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Bookwarm Games plays on the connection between games, books, and life: O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. - The Winter's Tale For more, check out newschoolnotes.blogspot.com and find the chalkboard videos on youtube Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wesley-sc…

Wesley Schantz


    • Feb 14, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 233 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Bookwarm Games

    Enchantment in His Dark Materials: Conversation with MG Prezioso

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 37:18


    MG Prezioso, PhD candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins me to discuss her work on the role of enchantment in promoting literacy for young readers, particularly in the case of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Her article appears in Children's Literature in Education; for more on Pullman's view of education, see his essays in Daemon Voices and sundry remarks available online. Thanks for listening!

    Shadow Particles with Evan Minto of Ani-Gamers / EarthBound Beginnings and Dragon Quest with Signum

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 37:19


    Cross-pollination and housekeeping here at the break at the end of the year, stirring up dust and sending out links to past broadcasts: First, here's the link to a recent conversation with Evan Minto on Season 3 Episode 3 of His Dark Materials, The Intention Craft. Then, listen on for one of my semi-monthly discussions from the Middle-earth to EarthBound series on Signum Academy, an introduction to classic JRPGs like Dragon Quest and MOTHER/EarthBound in the light of Tolkien's influence on storytelling. There's more bookwarm games and gamecool books to come in the new year, starting with a new Video Game Studies module in SPACE. Happy holidays, and thanks for listening!

    Conflicting Pirate Agendas: Assassin's Creed 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 94:39


    Professor Kozlowski spins us a yarn of the high seas. Pirate opportunism, whale physics, development metafiction, and a polyphony of voices and moral gray areas--it's a good game, but is it actually an Assassin's Creed? Well, yeah. It says so on the box.

    The Menu Requires a Loading Screen: Assassin's Creed 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 94:46


    Along for the ride as Professor Kozlowski weaves together the 2012 PS3 game's disparate threads better than the Ubisoft team does: Patriots and Loyalists; colonizers and oppressed; East coast cities and homesteads; first hour fake-outs and begrudging good riddance to the Desmond stuff. But hey, the naval battles are pretty cool. See also: The Year Project Moon Took Over Ben's Life and Fahrenheit 451

    You Buy Rome: AC Brotherhood & Revelations

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 94:27


    No, not Animal Crossing, and not alternating current. It's Assassin's Creed 2's half-baked follow-up games, and Prof Ben has thoughts about them. Join the discussion at videogameacademia.org and professorkozlowski.wordpress.com/ Thanks for listening.

    Drop the Loot: Assassin's Creed 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 95:49


    Professor Kozlowski returns. Our resident guest lecturer is back with a discussion of Assassin's Creed's splashy sequel, and... it's complicated. After the let-down that was their Prince of Persia reboot, the developers had to go big. So Renaissance Italy, andiamo~! More variety! More da Vinci! More weapons! But. It's kinda. Not as fun. Join the discussion at videogameacademia.org and professorkozlowski.wordpress.com/ Thanks for listening.

    Lamb Dad, Lion Dad: Introducing The Thoughtful Dad Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 57:34


    Another guest lecture, after a fashion. Joe and I started a new series on being a dad. Share it with a dad or thoughtful caretaker in your life! Show notes: First episode! We share thoughts on news sources, TV at dinnertime and screen time in general; the "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua interview on Honestly with Bari Weiss and what sorts of dads we are; backyard baptisms and letting the kids help build things. Intro/outro: Wesley and William playing 'Undertale' Share determination and send us questions: thoughtfuldadpodcast at gmail. Thanks for listening.

