I’m an English Professor who works at the intersection of technology and the humanities. I teach a wide variety of topics including programming (natural language processing), American fiction, and digital media. Much of my work navigates the interplay of digital technology and
Alan Wake 2 Nails Mom Guilt
The survival horror game Alan Wake 2 (2023) captures the stress and guilt of trying to balance work and family.
Parenting Impacts Video Game Genre Choices, And That’s Okay
Parents, including moms, are gaming. Parenting, and other lifestyle changes, impact the types of games people play.
Lego Horizon Adventures Reflects A Turning Point For Gaming
Lego Horizon Adventures was officially announced, and it signals that video games are entering the cultural zeitgeist like never before.
Games Like Fallout 3 Offer The Rare Gift Of Solitude
Video games have a longstanding reputation for contributing to poor social skills—but games like Fallout 3 remind us that being alone can be a valuable experience.
Elden Ring And Starfield Offer Contrasting Takes On The RPG Genre
Two of 2023’s bestselling games, Elden Ring and Starfield, raise questions about what makes a game feel memorable, meaningful, and real.
LinkedIn Expands Into Mobile Gaming With Fun, Habitual Mini-Games
Companies like the New York Times, Duolingo and LinkedIn are incorporating games into their platforms – and reinforcing that even free games come at a cost.
Stardew Valley Captures The Satisfaction Of Thinking Creatively
Cozy games like Stardew Valley have a reputation for repetitive, addictive chores, but they also let players get creative.
Death Stranding Reflects The Complex Emotions Of Parenthood
Hideo Kojima’s action RPG, Death Stranding (2019), reflects the emotional challenges of parenting. It resists easy answers to these challenges.
How A Game About Kind Words Fosters Community
The video game Kind Words has players write and respond to heartfelt letters. Does the success of this concept depend on communication between real people?