Many popular games are only concerned with their action set pieces. Unfortunately, this means that things like characterization and exposition are often left on the back burner. If developers want to tell a good story, they need to start focusing on the little things that make their characters come alive.

Two gamers discuss their experiences with Xbox 360 Achievements, and how persistent virtual rewards have changed the way they play games.

News Blips for January 13, 2009. Final Fight: Double Impact - Color of Conflict Contest, Netflix on Wii - sign up for free streaming disc, Strong Bad's 7th Anniversary, free game download today, and more.

A compendium of random reviews written killing time in Iraq