Games

Funspot's 15th Annual International Classic Video Game Tourney

Logan Shannon — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:37:01 +0000

This past weekend, Funspot arcade in Laconia, New Hampshire, played host to the International Classic Video Game Tournament. Gamers from all over the world have been traveling to Funspot for the past 15 years to compete against each other, sometimes on video games that were born long before they were. For many, it's a chance to play rare games that they've only heard about. For others it's a great chance to connect with like-minded friends over a friendly, albeit competitive, game of Tapper.

The competition runs for four days as participants try to post the high score on each of the tournament games. Outside the cordoned-off area reserved for the tournament, the rest of Funspot's American Classic Arcade Museum is open to the public. Mixed in amongst the novice players, you're likely to see world record holders trying to beat their high scores in between their tournament play. I spoke to three gamers who have made the nostalgic trip to Funspot repeatedly, enticed by the pristine machines and the sense of camaraderie among the players.

Special thanks to Derek Janiak for his help wrangling the elusive video gamers in their natural habitat.

Pinball Wizard

Jonathan Lynch — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:46:20 +0000

In February of 2011, Jon Lynch visited the newly opened Pinball Wizard Arcade in Pelham, New Hampshire, where more than 200 impeccably restored pinball and vintage 80's video games are still luring gamers looking for big-time nostalgia.

Could You Create Your Own Game In 36 Hours?

Brady Carlson — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:44:46 +0000

Create your own game in a day and a half. That's the challenge awaiting participants in this weekend's New Hampshire Game Jam in Manchester.
Glenn Given and Michael Taylor are organizing the Jam; they sit down with All Things Considered host Brady Carlson to discuss how it works, the gaming scene in the region and what you can learn from trying to create your own games.

Are Video Games Art?

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:54:32 +0000

The Museum of Modern Art in New York recently added 14 video games to its permanent collection. Killscreen says they helped.
Killscreen co-founder Jamin Warren explains how, and helps us answer the burning question, are video games art?

The (Truly) Shocking History of Monopoly

Rebecca Lavoie — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:34:17 +0000

I hate Monopoly. Always have. The reason is simple: it's impossible to play the game and feel good, even if you win. Monopoly, simply put, is all about crushing your fellow players through bankruptcy, even if they're your own kids. Turns out, there might be a reason for my hatred of Monopoly.

The most popular game in the world, according to this amazing article in Harpers, is, simply put, theft.

Word of Mouth 10.27.2012

Virginia Prescott — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Your Own Personal Jesus:

Play Games and Change the World?

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:45:33 +0000

Games have emerged from the rec room and found a place in the classroom, onto cellphones, advertising, and as we’ll hear, into activism, relationships, and the way we view the world. Colleen Macklin is working to make us more game-literate. She designs games based not on winning or losing, but on learning and experiencing the creative, social and political universe outside the screen.

For Dartmouth Student, Record-Setting Chain More Fun Than (Yep) A Barrel of Monkeys

Brady Carlson — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:39:12 +0000

History was made Sunday at Dartmouth College – of a sort, anyway. A team led by Dartmouth senior D. Parker Phinney set a record for the world’s longest Barrel of Monkeys chain. He joins All Things Considered host Brady Carlson to relive the excitement.

Back to the table...

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:27:06 +0000

A new wave of designer board games has players returning from virtual worlds to the real one.

Paging Dr. Fill: Computer Takes On Crossword Experts

NPR Staff — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:00:00 +0000
There's a new kind of technology that may be able to beat you at your own game — at least if your game is a crossword puzzle. Its name is "Dr. Fill," but unlike the TV psychologist, this doctor solves less complicated problems. Its solutions only go down and across.
The computer program will be an unofficial competitor at the 35th annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in New York this week.

He's a Gumball Wizard, There Has to Be a Twist

Brady Carlson — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:29:23 +0000

Every since I was a young boy, I played the... gumball?