For all the fantasy trappings that dominate video games, its kind of surprising that there arent many games that push the boundaries of what magic could do in a video game. Im going to operate on the loose definition of magic as a …

We say "beefy" because we're not really sure about the quality of most of the games on this week's slate with one notable exception: Patapon. We've played it, and it's officially a must-buy for PSP owners. For the uninitiated, it can be …

A couple years ago, I discovered a Story Games creative community. Story Games is a sort of synonym for indie, pen and paper RPGs. Unlike earlier RPGs (D&D-type stuff) theres generally a lot less number crunching. …

For all the fantasy trappings that dominate video games, its kind of surprising that there arent many games that push the boundaries of what magic could do in a video game. Im going to operate on the loose definition of magic as a …

We say "beefy" because we're not really sure about the quality of most of the games on this week's slate with one notable exception: Patapon. We've played it, and it's officially a must-buy for PSP owners. For the uninitiated, it can be …

A couple years ago, I discovered a Story Games creative community. Story Games is a sort of synonym for indie, pen and paper RPGs. Unlike earlier RPGs (D&D-type stuff) theres generally a lot less number crunching. …

Here's another one of those 'the problem with games journalism' pieces, this time from Greg Costikyan, founder of the indie aggregation site, Manifesto Games. Like lots of these pieces he asks, 'where is this industry's Pauline Kael? …

Today's paper carries my story about an interview Governor Corzine gave yesterday about his upcoming budget speech. Extended excerpts of the interview are below. Q: How many layoffs will there be in the budget? …

Unlike films, magazines and other publications, there is no adult classification for games in Australia, so any titles that do not meet the MA15+ standard - such as those with excessive violence or sexual content - are simply banned …

Want to know why people smoke cigarettes? Or why bosses are overpaid? Or why it would be a social disaster if the divorce rate was to fall too far? These, and many other puzzles of life, can be logically explained by economics. Tim Harford sets out to explain the theories that do so.

Have a question? Can't find an answer? The Repository is here to help. From the everyday to the quirky, whatever puzzles your mind, call (330) 580-8567 and ask.

Why are crossword puzzles so popular? "Nature abhors a vacuum," The New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz theorizes. "You see that empty black-and-white grid, and you want to start filling it in. You like to fill up those squares."

DICKINSON First, there were books on intelligence. The sort of IQ used to solve puzzles and win scholarships. Then, Daniel Goleman made a best-seller out of some potentially more important human skills in his book titled Emotional Intelligence.

Have a question? Can't find an answer? The Repository is here to help. From the everyday to the quirky, whatever puzzles your mind, call (330) 580-8567 and ask.

Why are crossword puzzles so popular? "Nature abhors a vacuum," The New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz theorizes. "You see that empty black-and-white grid, and you want to start filling it in. You like to fill up those squares."

Wildlife authorities are investigating why a 900-pound pygmy sperm whale became stranded in shallow waters in the Florida Keys.

DICKINSON First, there were books on intelligence. The sort of IQ used to solve puzzles and win scholarships. Then, Daniel Goleman made a best-seller out of some potentially more important human skills in his book titled Emotional Intelligence.

One year ago today, Blanche Siegling, 82, was starting on the dishes after pulling a shortcake from the oven.That's when the power went out.She and her husband, Lee, spent the next five days crocheting and putting together puzzles beside a wood-burning stove before electrical service was restored."We got along all right," Lee Siegling, 85, said. "But when the power came back on, we were …