About
What
Design Oriented (DO) is a game design blog covering games in a way that isn’t done anywhere else. We keep the discussion focused by sticking to 12 categories. This atomic level of organization helps us focus on digestible chunks of information and present clear examples. Phrases like “best game ever,” “worst in the series,” or “bad design” are rare around here. Instead we focus on simply describing the many parts of games and how they work.
We’re also direct. We’re not afraid to directly critique ourselves or others for the purpose of extending the conversation, seeking clarification, and identifying thoughtful criticism. We’re interested in making connections and charting the map of game and critic diversity, not ranking everything. Design Oriented isn’t about making linear comparisons of games and game critics. Rather, DO is a tool to help you get to the design destination of your choosing.
Who
Friends and family with a long history as players, competitors, designers, and critics.
- Richard Terrell @KirbyKid: Creator of the Critical-Gaming blog, project lead of the Starseed Observatory, and one of three designers of BaraBariBall of Sportsfriends.
- Marcus Terrell @DrHadji: The older brother. One of three designers of BaraBariBall of Sportsfriends.
- Michael Ardizzone @evizaer: Professional software developer, hobbyist game designer and critic who used to write for thatsaterribleidea.com. Editor of the Starseed Observatory. He’s been a member of Game.Play.Critique since 2013.
- Chris Simpson: Board game designer. Long time friend of the Terrells.
Where
We pull discussion on games from around the web into designoriented.net. You can follow us on twitter @DesignOriented
When
We update 5 days a week, multiple times a day. Our content includes feature articles, reblogs of other critique, and curated comments emailed to us.
Why
Because games and people are interesting, and it’s a shame that when we put them together we get really poor quality discussion. Understanding design helps us appreciate games better and play them better. Whether you want to explain something for yourself, win a debate, or (what we recommend) find your way, Design Oriented is a necessary guide.
Paywall?
Video games have value as entertainment and artistic mediums of expression. Players have value because they’re people. What we spend time doing and pursuing should bring value to our lives. In order to comb through the current games criticism discourse while bringing you the highest quality features, we have to put more than a full time job’s worth of time into this website. This is why we must charge for our content.
If 2$ a month is too much for you, there are other ways to support us and be a part of the conversation. Don’t forget you get 5 free article views per month. Also, all reblogs are free, so check in every day. If you can spend 2$ a month, know that subscribing is a clear first step to moving to a better place for games, gamers, and games criticism.
How (can I help)?
Give us feedback. Send us small questions or comments via twitter. Send us lengthier replies via email. Ask questions. Challenge us. Hold us to the incredibly high standard of incredibly clear and underscoped criticism. Please subscribe and spread the word.
