Media critic Anita Sarkeesian plans two new video series’ to explore gender in games

By Will Fulton Updated January 27, 2015

media critic anita sarkeesian plans two new video series explore gender games

Media critic Anita Sarkeesian announced two new video series for 2015, as part of the 2014 annual report for her producing and advocacy organization, Feminist Frequency. The videos will focus on representations of men and masculinity in video games, and on highlighting positive portrayals of female characters in games, respectively. These are in addition to the site’s ongoing series of Tropes vs. Women videos, which kick off the new year with a piece called “Women as Reward”.

The organization also plans to expands its mission to include “advocacy around ending online hate and abuse [and] analyzing and advancing awareness of how gendered harassment operates online.” Sarkeesian is working with individuals in the community to foster a dialogue and consulting with tech and gaming companies to help them address issues of harassment within their own communities.

The report was published as a requirement for Feminist Frequency’s status as a registered 501(c)(3) non profit, which it acquired in May 2014. Last year was a tumultuous one for Sarkeesian, as one of the most prominent targets of the “Gamergate” movement’s harassment campaign.

The abuse seemed to hit a peak in October, when she cancelled a speaking engagement at Utah State University when local authorities refused to adequately respond to threats of an attack. To the chagrin of Sarkeesian’s detractors, the harassment only brought her greater public attention, and Feminist Frequency had a huge year as a result.

Listed accomplishments for 2015 include major coverage in outlets like The New York Times, Businessweek, Rolling Stone, and The Colbert Report. Feminist Frequency’s YouTube videos garnered over 5.7 million views in 2014 and its Twitter account more than doubled its number of followers from 66,000 to over 157,000. Sarkeesian was also awarded the Game Developer’s Choice Ambassador Award in March for her public advocacy about gaming culture.

No doubt due to the increased media attention over Gamergate, Feminist Frequency took in over $230,000 from donations in December alone, which will allow the organization to hire new staff and expand its programming for 2015.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Will Fulton is a New York-based writer and theater-maker. In 2011 he co-founded mythic theater company AntiMatter Collective…

Gaming

How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

You're given a good bit of leeway during battles in Baldur's Gate 3 before you or a companion actually bites the dust for good. While in battle, if a teammate does take enough damage to drop, they aren't dead then and there. Instead, they will be downed with a chance to roll every turn to get back up. If they roll successfully three times, the battle ends, or you use another character to pick them up, they're good. If they fail that roll three times, however, they will be completely dead. That can be harsh when you've become attached to certain characters and want to further their stories, so you'll be looking for any way you can to bring them back. Thankfully you do have a few options for reviving companions in Baldur's Gate 3, but just like respeccing, they aren't so obvious.
Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it

Gaming

Every video game delay that has happened in 2023 so far

The player skates toward the moon in Skate Story.

Few things feel as inevitable in the video game industry as delays. Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, game delays have only become more and more common as developers find previously set timelines unrealistic and adjust their release plans accordingly. More than halfway through 2023, we've already seen some notable AAA games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull & Bones, and Pragmata delayed pretty heavily. Because video game release date delays are so common, it can be tough to keep track of every game that has had its launch date shifted in some way.
That's why, just as we did in 2021 and 2022, Digital Trends is rounding up every game delay that's announced throughout 2023. Here are the high-profile ones that have happened so far, listed chronologically by their new intended release dates.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR (March 16)

As Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is one of the best games for PlayStation VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, Supermassive Games' PlayStation VR2 successor, is a highly anticipated launch title for the upcoming VR headset. Unfortunately, it will no longer make PlayStation VR2's February 22 launch and will instead be released on March 16. On Twitter, a message from Supermassive Games says this delay will ensure that players "receive the most polished, terrifying experience possible" at release. The game was released on that date to mixed reviews.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (March 24)

Gaming

Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Aside from the focus on firearms and integrating some randomly generated environments, the Remnant series sets itself apart from other souls-like games mainly with its focus on co-op. Both titles encourage you to team up with two friends to fight your way through the mutated monsters that await. After so many years of progress in terms of multiplatform games incorporating full cross-platform support, you might assume Remnant 2 will follow suit and let you make a group with anyone regardless of what platform they're on. However, the truth may be a bit more disappointing. Before you make plans with your squad, here's what you need to know about Remnant 2's cross-platform support.
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Unfortunately, Remnant 2 does not have cross-platform play between PS5, Xbox Series X or PC -- and there's no word about it being added in the future.