The Game Awards: Gaming’s biggest show and its growing identity crisis

After the somewhat controversial streamer awards earlier in the week, The Game Awards delivered few surprises as Expedition 33 dominated the night and claimed a record nine awards. Even so, the ceremony was not without its own share of debate, alongside several announcements that ranged from exciting to fairly routine for the video game industry. In this article we will break down this year’s show and consider whether The Game Awards remains a positive force for the medium or whether it is beginning to feel like it is chasing the prestige of the Oscars. Continue reading The Game Awards: Gaming’s biggest show and its growing identity crisis

No, EA Probably Won’t Make Battlefront 3

Star Wars Battlefront II had a rough launch in 2017. The game was heavily criticised for tying core gameplay progression to loot boxes and quickly became the industry’s tipping point for backlash against microtransactions.

Developer DICE eventually overhauled the progression system, making everything unlockable through gameplay. But the damage was done. EA’s reputation took a massive hit, and for many players, trust was broken.

It wasn’t until 2020 that Battlefront II ended its live service run not with a whimper, but with a final update that was widely praised by its community. In 2021, the game saw a surprising resurgence in players. Even more impressively, it broke its own peak player count twice in 2025.

So that begs the question: has EA earned back the goodwill and is it finally time for a Battlefront III?
Continue reading No, EA Probably Won’t Make Battlefront 3

Why the “Iron Triangle” Doesn’t Work for Video Games

If you’ve ever played a game that looked great on paper but just didn’t hit right, you’re not alone. Behind the scenes, game development teams use project management tools to plan and deliver games. One of the oldest and most common is the Iron Triangle a model that balances Time, Cost, and Scope (or sometimes Quality, depending on who you ask). Continue reading Why the “Iron Triangle” Doesn’t Work for Video Games

Age of Empires 2: The Three Kingdoms, First Impressions

Age of Empires II has been a cornerstone of my gaming life.

It was a crucial part of my childhood and remains a title I keep coming back to, even decades later. Since the release of the Definitive Edition in 2019, we’ve seen several expansions breathe new life into this classic but the recent release of The Three Kingdoms promises to be the biggest update since The Conquerors, which came out over twenty five years ago.

As someone who plays Age of Empires II regularly and follows the game’s evolution closely, I wanted to share my thoughts on this new expansion, how it compares to those that came before, and whether it’s worth the £15 price tag. Continue reading Age of Empires 2: The Three Kingdoms, First Impressions

Why the Minecraft movie really concerns me

The anticipated Minecraft movie, set for release after 11 years, raises concerns about media adaptation, resembling an extensive advertisement rather than a quality film. Despite heavy marketing and merchandise, its potential for creativity appears lacking compared to the successful LEGO movie. Nonetheless, viewers remain hopeful for unexpected quality. Continue reading Why the Minecraft movie really concerns me