Brainy Gamer Podcast

In this episode I make my guest Steve Gaynor squirm uncomfortably in his seat. Of course, we also discuss his new game Gone Home, creating authentic characters, an important lesson from Ken Levine, and a secret room no reviewer has yet discovered. Plus other things. I hope you enjoy.

This is the final episode in my series of conversations about the State of Games. I encourage you to listen to the first  three shows featuring a variety of smart and thoughtful guests. In this edition I talk with Kirk Hamilton, features editor at Kotaku, and Brett Douville, Lead Programmer at Bethesda Game Studios.We discuss the impact of indie games on AAA developers, "Anita and the cesspool," and why this is the best of all possible times to be a gamer...among many other topics.  I hope you enjoy.

This is the third in a short series of conversations I'm hosting on the State of Games. I encourage you to listen to the first two episodes and stay tuned for the final installment, which will appear in the coming days. In this edition I talk with Tom Bissell, essayist, critic, and most recently script-writer for the new Gears of War: Judgment game. We discuss writing for games, the perils of Metacritic, the future of storytelling in games, and many other topics.  I hope you enjoy.

This is the second in a short series of conversations I'm hosting on the State of Games. I encourage you to listen to the first episode and stay tuned for the final two which will appear in the coming days. In this edition I talk with Chris Suellentrop, video game critic for the New York Times, and Steve Gaynor of the Fullbright Company, an indie game studio developing Gone Home, a finalist for the Excellence in Narrative award at the Indpendent Games Festival later this month. We discuss the transitional state of the game industry, the relationship of the critic to the designer, and the need for a proper festival for games ala Sundance, among other topics.  I hope you enjoy.

This is the first of several roundtable conversations I'm hosting on the State of Games, an admittedly unwieldy topic, but well-timed, I think, in this transitional period for games and the game industry. In this edition I talk with Leigh Alexander and Brendan Keogh, two of the leading critical voices examining games and the culture surrounding them. We discuss the "ecology of games," play as communication, the culture wars, and why we need to "talk about the tree," among other topics.  I hope you enjoy.

Welcome to a special Ninja Edition of the Brainy Gamer podcast!  In this edition I talk with Nels Anderson and Chris Dahlen, Lead Designer and Narrative Designer of the new game Mark of the Ninja. We discuss the development process for the game, the challenges and opportunities of working in the independent space, and why Chris is the Oscar Hammerstein of game writing...among many other topics.  I hope you enjoy.

The Brainy Gamer podcast is back! In this edition I talk with Stephen Totilo, editor-in-chief of Kotaku, one of the most influential blogs websites devoted to video games in the world. Stephen and I discuss video game journalism, the changes he's implementing at Kotaku, why "you can't escape the numbers," why Rock Paper Shotgun rocks, and why we actually need 24/7 games news....among many other topics. Thanks for your patience while I took some time off from the show, and, as always, thanks for listening!

This is the final installment in my series devoted to game designers and the design process. In this edition I talk with Jonathan Blow, creator of the highly-acclaimed Braid and a new game called The Witness, slated to appear next year. We discuss a wide array of topics, including the game community's reaction to Braid and his goals for The Witness. Jon is refreshingly open about his discoveries and missteps in the ongoing development process of his new game. He also explains why he's grown uncomfortable characterizing his projects as "art games;" It's a fascinating conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.

This is the 2nd in a 3-part series devoted to game designers and the design process. In this segment I chat with Matthew Burns, founder of Shadegrown Games a small studio developing a new music game called Planck. Matthew is also a Producer (contract) for Microsoft, and he's worked on the Halo series since 2006. Note: We do not discuss details of Halo 4. No tidbits. No sneak peeks. The final episode in this series will appear in a few days, and it will feature an extended interview with Jonathan Blow. I hope you enjoy the show. Thanks for listening!

