My name is Arden, and after a few days of thinking I’ve decided that I’m going to ruin video games.
I’m going to be doing everything in my power to destroy them completely. Walking simulators about feelings and emotions as far as the eye can see! Guns that shoot kisses! Lady characters that aren’t designed to cater to the whims of straight men! I’m hiding loving queer couples in every treasure chest instead of new armor. Every game will now be required to have at least one section that can be described as “too” personal. Fuck, if I’m feeling really bold, I might even throw some non-white characters into a game or two! I’ll magically replace every copy of every big-budget first person shooter with either Gone Home or Dear Esther and listen to the agitated shrieks of gamers.
Non-men have been “ruining” games for a long time, of course, by virtue of existing and trying to make the medium and the spaces around it more inclusive and less festering garbage. I’m just owning up to it now, so there can be no doubt: I’m here to ruin games. The space gamers have carved out is broken and vile, and I’m done with it. This is not their hobby anymore, it is our art.
I’m ruining video games! Join me! Make a personal story in Twine, nothing pisses gamers off more than interactive fiction sharing experiences that don’t cater to them! Make something in RPG Maker! You don’t even need to put combat in it! Make a dating sim or a visual novel in Ren’Py! Ruining games is easy, I know you can do it too!
This Is Something I Can Get Behind…