    Surprise! It's a Lecture: Assassin's Creed Retrospective

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 98:10


    Professor Kozlowski lays it down. Everything is permitted? We see your forthcoming book, Cameron Kunzelman of the Game Studies Study Buddies, and raise you one podcast (this one) and one article replete with Dostoevsky references (also forthcoming). Ante up with Ben's history and dev history; getting to know the open world; crowds in-game and reception in real life; historical realism; Zero Punctuation critiques; conspiracy nonsense (spoilers: maybe we should think twice about giving a Piece of Eden to Al Mualim) and actual philosophy. Assassins vs Templars? Meh. Exploring the tensions between ideas of freedom and order throughout history? Sign us up! Wait, the rest of the series is actually going to deliver on that, right? Right?? Learn more and join the discussion at videogameacademia.org and professorkozlowski.wordpress.com/ Thanks for listening.

    surprise exploring piece assassins ante lecture retrospective meh dostoevsky templars cameron kunzelman zero punctuation game studies study buddies
    Geez, you're persistent - Ch 8: All Things... MOTHER 3 (8/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 94:49


    Mild spoilers and theorizing for the end of MOTHER 3. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    I Make Sparkly: Ch 7 The Seven Needles (cont.) - MOTHER 3 (7/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2022 78:47


    You've come a long way...through snowy mountains and volcanoes, sea-beds and islands, back to Saturn Valley. Time for a coffee break. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening. 

    Ch 6: Sunflower Fields & Ch 7: The [First Four] Needles - MOTHER 3 (6/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 54:42


    On the symbolism of sunflowers and the inclusion of references to EarthBound. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    Forlorn Junk Heap: Ch 5 Tower of Thunder - MOTHER 3 (5/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2022 62:20


    Theoretical possibilities in the series include beating Belch without Fly Honey and the Pork Trooper without the DCMC Pamphlet, but why would you? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    Trust in Destiny: Ch 4 Club Titiboo - MOTHER 3 (4/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 54:57


    We finally play as Lucas again, finding fireworks and rhythms in gift boxes and playing Stone-Sheet-Clippers for the fate of the world. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    In this psychic dojo: Psychonauts - Intro/Basic Braining

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2022 61:13


    We cozy up to the campfire for another Video Game Academy summer playthrough--another game about kids with psychic powers: Psychonauts. This time, we're meeting some characters, running through battlefields of mental baggage and social dynamics, and sticking the landing on some bouncy tightropes. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    If I say dance, you dance! Ch 3: The Mysterious Peddler - MOTHER 3 (3/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 41:21


    In which we discuss Fassad and Salsa's relationship and how it is even worse than Wess and Duster's; with yet more insight into Itoi's fascination with monkeys. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    My humble little [favorite food] patch: Ch 2 Thief Adventure - MOTHER 3 (2/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2022 47:44


    Infiltrating the castle? Meeting the princess? What kind of follow-up to EarthBound is this? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    Rougher! Tougher! Badder! Prologue and Ch 1 - MOTHER 3 (pt 1 of 8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2022 70:23


    In the long-awaited sequel to EarthBound, as localized by Tomato et al., we parse some shocking developments and developer choices. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    Powers worthy of a lowly insect: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (8/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 63:46


    Teddy in Ellay through Mt Itoi; EVE in her lake, Queen Mary in her memory, and the ending. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    What is Itoi's fascination with monkeys? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (7/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 43:39


    Through the desert to Youngtown; through the swamp to Ellay. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    mother monkeys fascination earthbound beginnings
    All work and no play: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (6/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 38:20


    Spookane and the dentures side quest, with a digression on Nathan for You - Gas Station Rebate. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    mother no play earthbound beginnings spookane
    Have you seen the woman with a big belly? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (5/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 31:41


    Riding the train through Reindeer to Ana in Snowman. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    The Custodial Arts: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (4/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2022 47:32


    Lloyd's school and the factories, with a digression on music (Twinkle Elementary and the File Select remix by Ace Waters). Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    mother arts custodial earthbound beginnings file select ace waters
    Are you a forgotten man, too? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (3/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2022 39:34


    Magicant. Apologies for the lost bit of intro on this one. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    mother apologies forgotten man earthbound beginnings magicant
    Starman Zookeeper: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (2/8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2022 35:25


    At the Zoo, via Canary Village. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    mother zoo starman zookeepers earthbound beginnings
    Itoi's Rural America: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (pt 1 of 8)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2022 35:54


    From the opening through Podunk and the graveyard. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

    mother rural america podunk earthbound beginnings
    Gamecool 78: Her own key to the garden

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 37:40


    On Ch 38 The Botanic Garden and the Acknowledgments at the end of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. Course page for the full list of episodes and suggested reading. Thanks for listening.

