August Roundtable: Stars in Games and Space Games

August Roundtable: Stars in Games and Space Games

It’s August, which we refuse to think too deeply about. But you know what’s great to think too deeply about? Stars. On nice, clear summer nights, you can see all kinds of stars if you’re lucky, even if those stars are in games. So let’s talk about them! (more…)

TTRPG Podcasts Connect Me to My Queer Communities

TTRPG Podcasts Connect Me to My Queer Communities

Years ago, when I was still newer to Chicago and working out a place for myself—friends who felt right, places where I actually wanted to socialize and be—I started listening to a little podcast you’ve probably never heard of, called My Favorite Murder. My Favorite Murder is a “true crime comedy podcast” that kicked off in 2016, hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, writers and comedians who bonded over analyzing the details of gruesome killings. (more…)

Creation as Play: Terry Pratchett, Author and Modder

Creation as Play: Terry Pratchett, Author and Modder

Terry Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series and other fantasy works, but his name has recently cropped up outside the literary world as well. Even after his passing in 2015, Pratchett’s fans are still reeling, looking for places the prolific author might have left his mark. Finding it in a place they would not have expected, it turns out that Pratchett was an avid gamer and especially a fan of Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series. (more…)