This edition of the podcast begins a 3-part series devoted to game designers and the design process. In this first segment I chat with Manveer Heir, Senior Designer at BioWare, about his work and the challenges presented by a complex project. Manveer discusses his day-to-day duties; problem-solving as creativity; why developers keep secrets; and why he routinely "ruins peoples dreams." Note: We do not discuss details of Mass Effect 3. If you're hoping for juicy tidbits or inside info on that game, you will not find them here. Parts 2 and 3 of the podcast will appear later this week. Listen to the opening of this episode, and you will hear me reveal whom those guests will be! I hope you enjoy the show. Thanks for listening!

This edition of the show features an in-depth discussion of L.A. Noire with Tom Bissell (Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter) and Brian Taylor (Kill Screen, GamePro). Spoilers abound, but only minor plot revelations are revealed. I think you can listen to this discussion and still fully appreciate the game as a newcomer. In fact, you might even appreciate it more.  Segment 2 features a conversation with Leigh Alexander. We discuss a range of topics, including how she prepares for a big event like E3; the impact of social networking on our lives; and how she manages working in an environment that can be both hostile and nurturing. I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

This massive edition of the show features a Gamers Confab segment with Mitch Krpata (Boston Phoenix, et al); Nels Anderson (Klei Entertainment); and Brad Gallaway (GameCritics.com). We discuss a slew of games we've played recently, and we successfully persuade Mitch to stop hating LittleBigPlanet. Well, maybe not. Segment 2 features a roundtable conversation with Patrick Klepek (EGMi), Matthew Burns (Shadegrown Games), and Chris Dahlen (Kill Screen) recorded at GDC. We chat about our favorite sessions at the conference and trade a few stories. Did you know Patrick covered his first GDC at the age of 14, accompanied by his father? Segment 3 features a short chat with Sean Duncan, also recorded at GDC. Sean is a professor in the School of Education and the Interactive Media Studies program at Miami University I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

This is part 1 of my GDC '11 audio diary. For more information on this project, read my previous post. Hope you enjoy it!

This episode is all about music in games. I'm joined by guests Dan Bruno (Harmonix, Cruise Elroy) and Kirk Hamilton (Gamer Melodico, Joystiq), two excellent game writers who are also talented musicians. We each play a collection of clips from our favorite pieces of game music, and we discuss why each serves the game it's written for so effectively. You'll hear everything from chiptunes to orchestral scores. If you can, listen to the show with headphones to catch all the details in the music we play. I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

This show is the final in a 3-part series called Gatherings of the Tribe in which I talk to a variety of people about the big events that bring gamers together throughout the year: GDC, PAX, E3, etc. This episode features my conversation with game developers Matthew Burns (Shadegrown Games), Nels Anderson (Hothead Games), and David Carlton (Playdom). We discuss a variety of topics, including why developers attend PAX and GDC; why developers keep secrets; and why developers enjoy "spreading their cognitive genetic material." Hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

This show is the 2nd in a 3-part series called Gatherings of the Tribe in which I talk to a variety of people about the big events that bring gamers together throughout the year: GDC, PAX, E3, etc. This episode features my conversation with critic bloggers Kirk Hamilton (Gamer Melodico) and Rob LeFebvre (Games Are Evil, The Portable Gamer). Stay tuned for Part 3, which will feature three indie developers offering their perspectives on these big events.

This edition of the show begins a 3-part series called Gatherings of the Tribe in which I talk to a variety of people about the big events that bring gamers together throughout the year: GDC, PAX, E3, , Comic-Con, Gameloop, Games Learning and Society...the list goes on and on.  This episode features my conversation with veteran game journalists Gus Mastrapa (Wired.com, et al) and Chris Dahlen (Kill Screen Magazine, et al). Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3, which will feature critics and developers offering their takes on these big events. Those segments will appear in the coming week.  

This edition of the show features an interview with Tom Bissell, author of the new book Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. We discuss why Tom wrote the book; why Mirror's Edge is a better game than you think; why we ought to cut game designers some slack; and many other topics.  I hope you enjoy the show.

