Gaming - The Podcast

A speedrunner, first-person shooter crossed with a parkour platformer, Neon White is upon us and it's glorious. Join Stace and John as they detail and dissect their experience the game in a bid to understand what's going in Ben Esposito's latest video game offering and how he's hit Neon White's sweet spot.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 200 hours in Elden Ring, our very own Stace Harman has some thoughts and we're ready to 'review' it.We cover the ups and the downs, the memorable bosses, the sense of engagement, worldbuilding, narrative design and more.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When playing a video game, how are you embodying the character onscreen? Are you playing as yourself and making decisions based on how you think you'd act in a given situation, or are you acting as the character as it's written for you?Maybe the answer is that it's a combination of both, or maybe it's something else entirely. Join John and Stace as they discuss this and figure out how they themselves play games and how that impacts their interpretations.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Stace and John are remaking Legacy of Kain: Soul Revear, 1999's PlayStation classic and a game that had so much to offer through its narrative, gameplay and aesthetic. Join us for in rediscovering Soul Reaver by designing how it could look and play today.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Returnal can be a difficult game to play, understand and unlock the Platinum Trophy for. Having achieved the latter, how is the context, interpretation and playing of the game altered?Join John Robertson and Stace Harman as chat returning to Returnal for the Ascension update and unlocking the game's famously difficult Platinum Trophy.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, it's one of the most beloved, most respected and most reverred games of all time. For many it's comfortably the finest Star Wars game ever released.And yet, despite having worked in the games industry for over three decades collectively, it's a game that Stace and John had never played. It's the time for that to change.Join them as they discuss their early experience of the game, how it relates to their expectations and other RPGs and how they've gone about indulging in such a classic of gaming history.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John and Stace are talking about Doki Doki Literature Club this week on Gaming: The Podcast. A seemingly 'normal' visual novel, Doki Doki has some surprises and ideas up its sleeve that make it something altogether more subversive and challenging than it initially communicates. Join us as we discuss the power of its storytelling and its stunning ability to get under your skin in a number of different ways.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the launch of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, Stace and John ask themselves: Why do we enjoy trashy, B-movie style games?There are games that are crying out to be rejected and forgotten due to their inadequicies. And yet, in some cases, such games result in a memorable and personal experience that you wish more people would find joy in. Listen to Stace and John explore and discuss exactly that and why it happens.Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is Elden Ring the easiest of From Software's Soulsborne games? This is the question that has consumed many since Elden Ring's launch and it's a topic that is much deeper than it can seem on the surface.In this episode Stace and John discuss Elden Ring's difficulty, how it is delivered and contextualised by the choices the game gives you, how the ways to 'game the systems' within Elden Ring play into the difficulty and to what extent player creativity affects the challenges you're likely to come across.Ultimately, the real question is: Does Elden Ring's difficulty, easier or not, make for a better game?Come and get involved in the conversation with us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and via our Discord, which you can find via our Twitter.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net and @IndieByDesign. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John and Stace discuss their experiences of Elden Ring's first 50 levels and how the game presents itself in such a way as to offer challenge, spectacle and the opportunity to experiment in a way that feels both grand and intimate.Discussion covers class builds, exploration, how information is presented to players, boss fights and the general difficulty curve.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net and @IndieByDesign. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Elden Ring is a game of choices. Your class, your weapons, your tactics, your story - every choice you make is met with a response that alters and defines your journey through the game.Stace and John discuss these choices and their outcomes and examine how they combine to create meaning for both you as an individual and for any discussion around the game.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Coming into Horizon Forbidden West, Stace was a huge fan of the Horizon franchice and John was not. Both have now played Forbidden West and, predictably, have quite a lot to say about it. Does Horizon Forbidden West offer a superior experience if you are already a fan of the series? Can it win over those people who didn't enjoy the first game?Once you've listened to our thoughts, come and get involved on Twitter @IndieByDesign and tell me us what you think.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lost Ark and Sifu take top billing this week, meaning we've got your MMORPG and your roguelite bases covered. Stace and John discuss Lost Ark's launch, its scope and the pros and cons of its free-to-play funding model, before moving on to Sifu and figuring where it sits within an increasingly crowded and diverse roguelite genre.Have you mastered Sifu? Have you reached level 50 in Lost Ark? Come tell us about chat with us on Twitter @IndieByDesignGaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Does a game need persistent player upgrades in order to be fun and relevant? This is at the heart of the question around whether or not you prefer roguelikes or roguelites.Roguelikes include persistent upgrades, roguelikes do not.Join Stace and John as they discuss the relevant merits of each genre, which they personally prefer and whether or not the distinction between -like and -lites still makes sense given the gaming landscape today.Games discussed in this episode include:SpelunkySpelunky 2HadesThe Binding of IsaacReturnalDead EstateInscryptionFTL: Faster Than LightNuclear ThroneRogue LegacyGaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Repetition in video games, it seems to be a love hate kinda thing. Either you're smitted for the grind and the slow, steady progress or you hate the very thought or retreading the same ground over and over.On this episode of Gaming: The Podcast, John and Stace discuss how repetition in games is, however, about much more than grinding and forced replication of action - it's ultimately about enabling creativity, reward, mastery and much more.Repetition gets a bad rap, so let's talk about it.Let us know your thoughts on the highs and lows of repetition in video games via our Twitter and Discord channels.