game design
Rui Hu: The infinite futures of games
Artist Rui Hu blends game engines, installation art, and memory to examine how virtual spaces infiltrate our physical world.
China
News
Surprise yourself by learning an alien language in Sethian
Sethian is a game that positions you as an archaeologist of the future tasked with learning an alien language. You do this so you can investigate the disappearances of people on the planet Sethian—where the language originates. Learning a whole other language might sound pretty imposing, but the cre
feature
The Determination of China’s Independent Game Scene
At night, Shanghai transforms itself into a new city. Bars, restaurants, and small shops start to open in the alleyways and neon red lights begin to shine throughout China’s largest city. Its nightlife, as well as its economic growth, makes this city the best place to see how the country has changed
News
Koi brings the tranquility of a Chinese lotus pond to your PS4
Chinese studio Dotoyou recently released its game Koi on the PlayStation 4, making it the first game from its native country to be released on the PlayStation 4 in the West. Koi stars a koi fish facing dangers beneath the surface of its resident lotus pond, such as predator fish and spiked barriers.
News
Nostation, a game inspired by late-night train rides across China
In China, years ago, Bubble is riding a train late at night. “In the [past] the train was slow and dirty, it [would] take a long time to arrive at the destination,” they say. Bubble is far away from home and the train is almost entirely empty. “Just me alone,” Bubble tells me while recalling the mem
News
8-bit artist makes new autobiographical GIF every day
This article contains flashing images. /// Speaking to Vice’s The Creator’s Project, Italy-born, Shanghai-based illustrator Ailadi says “I like the combination of PETSCII 8-bit game aesthetic with subjects of common daily life.” She’s referring to her PETSCII series, an art project based around prod
News
A videogame that humanizes China’s smog problem
Sign up to receive each week’s Playlist e-mail here! Also check out our full, interactive Playlist section. Hazy Days (PC, Mac) MIKE REN Mike Ren has been living in Shanghai, China for over a year now. “The city is great,” he says, but the air pollution, well, that isn’t so great. The smog of China
News
A 1,500-year-old board game has been unearthed in a Chinese tomb
When one thinks of the tombs plundered by videogame heroine Lara Croft, or even legendary adventure film archaeologist Indiana Jones, untold treasures and riches typically await them. During a 2004 excavation in China of first emperor of the Qin dynasty Qin Shi Huangdi’s self-constructed, terracotta
News
China is counting videogame purchases against your credit score
The Chinese government, with the assistance of national internet oligopolists Alibaba and Tencent, is in the process of introducing a new form of credit score that will factor in political compliance, the actions of one’s acquaintances, and the products one chooses to buy. Under this scheme, buying
Review
All cyberpunk heads to Hong Kong eventually. Shadowrun does it right
Shadowrun Hong Kong’s Asian dystopia is no science fiction
News
Kung fu epic The Assassin is impossibly, breathtakingly, stupidly gorgeous
We’re at Fantastic Fest this week and are bringing you impressions of our favorite films shown at the event. For all of our hot, hot takes, head over here. /// Hou Hsiao-Hsien has been working for a long time (he’s 68), but The Assassin has more verve than stuff from directors half his age. It’s an
News
These cloud-shaped skyscrapers may give Columbia a run for her money
Only, instead of racism, it’s all about eco-friendliness.