Play section: Metro Weekly magazine, Washington, DC newspaper

Express Yourself

Videogames slowly make it easier to be gay in a virtual world

Published on February 12, 2009, 12:00am

It's not always easy being gay, in the real world or the virtual. But while progress in the everyday world of work, society and relationships has given us the chance to lead our lives as openly -- or flamboyantly -- as we want, our comparative lives in videogames can remain rather staid and, unsurprisingly, straight. 'Fable 2' is a rare game that makes being gay a natural part of a gaming world. While gaming has grown as a mass-media entertainment, ...[more]

Let It Bleed

'Dead Space' fits the Halloween mood with space-based scares, while 'Fallout 3' provides a close-to-home fright

Published on October 30, 2008, 12:00am

Scary movies, spooky stories, chilling tales -- Halloween is a time to settle in for a good fright that comes from a horror movie or novel. But right now some of the freshest scares you'll find come from your Playstation and Xbox. Horror in gaming isn't new -- despite being undermined by far inferior movie versions, the Resident Evil and Silent Hill games showed that a cinematic style could create plenty of jump-off-the-couch moments. But the just-released Dead Space takes ...[more]

Paper Cuts

Amazon's Kindle may change the shape of your personal library

Published on June 19, 2008, 12:00am

As technological advances go, the basic book has had a long and distinguished run. It spurred the exchange and preservation of knowledge among individuals and cultures. It is eminently portable and requires no source of power. Governments have burned them, revolutions revered them and bookworms cherished them. They won't easily fold in the face of new technology. Amazon Kindle The idea of an electronic book is nothing new, but while different companies have attempted it, Amazon's Kindle may have established ...[more]

Can't Stop the Music

Rock Band brings out the hidden rock star in you -- and your friends

Published on February 21, 2008, 12:00am

You know you want to be a rock star, whether you're the type who sings in the shower, plays some surreptitious air guitar or taps out drum lines with your fingers. Thanks to video games you can get the experience without all the drudge work of lessons, practice and -- ahem -- talent. Rock Band lets you and three of your friends rock out in the comfort and (relative) safety of your living room. Developed by the minds who brought ...[more]

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