    Final Fantasy VI and VII Comparison

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 60:00


    Alex Schmid and I revisit the golden age of the JRPG, with a nod to our oft-collaborating younger selves. https://videogameacademia.org/

    Reekwind and Side Quests - Planescape: Torment pt 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 49:59


    Lost audio from the fall. Apologies, all, for the lateness! Video Game Academy is not dead, we've just been on hiatus what with school and everything. https://videogameacademia.org/

    The Smoldering Corpse (Planescape: Torment 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2021 59:07


    We kick back with Ebb Creakknees and stack our coppers, saving up for a new tattoo from Fell. You know, the only one of the Lady's servants who when he walks, like Shakespeare's dark lady of Sonnet 130, treads on the ground. https://videogameacademia.org/ Music from the OST.

    You're my wiki tabs - Stardew Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 51:01


    We gather down at the Video Game Academy farm for a round-picnic-table discussion of the phenomenal Stardew Valley. For more, see the full almanac over at http://videogameacademia.org/ Music from the OST

    Into the Hive - Planescape: Torment 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2021 54:40


    We get acquainted with Sigil, meet some friendly denizens and fellow wanderers, and consider some of the factions vying for our services. http://videogameacademia.org/courses/planescape-torment/ Music from the OST

    Planes, drains, and ominous spiels - Planescape: Torment (pt 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2021 77:54


    What makes us think this life is real? Well, we spot Bob the skull--I mean Morte--, Willem Dafoe--er, The Nameless One--, and, on the heels of Deionarra the ghost, Corey! And Mike joins us to provide some lore on the background for the OG Planescape: Torment, including World of Darkness and the Outer Planes of D&D. Dusties, zombies, etc. look out! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/planescape-torment/

    Gamecool 77: The Word Alone

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 67:21


    Discussing ch 36-37 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html

    philip pullman amber spyglass
    It's Cuckoo Clock over Don Quixote, 2 to 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2021 58:20


    Esteemed listeners, big news. Website tidyings-up and new mascots are on the way. Plus, by popular demand, t-shirt giveaways? https://videogameacademia.org/

    Back to Video Game Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 55:11


    It's the Sunday afternoon of the year, and we're setting up plans for the coming semesters. That means a little Planescape: Torment, a smidgeon of Shadowrun: Dragonfall, and maybe some Undertale and Stardew Valley. Help us with our follow-through? We'd love to hear from you. https://videogameacademia.org/2021/08/15/the-sunday-afternoon-of-the-year/

    Gamecool 76: The Cause of It All

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 44:01


    Discussing ch 34-35 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. Course page https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html Music comes from Hilary James and Simon Mayer, "Over the Hills and Far Away"

    Gamecool 75: A Taste--A Memory--A Landslide

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 58:16


    Discussing ch 32-33 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html

    The Hell's Kitchen Sink (Deus Ex 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 58:07


    We throw it back to Shakespeare and Chesterton, eschewing the Holy Smokes and helping the Smuggler's friend make it back to the surface. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/deus-ex/ Music from the OST.

    Gamecool 74: A Melancholy Light

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2021 55:20


    Discussing ch 30-31 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman, with a glance towards his novel Galatea. http://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2020/02/gamecool-books-amber-spyglass.html

    Are you sure you pressed the right button? (Deus Ex: Revision 2 of ??)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2021 66:51


    We wanted orange and it gave us lemon-lime. It's a conspiracy! Discussing the UNATCO HQ and its bizarro alter ego in Battery Park. Videos of Prof Ben's gameplay and more course materials: https://videogameacademia.org/courses/deus-ex/ Music from the OST.

