critical essay

The 2010s: The Rise of Indie Games

Undoubtedly, the last decade was known for its big-budget games. Games like Grand Theft Auto V, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt made headlines for their massive worlds, epic stories, fun gameplay, and huge sales. But the highest selling game of the decade (and of all time) was an independent game made by a small company called Mojang. A game with blocky graphics, basic gameplay, and a simple story.

Minecraft was the first smash hit from the independent side of gaming. Before its release, games with small budgets and little known developers rarely made headway in the gaming market, with notable exceptions including Braid, Super Meat Boy, and Limbo. It was Minecraft that finally showed how indie games can be just as popular as games made by developers with far more resources and manpower.

Players and Sexuality: How Video Games Can Evoke Empathy for LGBT+ Characters

Because many video games nowadays feature prominent characters that fall under the LGBT+ category, this type of emotional investment that’s built on the in-game interactions with these characters can provide an impact on how the player views people who identify as LGBT+ outside of the game’s magic circle. The increase in LGBT+ representation in Triple-A games puts players in the position of empathizing with characters that fall under the LGBT+ category. Games like Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Last of Us, specifically the game’s DLC, are two early examples of games known for their representation of the LGBT+ community and the strong reaction they received from critics and players alike.