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Gaming NPR explores the latest in games and gaming culture — from the latest digital titles to what's on our tabletops.

Gaming

Thursday

A growing number of gamers are LGBTQ+, so why is representation still lacking?

Two of the main characters from the 2015 game Life is Strange, Max Caulfield and Chloe Price. Dontnod Entertainment hide caption

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Dontnod Entertainment

A growing number of gamers are LGBTQ+, so why is representation still lacking?

While nearly 20% of American gamers identify as LGBTQ+, according to a study from GLAAD and Nielsen, less than 2% of all games include LGBTQ+ characters or storylines.

A growing number of gamers are LGBTQ+, so why is representation still lacking?

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Thursday

Wednesday

A man sues Powerball after being told his $340M 'win' was a mistake

John Cheeks' lottery ticket matched the numbers posted online in January 2023. But when he tried to redeem his prize, he was repeatedly denied. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption

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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

A man sues Powerball after being told his $340M 'win' was a mistake

In early January 2023, John Cheeks saw that the winning Powerball numbers online matched his lottery ticket. But when he tried to redeem the prize, he was told it was a "mistake." Now, he's suing.

Wednesday

Thursday

Wednesday

The best spin-off games, books and more to experience before Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

If you, like me, wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat wondering how to best prepare yourself for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (pictured), read on! Square Enix hide caption

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Square Enix

The best spin-off games, books and more to experience before Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Final Fantasy 7 is more than an iconic PlayStation game. It's a multimedia empire embracing novels, short stories, spin-off games — even a movie. We round up the best of it ahead of Rebirth.

Thursday

Wednesday

Thursday

'Baldur's Gate 3' is the game of the year, and game of the Moment

The Half-Elf Cleric Shadowheart, a character in Baldur's Gate 3. Larian Studios hide caption

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Larian Studios

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Baldur's Gate 3' is the game of the year, and game of the Moment

Baldur's Gate 3 was the most acclaimed video game of last year and recently won Game of the Year at The Game Awards. It maps the experience of Dungeons and Dragons onto the mechanics of videogames. You and your companions embark on an epic quest, going through dark dungeons and dangerous wilderness — all while being confronted with choices that change the game in ways big and small. But what makes it so beloved?

'Baldur's Gate 3' is the game of the year, and game of the Moment

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Wednesday

NPR's 24 most anticipated video games of 2024

Clockwise from the top-left: Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, Hades 2, Dragon's Dogma 2, Princess Peach: Showtime! Square Enix/Supergiant Games/Capcom/Nintendo hide caption

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Square Enix/Supergiant Games/Capcom/Nintendo

NPR's 24 most anticipated video games of 2024

2024 may not have quite the stacked release calendar of 2023, but Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is right around the corner. Signs also point to Nintendo Switch 2 later this year.

NPR's 24 most anticipated video games of 2024

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Wednesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Parent and consumer groups warn against 'naughty tech toys'

An attendee tries the Meta Quest 3 in a demonstration room at a tech conference in September 2023. The headset is among the products listed on ParentsTogether's 2023 tech toys "Naughty List." Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP hide caption

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Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP

Culture

Parent and consumer groups warn against 'naughty tech toys'

The smart toy sector is worth close to $17 billion. But some parent and consumer support groups say these tech-driven toys are not safe for play.

Parent and consumer groups warn against 'naughty tech toys'

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Friday

Thursday

2023's best games — picked by the NPR staff

NPR polled staff and contributors for their favorite games of 2023. The year was marked by record-selling titles and industry shake-ups that included thousands of layoffs.

2023's best games — picked by the NPR staff

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