Hey so I haven’t really been writing a whole lot lately, but it’s for the usual reasons: exceptional depression, severe stun-lock related to ongoing current events both inside and outside video games, not really having much to write about games-wise at any rate. But that’s about to change, because I am forcing myself to write daily posts about… Destiny 2.
I know, I know. I’ve got a problem. I’m a sicko when it comes to this particular video game. I bring it up at weird times, I write about how much I hate it, I talk about how frustrated I am with its community on social media – basically, I am in a toxic situationship with this game and something eventually has to give. I say “eventually” because that time is not now.
But there are two reasons I want to do this right at this moment! The first reason is actually really neat: the Critical Distance Fansite Jam! Inspired by Phil Salvador’s Final Fantasy VIII Is The Best And If You Don’t Agree I Will Destroy You, the jam is a roughly-month-long celebration of making weird fucking websites about shit you enjoy. Is this a high-minded critical pursuit? I mean fuck, it can be! Nothin’s stopping us! But mostly it’s an invitation to have a great time. (Disclaimer, I guess: I work for Critical Distance now as a very-part-time junior curator, have been since June 2023.)
The second reason I’m doing this is more of a challenge to myself: it’s been a while since I’ve practiced writing more-or-less daily content. In fact, it’s been like four or five years, if I’m not mistaken. I don’t claim to be writing this as a full-blown journo, but rather as a participant in the 2024 Guardian Games. On a high level, my plan is to play the game as Bungie wants me to in the leadup to The Final Shape. This includes the month-long Guardian Games event, April-through-June’s “Into The Light” micro-campaign, and then finally the last expansion in the “Light and Darkness Saga.” We’ll see if I can make it that long without cracking.
In the meantime, I’m slowly working my way back to writing more about games here at No Escape. I want to thank Bryn Gelbart and Nicanor Gordon for their excellent analyses of The Last of Us Part II and El Paso Elsewhere earlier this month/”year” so far. More contributor work is on the way! I will hopefully be able to get a review of… something out soon! We’ll see!