Gaming Culture
Ongoing coverage on Gaming Culture.
Latest coverage
Searching for Wonder in a Toxic Gaming Landscape
This opinion piece reflects on the decline of wonder in gaming culture due to pervasive toxicity amplified by social media platforms. It argues that outrage and personal grievances have replaced nuanced discussion, leading to burnout and a less welcoming environment for players and developers alike. The author calls for a return to curiosity, empathy, and a recognition of the human effort behind game creation.
VampireFreaks: How the Goth Network Shaped Gaming Culture
The article explores the history of VampireFreaks, a social network popular in the early 2000s within goth, industrial, and alternative communities. It highlights the platform's role in fostering self-expression and community, and details its significant, though often unspoken, connection to gaming culture, particularly for genres like gothic horror RPGs and survival horror. The piece also touches on the network's eventual shutdown and the rise of its successor, VampFreaks.
