Dear Esther
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dear Esther across the outlets.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
How Mixtape became the biggest video game controversy of 2026The indie game Mixtape has become the subject of a significant online controversy, with accusations of bribery and a general backlash against its narrative-focused, low-interactivity design. This backlash echoes past industry issues like Gamergate, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding diverse game design and representation in the industry.
Gamers Rally for Fresh Video Game Soundtrack Rankings Beyond the ClassicsA discussion is emerging among gamers about the predictability of "best of all time" video game soundtrack rankings, which often feature the same classic tracks. Players are advocating for lists that focus on more recent music from the last decade, highlighting titles like NieR: Automata and Hades II as examples of modern soundtracks that serve as emotional anchors for their narratives and showcase the maturation of game music as an art form.- BAFTA Award-winner Cissy Jones joins the cast of WILL: Follow The Light, launching 28 April for PC and consolesTomorrowHead Studio announced that BAFTA Award-winner Cissy Jones has joined the cast of their upcoming narrative adventure game, WILL: Follow The Light. The game, inspired by titles like Firewatch and Alan Wake, is set to launch on April 28 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
"You're not doing parkour off a roof, but the principles were the same": How the makers of Firewatch pulled from Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock to tell a new kind of story in a walking simulatorCampo Santo developers discuss the inspirations behind their narrative exploration game Firewatch, drawing from titles like Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock. The team focused on creating a grounded, human-scale story with reactive gameplay elements and a strong sense of place, influenced by their camping trip to Yosemite National Park.- Indie är mer än retro och pretto – det är allt!The article argues that indie games are more than just retro or pretentious titles, encompassing a wide range of genres and ambitions. It highlights how crowdfunding and digital distribution platforms like Steam have fostered independent creation, leading to innovative titles that challenge traditional gaming norms and expand the definition of what an indie game can be.