A few belated thoughts on A Closed World

Although A Closed World, the free online game made by the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab that aims to explore queer issues within the confines of an RPG-like environment, has been out for a few months now, I avoided playing it until earlier this week.

Mind you, I didn't intentionally ignore it. I remember reading about its release with more than a little interest, but for some reason I can't recall at the moment it fell off my radar before I got around to playing it.

How'd it get back onto my radar? While chatting with the Gayme Bar guys last week, one of them brought up the game as a good example of how the medium can address and otherwise tackle LGBT issues.

Feeling like an idiot for not having played it, I vowed to do so the very next day. That I did--and then some, as I played through the game three or four times over the course of about an hour (mainly so I could see how things differ when you choose to play as a male or female).

My initial impressions based on those playthroughs: It's ... interesting. I of course like that the game tries to depict the struggle of being "different" (whether that means being queer or being a minority or an outcast in other ways), but with just a few exceptions A Closed World's story is a bit too awkward and heavy-handed for me. Also, it can be confusing at times, as you aren't always sure who you're dealing with or where you're supposed to go or what you're supposed to do. (Thankfully, the game's map is tiny, so you can only wander around like a lost puppy for so long.)

On the plus side: The game's graphics, especially those found in its turn-based, rock-paper-scissors battle scenes, are quite pretty. Its soundtrack is similarly appealing.

I don't want to say much more than that right now, as I'm currently in the middle of writing a "somewhat gay review" for this game (expect it to be published sometime in the next week or two) and I'd rather save most of the pro-versus-con discussion for that post.

In the meantime, I highly recommend giving A Closed World a go--whether you're a member of the LGBT community or not. Yes, it's flawed in many ways, but for the most part I think it's admirably so. Also, it's sure to prompt you to consider how future games should tackle these same issues. For that reason alone, I think playing through A Closed World once or even twice is well worth anyone's time.

Play: A Closed World

So, a blogger walks into the Gayme Bar ...

Those of you who follow me on Twitter already know this, but the rest of you likely are in the dark: The garrulous guys at GaymeBar.com asked me to be on another of their fabulous podcasts last weekend. The resulting recording can be heard here.

What did we talk about? If memory serves, we chatted about the games we were playing currently, the best games of 2011 and gay characters/content in games. I'm sure we covered at least a few other topics, too, but I can't remember them at the moment.

Just don't expect to hear much of me during the segment that focuses on the best games of 2011--I've honestly played very few of them and, as such, couldn't really add to the conversation in any meaningful way.

That's not to say I'm opinionless when it comes to my favorite games of the year. In fact, I just finished writing a post that covers that territory. Expect to see it published the week after Christmas.

In the meantime, check out Gayme Bar's "Function 44" if you're a podcast fan and if you have a bit of time on your hands. (I believe the final product is about two hours long, but don't quote me on that.)

See also: 'Belly up to the Gayme Bar, boys (and girls)' and 'My mom would be so proud: I'm included in Gayme Bar's Pass-Around Party Podcast'

My mom would be so proud: I'm included in Gayme Bar's 'Pass-Around Party Podcast'

Actually, I doubt my mom knows what a pass-around party bottom is, so she probably wouldn't be as horrified by my inclusion in the "Pass-Around Party Podcast" as I'm thinking she'd be.

You're wondering what the "Pass-Around Party Podcast" is, aren't you? (Please don't ask me to explain what a pass-around party bottom is. Google is your friend!) Well, for their latest podcast, the guys at Gayme Bar decided to chat it up with a whole bunch of gamers instead of just one.

Each participant was asked the same set of questions: What's your "Game of the Year" so far? What game are you most looking forward to playing this year? Oh, and what were your favorite and least favorite things about the just-finished E3?



If you're at all into gaming podcasts, especially ones of the "pass-around party" variety, I'd highly recommend listening to the latest one from the Gayme Bar guys (here).

I haven't listened to it yet, so please accept my apologies in advance if I (once again) sound like a complete idiot.

See also: 'Belly up to the Gayme Bar, boys (and girls)'

Super Studly Mario Bros.

I can't say I've ever found myself drooling over an image of Mario or of his "main bro," Luigi, but I'm certainly open to doing just that should the right illustration or even photo present itself.

At least, that's what I would have told you before I came across what I believe is the cover of a soon-to-be-released issue of MUTO Manifesto magazine.

As far as I can tell, the issue above has not yet hit (virtual) newsstands--which means I'll be visiting MUTO Manifesto's website at least once a day until it does.

(Via Gayme Bar's Facebook page)

Belly up to the Gayme Bar, boys (and girls)

Remember how I mentioned (in this post) that I recently participated in my first podcast? Well, it's now available for your listening pleasure.

So, if you want to hear three gay guys who have had a bit too much to drink (by the end of the podcast, anyway) chat about games, check out Gayme Bar's "Function 15: Sex & Gaymes" when you have a chance.



One last thing: Please blame anything dumb I say on the (cheap) wine I was drinking during the recording of the podcast.

Don't call me a podcast virgin

So, yesterday I did something I had never done before: I participated in a podcast.

A few weeks ago, the guys at Gayme Bar approached me about joining them for a cocktail and some conversation. My first thought was to decline their invitation, as I'd much rather share my thoughts about gaming via the written rather than the spoken word.

In the end, I caved--mainly because I thought it would be fun to chat about games with a couple of fellow gays.

I'm glad I did, because we had a lot of fun. After discussing this blog for a bit, we moved on to talking about our most recent acquisitions and about the topic of sex and violence in video games.

I'm not sure I made any sense whatsoever in that final segment, thanks in part to the two glasses of (cheap boxed) wine that were sloshing around in my stomach by then, but what can you do--especially when it's your first time at the rodeo, so to speak.

Hopefully I'll redeem myself on future podcasts--assuming there are other podcasts in my future, of course.

For more information about the guys Gayme Bar, or to listen to any of their previous podcasts, pay a visit to gaymebar.com.