Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Two things I am happy about
A mini-update to point to two things:
The Path
You're either onboard the 'video games are art' train, or you are not. I definitely am.
Also, if you are aware of the work of the Brothers Grimm, you know that original versions of many of the faerie tales that have come down to us from the European tradition differ from their modern interpretations. In a word, they have been Disneyfied. The sorrowful overtones and barely-veiled allusions to physical assault, sexuality, and fear of illness have been lost.
I am proud to present a project that combines these two interests, THE PATH by Tale of Tales Games. This game uses the story of Little Red Riding Hood as a frame to hang a whole off-balance mobile of symbols. Since you are playing one of six different versions of Red, with an age spread from about five to eighteenish, femeninity and growth are two themes that get a lot of exploration.
The game aims at a lot of targets and hits most of them. It is atmospheric, creepy, poignant, challenging, and sad, and the best money I've spent on a game in a year.
Video reviews (the first one, from The Escapist, is very good)
Robert De Niro's gift to the University of Texas at Austin
The video says it all. There's also a story on the New York Times site today.
De Niro Collection at the University of Texas
Labels: faerie tales, fairy tales, girl, girls, little red riding hood, woman, women
