This week’s game news covers a lot of ground with common sense codes of conduct, Sims mobile games, and a splash of sophistication with art and novels. Hold on to your hats, because then I spoil it all with silly Youtube parodies.
Soft launch of SimCity BuildIt iOS and Android
Canadian friends, you’re in luck! The soft launch is only available in select countries. According to an interview with EA VP Jason Willig the gameplay will consist of user generated narratives and sandbox elements tailored to mobile players.
Art and gaming: The Strawberry Thief
Bafta-winning game designer, Sofia George, created her iPad game, The Strawberry Thief, as part of her residency as the V&A Museum’s first Game Designer in Residence. The game is inspired the work of 19th century textile designer, William Morris.
William Gibson’s latest novel features a female gamer lead
Woo hoo! William Gibson’s new novel, The Peripheral, is out! The novel focuses on a near-future female gamer, Flynne Fisher, trying to get by in a run-down Appalachia of the mid-21st century.
Twitch.tv updates rules of conduct
Trying to keep it to games, the rules seem fairly common sense: don’t break the law, don’t hack online games, don’t spam, no hate speech. My personal favs include a simple chart of how to know if you’re being a dick and this quote from the dress appropriately section: “Nerds are sexy, and you’re all magnificent, beautiful creatures, but let’s try and keep this about the games, shall we?”
If Gamer Girls Acted Like Gamer Guys
Back from If Geek Girls Acted Like Geek Guys, it’s a new lighthearted parody on gamers. Yes, yes, I know it has some stereotypes, but both videos are funny to me since I’ve experienced these types of exchanges in my life. And yes, yes, I know not all people act like this, but can we take a minute to step back and collectively laugh? Then we can have a level-headed chat about what we’d like to change.
