Growing isolation

Spoilers for The Last of Us Part I, The Last of Us Part II, and The Last of Us HBO show. Contents The LGBT+ stories of The Last of Us video games Long, Long Time and queer joy in the HBO show The Last of Us video games put queer stories front and center in the narrative, and the HBO adaptation of the same name is following their lead with its focus on a gay relationship in its third episode, Long, Long Time, which aired recently. While the relationship between Bill and Frank was certainly present in the 2013 zombie action game, it was relegated to the background as Joel and Ellie navigate the beginnings of their complicated relationship. In the show, however, we’re shown the couple’s 20-year relationship as they grow from hesitant strangers to lifelong partners. Although Long, Long Time deviates pretty heavily from the source material of the game, it actually reinforces and strengthens one of the most important queer themes introduced in The Last of Us Part … [Read more...] about HBO’s The Last of Us shows a key queer theme from the games | Digital Trends

Nothing beats curling up in bed with a blanket, a good book, and some free time to read. Unfortunately, not everyone can carve out time to do that, so you gotta’ get in some reading where you can. Whether you read before going to sleep, on the commute to work, for your studies, or as a recreational activity, you’ll enjoy a new way to read with a Kindle. E-readers and tablets like Kindles make it easy to carry a growing library of books in your pocket or bag, and you can use them anywhere. There are different Kindle models to choose from, each with features that will provide comfort and convenience to an activity that has stood the test of time. Amazon’s Kindle devices are mainstays in our list of the best e-readers . Kindles are available across a wide budget range too, not unlike some of the best tablet deals you can find. Moreover, if you’d like to enjoy savings when buying one of these e-book readers, we’re here to help you out. Here are some of the best Kindle deals that are … [Read more...] about Best Kindle Deals: Save on Kindle Paperwhite, Oasis and More | Digital Trends

Amazon Fire TV Streaming Bundles If your idea of a romantic evening is getting comfy on the couch and watching some Game of Thrones , then check out these Fire TV bundles. The first package includes Amazon’s excellent Fire TV streaming stick , along with a handy Alexa remote and compact Echo Dot smart hub, both of which respond to voice commands. Plug the stick into your TV’s HDMI port, sync it with the Dot, and you’re ready to start enjoying your favorite shows and movies from Prime, Hulu, Netflix, and more. If you’re looking for a 4K streaming solution, then this bundle might be a better fit for your setup: It comes with the all-new 4K-capable Amazon Fire TV streaming box , Alexa Voice Remote, and an HD antenna that lets you cut the cable altogether . The Fire TV Stick bundle rings in at $80, or $10 off, while the 4K Fire TV + HD antenna package can be yours for $75 after a $15 discount. Fire TV Stick Bundle 4K Fire TV Bundle TCL 49-Inch 4K Roku Smart TV … [Read more...] about Show Some Love With the Best Valentine’s Day Deals for 2018 | Digital Trends

The city of Pahokee, Florida, is perhaps best known for its high school football team. With less than 6,000 residents, the rural city has produced numerous football players who went on to play in the NFL , including Anquan Boldin Sr., Janoris Jenkins, and Rickey Jackson. Pahokee is known as “the Muck” because of the nutrient-rich soil on the shores of Lake Okeechobee. And while football may draw the headlines, Pahokee is a city with a long track record of triumph, tradition, and tragedy. Filmmaker Ira Mckinley sets out to paint his hometown of Pahokee in a new light with the upcoming documentary Outta the Muck . Along with his co-director/producer Bhawin Suchak, Mckinley returns to Pahokee to reconnect with his niece and nephew as he explores his family’s history and chronicles the lives of the city’s residents. Through intimate stories of love and despair, Outta the Muck depicts a new perspective on Pahokee, a city built on Black achievement, resilience, and appreciation for … [Read more...] about Outta the Muck directors on their small-town football documentary | Digital Trends

I’ve never played a rhythm game that keeps me on beat as well as Hi-Fi Rush . While I’m a musically inclined person who fronts his own band, even I have trouble keeping time in music games. I’ll inevitably start to drag behind notes and then speed up too much to overcompensate. Sometimes I lose the music altogether and need to stop clicking entirely just to rediscover the beat. But in Hi-Fi Rush , I always feel like I’m completely locked in as I attack, dodge, and zip to the sound of early 2000s alt-rock. Contents Building a rockstar fantasy Accessible design Build up That’s no accident. For Game Director John Johanas and a small development team within Tango Gameworks, “accessibility” was a keyword when embarking on the unique passion project. Johanas knew that rhythm isn’t something that comes naturally to every player, putting a natural barrier to entry over any game that requires precise beat-matching and button timing. If Hi-Fi Rush was going to be a … [Read more...] about Hi-Fi Rush director shares the music game’s recipe for success | Digital Trends