September.15, 2004 Culture Shock: Delving into the dungeons of sub-culture. by Travis Nielsen > Arts Weiter UNBC is home to an ethnically diverse population, a multitude of people crusading for the rights of the less fortunate throughout the world. These larger more official groups make us forget about the smaller clubs, groups, and organi- zations that bring us all together. It is in these sub-cultural groups that we forge the most lasting friendships, and escape from pres- sures associated with the culture shock of university life. The fact that these groups get pushed out of the limelight is. something that should bring shame to all of us, because of their importance in our lives. Something must be done to help bring these great groups back into the glamour of the spotlight, and that is exactly what I intend to do! Now because this is the first article in this epic series, what bet- ter way to start than to expose the truth behind those high adventur- ing, dice chucking Gamers? “Gamer” is a loose term for anyone who enjoys playing the old fashioned paper-and-pencil style role playing games. These use a dice based rule system that gages the ability to perform actions, and story-telling to create a game where player characters face many challenges and heroic struggles. It is a common myth that gamers are a secretive group, lurking in empty university class- rooms late at night, or in smelly living rooms and basements throughout the world. Subsisting on high caffeine colas, large amounts of junk food, and pizza; staying up for all hours of the night in order to commit satanic rituals and beat up kittens. This is entirely not true. Some gamers do have unhealthy obses- sions with the games they play, making them painfully hard to be around most of the time. The majority are interesting, intelli- gent, people who enjoy having a good time not involving Satanism or the beating of kittens. Gamers are simply out to enjoy themselves by escaping into a fan- tasy world where they are not subject to the stresses of day to day life, and save fair maidens by slaying evil dragons deep within dangerous dungeons. So the next time you meet a gamer, please do not pass them up as a geek or weirdo. Instead, ask them more about the exciting hobby of role playing games. You just might want to get involved. On the other hand if you are a gamer, please do not fear those that might judge you for engaging in this imaginative pastime. Be proud that you are Sir Gallant, knight of the western kingdoms for five hours a week. Roll your dice with dignity, hold your head high and say “I am a gamer!” A & E Page 13 >> Photo by Becky Booth Amy Hammerstedt offers mocktails to the OTE staff. The mocktails were part of the Health and Wellness Centre's B.A.R.F. campaign. Manga Review: Spiral >> Sakura Miyazuki >> 1999 Spiral Production Group Well, manga fans, here starts another semester full of work, study, and other school-related things. Or not, as the case may be. Anyway, there is one fact that is certain, and that is the fact that there will be lots of happy fun manga reviews for you people to read and enjoy. This issue, we have Spiral, which is a manga adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s novel of the same name (Rasen in Japanese). Now, Koji Suzuki is the horrible genius behind Ringu, the original Japanese version of The Ring. As it turns out, Spiral is the sequel to Ringu, and it takes the story to a whole new level of creepiness. Spiral follows Dr. Andoh, a medical examiner who recently lost his son to some unnamed cause of death. He is called upon to investigate the mysterious death of his friend, Ryuji Takayama. There is no external cause of death, but a strange ulcer is found in a blood vessel near the heart. Upon closer examination, the material found in the ulcer seems to resemble the smallpox virus. Thus begins the more sci- entific continuation of the horror first introduced in Ringu, Sadako, the girl who was put into the well, has a far more terrifying plan than just killing those who watch her video. a The art in Spiral deliberately does not show the reader very much of the character’s sur- roundings, and shows very little of the action that is occurring. This serves'‘to increase the horror and mystery of the circumstances described. This story is far more creepy. than the Ring was, and there are fundamental differences between the Japanese and North American stories. It may help to watch Ringu before reading Spiral, but even if you have only seen The Ring, you should be able to piece together the story well enough. Spiral is a satisfying conclusion to the story that is begun in Ringu, so if you want to see ‘what evil Sadako plans for us all, you should defi- nitely pick this one up. - Dana 13 ‘arn your way Can’t get the courses you need? Earning the post-secondary credentials you need is not always easy—from getting into the classes you want to balancing school work with other commitments. The BC Open University offers over 500 distance university and college courses, many of them open for registration throughout the year. Transfer the BCOU credits you earn to the program of your choice or apply them to a BCOU Credential. ; / BCOU British Columbia Opes University www.bcou.ca 1.866.282.BCOU BCOU is becoming part of BC’s newest university in 2005.