Gotta collect 'em all - our favorite hidden gems in video games
Collectibles in a video game can be a gift and a curse, but the best ones grant the player a sense of discovery, accomplishment and serendipity. Here are 10 of our favorite.
The Tech Deck archive for Jan. 1, 2015
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
This week's free game: 'Commando'
Long for the days when infiltrating a base in video games was more about superior firepower than stalking corridors? Commando may be right for you.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015
Being the Batman: My first 3 hours with 'Arkham Knight'
Is the end of Rocksteady's experiment letting you "Be the Batman" worth the price of admission? For a super Bat fan, yes, but hang on...
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015
Super gamer beats Super Mario World - without his vision
Streamer PangaeaPanga claims to have the world record for speed-running Super Mario World - while blindfolded. You can watch his 23-minute, death-defying (sort of) feat in the blog.
The Dangers of Doors - Pick Your Poison
As a veteran gamer I have faced many dangers in the past. Yet a door in a dungeon still gives me pause. This post is for players and DM, about the dangers of assumptions.
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015
This week's free game: 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?'
If you were born in a certain era, Rockapella's groovy tune and that red fedora are likely imprinted in your brain. Relive the glory days of video game crime-solving in your browser today!
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015
Styling a Storyline
As a DM do you find yourself without much time to plan out the details of each quest? On the other hand do you feel like your players are running the show and you want more control? This post is for you, as I discuss two different styles of storytelling, and a couple of games that exemplify these styles.
This week's free game: 'Comix Zone'
Do you prefer your brawlers with a bit of sass? Check out this Sega Technical Institute classic, which appeared on the Genesis 20 years ago this August.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
'Beast Mode' in next Call of Duty title
From Mortal Kombat to America's most popular online shooter, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has fully embraced the video game medium.
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
Writing an Epic Campaign – Part 2
Just because you have a game that runs for awhile does not necessarily mean it’s a campaign. It needs some glue. In this post I’ll talk about some of my past campaigns as well as some examples from movies and books.
This week's free game: 'Superman' (1988 arcade game)
Taito's arcade beat 'em up is one of the few Superman games that hasn't been awful. You can play it for free at the Internet Archive.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
Tips on Writing an Epic Campaign
If an adventure can leave a mark on the world, a campaign can change it.
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
This week's free game 'Marble Madness'
The classic physics puzzler holds up surprisingly well in the Internet Archive's online browser-based port.
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015
Destiny 'House of Wolves' check-in
In April, we posted several things the House of Wolves expansion for Bungie's 'Destiny' needed to do in order to expand upon a great framework of a game that still hasn't hit its potential. Ten days after launch, we check back in.
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
This week's free game: 'Tyrian 2000'
Get your vertical space-shooting fingers ready, as Epic Games' "Tyrian 2000" is available for free download this week in the Tech Deck.
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
This is (hopefully) not goodbye
Tech Deck contributor Isaac Handelman looks back on his time writing for the blog.
Can you imagine a world without Pac-Man?
Pac-Man turns 35 today. Where would the industry be without our favorite circle-shaped hero?
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015
Tips on Writing an Adventure
Your party has defeated the dragon terrorizing the local population, rescued the noble from the bandit lair and stopped the nuke from hitting the orbital space station. But, how does it all tie together? Where do you go from here? Well my friend, it sounds like you have an adventure on your hands.
This week's free game: 'Super Star Wars'
Step into the shoes of great Jedi heroes in this week's free offering, the Game Gear version of Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015
A look back at Rockstar's 'Max Payne' three-quel
The Tech Deck shells out its take on the acclaimed shooter from 2012.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015
Book review: 'Console Wars' more about personalities - and that's not a good thing
Blake Harris' well-written peek into the world of Sega v. Nintendo is more about the men at the top than the fight between the companies.
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015
Tips on Writing a Quest
Quest writing is a lot like writing short stories. It also has an antagonist (NPC’s) and protagonists (PC’s). The best part is that if you know how it starts, where you want it to end, and your players will help you write the middle part.
This week's free game: 'Wasteland'
Do you like "Fallout"? Want to battle monsters in an irradiated hellscape using old-school RPG techniques? Well, hey, we've got a free game for you this week...
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015
Which portable gaming device is right for you?
Let us here at the Tech Deck make your decision easier by narrowing the playing field to only the best machines in the portable gaming realm.
MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015
'Kardblock' removes the Kardashians from your Internet
Have you experienced a Kardashian overload? Social media company Chameleon.le has a program you might be interested in.
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