Netflix's Choose Or Die Director Details The Incredibly Difficult Task Of Making A Killer Video Game
Director Toby Meakins explains the process of making Choose Or Die's video game antagonist.
Feature Articles
Interviews, evergreen, and long form articles.
Interviews
We Are Global: How Virtual (Black) Reality Tells A Profound Story Of Shared Identity
We spoke with the director of Virtual (Black) Reality, Baff Akoto, about how his latest collection of immersive short films tell a connected tale of shared identity.
UFG Interviews Tortuga Team About Spaceland
We were recently able to chat with Anton Mikhaylov (game designer and co-founder of Tortuga Team), about Spaceland – a new science fiction, turn-based strategy game that caught our eye earlier this month.
Netflix's The Dirt: How Douglas Booth Channeled Nikki Sixx for Mötley Crüe Biopic
Based on the bestselling autobiography from Mötley Crüe, the film is an unflinching tale of success and excess as four misfits rise from the streets of Hollywood to the heights of international fame.
Terminal: Margot Robbie on Her Love of Amoral Characters
In my review of Terminal, I stated that Margot Robbie had found her niche. She is a great actress, hands down. But she excels at playing amoral characters – her Best Actress nominations for her role in I, Tonya speak to this truth. Because of this, it shouldn’t come as a shock to learn that she’s drawn to characters like Harley Quinn, Tonya Harding, and Terminal’s enigmatic sociopath, Annie.
UFG Interviews Counterplay Games About Duelyst!
A passionate developer resonates with me because they appear to really care about what it is they do. That’s the vibe I got when I spoke with Counterplay Games’ Creative Director and producer Keith Lee about their first game, Duelyst.
UFG Interviews Kevin Scharf of Elastic Games About Last Year
It’s a great time to be a survival horror fan. That’s the general consensus given the resurgence of the genre over the past seven or eight years. You know, since Amnesia darkened our PCs.
Investigative Work
When Things Go Wrong With Players Solving Escape Rooms
How teambuilding can become room-wrecking as players get over-enthusiastic.
Are For-Profit Game Dev Schools Still Worth It?
Back in March, The Princeton Review released its 11th annual ranking lists of top schools to study game design. Split between undergrad and grad, the lists were compiled using data gathered from its 2019 survey of administrators from 150 different institutions. The survey itself was developed with input from faculty working at top schools and professionals from leading companies in the gaming industry.
Due to the number of schools offering degrees in game design nowadays, these rankings could p
Due to the number of schools offering degrees in game design nowadays, these rankings could p
It's in the Game: How Sports Sims Predict Real Champions
Using video games to predict the outcome of a major sporting event isn’t a new phenomenon. Fans have been doing this for decades with varying results. Early on, the goal wasn’t necessarily to accurately predict the winner of the Super Bowl...
How Virtual Reality Can Be Used To Fight Racism And Prejudice In Society
I always thought I’d be more prepared for “the talk” than my parents were. It would be a priority of mine to have historic references on hand, pull from life experiences, maybe even pick out an educational video from the library – you know, make things easier on myself. I made sure to learn as much as I could about this topic so that, by the time it was my turn to have that serious sit down with my kids, I would be ready for their questions. Being a writer, at the very least, I figured I’d be mo
Virtual Reality Could Help People Overcome Their Fears and Phobias
As far as I’m concerned, one of the worst things about owning a house is having to clean the gutters. Not because it’s a difficult chore, it actually doesn’t take much effort at all. No, it’s because you have to climb a stupid ladder, a contraption that I absolutely hate using.
While I’m not totally acrophobic (suffering from a fear of heights,) the idea of climbing much of anything higher than 5ft leaves me with a feeling of “nope”. That said, cleaning the gutters is a necessary task. “Suck it
While I’m not totally acrophobic (suffering from a fear of heights,) the idea of climbing much of anything higher than 5ft leaves me with a feeling of “nope”. That said, cleaning the gutters is a necessary task. “Suck it
Opinion
Why you should play Fortnite in 2022
Because the consensus is mostly split, where any sort of middle ground gets swallowed up by social media discourse, it can be hard to recommend Fortnite to anyone who doesn't already love it. And yet, that is exactly what I aim to do.
