The latest installment of Rock Paper Shotgun's 'The Sunday Papers' offers a mosaic of compelling articles from across the web, highlighting a spectrum of topics from the somber realities of the games industry to the nuanced art of narrative design.
One piece, "Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end," by Bryant Francis for Game Developer, delves into the painful consequences of leadership decisions within companies. The article suggests a direct correlation between a disregard for employees and the ultimate downfall of businesses, evoking sorrow and anger for those who have experienced such situations firsthand.
In a lighter, albeit still surprising, turn, Jeremy Peel's report for The Guardian details the unexpected journey of Cliff Bleszinski, formerly of Gears of War fame. After his studio, Boss Key Productions, closed in 2018, Bleszinski found solace and a new passion in Broadway. A long-time fan of theater, his connection with actor Alex Boniello led him to invest in and produce the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown. Bleszinski's enthusiasm for the stage is further marked by a 'comedy and tragedy' tattoo, a nod to his high school drama background.
Eurogamer's annual Pride Week coverage is also featured, with articles exploring the intersection of queerness and gaming. Kelsey Raynor's piece on Elden Ring's queerness and Khee Hoon Chan's analysis of how queer games engage with time are specifically highlighted. Chan's work uses the narrative of a game character, Kasio, to illustrate how hegemonic constructions of time can be damaging, drawing parallels to how gender and race are social constructs. The article posits that time itself, like other societal frameworks, is built on agreed-upon conventions.
For Unwinnable's 200th issue, Maddi Chilton examines the writing style of the game Zero Parades. Chilton questions whether the game's narrative voice, which she likens to Disco Elysium, is a disservice to the game itself. She ponders if this stylistic choice is merely a reflection of a studio's established approach or a missed opportunity for distinct narrative expression, especially in a text-heavy title.
Beyond the realm of gaming, the roundup includes a look at A.I. through the lens of film, referencing Robert Daniels' work for Letterboxd and drawing comparisons to Spielberg's film. Critics like Lauren Michele Jackson and shaman_ultra are quoted, framing robotic narratives as allegories for labor, slavery, and the search for humanity. The discussion touches upon commodified cruelty and the inherent drive for survival, suggesting that even artificial beings can exhibit a form of soul.
Finally, the collection concludes with a musical note: a repeated bass solo from Muse's 'Nightshift Superstar,' described as one of the standout tracks from the band's best album since 2006.