This week on Extra Punctuation, Yahtzee discusses the science of healing and health bars in video games, including some praise for Sonic!

The Science of Video Game Healing – Extra Punctuation

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This week on Extra Punctuation, Yahtzee discusses the science of healing and health bars in video games.

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Extra Punctuation Transcript

So last time I was talking about realism in graphics and how it’s an albatross the games industry mysteriously insists on wearing around its neck, but realism is something that video games have sought in more than just its visual aspects. From the high calibre guns firing with realistic sounds to the realistic physics with which the target’s jawbone detaches and splats gorily against the kitchen wall. And realism in game mechanics, too; the survival game with its realistic hunger and thirst meters, the immersive sim with the NPCs realistically turning hostile because the player broke into their apartment and stole a chocolate bar off their desk.


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Author
Image of Yahtzee Croshaw
Yahtzee Croshaw
Yahtzee is the Escapist’s longest standing talent, having been writing and producing its award winning flagship series, Zero Punctuation, since 2007. Before that he had a smattering of writing credits on various sites and print magazines, and has almost two decades of experience in game journalism as well as a lifelong interest in video games as an artistic medium, especially narrative-focused. He also has a foot in solo game development - he was a big figure in the indie adventure game scene in the early 2000s - and writes novels. He has six novels published at time of writing with a seventh on the way, all in the genres of comedic sci-fi and urban fantasy. He was born in the UK, emigrated to Australia in 2003, and emigrated again to California in 2016, where he lives with his wife and daughters. His hobbies include walking the dog and emigrating to places.