The Community Spotlight highlights some of the best articles that didn't quite make the front page. This week, we've got a voice of reason regarding the Battlefield 3 beta, a breakdown of online passes, a look at the quality of this generation's console hardware, and a critique of motion-control gimmickry.

The pressures of the Battlefield 3 beta
By Adam Ward
Some gamers see beta testing purely as a way to play a game before it actually hits the market. But Adam reminds us that we're not playing a finished product yet, and maybe we should reserve judgment. What do you think?

Online passes: The splintering of an already splintered market
By Timothy Pecoraro
More and more publishers, in order to combat used-game sales, require an entry code to access a title's online features. Timothy lists some key problems with this strategy, including an additional barrier to entry for struggling multiplayer games.

Hamstrung: Sacrificing usability for empathy
By Chris Charlton
Chris discusses how poor controls can give players a connection to their in-game characters...and whether that's a good thing. Would something like Resident Evil be as scary if you could control the game more fluidly? Interesting thoughts.

Red ring redemption
By Eriq Ortiz
I can go home right now and turn on my roommate's old Sega Genesis, and it will start up perfectly. But Eriq says we shouldn't be surprised that our high-tech modern consoles aren't as reliable...especially when they include features that encourage constant daily use.

Motion controls, or the little gimmick that could
By Judson Rose
"I find few things more damaging to the industry in our time than motion-controlled gaming," Judson writes. He argues against the recent trend of games designed around a single motion feature. If it doesn't add value to the experience, he says, it shouldn't be included.