Video Games | The Liberty Conservative

January 19, 2018January 19, 2018 in Economics/Tech

How Free Market Economics Birthed the Video-Game Era

In 1962, the first version of Spacewar! was completed. Technically, this wasn’t the first video game ever created, but it was probably the first one that really mattered, as it serves as the beginning of the long line of advances in video game technology that continues into the present day. The invention of the game is generally credited to Steve Russell, who was the primary programmer. But the development of the game was the product of a handful of programmers working with an early computer known as the PDP-1. The original version of the game employed two “ships” – really just shapes… Keep Reading

November 30, 2017November 30, 2017 in Culture/Tech

Does The Video Game Industry Require Government Intervention?

Video game company Electronic Arts set off a massive backlash amid gamer concerns surrounding loot boxes, which can be bought using real life money to help get an advantage in game play. They can contain a wide array of different assets, weapons and other useful additions to help gain an edge. But gamers reacted with concern that the game play would be compromised by a paywall, even after spending the full $60 price tag for a complete game. After a widespread public outcry, EA did pull the microtransaction program temporarily and said they have suspended any paid content. While this… Keep Reading

November 2, 2017November 2, 2017 in Culture

An Outstanding Parable For Masculinity

Today’s post is about a video game. Don’t close the window, I have a serious point in all of this! I freely admit that as a hobby, games are not in the least constructive, and correspondingly, as I’ve grown up, have bills to pay and dedicate most of my free time to my creative endeavors, my time playing games has decreased. But I still feel that video games have the potential to be a great art form, and should be taken seriously (the fact that the games currently and pretentiously trying to be “art” are all terrible is an issue for… Keep Reading

May 25, 2017September 29, 2017 in Culture/News

The Alt-Right Becomes New Pop Culture Scapegoat of the Trump Era

When President Obama was in office, there was no shortage of portrayals in popular culture demonizing conservatives and libertarians. Patriots were regularly cast as hate-filled terror threats in television, video games, movies, and media outlets. In the age of President Trump, a new scapegoat du jour has emerged in the alt-right. The plot to a currently unreleased video game, Far Cry 5 shows how the propaganda narratives are shifting in the age of Trump. The game is set in Montana, a well-known hot spot for patriots as well as the home of the alt right’s most infamous provocateur Richard Spencer. The… Keep Reading