After a Shakespeare-induced hiatus, the Brainy Gamer podcast is back! This edition of the show features two interesting conversations. In the first segment I chat with Jamin Brophy-Warren and Chris Dahlen, co-creators of Kill Screen. We discuss their new magazine, writing about games, Roger Ebert's 4-star review of The Phantom Menace, and many other topics. In Segment 2 I talk with indie designer Jason Rohrer (Sleep is Death, Passage) about his work, his involvement in the art game movement, and the importance of simplicity.

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features a holiday extravaganza of Gamers Confab goodness: a 4-volume confection featuring a gaggle of bloggers, journalists, and designers all discussing our favorite games of 2009. This final segment includes Matthew Gallant from The Quixotic Engineer; Alex Raymond from The Border House; and Denis Farr from Gay Gamer and Vorpal Bunny Ranch.

Part 3 of my "Favorites of '09" series includes writer Tom Bissell, whose work has appeared in Harper's Magazine and The New Yorker; Manveer Heir, lead designer at Raven Software and author of the Design Rampage blog; and Mitch Krpata, who reviews games for The Phoenix and Paste Magazine and writes the Insult Swordfighting blog.

Part 2 of my Favorites of '09 series of podcasts features Leigh Alexander, news director at Gamasutra; Corvus Elrod from Zakelro Studio; and Nels Anderson from Hothead Games and his blog Above 49. Segments 3 and 4 will arrive in the coming days. I hope you enjoy!

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features a holiday extravaganza of Gamers Confab goodness: a 4-volume confection featuring a gaggle of bloggers, journalists, and designers all discussing our favorite games of 2009. Part 1 includes Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin and the Fullbright blog; Kirk Battle (aka L.B. Jeffries) of Banana Pepper Martinis and PopMatters; and Chris Dahlen of the Onion A.V. Club and Edge Online. Watch for segments 2-4 to arrive in the coming days.

Had your fill of the 'Are Games Art?' debate? This edition of the podcast, featuring an interview with veteran game designer Brenda Brathwaite and art historian John Sharp, takes the conversation in a different and, I hope, more useful direction. Focusing on Brenda's remarkably poignant game Train, we discuss the intersection of art and game design and consider how a designer's personal vision and game design skills dovetail in the conception and development of a new game. We also discuss John's views on the coming Ludic Age, and both guests share their thoughts on educating young designers for careers in the game industry. These and a variety of other topics - including an exciting conference announcement - in this edition of the Brainy Gamer podcast. Note: If you're unfamiliar with Train, I highly recommend reading Ian Bogost's thoughtful account of it at Gamasutra. I'm linking to the section of his article that deals directly with Train, but I hope you'll read the entire piece. C'mon, it's Bogost. You know it'll be interesting. :-) The Art History of Games conferenceBrenda's Applied Game Design blogSCAD - Interactive Design and Game Development program

The Summer of Confabs concludes with a conversation featuring Chris Dahlen of Edge Online and The Onion A.V. Club; and Manveer Heir of Raven Software and the Design Rampage blog. We discuss ambiguity in games, why nobody's talking about Dragon Age, Nintendo on the margins, integrating social media the right and wrong way, and many other topics. I hope you've enjoyed this series. It's been a pleasure bringing these shows to you, and I'm especially grateful to all my guests who made it possible. I hope you'll also check out segments 1, 2, 3, and 4. Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.Subscribe to the podcast feed here. Download the podcast directly here. Show links: Chris Dahlen's columns at Edge OnlineThe Onion A.V. ClubDesign Rampage - Manveer Heir's blog

The Summer of Confabs continues with a conversation featuring Ben Fritz, L.A. Times entertainment reporter; Kirk Battle (AKA L.B. Jeffries) from PopMatters and Banana Pepper Martinis; and Nick LaLone from Before Game Design. We discuss the Nintendo platform conundrum, left-behind gameplay, and the elusiveness of innovation, among other topics. Stay tuned for the last confab I hope you enjoy them. Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.Subscribe to the podcast feed here. Download the podcast directly here. Show links: Recent L.A. Times articles by Ben FritzEssays by L.B. Jeffries at PopMattersBanana Pepper Martinis - L.B. Jeffries' blogBefore Game Design - Nick LaLone's blogFor the Love of Anomie

