‘A place that made sense’: Minecraft is 15 years old and still changing lives
When my son, who is on the austim spectrum, was struggling, this classic game opened up his world. It continues to help lonely, isolated people find ways to connect and belong
March 2023
Hot buttons: why fashion houses are getting into video games
As players spend more and more time and money in the digital hangout spaces provided by video games, it makes sense for fashion houses to join them there – opening up exciting worlds of rule-breaking design
December 2022
‘The metaverse will be our slow death!’ Is Facebook losing its $100bn gamble on virtual reality?
The company now known as Meta has spent staggering amounts on creating an immersive successor to the traditional 2D internet. But what has it got to show for it, apart from 11,000 job losses?
November 2022
Pushing Buttons newsletter
Pushing Buttons: There’s a place for narrative in games, but I’m done worshipping the story gods
The players not the plot do most of the work in Elden Ring and other innovative titles – it could be the future of video games
October 2022
New Zealand pet shelters are being swamped with axolotls. Are Minecraft and TikTok to blame?
Thousands of the smiling amphibians have been handed in, as some owners of the hot new pet are overwhelmed by unexpected arrivals
September 2022
Discovery channels
Video games introduced me to the Chemical Brothers - now teens find music through Fortnite
Keza MacDonald
In the 90s and 00s, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Guitar Hero were prime outlets for music discovery. In 2022, it’s League of Legends and Fifa that are shaping taste
July 2022
TechScape newsletter
TechScape: What should social media giants do to protect children?
Minecraft developers won’t allow NFTs on gaming platform
February 2022
Russian teenager jailed over ‘Minecraft plot to blow up virtual spy HQ’
Boy, 16, sentenced to five years for alleged plan to target FSB building created in computer game
December 2021
Minecraft passes one trillion views on YouTube
Block building sim is the most watched video game ever on the platform, with 35,000 active creator channels based in 150 different countries
September 2021
The 15 greatest games of the 2010s – ranked!
The 2010s birthed games that changed the world, from Grand Theft Auto V to Pokémon Go. In a decade with so many exceptional games to pick from, which will win out?
May 2021
‘A wonderful escape’: the rise of gaming parents – and grandparents
Video game popularity soared during the pandemic, as people sought distraction and ways to connect with loved ones
March 2021
15 video game streamers your teens should be watching
Roblox shares surge 60% on first day of trading after lockdown gaming boom
August 2020
'Boring and awkward': students voice concern as colleges plan to reopen – through Minecraft
Students express mixed feelings over plan to virtually re-create school via world-building video game
May 2020
Minecraft Dungeons review – hours of fun for locked-down families
This retro-tinged hack-and-slash spinoff has plenty of Mojang character and humour
April 2020
Lockdown culture
Block party: eight brilliant Minecraft models to attempt at home
Professional Minecraft modeller Adam Clarke suggests great builds for Guardian readers – send us your best screenshots
March 2020
25 best video games to help you socialise while self-isolating
If the coronavirus means you’re facing weeks stuck at home, blasting aliens or exploring oceans together is a great way to stay in touch with friends
January 2020
Putting controls on your kids' gaming is a key part of being a parent
Keith Stuart
2020 culture preview
Vampires, gangsters and Keanu Reeves: our games picks for 2020
