Harmonix spokesperson to Polygon:

Harmonix is in the process of restructuring our organization to bring it into alignment with our current and future product development plans. Unfortunately, this means making the difficult decision to reduce the number of full-time staff. We sincerely appreciate the work of each and every one of these employees. Harmonix is working to ensure that those affected are well taken care of as we make this change.

The spokesperson also offered that these layoffs are unrelated to the unbundling the Kinect. My thoughts to those affected.

Layoff list updated.

Keith Stuart, The Guardian:

Obviously, I’m not saying that video games were better in the 80s – I’m old but I’m not mad. I’m saying that they really understood the anarchy inherent in rejecting bleakness. While city rich kids and Wall Street yuppies flashed their brick-sized phones, the commodity the rest of us traded in was fantasy – not as escapism, but as statement.

The casuals, the New Romantics, the goths, the grebos, the whizz kids, the geeks, they weren’t retreating, they were attacking. No thanks, keep your jobs in the city and your braying Sloanes. Let’s play Bubble Bobble and read Smash Hits. Our heroes are pop stars, hip-hop artists and Japanese game developers. At least that’s how I felt.

A wonderful read.

Somewhere in this piece, I was reminded of the role post-hardcore played in the wake of 9/11; a seemingly counter-culture voice saying, “don’t retreat. Understand this new world. Things are different.” Only after understanding could we sling-shot back with the dream-pop anthems swirling in our streaming playlists today. However, it was this “new world” that fostered the then middle and high-schoolers who are now developing today’s games. It’s time for games to sling-shot back.

Mario Kart anyone?

Jessica Valenti of The Guardian on #YesAllWomen:

Part of the obstinate disbelief seems to be a need to protect the privileges of sexism: associating misogyny with a mass murder would mean having to recognize just how dangerous misogyny really is and - if you’re partaking - giving it up. Some men want to believe that they can continue to call women “sluts” and make rape jokes without being part of a broader cultural impact. But they can’t: sexism, from everyday harassment to inequality enshrined in policy, pollutes our society as a whole and limits our ability to create real justice for women.

Jessica Valenti doing magnificent work at The Guardian. A must read for all, especially those partaking in communities largely supported by anonymity.

Holly Green writing for Polygon:

Integrating new technology into our daily lives relies upon accessibility, affordability and ease of use. Where motion control is concerned, video games are the perfect Trojan horse.

A great piece on the health benefits of motion control.

I’ve failed to look at video game motion controls as a power player in the physical therapy industry. I don’t doubt that motion controls will fade away from the consumer video game market. However, it is worth noting that these tools do exist and have been invested in while, at the same time, lifestyle betterment (health, environment, social, etc.) has become a huge focus in the tech landscape. I don’t think this is the end of Kinect.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, tells The Verge:

I have no intent to do anything different with Xbox than we are doing today.

Did anybody actually believe this would happen?