'The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses' producer on video game music

Photo courtesy of Jason Michael Paul Productions, used with permission.

In an exclusive interview with the producer of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses tour, Jason Michael Paul shares with David Leavitt the impact one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time has had on video game music and its effect on culture.

'Magic' player Jared Boettcher addresses DCI suspension and 'ShuffleGate'

Today Oct. 30, 2014 Magic: The Gathering player Jared Boettcher was stripped of his Rookie of the Year award and suspended from competing in DCI sanctioned Magic: The Gathering tournaments for four years in an announcement by Wizards of the Coast. This stemmed from public uproar over the way Boettcher shuffled his opponent's deck, allegedly seeing the bottom cards and moving them to the top in a recent StarCityGames.com event (see the attached video and slideshow for example). According to Wizards of the Coast's director of organized play Helene Bergeot, "This was not an isolated incident, but rather took place at multiple tournaments during the 2013–2014 season." In an interview with David Leavitt, Boettcher denies all allegations of intentionally cheating.

Display your games in style with the Gameply

Photo courtesy of Irons Design Co., used with permission.

Have you ever wanted to display your video game collection in an elegant and artistic way instead of buried away in a bookcase or hidden away in the closed cabinet of your entertainment center?

Hands on 'World Zombination'

Photo courtesy of Proletariat, Inc., uses with permission.

We recently met up with Cambridge, Mass. based independent video game developer Proletariat, Inc. for a first hand look at their upcoming game World Zombination. Players choose between two factions, humans or zombies, and must either defend a city in a tower defense style or infect and destroy the city in real time strategy fashion.

Review of 'Forza Horizon 2' for Xbox One

Forza Horizon 2 gives you so much freedom that it's the things you can't do which you'll notice. Speeding 174 miles per hour down the highway blasting the 1812 Overture, I hydroplaned my Lamborghini and crashed into the rail-guard. I should have careened through the pouring night sky and sailed over the edge into the Mediterranean Ocean. Instead, I bounced off of the impenetrable wall and the race continued as if nothing happened.

Hands on 'Exposure'

Exposure. Photo courtesy of The Sheep's Meow, used with permission.

We caught up with Brian Chung from The Sheep's Meow for a first hand look at their upcoming video game Exposure. This indie title is a game of deception, and you'll need to keep hidden in order to stay alive.

Hands on 'Alien Makeout Simulator' at Boston FIG

Photo courtesy of alienmakeout.com, used with permission.

She looked breathtaking, wearing a stunning red dress which showed every voluptuous curve of her body. Our eyes connected, and for a moment I forgot what lay beneath them. The long night had culminated to this moment. It was now or never.

Review of 'Monochroma' for PC

Photo courtesy of Nowhere Studios, used with permission.

Nowhere Studios' upcoming indie game Monochroma leads with an incredible start, immediately grabbing your attention with its unique art style and gorgeous presentation: Grayscale with red highlights. Running through a playground with your red scarf rippling behind in the wind as if it were the cape of a superhero, you're chasing after your younger brother who's flying a red kite through the cornfields in the background.

Review of 'Crowman & Wolfboy' for iOS

Crowman & Wolfboy.
Photo courtesy of Wither Studios, used with permission.

Crowman & Wolfboy is a highly stylistic post apocalyptic platform runner. Wither Studios sent us an iOS copy to review of the game's first part, World One, and the first thing we noticed about this unique game is its art style.

Interview with award-winning video game composer Peter McConnell

We caught up with the award-winning composer Peter McConnell to discuss his recent work on the Broken Age soundtrack. McConnell has been creating video game music for decades, with previous notable scores including Double Fine'sBrutal Legend and Psychonauts, along with the classic LucasArts titles Grim Fandango and Monkey Island.

Hands on 'Fenix Furia'

Buried among the myriad of indie games at PAX East was a hidden gem: "Fenix Furia" (this game was previously known as "Fenix Rage"_by Green Lava Studios. This addictive fast-paced platformer is one part "Super Meat Boy" meets both "Flappy Bird" and "Sonic the Hedgehog."

Review: 'Undressing the Art of Playing Dress Up' a titilizing compilation

Schiffer Books' latest publication, "Undressing the Art of Playing Dress Up," features more than 360 photos editorially picked from the growing subscription-based adult website Cosplay Deviants.

Review: 'Pokémon Visual Companion' impresses

It's hard to believe that "Pokémon" red version came out for the Nintendo Game Boy back in 1998. It's been 15 years since the animated series made its television debut in North America, and it has lasted longer than most other shows with the exception of "The Simpsons" and "Dr. Who." Did you know that through all that time Ash Ketchum has only worn four different pairs of pants?

Wash yourself clean with these classic Super Nintendo and Game Boy soap bars

Do you love videogames so much that you wish you could take them into the shower with you? Firebox.com is now selling soap bars shaped like classic retro videogames from the Super Nintendo and the Nintendo Game Boy. You'll be able to scrub yourself clean with "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" after a long day of adventure or just wash your hands with "Pokemon Red" before dinner.

Review: 'The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Second Quest' astounds

Last year "The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” concert series helped celebrate the 26th anniversary of one of the most beloved video game franchises of all time. This year's tour, appropriately subtitled "Second Quest," somehow manages to surpass expectations, delivering a masterful journey of sight and sound through the rich 27 year history of "Zelda" games.

Review of 'BandFuse: Rock Legends'

Realta Entertainment Group's newest music video game "BandFuse: Rock Legends" teaches players how to use a real guitar, bass, and microphone, along with how to read authentic tablature. It's a fantastic learning aid for those who're willing to put in the time and effort, and there's several unique features that definitely make this title worth picking up.

Review: 'The Bridge' for Xbox LIVE Arcade will twist your perception of reality

"The Bridge" is a mind-bending Xbox LIVE puzzler published by Midnight City with jaw-dropping art in the style of M.C. Escher, who's known for creating impossible designs. In "The Bridge" you must "unlearn what you have learned" as Yoda from "Star Wars" would say, because you'll have to figure out how to transverse through inconceivable problems.

The 'Rocksmith' 60-day challenge

According to Ubisoft you "can now learn to play guitar in just 60 days" with "Rocksmith 2014 Edition" by spending just one hour a day with it. Examiner's David Leavitt is putting that claim to the test over the next couple of months. Bookmark this page and check back often to follow his progress.

Hands on preview of 'Alteil: Horizons'

We caught up with Boston Mass. based video gaming start-up Apocoplay for a first hand look at their upcoming video game "Alteil: Horizons." Currently in the middle of a Kickstarter, "Horizons" blends the deck-building components of "Magic: The Gathering" with the strategy of grid-based units found in "Might and Magic: Duel of Champions," however there's several key differences that set this digital collectible card game apart from its competitors.

Gunnar glasses aren't just for gamers

We caught up with Curtis Silver, brand ambassador for Gunnar Advanced Computer Eyewear, to find out why Gunnar glasses aren't just for for gamers.