    A bunch of pretentious old men playing at running the world (Deus Ex pt 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2021 61:09


    The dreaded stealth training sequence, famed first mission, and general milieu of Deus Ex: Revision. Midway through Liberty Island, Steve's neighbor must have hacked us (that is, I forgot to refresh the recording tab) so we lost a few minutes there of Prof Ben laying out what's at stake in the interlocking character creation/progression and moral choice systems and the headless Statue of Liberty. Still, not bad for a first foray into the FPS CRPG darkness. More course info and twitch streams coming soon at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/deus-ex/ Music from the OST.

    Gamecool 73: You meant the very opposite

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 47:13


    On ch 28-29 of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman, with apologies for the delay and recommendations for further listening: https://newschoolnotes.blogspot.com/2021/07/signum-academy-discussions-on-pullman.html There's short discussions of Pullman's Fairy Tales from The Brothers Grimm, Clockwork, The Scarecrow and his Servant, and The Firework-Maker's Daughter

    The Sadness of Plagiarism, the Joys of Deus Ex

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 73:53


    Welcome back, it's summer again and we have much to discuss. If you'd like to get honest feedback on original work, read books with us, or suggest a future game, visit https://videogameacademia.org/ Another look at RPG history from Gamemaker's Toolkit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJiwn8iXqOI

    Human Sheepification Project (World's End Club 4 of 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 55:31


    Time for the final showdown with the evil AI du jour. Three personalities and nanomachines galore MAIK may have, but with feelings and friendship we can prevail--feelings like disappointment, annoyance, regret... but also relief at World's End Club being over. Music from the OST. Visit us at https://videogameacademia.org/

    Video Game Academy: Camping (World's End Club 3 of 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 58:50


    We come up to the mid-game twists and turns and stop just shy of the obligatory bad end. Apologies for the delay posting this episode, but camping last week was a lot of fun. Provided the rolling blackouts here in Spokane hold off another day or two, we'll be back on schedule. Visit us at https://videogameacademia.org/ for more. Music from the OST.

    Video Game Academy: Ganbari Go-getters (World's End Club 2 of 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2021 57:44


    We discuss the long-lost EarthBound script files recovered and analyzed by The Video Game History Foundation: https://gamehistory.org/earthbound-script-files/. Then, as we make our way to Osaka in World's End Club, there's a twist you may or may not have seen coming a mile away. https://videogameacademia.org/

    Video Game Academy: World's End Club Round 1 (of 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2021 58:04


    We chat summer plans and run through the first hour or so of World's End Club. Music from the OST. For more on visual novels: https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

    My list of things to analyze later (NieR: Automata 12/12)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 56:05


    Here we are at the end(s) of NieR: Automata. If it's a bit too abstract to understand at this time, if it feels like carrying the weight of the world, we're here for you. The Video Game Academy: we get that being alive is pretty much a constant stream of embarrassment. Music comes from the OST. https://videogameacademia.org/

    It reads "soul box" (NieR: Automata 11)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2021 51:17


    We discuss the meat box and soul box, sand worms and cannibal machines; or in other words, the mind-body problem, Hegel, Nietzsche, and Pascal. For more un-compressed conversation, see https://videogameacademia.org/ or tune into https://www.twitch.tv/3rdstrongest Music comes from the OST. Thanks for listening.

    The Light of Hope (NieR: Automata 10)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 61:01


    Could it be we're at the start of yet a third game? It's hard to tell with all that static and visual distortion, but we're soldiering on. The Operator says we're doing great. For more, check out our twitch channel at https://www.twitch.tv/3rdstrongest and read more from the grimoires housed at https://videogameacademia.org/ Music comes from the OST. Thanks for listening, and let us know what we should play next!

    Corruption Potential Critical (NieR: Automata 9S)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 68:16


    Content warning: we discuss the possible meaning of the four-letter word uttered by Adam in asterisks. On the hologram forms glimpsed towards the end of the second game, however, we maintain (mostly) a dignified silence. Music comes from the OST. Join us on Tuesdays at https://www.twitch.tv/3rdstrongest For more on this course and others see http://videogameacademia.org/ Thanks for listening

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