@ www theotherpress.ca Christmas is coming (to the stage) The Goh Ballet Academy performs for Douglas College By Kayla Steinman, Contributor ast Thursday at the Laura C. Muir Theatre, Vancouver’s own Goh Ballet Academy and Youth Company came and performed for us, bringing with them three different dances from their 2012 production of The Nutcracker. The first that they performed was “Coffee,” or “Arabian Dance.” This piece was performed by Diego Siqueria and Wendy Guo. These two amazing dancers were able to bring the dance to life, showing their passion both for the music and their characters as they danced. Even though they didn’t share a single word, you could feel the passion and the love in the way that their bodies moved and the different poses that they exchanged. Their costumes were very Arabian, presenting bright colours and flowing, if not flying, fabrics that only added to their piece. The second dance performed was Red Ribbon, a Chinese dance that is traditionally done during celebrations. As the name suggests, there is ared ribbon involved, or rather lots of them, with plenty of joyous bouncing and hopping to match, as if something wonderful just happened and the dancers were literally jumping for joy. The last dance performed was called Tarantella: a quick paced Italian celebration dance. This one incorporated a tambourine that was used to make different steps seem bigger then they truly were. Violence is not the answer Arkane Studios’ Dishonored’ ponders the morality of the gamer By Adam Tatelman, Contributor fy S\ fy S\ fy S\ fy S\ fy S\ n the realm of vio- lent video games, Dishonored is a rare and exciting find: a game that gives youa linear storyline with clear objectives and lets you decide the best way to accomplish them. As Corvo Attano, Lord Protector to Empress Kaldwin of the Isles, you are framed and imprisoned for the assassination of your beloved monarch. While you are awaiting execution, a Faustian figure known only as “The Outsider” grants you the power to escape and avenge your charge, uncovering the conspirators involved in the killing Along the way, every trial you face asks the same ever-present question: when you can teleport, see through walls, create gale-force winds, possess creatures and people, summon plague rats, and even bring time to a standstill, what will you do with that power? Do you stick to the shadows and eliminate the target as quietly as possible, or do you go ona roaring rampage of revenge, killing all in your path? Neither is really presented as the “bad option,” so feel free to jump in front of a guard, stop time as he fires his weapon, possess him, walk him in front of his own bullet and start up the clock again—just know that your actions will have consequences. I won't spoil any plot twists, but I will say this: characters in the game will remember your choices and they will bite you back sooner or later. The dual options of “stealth versus combat” are nothing new to gaming, but Dishonored deepens the choice by allowing you to commit the perfect crime; to make killing look like an accident and get off scot- free, or even find ways to neutralize the target non-lethally. Abduction, Besides the nutcracker dances, the best one was called the “Bureau”; a Matrix- inspired piece that presented the dancers to seem like detectives, dancing in a more contemporary style, with less flawlessly perfect moves, in exchange for offering a far more relaxed structure. blackmail, and even excommunication are all viable options specific to each individual target. These choices appealed to me because each target is developed as a character. They aren’t just moustache-twirling villains; they are uniquely disturbed individuals trying to cope with their involvement in a sinister plot and to make the best of life in the crapsack city of Dunwall. I would feel like a right bastard for walking up and stabbing them in the face. I love stealth games by default, so I went for the sneaky, wussy, no-killing play through. Rather than portraying Corvo as a Terminator out for vengeance, I chose to interpret him as a wronged man seeking justice while The Goh Ballet Acacdemy is performing their full length Nutcracker from December 19 to 23 at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, with a special student discount. This is an absolute must see, so try to catch the group in December to see some amazing talent from all over the world. trying to assuage his guilty conscience. And much to my surprise, the game rewarded me for it. Dunwall actually became a politically stable, less diseased place by the end of the game. I was floored; in today’s market, oversaturated with games about solving conflict through war, we can actually get a high-profile release that encourages creative thinking and advocates “give peace a chance?” That’s something I can get behind. I’m not saying every game needs to be as engaging and thought-provoking as Dishonored; it’s just nice to have the option. So good on you, Corvo; you’ve kept your honor.