The Summer of Confabs continues with a conversation featuring game writer and narrative designer Sande Chen (The Witcher); Justin Keverne from Groping the Elephant; and Roger Travis from Living Epic and the Video Games and Human Values Initiative. We discuss the shifting sands of gameplay, game difficulty, and the "vernacular of games"; and we cast a quizzical glance at game pricing. Stay tuned, as I'll be releasing 2 more Confabs in the days ahead. I hope you enjoy them. Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.Subscribe to the podcast feed here. Download the podcast directly here. Show links: Game Design Aspect of the Month - edited by Sande ChenGamasutra article on Denis Dyack and gameplayGroping the Elephant - Justin Keverne's blogLiving Epic - Roger Travis' blogVideo Games and Human Values Initiative

Gamers Confab #2 features a conversation with guests Deirdra Kiai from Deirdra Kiai Productions and Hothead Games, Corvus Elrod from Man Bytes Blog, and Matthew Gallant from The Quixotic Engineer. We discuss two significant controversies that arose this year, and we consider the growing momentum enjoyed by indie games. Stay tuned, as I'll be releasing 3 more Confabs in the days ahead. I hope you enjoy them. Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.Subscribe to the podcast feed here. Download the podcast directly here. Show links: Deirdra Kiai Productions - Deirdre Kiai's websiteThe Little Girl Nobody Liked - a game by Deirdra KiaiMan Bytes Blog - Corvus Elrod's blogThe Quixotic Engineer - Matthew Gallant's blog

This edition of the podcast features a conversation with guests Steve Gaynor from 2K Marin (Bioshock 2), Nels Anderson from Hothead Games (DeathSpank), and Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) from the Versus CluClu Land blog. We discuss the year in games to this point and the issues, people and games that have made the biggest impact on us. Keep your eye on this space, as I'll be releasing 4 more Confabs with a gaggle of terrific guests over the next week. I hope you enjoy them. Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.Subscribe to the podcast feed here. Download the podcast directly here. Show links: Fullbright - Steve Gaynor's blogVersus CluClu Land - Wes Erdelack's blogAbove 49 - Nels Anderson's blog

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Clint Hocking, Creative Director at Ubisoft Montreal (Far Cry 2, Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory). In the second half of the show we're joined by Manveer Heir, Lead Designer at Raven Software and Borut Pfeifer, Lead AI Programmer at EALA. Show links: Click Nothing - Clint Hocking's blogDesign Rampage - Manveer Heir's blogThe Plush Apocalypse - Borut Pfeifer's blog

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast focuses on games that can make a difference. It features interviews with two people in the vanguard of innovative game design for social change: Suzanne Seggerman, president and co-founder of Games for Change; and Mary Flanagan, founder of the Tiltfactor Lab and Values at Play initiative. We discuss a wide range of topics, and we gear up for the G4C Festival in New York City later this month.

Volume 1 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast post-GDC '09 edition. Join me and my guests as we discuss what we learned at this year's Game Developer's Conference.Segment 1: N'Gai Croal, game design consultant at newly-formed Hit Detection and former games and technology journalist at Newsweek Magazine; and Manveer Heir, designer at Raven Software and author of Design Rampage. Segment 2: Corvus Elrod of Man Bytes Blog; and Chris Dahlen of Save the Robot.

Volume 2 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast post-GDC '09 edition. Join me and my guests as we discuss what we learned at this year's Game Developer's Conference.Segment 1: Leigh Alexander, news director at Gamasutra and author of Sexy Videogameland; Nels Anderson, gameplay programmer at Hothead Games and author of Above 49; and David Carlton of Malvasia Bianca. Segment 2: Ben Fritz of The Cut Scene; Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) of Versus Clu Clu Land; and Duncan Fyfe of Hit Self-Destruct.

