On Video Games

Video game analysis and criticism from a game developer

By James Margaris

What's Wrong with Writing on Games

Case studies in misguided Mixtape criticism

Recent posts

How (Not) To Handle Player Feedback

Cataloging common pitfalls of alpha and beta tests, featuring Marathon, Artifact and... Master of Orion 2

May 5 • James Margaris

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On The Value of Fresh Eyes

Evaluating works-in-progress, featuring dozens of pages on Poly Fighter

Feb 19 • James Margaris

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Monster Hunter Wilds was a Huge Miss and Other 2025 Thoughts

Rough times for AAA games and games media, a breakout year for indie, Youtube is warping player feedback, and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy as…

Dec 18, 2025 • James Margaris

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On the Strengths and (Many) Weaknesses of "Fulfilling the Player Fantasy"

I like to push back.

Nov 17, 2025 • James Margaris

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2XKO's Control Scheme is Not It

And other concerns about 2XKO's reception

Sep 16, 2025 • James Margaris

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What I Learned From Expedition 33

More exactly: what I learned from being wrong about Expedition 33

Aug 5, 2025 • James Margaris

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What We Can - But Mostly Can't - Learn from The Success of Expedition 33

Part One of a Two-Part Special Event

Jul 9, 2025 • James Margaris

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We're Struggling to Make Games

Western Game Developers Are Overmatched (don't kill the messenger)

May 14, 2025 • James Margaris

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