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Riordan Zentler

This individual is no longer an employee with The Spokesman-Review.

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A&E >  Entertainment

Game On: Comprehensive tutorials are crucial for enjoyment

Few video games are entirely self-explanatory. In the early glory days of arcades, instructions were printed on the cabinet around the edges of the screen. When video games came home, many titles were released in a box with several pages of printed instructions. Developers typically try their best to make games intuitive.
A&E >  Entertainment

Game On: What’s a ‘roguelike’ game, and why are they everywhere?

One genre description seems to be popping up everywhere lately: “roguelike.” Over the past few years, I’ve found the term to be increasingly ubiquitous, so I did some research. Like most genres, it’s a convoluted category now but had a clear beginning: the early dungeon-crawling game “Rogue,” developed in 1980.
A&E >  Seven

Game On: Xbox Game Pass invites comparisons to Netflix, Spotify

After a series of leaks in the past week, Microsoft on Wednesday confirmed its next video game consoles will be released on Nov. 10. I say consoles because the company has revealed it will offer two options this time around: the beefy Xbox Series X for $500 and the less-powerful, disc drive-less Xbox Series S for $300.
A&E

Things to do in Spokane: Aug. 28-Sept. 3

Heather Cabot – Sept. 3. Discussion with award-winning journalist, keynote speaker and former ABC News correspondent and anchor Heather Cabot, author of "The New Chardonnay - The Unlikely Story of How Marijuana Went Mainstream." Visit spokesman.com/bookclub/livestream to watch live. 4 p.m. Free.
A&E >  Seven

Game On: Netflix docuseries ‘High Score’ is a disjointed mess

“High Score” is a Netflix docuseries featuring interviews with early video game developers, pros and other figures. The concept excited me – I love documentaries, I love video games, and I love history – but much to my surprise, the series left me oddly flustered due to its poor focus, confusing pacing and clunky transitions.
A&E

Things to do in Spokane: Aug. 21-27

Inland Northwest Rail Museum Anniversary Celebration – Through Sunday. Ride the 2-foot gauge train, view exhibits and learn the history of railroads in the Inland Northwest. Hot dog and beverage included in price of admission.
A&E >  Seven

Game On: ‘Fall Guys’ and the special power of replay value

“Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout” was released on Aug. 4 to much greater success than developer Mediatonic anticipated. In a market already saturated by online, multiplayer, “battle royale”-style games where only the last surviving player wins, “Fall Guys” turns the genre on its head.

Things to do in Spokane: Aug. 7-13

Media columnist for the Washington Post, Margaret Sullivan discusses her book, "Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy," in a livestream forum with The Spokesman-Review Editor Rob Curley. Go to spokesman.com/bookclub/livestream. 4 p.m.

Things to do in Spokane: July 31-Aug. 6

See Spokane Taiko perform on their Japanese drums and learn how to make your own at home. For children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Register for Zoom event by Monday.
A&E

Things to do in Spokane: July 24-30

Virtual Concert: Brett and Janet Dodd – Saturday. A virtual concert for adults featuring local folk duo Brett and Janet Dodd. Available to watch live at facebook.com/spokanecountylibrarydistrict. 2-3 p.m. Free.
A&E >  Seven

Game On: Metacritic change hinders consumer reviews

In late June, I penned the article “The Last of Us Part II highlights Metacritic issues,” and it seems they agree. A Metacritic official announced that the review aggregator will henceforth delay the ability to submit user reviews for newly released video games for the first 36 hours.
A&E

Area students earn academic honors

The University of Utah in Salt Lake City held a virtual commencement ceremony to congratulate its graduates, including Dan McNamara of Pullman, Scott Peck of Spokane Valley and Samantha Thorne, Megan Perkins and Kiersten Utsey, all of Spokane. McNamara achieved a master of arts in Latin American studies.

Things to do in Spokane: July 17-23

Gerry Mulligan – July 17. Jazz. With special guest Dave Glenn. Cabaret-style seating to maintain social distancing. Drinks and snacks will be served. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center.
A&E >  Seven

Game On: There are apps for that

Games on a mobile phone have come a long way in a short time. Just 15 years ago, the platform was restricted mostly to notorious time-wasters like Solitaire and "Centipede."
A&E

Things to do in Spokane: July 10-16

Zero Waste Living – Learn how to reduce waste and plastic usage and, as a result, save money and live healthier and in a way that benefits the environment. Event takes place on Zoom.
A&E >  Seven

Game On: What Mixer’s shutdown means for game streaming

On June 22, Microsoft announced it would be shutting down its Mixer streaming service and urge its audience to transition to Facebook Gaming. The news came suddenly, and Mixer “partners” were as blindsided as everyone else.