Last week, BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour explored the role of women in the video games industry, featuring interviews with gaming insiders—from esports presenter Frankie Ward to members of the inclusive online community Black Girl Gamers. It was refreshing to hear such diverse, expert perspectives on gaming culture given ample airtime.
One standout moment was when host Nuala McGovern read listener responses to the question: Why do you play video games? One reply stood out: “I don’t think gaming gets enough recognition as a couples’ activity. My husband and I bonded over our shared love of games. Our honeymoon was playing Borderlands 2 while saving for a flat deposit. Now, with a young child, we explore stories, visit new worlds, and solve mysteries together. There’s an underappreciated romance in gaming—we communicate, encourage, collaborate, and celebrate as a team. It’s a joy.”
This resonated deeply with me. Many of my friends met their partners through gaming and see playing together as far richer than passively watching TV. Countless couples have told me they love playing survival horror games like Resident Evil or Silent Hill together—even though they’re single-player experiences. Sharing a scary game lessens the fear while exploring eerie settings, adding a physical closeness as you pass the controller back and forth like an intimate exchange.
Playing games with someone you’re falling for reveals new sides of them—whether they’re brilliant at puzzles, persistent under pressure, or creative problem-solvers. If nothing else, it’s a preview of how they’ll handle assembling IKEA furniture together. Recently, while researching video games in therapy, I spoke with counselor Ellie Finch, who’s exploring couples therapy in Minecraft—a space where partners often feel at ease. I suspect building a simple house together would reveal more about their dynamic than hours of conversation.
There’s romance in discovering new worlds side by side, getting lost, and working together to overcome challenges. Cozy adventures in Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing bring sweetness, while games like Blue Prince or Split Fiction offer intellectual stimulation. Gaming was once seen as a solitary hobby for young men, but now it’s open to everyone—and digital worlds are becoming spaces for connection. Many now use games like Final Fantasy XIV and GTA Online as elaborate dating platforms, forming real-life relationships. Games remove barriers—cost, social anxiety—and act as testing grounds for budding romance.
I hope this generation of gamers continues playing together as they age, sharing their in-game creations—from Super Mario Maker levels to The Sims homes—like digital scrapbooks of a life lived together. Games teach us so much about each other, if we’re open to playing—and staying playful.
What to Play
Last year, I reviewed Blaze Entertainment’s Super Pocket, a compact handheld for retro cartridges. Now, there’s a new Neo Geo Edition inspired by the classic arcade era.Here’s a natural, fluent rewrite of the text while preserving its original meaning:
—
This cult 1990s console from Japanese manufacturer SNK features the familiar black and gold color scheme. It comes preloaded with 14 Neo Geo titles, offering an intriguing mix of games. You’ll find genuine classics like the side-scroller Metal Slug X and the influential fighting game Fatal Fury, along with lesser-known gems such as the visually stunning beat-’em-ups Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy and Mutation Nation. The Super Pocket is also compatible with all cartridges designed for Blaze’s Evercade consoles, giving you access to a vast library of well-emulated retro games.
Available on: Super Pocket console
Estimated playtime: Endless nostalgic hours
—
### What to Read
VGC translated a recent Japanese interview with Ico and Shadow of the Colossus designer Fumito Ueda, who claimed that “the age of game mechanics is over.” He argued that developers are no longer inventing new mechanics and instead focus on refining existing designs and improving visuals. It’s a provocative take—almost like gaming’s version of Francis Fukuyama’s The End of History—but I hope he’s wrong.
Valve has been removing adult games from Steam, reportedly due to pressure from credit card companies. An Australian anti-porn group called Collective Shout claims responsibility, having sent an open letter to payment processors like PayPal and Mastercard alleging that some Steam games contain inappropriate content. Vice has collected reactions from Steam users.
It’s no surprise that Nintendo employees rarely leave the company. Data shared by GoNintendo shows that Japanese staff stay for an average of 14.4 years, while international employees remain for 8.5 to 10 years. Amid widespread layoffs in the industry, it’s reassuring to see at least one major company valuing its workforce.
—
### What to Click
– Donkey Kong Bananza – A chaotic destruction derby that reinvents platforming conventions | ★★★★☆
– Lawyer argues Call of Duty maker can’t be held responsible for actions of Texas school shooter
—
### Question Block
Jamie asks via email:
“I recently visited Orford Ness, a National Trust site in Suffolk that was used for military experiments. The atmosphere reminded me of games like The Last of Us and Atomfall—it felt like walking through a game level (minus the zombies). Have you ever visited a place that felt like a game, and are any of those games worth recommending?”
This is a fantastic question! Game developer Holly Gramazio recently suggested Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, a Cold War-era site that feels straight out of a covert government thriller. Last year, I stayed overnight at Shepton Mallet Prison for a horror games feature—the experience was eerily similar to Silent Hill. (They offer public tours and sleepovers!) For something grander, check out Kedleston Hall in Derby, which inspired Pride and Prejudice and has a cinematic quality.
—
Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!For inspiration like Croft Manor in the Tomb Raider games, consider Milan Cathedral—a stunning Gothic masterpiece with spiral staircases, shadowy corners, and intricate stone carvings. It heavily influenced Dark Souls. Another great spot is the research library at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, which feels like it’s straight out of a grand historical adventure game. And if you love GTA V, you should visit Los Angeles at least once. The towering skyscrapers, mountain backdrops, and sprawling neighborhoods under an orange sunset will make you feel like you’re living in your own surreal open-world game.
Got a question for Question Block—or thoughts about the newsletter? Just hit reply or email us at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.
