I’m the sort of nerd that doesn’t play videogames, but since college one of my favorite entertainment activities has been watching people with far greater skills play Grand Theft Auto. And unless you’ve been spending eighteen hours a day in a dark, windowless room (a situation not uncommon in my other line of work, theater acting), you notice that GTA IV is out. It is far, far better written, acted, and produced than most plays I’ve seen. Or heard about. Or been involved in.

So what does the preeminent art form of the twenty-first century have to say about the preeminent art form of the negative tenth through nineteenth? more »

Hard to believe, but a Yalie now has a song for Rock Band.

For those of you who don’t know Jonathan Coulton, he rose to internet fame writing songs about computer programming and zombies. His indie geek cred inspired the folks behind Halflife to hire him to write an end credits song for their new puzzle game, Portal.

A little background… more »

A portable version of Guitar Hero (aptly named “Guitar Hero: On Tour”) will be released this summer. It might seem a little counterintuitive at first. After all, the whole point of Guitar Hero strapping on that fake plastic axe, right? But the trailer has me pretty well convinced. Time, prepare to be wasted.

Hopefully the advanced mode dispenses with the strumming mechanic, though… when your hands are that close together on a real guitar, you aren’t playing with a pick. Video after the jump, as well as a tangentially related music link. more »

In all seriousness, this is sad. Not all of us knew the sublime pleasure of holding a twenty-sided die in a trembling hand, needing a miracle to defeat that Beholder. But if you ever enjoyed Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, or even Pokemon, you owe Gary a debt of gratitude.

By the way, this is why you ALWAYS travel with a Cleric in your party. A little “Raise Dead,” and Gary would be back up in no time.