GAMETHING

In which we speedrun GIRP (2011), and engage in some good old-fashioned digital mountaineering. Pippin decompiles a seagull. David embraces the Way of The Bride. These, and other GAMETHINGS. GIRP was developed and published by Bennett Foddy.

In which we speedrun That Dragon, Cancer (2016), an interactive memorial to Joel Green by his parents. Pippin panics. David lingers then hurries on. These, and other GAMETHINGS. That Dragon, Cancer was developed and published by Numinous Games.

In which we speedrun VVVVVV (2010), a gravity-fluid space adventure with optional shiny trinkets. Pippin does things the hard way. David falls up a tower. These, and other GAMETHINGS. VVVVVV was developed by Terry Cavanagh and published by Nicalis.

In which we speedrun Conan: The Mysteries of Time (1991), dance with the devil, and kill his dog. Pippin goes (around one-sixth of) the distance. David (eventually) scoops up a happy little fireball. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Conan: The Mysteries of Time was developed and published by Mindscape.

In which we speedrun Half-Life 2 (2004), and become the right man in the wrong place. Pippin achieves escape velocity. David gets his second warning for the tenth time. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Half-Life 2 was developed and published by Valve.

In which we introduce Season 6 of GAMETHING and reveal its theme. Gotta move fast.

In which we talk to Zach Barth (1986), designer of SHENZHEN I/O (2016), EXAPUNKS (2018), and many other genre-defining “programming games.” Zach insists the Zachtronics catalogue isn't meant to teach you anything. Pippin agrees to disagree. David is accused of having a substandard laptop. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Zach Barth was developed and published by his parents in 1986.

In which we totally learned to program by playing videogames. Pippin loses his quadrilateral computer. David must go because somewhere, there is a computer-crime happening. These, and other GAMETHINGS.

In which we play EXAPUNKS (2018), and try to find the cure for the common code while being blackmailed by an edgelord AI. Pippin hacks the rainbow. David sounds it out. These, and other GAMETHINGS. EXAPUNKS was developed by Zachtronics and published by Zachtronics in 2018.

In which we play else Heart. Break() (2015), drink coffee, hang out, and hack the world—starting with Dorisburg. Pippin lights up the night with a mysterious cube. David gets tasered at the radio station. These, and other GAMETHINGS. else Heart. Break() was developed by Erik Svedäng, El Huervo / Niklas Åkerblad, Tobias Sjögren, Oscar "Ratvader" Rydelius, and Johannes Gotlén and published by Erik S...

In which we play Human Resource Machine (2015), and order around a little office worker with carefully arranged, simple instructions. Pippin comes face to face with Fibonacci. David now knows how the weatherperson must feel. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Human Resource Machine was developed by Tomorrow Corporation and published by Tomorrow Corporation in 2015.

In which we play Carnage Heart (1995), autonomous Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. Pippin builds little Roombas that could (destroy their enemies). David holes up in the library. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Carnage Heart was developed by Artdink and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1995.

In which we play Hacknet (2015), an edge-of-the-office-chair thriller about exploiting cybersecurity flaws. Pippin feels like he’s 12 again. David steals the high score. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Hacknet was developed by Team Fractal Alligator and published by Fellow Traveller in 2015.

In which we play One Dreamer (2022), deploying pseudocode for functional efficiency and poignant self-expression  as Frank, a burnt-out indie developer haunted by his past. Pippin gasps at all the global variables. David feels misled. These, and other GAMETHINGS. One Dreamer was developed by F2House and published by F2House in 2022.

In which we play Quadrilateral Cowboy (2016), a simulation of a techno-heist simulator. Pippin is up for some more badminton if you are. David ponders the hidden complexities of fiddleocities. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Quadrilateral Cowboy was developed by Blendo Games and published by Blendo Games in 2016.

In which we play SHENZHEN I/O (2016), a game of code, circuits, and Solitaire. Pippin designed that VR Intimacy Buzzer you asked for. David goes through all the stages of grief in 30 minutes. These, and other GAMETHINGS. SHENZHEN I/O was developed by Zachtronics and published by Zachtronics in 2016.

In which we introduce Season 5 of GAMETHING and reveal its theme. Beep boop, ERROR.

Shall we play a GAMETHING?

In which we look horror in the eye, tell it what we think of it, and run away. Pippin can’t unhear the screaming. David is here to help. These, and other GAMETHINGS.

In which we play D (1995) and find out what the “D” means and whether literal monsters can be good parents. Pippin accidentally joins dad for a reign of terror. David shoots dad with a precious family heirloom musket. These, and other GAMETHINGS. D was developed by Warp and published by Acclaim and Panasonic in 1995.

In which we play Saturnalia (2022) and must survive an unstable village stalked by an unstable mind. Pippin is consumed by his thirst for revenge on Damiano. David hates being cooped up inside. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Saturnalia was developed and published by Santa Ragione in 2022.

In which we play two fan translations (2000, 2016) of Sweet Home (1989), an NES film-adaptation of Sweet Home (1989). Pippin says the word “maggots” more than he ever thought possible. David reflects on emotional labour in horror games. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Sweet Home was developed and published by Capcom in 1989.

In which we play Resident Evil 4 (2005/2014), taking the role of an impeccably coiffed action hero who doesn't know the meaning of fear. Pippin thinks he’s developing ESP. David is collecting health power-ups for two like an expectant mother. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Resident Evil 4 was developed by Capcom Development Studio 4 and published by Capcom in 2005. The HD remaster was published in 2...

In which we play Who’s Lila? (2021), a game that insists you take out the trash but must never look inside the bag. Pippin tries not to smile. David can’t summon the daemon. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Who’s Lila? was developed by Garage Heathen and published by Garage Heathen and IndieArk in 2021.

In which we play Anatomy (2016), a malevolent haunted house. Pippin is still in the basement. David can’t stop hearing the screaming. These, and other GAMETHINGS. Anatomy was developed and published by Kitty Horrorshow in 2016.