News Articles - Chris Compendio

Local Philadelphia News

PhillyVoice • 7th January 2025

Japanese Breakfast's new album aims to capture the 'romantic thrill of a gothic novel'

Japanese Breakfast is releasing its first album in four years, "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)" on March 21 and following it up with a homecoming show in Philadelphia.

PhillyVoice • 11th December 2024

SEPTA releases redesigned app with improved trip planning and real-time info

Transit riders can download a new version of the SEPTA mobile app, which the authority said provides a more accessible travel experience with better real-time information.

Lex Powers, the transit authority's director of service information design, said the updated tool — which immediately displays a map upon opening it — will be easier to use for travelers who are new to SEPTA.

PhillyVoice • 9th December 2024

'Beastieball,' a Philly native's new video game, features a 'goofy' character based on Gritty

Video game creator Greg Lobanov left Philadelphia for Vancouver almost a decade ago, but the city's monumental sports culture never left him and that passion was used as inspiration on his latest project "Beastieball."

PhillyVoice • 20th November 2024

Celebrity lookalike contests are all the rage, and Philly is joining the party

A wave of celebrity look-a-like contests has hit major cities, and Philadelphia has a handful coming up in the weeks ahead.

PhillyVoice • 16th November 2024

Temple University resolves class-action lawsuit stemming from COVID-19 closures

Temple University settled a class-action lawsuit that arose from the institution closing its campus at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.The school resolved two 2020 cases regarding the switch to virtual learning, the Temple News reports, and it will put $6.9 million into a fund accessible to students who were enrolled during the spring 2020 semester.

PhillyVoice • 12th November 2024

SEPTA proposes steep fare hikes, massive service cuts to begin Jan. 1

SEPTA fares may be nearly 30% higher when the new year begins, and some transit routes soon may be eliminated unless the transit authority receives an influx of revenue, SEPTA officials warned Tuesday.

PhillyVoice • 7th November 2024

Board game convention PAX Unplugged adds murder mystery, live music this year

The annual PAX Unplugged expo for tabletop and board games returns in December to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. New this year attendees can play a murder-mystery game that combines elements of live-action role-playing and escape rooms.

PhillyVoice • 26th October 2024

'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' and 'Abbott Elementary' crossover will be a two-episode event

Two sitcoms based in Philly are crossing the streams, with the crossover between "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Abbott Elementary" taking place across both shows.

PhillyVoice • 25th October 2024

All year, this East Passyunk artist has chronicled the lives of Philly residents through a collaborative, online diary

An East Passyunk artist has been documenting the lives Philadelphians through an online diary all year – and her project won't stop when 2024 ends. Molly Gorelick, 27, is the creator of "A Year in Philadelphia," a website that runs daily entries from city residents detailing their days, generally in an hour-by-hour format with photos.

PhillyVoice • 24th October 2024

Philly Zoo to expand Bear Country exhibit with largest renovation in over a decade

The Philadelphia Zoo will have a new home for its bears when it completes its biggest renovation in over a decade.

PhillyVoice • 22nd October 2024

Woman behind Wildwood's iconic tram recording sues, alleging it's been used unfairly for decades

The woman who voiced Wildwood's famous boardwalk tram alert – "Watch the tram car, please" – is suing the Jersey Shore town, claiming the clip has been used commercially without her consent.

PhillyVoice • 16th October 2024

City Council proposes to rename Taney Street after Philly civil rights activist Caroline LeCount

Taney Street, which was named after an infamous figure in American history, will soon bear the name of Philadelphia civil rights leader and educator Caroline LeCount if the City Council passes a bill that will be introduced Thursday.

PhillyVoice • 11th October 2024

Beloved MLK mural in West Philly will be restored on the building that obstructs it

After a new development obscured a beloved mural depicting Martin Luther King Jr., West Philly community members protested. Next week, the artwork will return and grace the wall of the very building that blocks it.

PhillyVoice • 4th October 2024

An 'Abbott Elementary' and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' crossover episode appears to be on the way

Two sitcoms set in Philadelphia are about to collide: a crossover between "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Abbott Elementary" appears imminent based on photos shared Thursday by Rob McElhenney.

PhillyVoice • 25th September 2024

Philly drag artist Pi to bring ghoulish costumes to 'The Boulet Brothers' Dragula'

After Sapphira Cristál's successful run to the finale of "RuPaul's Drag Race," another Philly drag performer is looking to make a splash in a TV competition show. A local artist with the stage name Pi will be in the Season 6 cast of "The Boulet Brothers' Dragula," which streams on the Shudder and AMC+ services and has 12 contestants vying for a cash prize of $100,000.

PhillyVoice • 11th September 2024

How valuable is Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris? Political pundits had a range of reactions

Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris after Tuesday night's presidential debate in Philadelphia drew a range of reactions from political pundits, with one calling it the "most important" celebrity endorsement ever and another dismissing it as predictable.

PhillyVoice • 3rd September 2024

This fall at Eastern State Penitentiary's Halloween Nights, brave souls will be given a puzzle to solve

Fans of Eastern State Penitentiary's haunted houses will find a new experience this fall that asks them to engage with scary characters as they solve a puzzle that takes them throughout the prison.

