firehose

Everyone's "coming out" story is different. Depending on the person's environment, the experience can be anything from an uplifting release to a traumatizing reminder that certain demographics are still cruelly stigmatized. Game developer Nicky Case chronicles his own tale in an interactive fiction piece called Coming Out Simulator 2014.

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a half-true game about half-truths Contrary to what its light-hearted name suggests, the actual game is both harrowing and poignant. It opens with an introduction to the protagonist, a faceless yet witty caricature who explains that Coming Out Simulator 2014 is set during one momentous night in 2010. Depending on the choices that you make, that decisive evening can vary dramatically in tone, with physical violence being one of the many repercussions you might face.

There is not much actual game to Coming Out Simulator 2014, which functions like a choose-your-own-adventure book. At various points, you'll be asked to click on certain options before events roll on. Coming Out Simulator 2014 was made for the #Nar8 Game Jam, which requires participants to finish games within a limited time span. Both the game and the source code can be downloaded for free, although Case welcomes donations.

Edward Snowden has applied for an extension of his year-long asylum in Russia, according to his lawyer. Anatoly Kucherena, who has represented the NSA whistleblower since last year, tells Russia Today that he and Snowden have "fulfilled the procedure to receive temporary asylum ... We have submitted documents to prolong his stay in Russia." The decision was widely expected, and Snowden said in a May interview with NBC that although he would like to return to the US, he would "of course" apply for an extension if the asylum looked like it was about to run out. Earlier this month, The Moscow Times cited a report by Russian news service Izvestia that he had submitted a petition before June 30th, the deadline for an asylum application. His current asylum term expires on July 31st.

Kucherena did not reveal whether Snowden would potentially be applying for Russian citizenship, saying only that "the decision lies with the Federal Migration Service." Wolfgang Kaleck, Snowden's lawyer in Germany, has previously said that he expects Russia to extend the asylum. Snowden has resided in Russia since being grounded in the country after leaving Hong Kong in June of 2013. After applying unsuccessfully in several other countries, he was granted asylum on August 1st, raising tensions with the US. His stay there has led to continued accusations of providing information to Russia or being a Russian spy, something Snowden has vehemently denied, saying that he has little interaction with the government and no longer has access to the documents, which were published with the help of former Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, documentarian Laura Poitras, and others.

The effects of Snowden's leaked documents have continued to resonate since the first publication in June 2013 revealed a nationwide phone surveillance program. While their release has slowed, Glenn Greenwald, who recently published a book on Snowden and American surveillance, has continued to publish reports at The Intercept. Most recently, an article published this morning alleges that the NSA and FBI monitored the emails of high-profile American Muslims, including the executive director of the civil rights organization Counsel on American-Islamic Relations.

After saying that Star Wars Episode VII would be shot on regular 35mm film instead of the larger, 70mm IMAX film, a new tweet from the production suggests the jumbo format has not been left out. A new post from Bad Robot's (director J.J.Abrams' production company) Twitter account shows an IMAX camera hoisted high above a sea of sand dunes, saying only "#bestformatever." Slashfilm, confirmed with IMAX that the production was using the format, though it remains unclear whether it's for only certain parts versus the entire feature.

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The next film is set for a release on December 18, 2015, and will be followed by two sequels. Alongside those, Disney (which bought Lucasfilm two years ago), is planning a set of standalone films that will be origin stories for some of the characters in the canon. One of those is being helmed by Gareth Edwards, who directed the latest Godzilla reboot.

I noticed that the thread talking about 5th Edition D&D supporting transsexuality/non-binary sexuality. Specifically, I noticed that all of the posters who said anything not gushing praise for it has been banned.

Not some. Not most. All.

The latest non-praiser to be banned simply said that it could be a poor business decision that could alienate a segment of the customers who do not agree.

Does RPG.net have a pro-LGBT(etc) requirement, or is there something I am missing?

The digital currency Dogecoin and the Reddit community surrounding it are famous for their generosity and lighthearted nature, but The Daily Dot reports that the two may be turning into something quite different. In a long report on the progress of Dogecoin, the Dot notes that trading and value are on the decline. And beyond that, it finds that there appears to be a questionable currency exchange at the center of a growing distrust among the Dogecoin community. Head over to the article for details on how the exchange Moolah has managed to both bring new attention to Dogecoin and contribute to its community's decline.