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, co-founders of thatgamecompany and creators of Flower. We discuss a variety of topics, including TGC's design philosophy, the road from Cloud to Flower, starting a game company from scratch, the liberating nature of limitations...and, of course Flower. Also, a fond farewell to N'Gai Croal, and gearing up for GDC...all in this episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

This episode is big on story and small on spoilers! Downloadable content as betrayal; the virtues of peace, love, and green lipstick; the reviewer as critic; and why one player's narrative may be another player's imposition...all in this episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Volume 1 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features two segments:Segment 1: Leigh Alexander from Sexy Videogameland; Kirk Battle (aka L.B. Jeffries) from Banana Pepper Martinis; Mike Schiller from PopMatters; and Roger Travis from the Video Games and Human Values Initiative. Segment 2: Daniel Purvis from Graffiti Gamer; Ben Abraham from SLRC; Trevor Dodge from Male Hipster Leering and the First Wall Rebate Podcast; and David Carlton from Malvasia Bianca.

Volume 2 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features two segments:Segment 1: Corvus Elrod from Man Bytes Blog; Mitch Krpata from Insult Swordfighting; Dan Bruno from Cruise Elroy; and Spencer Greenwood from Noble Carrots. Segment 2: Chris Dahlen from Save the Robot; Sparky Clarkson from Discount Thoughts; and Matthew Gallant from The Quixotic Engineer

Volume 3 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features Steve Gaynor of the Fullbright blog and 2K Marin; Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) of Versus Clu Clu Land; and Tom Kim of Gamasutra Radio. Finally, in the closing segment I reveal my favorite game of 2008 while also shamelessly gaming the system.

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features Leigh Alexander and Mitch Krpata in the Gamers Confab where we discuss our games of the month and the current state of the survival horror genre. We also chat about the game review grind; remind ourselves that games cost money; and remove the 4th-wall in a horrifyingly authentic podcast recording surprise in which no harm comes to Leigh whatsoever!All this, and a plea for slowing down, in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast.

This episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features the debut of the Gamers Confab. My guests this month: Brinstar - Acid for BloodMatthew Gallant - The Quixotic EngineerManveer Heir - Design Rampage We discuss our games of the month; big promises from big games; why men don't play SingStar; and much more - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

This episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with N'Gai Croal. We discuss N'Gai's early career, his views on games journalism, user-generated content, hard-casual games and lots more.

What to do with all this video game freedom?; I do a 180 on Burnout Paradise; The game I want to play (hint: nobody's made it yet); Why boundaries can be good for artists, and why Jade beats Niko even without green lipstick; plus listener email - all in this chock-full edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin (studio developing the next Bioshock game) and author of the Fullbright blog. We discuss game design, the first Bioshock game, and Steve's desire to help create a new vision for interactive expression.

A week of GTA IV run, gun, and fun (all while not playing the game!); the emergence of the gaming tripod; IGN video madness; and an interview with Kirk Battle (AKA L.B. Jeffries) - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

An interview with Chris Dahlen; the gaming community on shaky ground; and it's PS3 go time - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

An interview with Leigh Alexander; a week of Zelda love; meditative gaming; and blogs worth your time - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Indie games, saving games, and game blog jerks; GDC from the outside; Boss fight advice from Zoe; Listener mail; and an interview with Corvus Elrod of Man Bytes Blog - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

The Brainy Gamer goes on a gaming bender: No More Heroes, Burnout Paradise, Endless Ocean, and Rez HD; plus meditative gaming; another game recommendation kiss of death; and an interview with Mitch Krpata from Insult Swordfighting - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Relax PC gamers, all will be fine; Gitaroo Man and PaRappa the Rapper are still crazy after all these years; and our obsession with reality - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Game of the year (and why disagreement is a good thing); the NY Times gets it wrong...again; 5 great games nobody bought; the Zoe Garcia story; and listener email - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!