Esports Just Had Its Biggest Year Yet
Record viewership, bigger prize pools, and a generation that grew up watching pros the way their parents watched athletes. What's behind the surge?
Gaming
15 StoriesCompetitive play, game design and the culture growing around the screen.
Walking Simulators Proved Games Don't Need Combat
A decade ago, the phrase was a slur. Now the genre that asks players only to walk, look, and feel has reshaped what games can be.
Why Underwater Survival Games Are Having a Moment
Pressure, darkness, and oxygen timers. The deep sea is suddenly one of gaming's most popular settings, and the reasons run deeper than aesthetics.
Why Players Are Tired of Live-Service Games
Live-service games are everywhere, but players are hitting a wall. Seasons, battle passes, and daily logins have turned games into chores.
The Indie Game Renaissance
While AAA publishers chase live-service trends, independent developers are having a golden age. Lower barriers, better tools, and hungry audiences fuel the boom.
Cloud Gaming's Promise and Its Problems
Cloud gaming promises Netflix-style access to any game on any device, but latency, infrastructure, and business model challenges persist in 2026.
VR Gaming: Still Waiting for the Killer App
VR hardware has never been better or more affordable, but the software library still lacks the defining experience that makes VR indispensable.
Game Preservation: Why Old Games Are Disappearing
An alarming number of classic games are vanishing as servers shut down and digital stores close. The race to preserve gaming history is urgent.
Mobile Gaming's Premium Pivot
After a decade of free-to-play dominance, premium mobile gaming is making a comeback. Players are willing to pay for quality experiences on their phones.
How Accessibility Changed Game Design
Accessibility features once treated as afterthoughts are now shaping core game design. The result is better games for everyone, not just disabled players.
The Modding Communities Keeping Games Alive
Decades after release, modding communities are still breathing life into classic games. Their work raises questions about ownership, preservation, and creativity.
Why Horror Games Are Getting Scarier
A new wave of horror games is pushing beyond jump scares into deeper psychological territory, using interactivity to create fear that film never could.
Open-World Fatigue: When Bigger Isn't Better
For years, 'bigger map' was the ultimate marketing flex. But players are pushing back against bloated, checklist-driven open worlds that prioritize size over substance.
Game Streaming Culture Beyond Twitch
Game streaming has evolved into a complex ecosystem of platforms, communities, and business models that go far beyond the familiar names of Twitch and YouTube.
The Board Game Revival: Why Tabletop Is Booming
In an era of digital saturation, board games are enjoying an unprecedented boom. Social connection, tactile pleasure, and design innovation drive the revival.