PhillyVoice • 2nd September 2024

After 50 years, People's Light theater company is still focused on connecting with the community

People's Light is reaching a landmark 50 years of history, and the Malvern theater company is viewing its upcoming season as a party. Five productions and numerous social events are planned for the season, and People's Light Artistic Director Zak Berkman said all of the events will demonstrate the company's place as a hub for live arts and community engagement.

PhillyVoice • 30th August 2024

Living near trees may help reduce heart disease risk; here's how Philly residents can get them planted at their homes

Research suggests living in a neighborhood filled with trees can have positive health benefits, raising the possibility that greener urban areas may help improve public health.

PhillyVoice • 28th August 2024

SpongeBob SquarePants video game to be released by Philly-based studio in October

A new video game made in Philadelphia will take players under the sea to Bikini Bottom, the fictional hometown of SpongeBob SquarePants."SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game," created by the studio PHL Collective, is based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon.

PhillyVoice • 24th August 2024

Ryan Reynolds explains how Rob McElhenney was cut from 'Deadpool and Wolverine'

After Rob McElhenney joked about how his Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds removed his cameo in the Marvel Studios hit "Deadpool and Wolverine," Reynolds took to Instagram to explain how it happened and paid tribute to McElhenney.

PhillyVoice • 17th August 2024

Bike activists delivered a petition to Mayor Cherelle Parker's office with a 'cold reception'

Amid calls for increased safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in Philadelphia, demonstrators delivered a petition for protected concrete bike lanes and parking reform to Mayor Cherelle Parker's office — though activists say the hand-off didn't go as planned.

PhillyVoice • 9th August 2024

Rittenhouse church ends bike-lane parking on Sundays after weeks of protests

People attending Tenth Presbyterian Church in Rittenhouse no longer can park in the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine streets on Sundays. The city previously granted parking permits to Tenth Presbyterian and other houses of worship that allowed cars to be parked on bike lanes during their services.

PhillyVoice • 6th August 2024

A city councilmember believes Philly can become a hub for video game industry

Philadelphia isn't known as a prominent technology and video gaming hub, but City Council Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas wants to change that.

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Gaming, Film, TV, and Music News Coverage

Below is a searchable and filterable collection of news articles written by Chris, showcasing the variety of pop culture topics they have covered.

GameSpot • 23rd January 2026

Game Freak's Beast Of Reincarnation Team Is "Relatively Small" With Many External Developers

The "one-person, one-dog action-RPG" Beast of Reincarnation looks like a larger endeavor than developer Game Freak's previous titles--large enough to require support from outside partners to bring the studio's vision to life.

GameSpot • 23rd January 2026

Fable Isn't In Works For Switch 2, But Is Being Considered - Report

While Microsoft has stated an intention to bring its games to Nintendo Switch 2, Fable won't be one of them--at least, not immediately.

GameSpot • 22nd January 2026

Fable Releases This Autumn, Coming To PS5 At Launch

Built by a new team at Playground Games, Fable is the first open-world action-RPG from the studio. Playground emphasized the game’s faithfulness to the original Fable games from Lionhead Studios, featuring moral choices with consequences and British humor.

GameSpot • 22nd January 2026

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition Features Playable Rosalina, 17 New Minigames

Nintendo unveiled additional details about the Switch 2 upgrade for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and it'll come with a playable character, boss levels, and new modes when it releases on March 26.

GameSpot • 21st January 2026

The Prince Of Persia Series Will Continue Despite The Sands Of Time Remake Cancellation

After a prolonged development period, Ubisoft hit the brakes on the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. But in the wake of the disappointing news, the publisher said that it isn't calling it quits on the long-running franchise.

GameSpot • 21st January 2026

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets Dixie Kong And Switch 2 Enhancements In Free Update

So to recap, this is a major update--a return, if you will--for a remaster (or a return) of Donkey Kong Country Returns. If you want to get super granular about it, the HD remaster is also a return for the 2013 3DS port of the game, as it includes extra levels originally exclusive to that version. You can argue that what we're getting in 2026 is "Donkey Kong Country Returns Returns Returns Returns."

GameSpot • 20th January 2026

Far Cry 3 And Other Series Classics Will Run At 60FPS After An Update

A trio of Far Cry games, headlined by Far Cry 3, is getting a frame rate boost on current-generation consoles with updates launching on January 21.

GameSpot • 20th January 2026

Rockstar Appears To Have Allowed A Terminally Ill Fan To Play GTA 6 Early

Last month, Ubisoft Toronto developer Anthony Armstrong shared the story of a terminally ill family member seeking to play Grand Theft Auto 6 before its release, and it looks like developer Rockstar Games has since granted that wish.

GameSpot • 20th January 2026

Hitman Is Getting Cross-Progression Soon As It Celebrates A Major Anniversary

In the five years since its release, Hitman: World of Assassination has hit multiple platforms, with Agent 47 infiltrating multiple PC storefronts, mobile devices, and even the original Switch through a cloud version of the game. In just a couple of weeks, players will be able to sync their progress across all platforms through cross-progression.

