Editor's Comments: That's right, guys. Gamer-Countergamer has returned. Matt and Michael look at two different sides of cinematics in RPGs this month. Matt isn't really a big fan of cinematics in games. He wants to play, not watch an interactive movie. Some games are more guilty of this than others. Conversely, Michael thinks of cinematics as more of an icing on a cake. While icing completes a cake, the icing doesn't do the cake much good if the cake tastes bad to begin with, and too much icing is cause for a stomach ache.

Editor's Comments: Matt returns this week to discuss a certain kind of gaming technology that has both a good side and a very dark side. He brings two sides of emulation to the table, and leaves some food for thought.

Editor's Comments: Taking a completely different approach, Michael joins us with a response to the demand for more realistic RPGs. Realism in games is awesome until you meet evil killer rabbits and run out of healing items.

Editor's Comments: Link is a beloved hero across many generations. Daniel discusses what about Link's personality makes him the well-known and loved hero that he is, claiming that there is a little bit of Link in all of us.

Editor's Comments: Some people like character customization to be quick and easy. Other people will spend hours trying to figure out how to allocate attribute points. Josh looks at various customization options in games.

It's that time again...

First of all, I'd like to welcome Bryan "Aethelred" Boulette to the editorial staff. Many of you probably know him from our news department. He will be taking Henry's place on the eds team.

This week, Gamer-Countergamer returns with Matt and Michael talking about game cinematics. Matt isn't a big fan of them, but Michael thinks they are the completing factor of a game. Matt also discusses a gaming technology that has a bad reputation, but has been given more merit in the recent and upcoming years. Michael has an answer to the demand for games becoming more realistic. Daniel gives us a personality analysis on everyone's favorite green-clad hero. Finally, Josh discusses character customization.

I'd like to remind everyone that Gamer-Countergamer editorials aren't just for staffers to write. Want to submit one of your own? The submission guidelines tell you how. You can also join us in #edscorner where any of the editorial staff would be happy to help you out.

There's some slim pickings left in the eds box, so make sure you get those ideas written down! Until next week, don't forget this column is somehow grammar free...

Stephanie "Angel" McArdle
Editor@RPGamer.com