Fortnite’s Civil Rights Movement Inclusion Was Well-Intentioned But Messy
Fortnite is one of the most popular online games ever for young gamers. This sentiment isn’t just because of its enormous player count – Fortnite’s fluctuating daily average tends to land somewhere between – but also because it is deeply accessible. Fortnite’s cost of entry is a new-ish phone and a decent WiFi connection.
It theoretically shouldn’t have come to anyone’s surprise that chose it as the platform to deliver its March Through Time project, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr’s semin
It theoretically shouldn’t have come to anyone’s surprise that chose it as the platform to deliver its March Through Time project, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr’s semin
Google Pixel 6 will make photography more inclusive — and that’s worth celebrating
You may have missed the news tucked away at the end of Google’s I/O 2021 keynote earlier this week, but the software giant took a step toward tackling an issue that has plagued image processing since the advent of color camera technology.
Sleuth is a text-based murder mystery simulator that is far scarier than it has any right to be
As a survival horror fan, I pride myself on being somewhat fearless. I say somewhat because it is possible for me to become frightened by in-game happenings – a recent romp through one of Phasmophobia's haunted houses proved as much. It's just that nowadays, I'm rarely ever caught off guard or made fearful during play. That wasn't always the case though.
Like a great many of you, I've felt the impact of jump scares over the years – some more harrowing than others. Everyone who played the origin
Like a great many of you, I've felt the impact of jump scares over the years – some more harrowing than others. Everyone who played the origin
Punching with purpose: The resurgence of beat 'em ups continues to offer a welcomed respite from reality
There's nothing more satisfying than landing that first punch in a beat 'em up. A solid jab that staggers your opponent, leaving them open for repeated strikes. The follow up isn't as grand. Several knees to the face, hip toss into random objects, a risky hurricane kick – they all get the job done. But none of them can compete with that first punch.
This has always been the case. Since the first time I dumped quarters into Double Dragon. Grabbing the sticks with my dad and moving right off the
This has always been the case. Since the first time I dumped quarters into Double Dragon. Grabbing the sticks with my dad and moving right off the
Animal Crossing as Therapy: A Misguided Approach to How We Play
Gamers around the world are in love with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Some are longtime fans who couldn’t wait for the franchise to hit the Switch. Others are newcomers, enthralled by the promise of creating/managing their own island paradise. Everyone seems to be having fun; images of newly designed interiors still flood social media. That said, I’d imagine that a lot of gamers, at least in the beginning, bought the game for a different reason.
That was certainly the case with me. While my i
That was certainly the case with me. While my i
7 Milestones for Black Superheroes Across 4 Decades of Film and TV
In honor of Black History Month, we decided to look back over the years to pinpoint seven of the most groundbreaking milestones in the evolution of that representation in comic book adaptations.
How Bethesda Can Salvage the Ruin That Is Fallout 76
Fallout 76 is full of disappointment. That said, Bethesda could salvage the game. To start, they'd just have to make a few changes - most of which we have listed here.
Zombi Still Blurs the Lines Between Horror Games and Reality
I remember it like it was yesterday. I’m sitting on the floor of my friend’s darkened bedroom, lit only by the glow of his TV. I continued to manipulate the game’s protagonist, unaware of how tightly I was gripping the PlayStation controller with my sweaty palms.
With my resolve weakened by prior bloodshed concerning a former colleague, I walked through a door at the opposite end of a large dining room. Upon entering the hallway, I paused to practice aiming my pistol and confirmed the controls
With my resolve weakened by prior bloodshed concerning a former colleague, I walked through a door at the opposite end of a large dining room. Upon entering the hallway, I paused to practice aiming my pistol and confirmed the controls
VR's Evolved Controllers Make Gaming More Accessible Than Ever
We’ll always have the traditional controller for our traditional shooters, platformers, RPG’s and so on. That said, it’s nice to know that there are new experiences being created that will allow for greater accessibility.
All Features
When Things Go Wrong With Players Solving Escape Rooms
How teambuilding can become room-wrecking as players get over-enthusiastic.
