Calling it now, this is going on some best of lists for the year.
I wrote about Amberspire for Start Menu! A puzzle game wrapped in a city builder, it takes a different tack to the "eco-builders" genre.
Absolutely lovely piece, delivered as only Wallace can.
IGN employees deserve fair pay.
NEW ESSAY TIME
@stevenstoermer.bsky.social on Battlefield 6
"[it] demures from naming names out of a dual desire. One, to present combat as an apolitical mirror image of the real world but that is vacuum-insulated from it. Two, to depict a fantasy of player agency"
www.stopcar.ing/a-vivisectio...
Something about Battlefield 6 always rankled me, and I think I've discovered why it feels so hollow. It all started with the drones.
@stopcar.ing gives home and hearth to my analysis.
www.stopcar.ing/a-vivisectio...
There's something unique at the heart of Amberspire that delivers a message about our expectations for growth and how a city builder *ought* to play.
@nictringali.bsky.social
@hollynielsen.bsky.social
@bithellgames.bsky.social
Congrats on bringing a cool, nuanced, beautiful game to life.
A ton of great writing this week. Thank you for featuring my piece on Battlefield 6 for @stopcar.ing! Find it here: www.stopcar.ing/a-vivisectio...
New Observing Digital Space Debris is out! Today's poem is inspired by Motorslice, titled "Break Time." Yk the drill at this point: excerpt below, full thing free at the link, share if you like it, and try to have a nice Saturday:
www.patreon.com/posts/observ...
Battlefield 6 has arguably saved the franchise. But at what cost?
www.stopcar.ing
Battlefield 6 has arguably saved the franchise. But at what cost?
In Amberspire, the titular city atop a necropolis expands steadily, but instability is a constant companion. The game contains an irresolvable tension at its core that, at turns, entertains, frustrate...
www.startmenu.co.uk
Battlefield 6 has arguably saved the franchise. But at what cost?
I wrote about The House of Hikmah! Truly lovely game that I will remember for several reasons (seriously y’all it is *gorgeous*), but chief among them is it’s the first time I played a game front to back voice acted in Arabic. My thoughts on that and the game at large in GwG:
Wallace
Who up abusing they platform for self indulgent thinkpieces
In Amberspire, the titular city atop a necropolis expands steadily, but instability is a constant companion. The game contains an irresolvable tension at its core that, at turns, entertains, frustrates, and enlightens.
@stevenstoermer.bsky.social reviews.
Zero Parades: For Unwanted Art by Ela Bambust on Patreon. Join Ela Bambust 's community for exclusive content and updates.
This week: Nostalgia. And lots of other things, to be sure. But, like, a *lot* on nostalgia:
critical-distance.com/2026/05/17/m...
critical-distance.com
Welcome back readers. There have been some good discussions over the past week about encouraging more longform blogging as a curative to short-form and often-hostile posting-driven discourse. Allow…
In Amberspire, the titular city atop a necropolis expands steadily, but instability is a constant companion. The game contains an irresolvable tension at its core that, at turns, entertains, frustrate...
Today, the IGNCG sent this letter to our President of Ziff Davis Gaming & Entertainment to demand pay that reflects the rate of inflation in our contract.
Please join us in asking @errorjustin.bsky.social, @peer-ign.bsky.social, @corradimus.bsky.social, and @yprough.bsky.social to pay us fairly.
Critical Distance | Where’s all the good writing about games?
IGN Creators Guild
New by @exalclaw.com on The House of Hikmah by @lunacystudios.bsky.social! "How often do games give me the opportunity to relate to a person speaking in Arabic? How often do games consider Arabic as part of our relatable universe?"
www.gamerswithglasses.com/reviews/the-...
There is beauty to be found in the depths of grief. Before anything else, I’ll remember The House of Hikmah as the first game I ever played that’s fully voice acted in Arabic. There’s also a powerfu...