GameSpot • 16th January 2026

Online Auctions For Cory In The House DS Game Are Asking For Hundreds Amid Meme Campaign

As part of a joke that is perhaps going too far, the markedly terrible Cory in the House game is not only closely trailing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in user ratings, but sealed copies of it are priced for hundreds of dollars online.

GameSpot • 15th January 2026

Fallout Shelter Reality Show Announced For Prime Video

Another Fallout show is in the works for Prime Video, though it'll be quite different from the popular scripted drama starring Walton Goggins. Amazon is developing a competition series with the working title Fallout Shelter, and the company just put out a casting call online.

GameSpot • 15th January 2026

Steam Machine Has "Fewer Constraints" For Verification Compared To Steam Deck

When the Steam Machine is finally in the hands of players, it'll already have a large volume of compatible games with the "Verified" green checkmark, with Valve indicating to developers that they won't have to worry too much about the verification process.

GameSpot • 15th January 2026

Sony Cracks Down On Over 1,000 Digital PlayStation Games From The Same Publisher

Bad news for fans of The Jumping Burger: the PlayStation Store has excised the game, along with over 1,000 similar titles published by the same developer, in what appears to be an effort to clear the storefront of shovelware.

GameSpot • 14th January 2026

Hytale Console Version Planned, But Developers Want To "Focus On Making A Good Game First"

The boxy sandbox game Hytale is now available in early access, but as of now, the anticipated indie title is only on PC. Hypixel, the team behind Hytale, is planning on a console release, but it wouldn't happen until later in the game's development, according to an official FAQ.

GameSpot • 13th January 2026

Nintendo 2025 Wrap-Up: See How Much You Played On Switch And Switch 2 Last Year

We're a couple of weeks into 2026, but Nintendo is already looking back at last year, releasing its annual year-in-review wrap-up for 2025. While Nintendo (and most companies and services) traditionally releases these summaries in December of each year, it pushed back its Switch wrap-up to January for reasons unstated.

GameSpot • 13th January 2026

Split Fiction Director Defends EA, Saying "Everybody’s Done Something That’s Not Good"

Electronic Arts has never been a particularly popular company in the eyes of consumers, but Hazelight Studios founder Josef Fares, who collaborated on three titles with the publisher, was willing to go up to bat for it during a recent interview.

GameSpot • 12th January 2026

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition Is Nintendo's Cheapest Paid Upgrade Yet

While a few first-party Nintendo Switch 2 games have invoked sticker shock, that won't be the case with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Once the Switch 2 edition of the life sim releases on January 15, it'll be the least expensive paid upgrade from Nintendo.

GameSpot • 9th January 2026

Fortnite Now Lets Creators Publish Islands With In-Game Transactions

Epic Games may have opened a can of worms by fully enabling developers in Fortnite Creative to implement in-game purchases into their experiences. Developer tools for in-game transactions were available in Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) in a preview state since November, letting creators charge V-Bucks for digital items in their unpublished Fortnite Creative modes and games, or "islands."

GameSpot • 8th January 2026

Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Were Reportedly Not Amazing Over The Holidays

The Nintendo Switch 2 was indisputably a sales hit after its June 2025 launch, but a new report indicates that the hybrid console's success may not match up to the original Switch's first holiday season. According to The Game Business, Switch 2 sales in the United States were down by around 35% from November to December compared to Switch 1 sales during the same period in its launch year of 2017.

GameSpot • 7th January 2026

Arc Raiders Tops The Charts While Battlefield 6 Drops In PlayStation's Top Games Of December 2025

Shooters and sports games were quite popular for PlayStation players during the holiday season, with the record-setting Arc Raiders ending its successful first year in the top spot of the PSN charts for December 2025 in the United States and Canada.

GameSpot • 7th January 2026

One Of The Only Switch Streaming Apps Is Going Away Soon

The Switch is already lacking in video-streaming apps, and the platform is set to lose one of the biggest ones next month. Nintendo confirmed that the Hulu app is already off the eShop, which appears to be a part of a larger change for the Disney-owned media service.

GameSpot • 6th January 2026

The Stranger Things Finale's Climactic Battle Was Inspired By Baldur's Gate 3

Dungeons & Dragons is one of the main throughlines in the Netflix sci-fi hit Stranger Things, but the show's finale found inspiration from the acclaimed D&D game Baldur's Gate 3, according to one of the show's creators.

GameSpot • 5th January 2026

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora Got A Major Player-Count Boost After Fire And Ash

Over two years after its release, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is enjoying an all-time peak on Steam, likely in large part due to the game's new DLC that ties in directly to the film franchise's latest installment.

GameSpot • 12th December 2025

Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic Is Probably Many Years Away From Release

The release of the upcoming RPG Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is likely far, far away. While last night's announcement trailer at The Game Awards 2025 was surely exciting for Knights of the Old Republic fans, the truth is that the game, led by original KOTOR and Mass Effect director Casey Hudson, is in a very early stage of development.

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