DEEP HELL on learning the wrong lessons from games criticism
DEEP HELL is a games crit portal focusing on the ways we engage with games and the troubling lessons they often teach us. I’m joined by the site’s primary author, Skeleton (they/them), to discuss DEEP HELL’s identity, our frustrations with the state of games writing (go away Kotaku), and the importance of building alternative media that is not embedded with advertising and a callous middle-class aesthetic. Later on Skeleton dives into what they’ve been playing, and we close on a more hopeful note about the many insightful writers who have begun appearing in recent years.
You can follow Skeleton and Deep Hell on Twitter @DEEPHELLDOTCOM and support the site on Patreon.
Skeleton’s Inspiring Thing to Share
The many talented new games writers and outlets appearing this year - I’d personally shout out Uppercut, No Escape, and Dia Lacina as all being consistently illuminating.
Things Discussed
Capital is Dead (McKenzie Wark, 2019)
I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts (Deep Hell, 2020)
Born to Die (Deep Hell, 2020)
The coverage of Ubisoft games in light of abuse reports
The Mary Sue stops covering Game of Thrones
What Skeleton has been playing
Das Geisterschiff (Surt. R, 2020)
Shivering Hearts (Mischa, 2020)
Phasmophobia (Kinetic Games, 2020)
Tenderfoot Tactics (Badru, 2020)
TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children (Dandylion, 2020)
Kritiqal Care is produced by me, Nate Kiernan, with music by Desired. It's available on Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get podcasts. If you enjoyed the show, consider sharing it with a loved one. It means a lot.