THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
By Thilina Bandara March 27, 2012
For as long as graphics in video games have been realistic, people have criticized video game developers for the vulgar or crass depiction of women. Comically hyper-sexualized female characters are usually written off as marketing tools to pander to younger audiences, and because (so the argument goes) nobody is really hurt in the process, it is often ignored.
Misogyny in gaming is often argued on the basis of pure aesthetics. But the issue of misogyny in gaming is not just predicated on character design anymore; it has grown into something more systemic that frightens me as a gamer. It took a blatant act of laser-guided abuse to understand how many layers there are to sexual harassment in gaming.
By Thilina Bandara February 16, 2012
On Feb. 1, DC Comics revealed that they are rebooting the venerable Watchmen franchise with a series of prequel graphic novels based on each iconic lead character, called Before Watchmen. Recruiting some of the industry’s best writers and artists, it is the long-awaited expansion of the graphic novel that changed an industry forever.
By Thilina Bandara January 22, 2012
At The Drive-In and Refused are reuniting this year, both restarting their glory at Coachella 2012.
Both bands broke up at the height of their success, shortly after releasing their respective masterpieces: At The Drive-In’s Relationship of Command (2000) and Refused’s The Shape of Punk to Come (1998). These are two incredible albums, among my favourites, and they set the bar very high for a reunion. Though neither band has confirmed any new material, the return of such quality musicians warrants those unfamiliar with the music to seek out these two albums from the late ’90s.
By Thilina Bandara January 17, 2012
The intention of new American copyright legislation (SOPA) is to stop online piracy, a legitimate problem, but the discretion given to the American law enforcement and companies is the most troubling part of the current bill. With SOPA, companies won’t have to pick their battles; in fact, there won’t be a battle to be fought. If you are in violation by their loosely defined parameters of infringement, you will cease to exist on the Internet.
While SOPA will affect every facet of entertainment, SOPA most jeopardizes the robust community sustaining the gaming industry.
By Thilina Bandara January 6, 2012
After an up-and-down 2011 for gaming, 2012 looks like it’s going to be a quality (and expensive) year for gamers.
Some standouts to consider in early 2012 are Bioware’s epic space opera Mass Effect 3, the slick (and Skrillex’d) espionage-shooter-reboot Syndicate and Ken Levine’s highly anticipated follow-up to BioShock, BioShock: Infinite. Rockstar is aiming high with releasing both Grand Theft Auto V and the long-awaited Max Payne 3 this year.
By Thilina Bandara October 7, 2011
Skateboarding’s popularity continues to climb, and what was once derided as a waste of time is moving ever closer to becoming a respected sport, earning its spot on sports channels. This is thanks in part to a concerted effort to make skateboarding truly mainstream, spearheaded by Rob Dyrdek, a skateboarder himself. Dyrdek is also an entrepreneur and reality TV star.
By Thilina Bandara September 24, 2011
Since the advent of peer-to-peer sharing, what we used to qualify as consumer goods are now free, and the status quo of paying-for-things is slowly disappearing. Everything entertaining is free: free music, free games and free videos of cats falling asleep.
I never considered what free entertainment meant to me until my favourite podcast came to an end, and I was left questioning if I would ever forgive this cruel world.
By Thilina Bandara September 10, 2011
Game development has exploded in Canada. Naturally, as a gamer and a Canadian I was interested in exploring exactly why this phenomenon was occurring.