Why you should play Fortnite in 2022
Because the consensus is mostly split, where any sort of middle ground gets swallowed up by social media discourse, it can be hard to recommend Fortnite to anyone who doesn't already love it. And yet, that is exactly what I aim to do.
Fortnite’s Civil Rights Movement Inclusion Was Well-Intentioned But Messy
Fortnite is one of the most popular online games ever for young gamers. This sentiment isn’t just because of its enormous player count – Fortnite’s fluctuating daily average tends to land somewhere between – but also because it is deeply accessible. Fortnite’s cost of entry is a new-ish phone and a decent WiFi connection.
It theoretically shouldn’t have come to anyone’s surprise that chose it as the platform to deliver its March Through Time project, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr’s semin
It theoretically shouldn’t have come to anyone’s surprise that chose it as the platform to deliver its March Through Time project, which brought Martin Luther King, Jr’s semin
Fortnite timeline: 15 Major Events You Might’ve Missed
Since its inception, Fortnite has been in constant flux. This rang true early on with the free-to-play Fortnite: Battle Royale mode which quickly became the center of attention back in 2017. That popular mode would go on to evolve with themed seasons, changes to the map, world-ending events, and new game modes – most of which were probably missed by players who decided that Fortnite’s cartoonish visuals and unique building system weren’t for them earlier on.
To be fair, even long-term fans have
To be fair, even long-term fans have
Google Pixel 6 will make photography more inclusive — and that’s worth celebrating
You may have missed the news tucked away at the end of Google’s I/O 2021 keynote earlier this week, but the software giant took a step toward tackling an issue that has plagued image processing since the advent of color camera technology.
Sleuth is a text-based murder mystery simulator that is far scarier than it has any right to be
As a survival horror fan, I pride myself on being somewhat fearless. I say somewhat because it is possible for me to become frightened by in-game happenings – a recent romp through one of Phasmophobia's haunted houses proved as much. It's just that nowadays, I'm rarely ever caught off guard or made fearful during play. That wasn't always the case though.
Like a great many of you, I've felt the impact of jump scares over the years – some more harrowing than others. Everyone who played the origin
Like a great many of you, I've felt the impact of jump scares over the years – some more harrowing than others. Everyone who played the origin
We Are Global: How Virtual (Black) Reality Tells A Profound Story Of Shared Identity
We spoke with the director of Virtual (Black) Reality, Baff Akoto, about how his latest collection of immersive short films tell a connected tale of shared identity.
Punching with purpose: The resurgence of beat 'em ups continues to offer a welcomed respite from reality
There's nothing more satisfying than landing that first punch in a beat 'em up. A solid jab that staggers your opponent, leaving them open for repeated strikes. The follow up isn't as grand. Several knees to the face, hip toss into random objects, a risky hurricane kick – they all get the job done. But none of them can compete with that first punch.
This has always been the case. Since the first time I dumped quarters into Double Dragon. Grabbing the sticks with my dad and moving right off the
This has always been the case. Since the first time I dumped quarters into Double Dragon. Grabbing the sticks with my dad and moving right off the
Are For-Profit Game Dev Schools Still Worth It?
Back in March, The Princeton Review released its 11th annual ranking lists of top schools to study game design. Split between undergrad and grad, the lists were compiled using data gathered from its 2019 survey of administrators from 150 different institutions. The survey itself was developed with input from faculty working at top schools and professionals from leading companies in the gaming industry.
Due to the number of schools offering degrees in game design nowadays, these rankings could p
Due to the number of schools offering degrees in game design nowadays, these rankings could p
Animal Crossing as Therapy: A Misguided Approach to How We Play
Gamers around the world are in love with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Some are longtime fans who couldn’t wait for the franchise to hit the Switch. Others are newcomers, enthralled by the promise of creating/managing their own island paradise. Everyone seems to be having fun; images of newly designed interiors still flood social media. That said, I’d imagine that a lot of gamers, at least in the beginning, bought the game for a different reason.
