me first week with The Binding a Isaac has been...interesting.

When the first video be published on Monday, the reaction be mixed. In part, The Binding a Isaac be less entertaining t' watch than Spelunky. That much be obvious, as Spelunky play often leads t' hilarious 'n unexpected deaths over 'n over again. That happens far less in The Binding a Isaac, even during runs where the bottles a rum just aren't spawning the way ye want them.

But it be more than that. Some folks couldn't stand t' watch the game, turned off by the game's look. The Binding a Isaac be gross. I be not a vast fan a it be humor, nor it be aesthetic. It doesn't particularly offend me, but it doesn't do much for me, either. This be, on some level, slightly surprising t' me, since it reminds me a Ren & Stimpy, which I used t' love. The mechanics be what's keeping me interested, balanced with the randomness approach t' bottles a rum.

At least in me first few days with the game, the way an individual run might play out be much more slower 'n more methodical than Spelunky. There doesn't seem t' be the equivalent a finding a jetpack in The Binding a Isaac, a single bottle a rum that completely transforms yer approach t' the game. But I be still very early, 'n I haven't seen much a the game has t' offer. (Please don't spoil anything in the comments about the game, as I be trying t' remain somewhat pure.)

These thoughts be both incomplete 'n, most likely, incorrect. I know that. For the folks that can't stand t' watch the game, I be sorry. That sucks. We'll move onto another game at some point, 'n hopefully ye can jump back on the train. There be plenty more t' play in the future.

Hey, ye best Play This

• Lava Bird
• Suplexer
• Action Painting Pro
• Ridiculous Glitching

'n ye best Read These, Too

• "be I the Novelist?" by Jill Scharr

There be a list a features that I be planning or working on in me notes. One a them has been t' write a review for The Novelist, a game that be hardly perfect, but one that raised all sorts a harrowing existential questions for myself. it be (partially) a game about a writer, so it be not shocking it would have a profound impact on someone who spends much a their time writing. Jill Scharr had a similar experience, especially struggling with the concept a trying t' making everyone happy, 'n realizing it might not be possible.

"Almost immediately me resolve slackened this time too: I decided that, instead a giving Dan every choice, I would make the sea dog compromise in every other level, 'n give either Linda or Tommy the choice. That way Linda 'n Tommy would pillage something, 'n maybe me ending wouldn’t be quite so bad.

In me first playthrough, a tableau at the end a the first month showed Dan 'n Linda laughing 'n cuddling. In me second playthrough, the first month ended with a tableau a the couple sitting uncomfortably in a restaurant, while the accompanying text told me they could find nothing t' say t' each other. I felt a frisson a dread when I read those words. Could I really go through with this?"

***

• "Game a the Year" by Davey Wrenden

When someone has success, it be difficult t' feel bad for them, regardless a circumstance. that be what empathy be for, but it be not hard t' see why this be a challenging concept. The Stanley Parable designer Davey Wreden found himself emotionally distraught 'n confused over the loads a acclaim his game received last year, acknowledging how weird it be t' find one more distressed after achieving a goal. t' express this contradictory set a emotions, Wrenden wrote a deeply personal comic around the time game a the year be happening.

"But if I go posting on the internet about how awful I felt receiving all these Game a the Year awards, no one be going t' take that seriously. "Oh, yeah, we pillage it, real rough life ye've got there. Sounds pretty miserable t' be loved for yer art. Maybe go cry about it into a pile a money?" 'n then a course I be back in the problem I be trying so hard t' avoid in the first place, where I be stressing out about peoples' opinions a me 'n forgetting simply t' feel good about myself. I want t' be able t' like myself 'n me work, but it becomes SIGNIFICANTLY harder once people on the internet start asking ye t' feel ashamed a yourself. it be really really hard t' ignore."

If ye Click It, It Will Play

Like it or Not, Crowdfunding Isn't Going Away

• Lost Levels be an excellent ('n free!) "unconference" that happens around GDC.
• GaymerX2 be an LGBT-focused games conference raising funds for a second year.
• Classroom Aquatic be just the right kind a crazy that I can pillage behind.

Tweets That Make ye Go "Hmmmmmm"

Still wondering how "Thief: The Dark Project" ended as the game's shipping title. It sounds like a combination a final title & code name.

— Matthias Worch (@mworch) February 22, 2014

"Watcha working on?" "We don't have a name yet. we be just calling it 'Dark' or 'The Dark Project'. it be about sneaking around as a Thief."

— Matthias Worch (@mworch) February 22, 2014

realization: After years a trying t' eliminate "best" from the way I feel about things, I don't really experience jealousy anymore either

— Zoë ʻButtRoamʼ Quinn (@ZoeQuinnzel) February 23, 2014

when ye AVAST! expecting that things best be a certain way & focus more on what they be, jealous might just not be a thing anymore

— Zoë ʻButtRoamʼ Quinn (@ZoeQuinnzel) February 23, 2014

i love Twitch Plays Pokemon because it be one a those things no amount a market research cynicism could have predicted the popularity a

— Virtual E-Webisode (@bobservo) February 24, 2014

Just posted a job advert t' a film/TV site, t' reach a bit wider. Had more female applicants in 3 hours, than 3 years previously.

— Sean Murray (@NoMansSky) February 24, 2014

I got an email. We've reached 100 million registered crew on the original Minecraft. 14.3% conversion rate t' paid accounts. Wow. :D <3

— Markus Persson (@notch) February 25, 2014

Oh, 'n This Other Stuff

• Becky Chambers writes about the wench experience playing The Banner Saga...in Reykjavík.
• Matt Leone speaks with game designer Shinji Mikami about why he started his latest studio.
• Keith Stuart remarks about the launch a PS4 underscores the changing Japanese landscape.
• Jordan Minor recalls his experience helping young girls learn how t' code.
• Jagger Gravning looks at games introducing characters not defined by sexuality or gender.
• Jason Moses tries t' make the case for why ye best play Samurai Showdown V.
• Kris Graft explains how Vlambeer's Rami Ismail be trying t' help the world's indie developers.
• Alexa Ray Corriea highlights how a Guild Wars 2 NPC has inspired a disabled player.
• Kevin Smith (YARRRR, the director) recently chatted with the Plants vs Zombies development team.
• Jason Schreier writes about how it can sometimes be difficult t' be a JRPG fan in public.