The best games of 2020
The last 12 months were a boom time for the gaming industry, as many people found solace in virtual worlds during lockdown. We look back at ten of CR’s favourites
The theatrics of Lucy Prebble
Following the release of her explosive phone-hack series I Hate Suzie, Lucy Prebble talks about her belief that every story benefits from a little drama, and how an ongoing infatuation with tech inspired her to write for video games
Has game advertising gone soft?
With new Sony and Microsoft ad campaigns out, CR explores whether game advertising has lost its edge, and what the future holds for console makers operating in a more complicated market than ever before
Olo Loco puts a playful spin on the classic game of shuffleboard
We speak to digital studio Sennep about creating the hotly anticipated sequel to its 2012 game Olo, which combines the game mechanics of air hockey, curling and shuffleboard in one phonescreen-sized package
Universal Everything’s Emergence recreates the crowd experience in VR
A timely new game release from Universal Everything pits players against a virtual reality crowd, designed to evoke “elaborate patterns of human behaviour at a huge scale”
UsTwo creates a climbing-themed adventure for Facebook Gaming
Created by UsTwo New York, Go Go Bots lets players race to complete a series of bouldering-inspired challenges set in a cyberpunk universe
Minecraft’s lockdown simulator helps explain social distancing to kids
The zombie-themed game, created by Minecraft and AKQA, aims to show people why staying at home is important during a health crisis
Is gaming the most undervalued creative influence of them all?
Gaming’s creeping influence is being felt across the creative industry, particularly in immersive entertainment. We find out why there’s so much to learn from it, and how a generation that’s grown up playing games is now rethinking the way narrative works
What makes a hit mobile game?
Mobile gaming has come a long way since the days of Snake. But with so many titles now competing for attention, how do you create something that stands out? We explore what makes for a great experience – and what we can learn from successful titles
How brands can up their game in the world of esports
Esports have rapidly evolved into a billion dollar industry, but it’s still often deemed the “wild west” for brands. We speak to experts from Copa90 and 72andSunny Amsterdam about why it’s such a complex landscape, and what potential opportunities and pitfalls brands need to look out for
Is it time we hit replay on gaming history?
For nine years, console company Analogue has been helping people rediscover gaming’s past, and highlighting its hugely creative heritage along the way. We met its founder to discuss what makes the history of game play so fascinating, and why it goes far beyond nostalgia
The best games of 2019
Both indie studios and big game developers did well this year, which saw Apple Arcade launch as well as Google’s much-anticipated Stadia streaming service. Here’s ten of CR’s favourites
An oral history of Wipeout
When Wipeout landed in 1995, it blew away the competition with its mix of futuristic gameplay, banging techno and crisp graphics – courtesy of The Designers Republic™. Here we delve into the story behind the title’s visual identity
The game that aims to dispel the link between gun violence and, um, games
In the latest campaign from gun control group Brady, League of Legislators acts as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the debate around the root cause of America’s mass shooting epidemic
Twitch’s first ever brand refresh is all about its community
After a period of “soul searching”, leading livestream platform Twitch has tweaked its identity with a brighter palette, a more streamlined interface and a new letterform inspired by Moog synthesisers
UsTwo’s new game appeals to the tinkerer in us all
Assemble With Care is a puzzle-style game that challenges players to take apart, and put back together, cameras, cassettes, projectors and watches