to film are obviously well-deserved, Ebert had far more to offer the world than a couple of thumbs up or down. Continue reading
Dork Shelf writer Eric Weiss shares his thoughts on what makes a video game replayable after essentially replaying God of War for the fourth time on a console with Ascension. Continue reading
When you walk into the Game On 2.0 exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre, the first thing you’ll notice is a massive projection of PONG. That’s to be expected. The new gallery chronicles the history of video games and PONG is doubtlessly one of the originals. Continue reading
How do you top one of the most violently spectacular trilogies in gaming? The Sony Santa Monica Lead Environment Artist discusses his team’s creative approach to God of War: Ascension and the challenge of staying relevant while reintroducing Kratos to another generation of gamers. Continue reading
This weekend, the Ontario Science Centre launches Game On 2.0, an extensive exhibition and celebration of all things video games, and Dork Shelf got a sneak peek at the 150-plus (playable!) games on display. Continue reading
And now, all the game news that’s fit to print. IGF announces finalists, Nvidia debuts a handheld device, Sony clamps down on used games, Zynga gets a TV show, THQ continues to have a hard time even in bankruptcy, and Toronto reveals itself as Raccoon City! Continue reading
Zed.TO co-founder Trevor Haldenby gives Dork Shelf a behind-the-scenes look into the interactive elements that made ByoLogyc: Retreat such a fascinating endeavour. Also, zombies. Continue reading
The Wii U has finally arrived. Now that the first reviews are trickling in, we want to explore what the first crop of games tell us about the Wii U’s potential as a hardcore and mainstream gaming platform. Continue reading
Assassin’s Creed III is an excellent game. It might even be a great game, depending on how you define that amorphous notion of ‘greatness.’ Explaining why, however, is a trickier proposition that may depend entirely on your own idiosyncratic interpretation of Americana. Continue reading
Ever wanted to have a company picnic with the Umbrella Corporation? Zed.TO has you covered with ByoLogyc: Retreat. Continue reading
The Bay Area-based jack-of-all-digital-trades and indie game developer is pushing for greater diversity in games. Continue reading
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation scriptwriter Jill Murray sits down with Dork Shelf for a Q&A about Ubisoft’s upcoming Vita game. Continue reading
“And Now His Watch Is Ended” is the best episode of a season that has oozed along somewhat disjointedly thus far. Continue reading
Viewers attempting to detect any overarching themes or internal consistency in “Walk of Punishment,” might be left stumped. Sort of like Jaime Lannister. Continue reading
The interplay of power and sexuality comes to the fore in “Dark Wings, Dark Words.” Continue reading
Game of Thrones continues to bring more to the table than it takes away, but will that confuse some viewers? Continue reading
With the season three premiere of HBO’s epic fantasy series Game of Thrones set for March 31, we share our impressions (both positive and negative) of the first four episodes of season three.
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