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John and Stace discussing the opening hour(ish) of Demon's Souls: How does it work? Why does it work? What does it establish? How does it teach you?We recommend that you familiarise / refamiliarise with the opening of Demon's Souls before listening to this episode. Let us know your take on the opening hour of Demon's Souls via Twitter and Discord.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John and Stace are back for 2022 with their resolutions for a new year in gaming, all which are likely to have been broken by March. Their picks range from attaining achievements in specific games to giving more attention to certain forms of games and from encorporating new forms of play to becoming more involved in game creation itself.Listen in and then get involved in the conversation with your own 2022 new year resolutions for gaming via our Twitter and Discord.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John and Stace reveal their favourite games of the year. Will it be Deathloop or Loop Hero? Resident Evil Village or Psychonauts 2? Valheim or Death's Door?Full list of game of the year 2021 candidates:Psychonauts 2DeathloopResident Evil VillageGTFODeath's DoorValheimReturnalHitman 3Halo InfiniteLoop HeroGaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John and Stace answer five questions that are often asked of them on social media:What is your favourite series?Which is the series that you've played the most?Which series would you love to see make a return?Which is the series you'd like to play but haven't?What is your favourite game?Hopefully by the end of the episode you'll have a better idea of what we like and have liked and where your own tastes sit alongside, or in opposition to, our own.We'd love you to play along with us and let us know your own answers, so hit us up on Twitter and get involved in the discussion. We are @IndieByDesign on Twitter and all social media networks.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John and Stace are joined by designed Richard Cowan and Double Fine's James 'Spaff' Spafford to discuss the making of 20 Double Fine Years, our book celebrating the history, games, people and creativity of Double Fine Productions.We talk about the origins and reasons behind the book's existence, how we went about collating and cataloging art assets, what the goals were and what we wanted readers and Double Fine fans to take away from it.Huge thank you to Spaff and Richard for making time to record with us.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is brought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John and Stace discuss the way in which Acid Nerve's Death's Door using its design of exploration and combat to create an atmosphere of peace in a harsh, unforgiving world.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Its the final part of our Metal Gear Solid trilogy, in which John and Stace discuss the qualities, themes and design of Metal Gear Solid 2's opening Tanker sequence. Has there been a better opening to video game sequel?Points of discussion include expecation/ hype versus delivery, foreshadowing of themes seen later in the game, new additions to enemy behaviour and Snake's actions, how the game teaches itself to players, what the game says about the act of playing games and much more.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to the second episode in Metal Gear Solid podcast trilogy. This week John and Stace focus on Metal Gear Solid 1's Shadow Moses facility location and how it has come to occupy such a revered place in the history of great video game settings.The space is a triumph of both level design and in creating an atmosphere of narrative realism and intrigue. Given how small the actual playing area is, how has Hideo Kojima and his team managed to achieve such a sense of scale and deliver so many different meanings? What is it about the facility that stands the test of time and has been so influential for other designers?Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Where does Metal Gear Solid rank in the history of great video game opening sequences?This week John and Stace discuss the opening hour of the original Metal Gear Solid (1998), from the initial cut-scene to the Revolver Ocelot boss fight. The sequence is a masterclass of game design, narrative and originality, providing us with numerous concepts and ideas that have gone on to become commonplace across many games.Our discussion of Metal Gear Solid comes ahead of our look at Metal Gear Solid 2 which celebrates its 20th anniversary on 13 November 2021.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss what makes a great video game weapon and talk through some of their favourite examples.Does a great weapon need to make sense within the world it exists? Does it need to play a role in the narrative? Does it need to be unique? Should it involve spectacle? What does it say about the game that it is a part of?Check out our twitter bio below to get involved in the conversation and let us know which weapons you are most drawn to and why.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on Gaming: The Podcast we're talking Back 4 Blood, Turtle Rock's spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead.John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss where it sits in relation to Left 4 Dead's legacy, how well it balances its carnage, the nature of its progression and deck building systems and what our respective responses are emotionally and in terms of pure entertainment.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This month we're talking about two very different RPGs in New World and NEO: The World Ends With You. How does John think Amazon's brand new MMO, New World, is looking in its first week on full release? How exactly has NEO: The World Ends With You won over Stace, who is usually indifferent to JRPGs?Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Diablo 2: Resurrected is the topic of discussion on this week's Gaming: The Podcast, with John coming to the game as a new player and Stace having a perspective gained from having played the original release in 2000.We discuss whether or not the game is relevant and meaningful for those players coming to it without experience and nostalgia gained from playing it in past years and how different playing styles can result in wildly different interpretations of the core design.Gaming: The Podcast is released every Tuesday and is bought to you by Indie By Design, creators of books and podcasts that delve into the history, culture and design of video games. A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How has Arkane Studios evolved their ideas and mechanics to make Deathloop a better game than Dishonored?In this week's Gaming: The Podcast John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss Arkane Studios' Deathloop; How does it combined stealth and action gameplay? What interesting things does it do with death and time? How does the game react to your presence? How interest are the things it asks you to do?A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode of Gaming: The Podcast we discuss and put forward the best video game settings and locations. Are there any concepts for settings that make us more interested in a game even if we know nothing more about it? What is it about some settings and locations that make them immediately more attractive and worthy of intrigue than others?Games mentioned include Batman: Arkham Asylum, the Yakuza series, Resident Evil 1, Dead Space, Persona 5, Catherine, Final Fantasy 7, Ghost of Tsushima, NEO: The World Ends With You and more.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Gaming: The Podcast John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss what it is that they believe makes a great RPG. The very best roleplaying-games manage to grab and hold our attention for tens, if not hundreds, of hours and they stick with us for years after their credits roll. What, though, is it about them that gives them this incredible ability to court us and keep us for so long?Games and franchises mentioned in this episode include Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3, Pokemon, Yakuza, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity Original Sin 2, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and more.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to our monthly roundup of the games that have occupied the free time of Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman. This August has been a month of variety, with Baldur's Gate 3, Operation Tango, Call of Duty: Vanguard and That Dragon, Cancer taking prime position as games discussed. What games have you been playing? Let us know via our social channels, we are 'IndieByDesign' on everything.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Psychonauts 2 is finally upon us after a 16 year wait. We've played it, we like it and we've written the book on it. Informed by our two years of working with Double Fine to create 20 Double Fine Years, we dedicate this episode of Gaming: The Podcast to Psychonauts 2 and how it embraces the creativity of its developers to provide us something wonderfully unique, insightful and rewarding.If you would like to learn more about the making of Psychonauts 2, its creators, its art and the guiding principles behind it, then make sure to check out 20 Double Fine Years - our all-encompassing book of everything Double Fine, from Psychonauts 1 and 2 to Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle Remastered and Brutal Legend to Broken Age. Everything is underpinned by complete and exclusive access to Double Fine's art archives and by 10s of hours of original interviews with Tim Schafer, Peter Chan, Scott Campbell and many more.20 Double Fine Years is available via DoubleFineBook.com.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on Gaming: The Podcast John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss historical accuracy in games: Is it important? Does it change how we perceive certain games? What is the difference between accuracy and authenticity? What does 'historically accurate' even mean? Where do inclusivity and historical accuracy intersect?The episode begins with conversation on the newly released Humankind, a game which both John and Stace worked on in a consultancy capacity, and what it does differently to the genre-dominating Civilization series around historical accuracy. The show then moves on to historically accuracy across games in general, with games and franchises mentioned include Ghost of Tsushima, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Assassin's Creed, Humankind, Civilization, Call of Duty and Battlefield.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Double Fine founder and video game industry legend Tim Schafer sits down with us to talk Psychonauts 2, creativity, writing and to look back at over 20 years as lead of a studio that has produced and given us so much.A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's Gaming: The Podcast we delve into the design of Resident Evil Village. The eighth main entry in the Resident Evil franchise is very much an action horror over a survival, making it somewhat of a different proposition than it's predecessor. Does the change work? How does the change work? Why does it make us feel a certain way?A video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.Visit us at IndieByDesign.netTwitter: @IndieByDesign See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Video game remakes, remasters and re-imaginings. What are the differences, what is their value and why are they now so common?Come listen us to talk through these questions through the lens of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident 1, 2 and 3 Remakes, Catherine: Full Body, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection, Demon's Souls Remake and more. ---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Oddworld: Soulstorm has finally arrived and we're talking about its themes, world building and characterisations.What makes its messages and questions so powerful? How does it use its different species and locations to ask tempt us into questions of philosophy, politics and ethics? Why does Abe enjoying inflicting pain on the Sligs?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books, including Oddworld: Abe's Origins! Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Capcom has been on a hot streak it recent years, its franchises impressing almost across the board and offering both nostalgic and progressive design.This week on Gaming: The Podcast we discuss Capcom's success and look at how the company has firmly re-established itself as a top tier source of games.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we are talking about implicit and explicit narrative forms in video games.How are the two related, how are they separate and how, in particular, can the implicit side of a game's narrative cause within us some of the most powerful and memorable reactions?Games discussed include The Last of Us 2, the Uncharted series, The Legend of Zelda series, The Witcher series, APEX Legends, Fortnite, Rust, Valhiem and Shadow of the Colossus. Be warned that there are spoilers for some of these games.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Resident Evil was first released on 22 March 1996. In honour of Resident Evil's 25th Anniversary we present you the final of our three episodes focused on the game's legacy, influence and design. We've already covered the game's Spencer Mansion location and its design and implementation of 'safe rooms', and in this episode we take a step back and look at the game as a whole - discussing how and why it has stood the test of time to become one of the most iconic games ever made.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're delving into the belly of the beast on this week's gaming the podcast as Stace Harman and myself, John Robertson, discuss and explore Resident Evil 1's mansion.What makes it so revered? How has it stood the test of time so well and how does its design impact everything that occurs in the game?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sports games are diverse and numerous, but do you have to like the sport in question to enjoy the game? Join John Robertson and Stace Harman on this week's Gaming: The Podcast as they delve into the question by exploring their own relationships with sports and sports games and how they interact and inform one another. Perhaps the ultimate question: Is 'sports game' am meaningful genre classification for a family of games that is diverse and different from one another?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Safe Rooms are the topic of this week's Gaming: The Podcast, those things with the typewriters in in Resident Evil games.Specifically we're talking about how and why they work and how they are designed to inform and enhance those things that take place not only inside of their walls, but outside of them. One thing to note on this episode is that we suffered a microphone issue on Stace's end which we weren't able to fix in time for release - such are the dangers of recording remotely in a lockdown. Rest assured that this issue has now been fixed and will not impact future episodes, just as it hasn't impacted previous ones.Indie By Design is John Robertson and Stace Harman, videogame design and narrative consultants and creators of books that celebrate the art, history and culture of gaming.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Catherine (Atlus, 2011) celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, so what better time to revisit it and explore just what makes it such a memorable and great game?You play as Vincent, a guy in his 30s trying to navigate a path through his relationships and into his future. On the surface of it the game seems to be about the nature of commitment versus temptation, as communicated through Katherine and Catherine.Is that really what it's about, though? Is there more to Vincent's story than there initially seems and how does this extra depth play into Catherine's value as a videogame and a piece of social commentary?Join Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman as they discuss and explore the game a decade after its release.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is it about some games that makes you never want to stop playing them? In this episode of Gaming: The Podcast, Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss the experience, gameplay and rewards of Supergiant Games' Hades after 400 hours of play.How much new and unseen content still remains after so many gameplay hours? What is so rewarding as to make you want to keep coming back? Does the game still offer a challenge? How has mastery of over the tool-set changed how you see and think about the game?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dungeons & Dragons and videogames are both 'games' goes the general understanding, but how are they inherently different to one another and what is it about their designs that cause us to interpret them in wildly disparate ways?Join Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman as they discuss the fundamental approaches to design that lead to videogames and Dungeons & Dragons being viewed, by their players, as very different entities to one another.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hitman III is game about the environment and level design more than it is about the characters, it's a game about freedom of expression as well as repetitive trial and error.Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman explore the nature of this freedom/repetition dichotomy, how it informs and results in the experience offered by Hitman III.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hideo Kojima is a designer that has pushed boundaries, provided us with new genres and creates games under the mantra that it is possible to bring the impossible to players.In this episode of Gaming: The Podcast we talk about his impact on the video game medium, the importance of strong themes in his writing and direction and how it is that he has come to be such an important and unique voice. Conversation is primarily centered around Death Stranding and the Metal Gear Solid series and there are some minor spoilers for these included. Enjoy!Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is environmental storytelling and what is it good for?In this week's Gaming: The Podcast we discuss, dissect and deliberate on the concept of environmental storytelling, talk through some interesting examples and how it can work to change how we respond to games.Good environmental storytelling can deeply impact our emotional response, how we see our own player characters and cause us to question our initial responses to our experiences. As such, it's an incredibly important element of game and world design.Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.