One of the problems I have with the outliers of game development and gaming culture is the feeling of entitlement and ownership that some people, primarily men, give voice to. I’m not sure if you’ve ever had the conversation around “this is what players want” and the next minute be confronted with the inaccurate statement... Continue Reading →
Reading Between the Lines
In the last three months I have read three books. The reason it has taken me this long to read three books is because they're about games, and therefore not about me. I will explain this as I go along, but the basis of it all is that I am a woman. In game design... Continue Reading →
The Privilege Paradox
For anyone following this blog, you’ll know that I analyze games, and primarily I analyze games that I really enjoy playing. Mass Effect is one of those games. I’ll use Mass Effect as an example, but the truth is that I’ve seen these tendencies in many games and across many companies. If you have followed... Continue Reading →
Dysfunctional Companies
I did some digging lately into both project management and company management. One of the things I found that were seriously problematic, but also emblematic for the games industry is dysfunctional companies and dysfunctional teams. The hallmark of a dysfunctional company/ team are the following five traits. They’re a theory created by Patrick Lencioni. Lack... Continue Reading →
Illumination
Gaslighting is a colloquialism for a specific type of manipulation where the manipulator is successful in having the target (a person or a group of people) question their own reality, memory or perceptions. There is often a power dynamic in gaslighting where the target is vulnerable because they are fearful of losses associated with challenging... Continue Reading →
Ugh, Emotions: Part IV
CW: harassment, gaslighting, suicidal thoughts By necessity and signed paperwork, I’m keeping it vague. It's also in the past. I'm posting it because I have this idea that we need to show that negative behaviour doesn't have to be sexual. I also want to point out that my experiences may well have been a one... Continue Reading →