That was certainly the case with me. While my i
That was certainly the case with me. While my i
It's in the Game: How Sports Sims Predict Real Champions
Using video games to predict the outcome of a major sporting event isn’t a new phenomenon. Fans have been doing this for decades with varying results. Early on, the goal wasn’t necessarily to accurately predict the winner of the Super Bowl...
UFG Interviews Tortuga Team About Spaceland
We were recently able to chat with Anton Mikhaylov (game designer and co-founder of Tortuga Team), about Spaceland – a new science fiction, turn-based strategy game that caught our eye earlier this month.
Netflix's The Dirt: How Douglas Booth Channeled Nikki Sixx for Mötley Crüe Biopic
Based on the bestselling autobiography from Mötley Crüe, the film is an unflinching tale of success and excess as four misfits rise from the streets of Hollywood to the heights of international fame.
7 Milestones for Black Superheroes Across 4 Decades of Film and TV
In honor of Black History Month, we decided to look back over the years to pinpoint seven of the most groundbreaking milestones in the evolution of that representation in comic book adaptations.
How Bethesda Can Salvage the Ruin That Is Fallout 76
Fallout 76 is full of disappointment. That said, Bethesda could salvage the game. To start, they'd just have to make a few changes - most of which we have listed here.
Zombi Still Blurs the Lines Between Horror Games and Reality
I remember it like it was yesterday. I’m sitting on the floor of my friend’s darkened bedroom, lit only by the glow of his TV. I continued to manipulate the game’s protagonist, unaware of how tightly I was gripping the PlayStation controller with my sweaty palms.
With my resolve weakened by prior bloodshed concerning a former colleague, I walked through a door at the opposite end of a large dining room. Upon entering the hallway, I paused to practice aiming my pistol and confirmed the controls
With my resolve weakened by prior bloodshed concerning a former colleague, I walked through a door at the opposite end of a large dining room. Upon entering the hallway, I paused to practice aiming my pistol and confirmed the controls
Terminal: Margot Robbie on Her Love of Amoral Characters
In my review of Terminal, I stated that Margot Robbie had found her niche. She is a great actress, hands down. But she excels at playing amoral characters – her Best Actress nominations for her role in I, Tonya speak to this truth. Because of this, it shouldn’t come as a shock to learn that she’s drawn to characters like Harley Quinn, Tonya Harding, and Terminal’s enigmatic sociopath, Annie.
How Virtual Reality Can Be Used To Fight Racism And Prejudice In Society
I always thought I’d be more prepared for “the talk” than my parents were. It would be a priority of mine to have historic references on hand, pull from life experiences, maybe even pick out an educational video from the library – you know, make things easier on myself. I made sure to learn as much as I could about this topic so that, by the time it was my turn to have that serious sit down with my kids, I would be ready for their questions. Being a writer, at the very least, I figured I’d be mo
Virtual Reality Could Help People Overcome Their Fears and Phobias
As far as I’m concerned, one of the worst things about owning a house is having to clean the gutters. Not because it’s a difficult chore, it actually doesn’t take much effort at all. No, it’s because you have to climb a stupid ladder, a contraption that I absolutely hate using.
While I’m not totally acrophobic (suffering from a fear of heights,) the idea of climbing much of anything higher than 5ft leaves me with a feeling of “nope”. That said, cleaning the gutters is a necessary task. “Suck it
While I’m not totally acrophobic (suffering from a fear of heights,) the idea of climbing much of anything higher than 5ft leaves me with a feeling of “nope”. That said, cleaning the gutters is a necessary task. “Suck it
UFG Interviews Counterplay Games About Duelyst!
A passionate developer resonates with me because they appear to really care about what it is they do. That’s the vibe I got when I spoke with Counterplay Games’ Creative Director and producer Keith Lee about their first game, Duelyst.
VR's Evolved Controllers Make Gaming More Accessible Than Ever
We’ll always have the traditional controller for our traditional shooters, platformers, RPG’s and so on. That said, it’s nice to know that there are new experiences being created that will allow for greater accessibility.
UFG Interviews Kevin Scharf of Elastic Games About Last Year
It’s a great time to be a survival horror fan. That’s the general consensus given the resurgence of the genre over the past seven or eight years. You know, since Amnesia darkened our PCs.