Press Start: Dads N’ Damsels

This week in gaming, millions of male gamers still found a way to wax their poles to the new, gritty Tomb Raider; Sim City went into complete shit-ridden meltdown and I continued to play a tonne of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. The only thing that comforts me after typing that ridiculous name is the unrelenting entertainment value of tearing out cyborg spines. Third playthrough down and I’m still digging the most violent method of electrolyte extraction known to man.

Yu Suzuki owns my soul with new Shenmue 3 tease

Kickstarter has enabled millions to contribute towards the reality of their own gaming dreams, but for me, it has remained little more than something I watch with passing fascination. But, just like my waning sex drive, there are specific buttons, that when pushed, awaken a beast that brings with it an almost fearsome and intimidating appetite. Yu Suzuki just poked the bear.

This news comes from a French journalist with a verified Twitter account, which instantly gives his statements added gravitas. OK, I’ll admit that maybe I’m getting slightly over-excited at this mere prospect, after all, that’s all that it is. However, it’s just the idea that Yu Suzuki is thinking about Shenmue once again and that there are now ways and means to make these projects a reality without the need of backing from a major publisher. Sure, SEGA probably own the rights, but that’s a small consideration to a man blinded by his own enthusiasm. I don’t care how ropey it is, the Dreamcast originals are still hugely playable to me. I just need closure, I need to kick Lan Di’s ass.

Women in games video series launches

Feminist critic Anita Sarkeesian has taken a long and arduous journey in order to make her Tropes Vs. Women in games video series a reality. It’s with relief that I say the journey was worth it. All of the backward thinking abuse she has had to endure only served to draw attention to the project, no doubt helping it exceed the $6,000 Kickstarter goal to a total nearing $160,000. Sarkeesian has made a thought-provoking and necessary critique of the medium here, something which I’m eager to see more of.

What I’m always keen to point out is the relative infancy of the medium, now that’s not to defend it at all, quite to the contrary: there is still much that gamers and game designers have to learn. So whether or not you agree with these sort of critiques, it has to be said that gaming will struggle to evolve without them. As gaming evolves, critics like Sarkeesian will become instrumental in helping developers push for new ideas. Admittedly, the male power fantasy standard is going to be pretty tough to break, but at the very least, the series may pave the way for different critiques that expose other underlying problems that stifle the evolution of video games.

Best dad ever mods feminist-friendly Donkey Kong

As if in response to Sarkeesian’s video comes the tale of the most heroic dad of the week. When his three-year-old daughter got bummed out because she had to adhere to the standard macho power trip in her favourite game, Donkey Kong, that very dad took it upon himself to right the wrong, reversing the roles and making it so that his daughter could play as Pauline saving Jumpman.

“My 3-year-old daughter and I play a lot of old games,” writes one dad on Facebook, as picked up by Reddit. “Her favorite is Donkey Kong. Two days ago, she asked me if she could play as the girl and save Mario. She’s played as Peach in Super Mario Bros. 2 and naturally just assumed she could do the same in Donkey Kong. I told her we couldn’t in that particular Mario game; she seemed really bummed out by that.”

Dad hacked the NES ROM and switched the sprites so his daughter could play the game her way and the gender balance is restored. Heartwarming as fuck.

Boy Scouts enter 21st Century with gaming badge

The Boy Scouts of America have just announced their newest merit badge: one that awards scouts for achievemnt in the field of game design.

 “Scouts looking to earn the merit badge must analyze different genres and facets of design in addition to broader industry-related concerns like the significance of intellectual property. Participants will also create prototypes ranging from dice and board games to smartphone applications..”

Sounds rad. So long as you don’t mind hanging with a bunch of short-wearing homophobes. The Boy Scouts of America claim that this new merit badge is part of the organization’s efforts to become more relevant to 21st century life. I wonder if they were able to make that claim with a straight face.

Someone order me a fucking whisky.

Enter madness with Zeno Clash II

I like to think that I’m writing for the open-minded gamer here: the kind who longs for something beyond the comfortable realms of roided-up supermen football stars with guns (both kinds) and plastic sex doll females with bazookas (again, both kinds). If I’m right, then Zeno Clash II will be just what you’re looking for.

If you never managed to play the first one, or you’ve never seen it before, prepare yourself for a journey into an increasingly bizarre and imaginative world seen at the end of your all-conquering fists. Even after the first game this trailer still spins me out: with its wild character design and unique first-person gameplay. Take a look if that mind of yours is expanded.

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Quitting time! And time for me to say thank you. Claim your prize at the counter, for enduring this column is no mean feat. Alternatively, save up the tokens for your next visit and cash in big when the time is right! What is this? (REAL LIFE+)