Lost Garden: Top 5 design debates I ignored in 2014
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, when conversation about game design was first bubbling up out of our community of insecure practitioners, a few polarizing topics would arise again and again. You’ll recognize them: The correct definition of ‘game’ – Narrative vs Mechanics – Randomness vs Skill – The importance of realism – Casual vs Hardcore

The Lord of the Rings Mythology Explained – YouTube
Before you see the final Hobbit Movie, learn about the mythology of The Lord of The Rings universe

García Media → Here are six predictions for the new year
The year 2014 is going to be making an exit (stage left) soon, and we can already see 2015 peeking its baby head from behind the curtains. It was a year of challenges and opportunities. The new year amplifies on some of the advances of 2014. What’s ahead? Here are six predictions.

Roman Coins Blog | A blog about Roman coins
using inferential statistics we can develop a sophisticated model that can predict the chances of finding a coin for sale at auction for any Roman emperor (or empress)

If Mary and Joseph tried to reach Bethlehem today, they would get stuck at an Israeli checkpoint
Palestinian Christians complicate the simplistic narrative of “Muslims v Jews”; they are an inconvenient reminder that the conflict in the Holy Land has nothing to do with theology and everything to do with freedom and self-determination. Whatever your view of Jesus or Muhammad, if you are a Palestinian resident of the West Bank you are a victim of the longest military occupation in the world.