4 rules for making a video-game adaptation that works

The big successes such as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “The Last of Us” — and the big failures — provide lessons for Hollywood to consider.

By Gene ParkApril 15, 2023

Princess Peach powers up from distressed damsel to wartime general

The new Mario movie features an empowered Peach, but that’s been mostly true of the series since 1988.

By Gene ParkApril 7, 2023

Frost Giant wants to build a real-time strategy game for everyone

"Stormgate" may be a real successor to the RTS greats of yore — and the closest thing to a Warcraft and StarCraft sequel in years.

By Mikhail KlimentovMarch 31, 2023
Launcher NewsPerspective

What Launcher meant, and means, for games journalism

Attention to a part of our world as massive and influential as gaming is not optional. It is essential.

By Mike HumeMarch 31, 2023

The dramatic tale of how ‘Tetris’ became a phenomenon

Henk Rogers’s mission to bring “Tetris” from the Soviet Union to the rest of the world is now the subject of a new Apple TV Plus movie that plays out like a comedic spy thriller.

By Gene ParkMarch 31, 2023

Water in video games has never looked wetter. Er, better.

Video games don't simulate water. They create an illusion — one that needs to work right in “about five thousandths of a second.”

By Lewis GordonMarch 28, 2023

Christopher Judge is blazing a new trail

The celebrated actor talks fatherhood, God of War and being outspoken as a Black leading man

By Jamal MichelMarch 24, 2023

How Twitch lost its way

Twitch's recent moves have confused and upset creators, fans and staff alike.

By Nathan GraysonMarch 23, 2023

The remake of ‘Resident Evil 4’ is like reliving a cherished memory

The Resident Evil franchise is the gold standard of remaking classics.

By Gene ParkMarch 17, 2023

‘The Last of Us’ season finale: Did Joel do the right thing?

The ending of "The Last of Us" divided fans of the game for a decade.

By Gene ParkMarch 12, 2023

‘The Last of Us’: A harsh world forces Ellie to grow up

In "The Last of Us" episode 8, Ellie meets David and his flock of cannibals, in an adaptation of the famous winter section from the video game.

By Gene ParkMarch 5, 2023

Remaking ‘Resident Evil 4’ was a huge challenge. The team was ready.

The fact is, the Resident Evil team has become very good at making Resident Evil games.

By Gene ParkMarch 2, 2023

‘The Last of Us’ recap: ‘Left Behind’ is Ellie’s origin story

In "Left Behind," we get to know Ellie on her own terms.

By Gene ParkFebruary 26, 2023

‘The Last of Us’ recap: Meet the real Joel Miller

In episode 6 of "The Last of Us," we see Joel unlike we’ve ever seen him before: looking like a lost old man.

By Gene ParkFebruary 19, 2023

And now, for Mega64’s greatest stunt: Aging gracefully!

Mega64 is a foundational web series in American gaming culture. 20 years in, the troupe's founders are trading trend-chasing for sustainability.

By Luke WinkieFebruary 17, 2023

PlayStation VR2 is exciting, exhausting and a new standard for VR

Still, the PS VR2 just doesn’t make a compelling case for the medium that other headsets haven’t already made

By Gene ParkFebruary 16, 2023

‘The Last of Us’ recap: Henry, Sam and the ‘bad guys’

Episode 5 of HBO's "The Last of Us" continues the story of Henry and Sam, showing parallels between them and Joel and Ellie's journey.

By Gene ParkFebruary 10, 2023

How the greatest Japanese RPGs of the ‘90s came to the West

More than a function of business, localization is an art form, taking the original video game's personality and turning it into a work for a new audience.

By Aidan MoherFebruary 9, 2023

What will the future of cars be like? Video games may have the answer.

As the auto industry faces a digital, tech-heavy future, engineers and designers influenced by gaming are leading the way.

By Patrick GeorgeFebruary 7, 2023

‘The Last of Us’ recap: Bella Ramsey’s Ellie on her own terms

In the fourth episode of HBO's "The Last of Us," Ellie's true character shines through as her connection with Joel deepens.

By Gene ParkFebruary 5, 2023