EVERY WEEK, THERE are more games being released for the mobile devices we carry with us everywhere. Here are some recent standouts on which you can spend that money you might get in your stocking.

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THIS FALL, THE latest Call of Duty game broke sales records that were set by the previous game in the franchise. Fortunately, Black Ops II is worth all the fuss. Also getting a look this week are the latest game featuring Disney’s mouse, a shooter that wouldn’t be out of place in a postcolonial-studies course, and a merger of minds from Britain’s Media Molecule and Vancouver’s United Front Games.

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XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Hitman: Absolution

At October’s Merging Media conference, I had the distinct pleasure of conducting an online interview with Allen DeBevoise, the CEO of Machinima.

We talked about the creation of the company, its business model and strategy, and its changing role in the world of broadcast media.

Joining us a little ways into the conversation (15:20) was French media curator Isabelle Arvers.

At that point we started talking about the history of machinima as an art and cultural medium.

STUMPED ABOUT WHAT to get the gamer on your list? Here are some ideas. If you’re buying for youngsters, look for the ESRB rating on the box to help you decide what’s appropriate for them.

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Headphones are as personal a choice as shoes. Because we’re all using something to listen to podcasts, music, and conversations, sometimes for hours every day, you need to choose something that not only provides good quality audio, but is comfortable. Not all models and styles work for every ear and head. Here are some recently released options. Read more