more on story in games
I hear the GDC panel on the future of story in game design got very heated. Bottom-line question: does story serve gameplay, or the other way around? I am completely torn on this question. As a writer I want to believe story is critical, but what I loved about Jak II was how it felt to play.

making games that matter
One of the best things about GDC is the rant, and this year's designer rant offers up some interesting ideas about making games that matter, a subject near and dear to my heart. Clint Hocking said we have to use "proven techniques for building compelling emotional investment in things real human beings give a shit about." Amen, brother.