Developers Add New Skin Features to The Sims 4
Developers of The Sims 4 recently updated the options in the video game to give players the choice of adding a skin condition, known as vitiligo, to their characters’ appearance. The Sims is a popular series of video games where players create and control characters in a life simulation. What is Vitiligo? Vitiligo (vit•ill•EYE•go) is […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
The Price of an Epidemic By now, you’ve likely heard about coronavirus, and you’re probably aware that it’s not a good thing. The disease continues to spread worldwide; just last week, the number of cases in Italy spiked from three to 152 in just a few days. South Korea has raised its national threat level […]
YOU DECIDE: Should Video Games Be Used to Teach History?
It’s no surprise that teenagers like video games. But can they actually use gaming to learn? One gaming company, Ubisoft, has long used historical backdrops for its Assassin’s Creed series. Now, however, they’ve taken the link between gaming and history a step further. Assassin’s Creed: Origins is set in Ptolemaic Egypt. When played in “Discovery […]
Pokemon Go, Go, Go!!!
Summer is a great time to get swept up in the latest cultural phenomenon. Surely, 2016 will be known as the summer people came together to hunt Pokemon. Given the sheer numbers of people playing, btw assumes a large number of our readers already know what we’re talking about. But, in case you don’t yet […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
GOP Comes to the CLE In another week, the nation will be knee-deep in coverage about the Republican National Convention. But what is already happening in preparation for next week? Perhaps the highest profile news regarding the convention is the official nomination. Despite the fact that Donald J. Trump is the presumptive nominee for the GOP, […]
Your Brain in a Digital World
Last week, btw brought you a story about what happens to the brain when you do more than one thing at a time. This week we go further, looking at the ways your brain responds to some of the things you are likely to be engaged in every day. Your Brain on Music Listening to […]
#Gamergate: Beyond Fun and Games
Do you play video games? If so, you may be aware of an ongoing controversy that goes by the name #Gamergate. (∗See explanatory note at the end of this article.∗) There has been a lot of coverage, and a lot of confusing accusations, flying around this story. So btw is going to try and break […]
It’s Your Turn: Understanding Game-Based Learning
Rhea checks the cargo hold of her sailing ship. Everything has been loaded exactly as she directed. Grain from nearby farms bulge from linen sacks. Coal, iron ore, and stone are loaded into neatly stacked crates. These goods will fetch a high price at the market town two islands to the west. Rhea is eager […]