Category Archives: Erik Bigras
Coopted Access: The Rise of the Shooter in Video Game Design
This post revolves around a series of paradoxes. Within the realm of information technology, access often is understood as something that should be promoted. However, within the realms of information technologies, increased access often has led to increased centralization. For … Continue reading
A Vulnerable Retrospective: Desolation Games
Welcome to a Higher Level Gamer Critical Retrospective! Retrospectives can take many forms: some focus on a single franchise while others are more expansive. For these retrospectives, I’ll be taking the latter approach. These retrospectives aren’t meant to be best-of … Continue reading
DayZ of Indifference: Fighting Against the Injustice Engine
I hadn’t meant to be talking about DayZ this week, but after reading Jason’s post, I just couldn’t resist. As with many of us, I’ve been familiar with the ArmA II mod for a while now. I found it interesting … Continue reading
Shadowrun Unlimited
When I owned a Sega Genesis, I used to play Shadowrun until my eyes bled. I loved the world’s lore and the quirky feel of the game. When Shadowrun Returns was released, I, of course, jumped on it and enjoyed … Continue reading
Bronkie the Bronchiasaurus: An Epistemological Review
I return after the holiday season with a confession: I’m not, strictly speaking, a game studies scholar. Rather, I’ve been dabbling and stumbling professionally in this particular academic arena for close to a decade, now. Formally, I’m trained as a … Continue reading
Erik on Hiatus until January
With the holiday season upon us, I won’t have a chance to post much. I live in Eastern Ontario, while my family lives in Western Québec, which means that I end up doing a lot of traveling during this time … Continue reading
Minecraft and the Castle of Uncomfortable Contraptions
Efficiency is a word that’s often hailed as that special thing everyone should try to achieve. When I teach technology-related classes, efficiency is a word tossed around by most undergrads when we ask them about the characteristics of technological systems. … Continue reading
The ESRB Isn’t There for Us
Some weeks ago, Gaines and I wrote about GTA 5 in what would become our most popular post. Among the comments, a particular trend began to emerge, namely invoking the ESRB as a method of parental control. It’s that particular … Continue reading
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Higher Level Gamer 
Extremism as a Narrative Device
Playing DayZ has allowed me to reflect on extremism a little bit. DayZ appears to be a game that fosters a plethora of extremes: one is either an extremist bad guy (I’ll kill everyone!), an extremist good guy (I’ll kill … Continue reading →