THE INTERNET IS FOR SPORE:
Last geek I told you about the Spore creature creator, which had just made its debut. Since then, that sample of the highly anticipated evolution sim made quite a splash on the Internet. Sure, first it was the phallic creations that got plenty of attention, but those got boring quickly (even when EA threatened to ban users who uploaded naughty creatures). There were over a million creatures uploaded to the Sporepedia and plenty were interesting for other reasons.

Some gamers uploaded creatures that looked like video game controllers. Isn't that rather like having your sims play The Sims?

 

Those weren't the only inanimate objects to be turned into Spore creatures:

 

I found these creatures that resemble produce super kawaii (not that it stopped me from having a snack of steamed artichoke and a berry salad).

 

Does this mean I'll be able to create a world populated by vicious, carnivorous tomatoes in Spore? Can. Not. Wait.

 

GAYMERS ASSEMBLE!:
Hopefully this will be the amazing resource it promises to be: GayGamer.net net is looking to compile a list of all LGBT guilds and clans to be found. It's no fun signing on to a game where you don't know anyone and find yourself debating how honest you should be with any teams you may find, so hopefully this'll make it easier to find other LGBT gamers to connect with.

 

If you're a part of an LGBT clan or guild be sure to drop a line to the GayGamer.net guys and get your group added to the list.

 

After the break: Pride comes to Paragon City, Metal Gear Solid goes gay and more!

SyFy ELECTION DAY MONTH ARRIVES:
A couple weeks back I told you about the SyFy Genre Awards, which celebrate the best in sci-fi on TV and film. The online ballot for the awards became available late last week, so be sure to fill out your ballot so the gay geek perspective gets heard.

SyFy Portal's Best Actor/Television Nominees: Jensen Ackles (Supernatural), John Barroman (Torchwood), Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galatica), Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) and David Tennant (Doctor Who).

Right now they're feeling more than a little bit needed as the Emmy short list was announced on Monday and, unsurprisingly, Battlestar Galatica is again absent from the list of potential Best Drama nominees. (Hello, flashbacks from Buffy's heyday.) I guess we can expect Battlestar Galatica's many powerhouse performers to be missing from that list, too.

SyFy Portal's Best Actress/Television Nominees: Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who), Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies), Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galatica), Eve Myles (Torchwood) and Sophia Myles (Midnight).

Just don't do what I normally would and spend all your time trying to decide between John Barrowman and David Tennant (I was going to say Freema Agyeman and Mary McDonnell, but as much as I may adore Martha Jones, nothing beats President Roslin) until after the ballot deadline passes on July 25.

TIME TO PICK OUT A CORSAGE THAT GOES WITH SPANDEX:
Hey City of Heroes (and City of Villains) players, set your calendars since we're a little more than a week away from the Q Pride Prom. The event is hosted once more by DJ Blu.

I still remember the first Pride gathering in City of Heroes. I totally just happened to run into it and it was a sight not to be missed: a huge gathering in the plaza at Atlas Park, something hard to miss considering how often the game sends you to give Azuria something important to lose.

If the festivities have you interested in the game, you can sign up for a free 14-day trial. An event like the Q Prom is a good time to sample the game, the CoH gay community is pretty welcoming to new players and a gathering like this is a good time to find plenty of people eager to help get a new player started. Just be careful of that character creator, it makes crack look non-addictive in comparison.

I won't be there as my "main" character (otherwise known as the only one I've stuck with long enough to reach level 50) since he exists on a different server, but I'll share a pic of him since he's got my favorite costume out of all my characters (also there's a bit of an apt theme going on, kinda sorta).

Eh, maybe I could re-create the character for the Prom. I think I have one free space back on the Victory Server...

SNAKE'S ON THE BRAIN:
Military "stealth game" Metal Gear Solid has been appearing on my gay pop culture radar a lot lately. First came the excellent bit of fanart titled "Snake bakes a cake" where the game's rugged hero ... well, bakes a cake, children's storybook style. Be sure to stick around for the homoerotic ending.

However, far more interesting was the discovery that Metal Gear Solid belongs on a list of gay-inclusive games. GayGamer's Fruit Brute previously noticed plenty of hints at a relationship between Collnel Volgin and his superior Major Raikov, but now it turns out that the MGS Database, which compiles all the games' stories and details in one guide, specifically describes the two as in a relationship:

After looking into this a bit more, I'm feeling a bit mixed on the revelation. One of the major gaydar-pinging moments comes when Volgin grabs at Snake's crotch (who is disguised at Raikov at the time), which brings up some of the alarm bells that gay villain characters often do. Any Metal Gear Solid players out there? How does Volgin and Raikov stack up in the pantheon of gay representation?