Hello, internet! Name’s Brian Hefele and I’m another of the new writers here. Been gaming for a long time, writing for a long time, so I figure I’m at least somewhat qualified to help tell you kind folks what the word is. I learned to code on the Commodore 64, learned to game on the same, with a lot of help from the Atari 2600 and a little TI 99/4A thrown in.

Since I’ve either been coding or at least following the scene for most of my life, I have a particular interest in both development for and the brutal hacking of all the systems that make gaming what it is. Additionally, I spent most of my college career studying popular culture and its interaction with gender and identity politics, I have a special fascination for how gaming fits into our broader cultural mind. When I’m not writing I’m doing some freelance illustration or graphic design work, hence recreating the C64 screen above in Illustrator instead of simply loading up an emu (whoops!).

General News
Guitar Hero 5/ Band Hero tracks transferable
New DJ Hero DLC videos
LEGO Rock Band official launch trailer
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 DLC priced and dated

Nintendo News & Media
Thrustmaster releases two new Wiimote chargers
Free Halloween level for UK Scribblenaut fans

Xbox News & Media
Microsoft carries out mass XBOX Live bannings

PlayStation News & Media
Pre-order alert: God Of War III Ultimate Edition