Feature

The problem with empathy games

This article is part of a collaboration with iQ by Intel. A niche genre of videogames hopes to inspire players to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, leading to an important discussion about how players experience empathy. Biofeedback videogames feed off players’ physiological responses, impacting gameplay in new and interesting ways. But what happens when developers create games designed to evoke a specific emotional or psychological response? Empathy games attempt to answer that question. These videogames aspire to enhance a player’s understanding of an outside perspective, particularly those pertaining to real-world struggles and inequalities, through interactive experiences. “You have to…

News

A Rumble in the Bronx, the followup to Papo & Yo, and Solid Snake loses his voice (actor)

Yes, there’s an old-school brawler starring graffiti artists from the Lower East Side. I <3 NY.  Papo & Yo creator Vander Caballero has revealed Silent Enemy, a game that takes on the ills of bullying, so have the tissue paper handy. – – – We now know the complete lineup of launch games for Ouya. Champs include Canabalt, Giana Sisters, God of Blades, Organ Trail, Wizorb, and, uh, ew gross, a SNES emulator. Introducing the Stinky footboard, the oblong, plastic game peripheral inspired by the thought: “I’d really like to control PC games with my feet.” If I had gotten…