Minigame

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Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael Farris explores how video games are more powerful and more meaningful than ever. These are the stories that stay with us long after the galaxy is saved and the final boss is defeated.

Lore Party Podcast Network


    • Feb 28, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 7m AVG DURATION
    • 30 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Minigame

    The Musical Advancements of the Metal Gear Series

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 8:56


    Over nearly 30 years, the Metal Gear series has changed how they use music to tell their stories. In this episode, Michael goes over every major entry in the series to see how they use music in their unique ways.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame: https://pod.link/1468424336Follow Minigame on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinigamePodcast

    How BioWare Uses Music To Tell A Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 5:55


    BioWare are masters at telling stories in videogames and in this episode, Michael goes over how music plays a role in their storytelling process.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame: https://pod.link/1468424336Follow Minigame on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinigamePodcast

    The Importance of Character Themes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 5:20


    This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. In this episode, he looks at how theme music for characters like Master Chief and Sephiroth can tell us so much about these iconic heroes and villains.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Follow Minigame on Twitter: @minigamepodcast

    Introducing the Minigame Jukebox

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 5:36


    This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. From the sci-fi soundtrack of Mass Effect inspired by films from the 60s and 70s to the bombastic score of Assassin's Creed, he'll unpack the many ways music can tell stories in our favorite games.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame: https://pod.link/1468424336Follow Minigame on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinigamePodcast

    Is Cyberpunk 2077 Truly Cyberpunk?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2021 5:46


    CyberPunk 2077 has already been the target of many criticisms, mostly related to technical issues and other design problems. But what about the game's story. Unfortunately, despite the game's marketing, the game only loosely falls into the cyberpunk genre.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcastMichael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheelWebsite: loreparty.com

    The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2021 5:11


    It's understandable to want videogames to avoid political discussion, but since games are art, politics are inevitable. Despite their apolitical exterior, simulation games like Sim City are full of political messages. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel Website: loreparty.com

    Creating Your Brain in 'Disco Elysium'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2021 7:25


    Most RPG's allow you to create your character based only on their stats, but what if there was a game in which you create a personality? Disco Elysium is that game. In this episode, @farristhewheel takes a look at Disco Elysium's character creator and explains why it's far more compelling than most other character creators. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel Website: loreparty.com

    Adrift in the Afterlife of "Summerland" - An Interview With Developer Conner Rush

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2021 24:25


    Conner Rush of Fyre Games joins us to discuss game development, becoming an overnight success on TikTok, and his new game Summerland. Summerland is available for free on Steam and itch.io Conner's Social Media: fyregames.com twitter.com/fyregamesreal tiktok.com/@treasureman Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel Website: loreparty.com

    Halo, Destiny, and The Role of Lore

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2020 7:14


    The stories of Halo and Destiny can be confusing. In this episode of Minigame, Michael (@farristhewheel) tries to unpack not just the stories of these two series, but the overall role of lore in a games’ story. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter. The Complete Story of Destiny! From origins to Shadowkeep [Timeline and Lore explained] by “My name is Byf” on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mbDXvDNqTU Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel Website: loreparty.com

    The Small Vastness of the World of ‘Hitman’

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2020 9:09


    It’s easy to get burned out by the size of many open world games. Especially if it’s just for show. The Hitman series is a prime example of how smaller worlds can feel huge and present opportunities for new ways players can create their own stories. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.

    Time Flies By on The Last Express

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 6:35


    The Last Express is a game all about running against the clock in a period of history that feels like is running out of time. In this episode of Minigame, Michael explores the role that time plays in this mystery-adventure game that just so happens to be his favorite game of all time. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.

    Do You Own Your Humanity in The Outer Worlds?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 7:08


    In The Outer Worlds everything has a cost. From womb to tomb, your life is dictated by the big business in town. But does this fantasy world have roots in reality? MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com

    How Morrowind Is A Better Adventure Than Skyrim

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2020 7:06


    Skyrim is undoubtedly one of the most played games of all time, but in this episode, Michael goes on an adventure through the series' third entry, Morrowind, and despite the archaic presentation, has a more meaningful quest. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com Music Attribution: Adventure by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Nowhere Land by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Introducing Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2020 1:00


    Check out Gom Jabbar in your favorite podcasting app and let’s explore the universe of the classic Sci-Fi series, Dune

    The Comfort of Gaming in Quarantine

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2020 8:07


    A health scare causes Mike to go into quarantine. While there, he rediscovers the comfort and power that video games can provide. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com

    Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2020 7:35


    Death Stranding is an odd game full of mystery and intrigue. However it also shows that sometimes it is the mundane aspects of life that makes things feel the most comfortable in times of need. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com B - Somber Ballads by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    The Story of Our Stuff in One Night Stand

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2020 5:35


    All that stuff around you is not just junk, it’s the story of your life. In this episode of MINIGAME, Michael explores the game One Night Stand and learns more about a mysterious companion by using the stuff in her bedroom. Second Nature by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com

    Fearful Choices in Until Dawn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2020 4:53


    While Until Dawn is full of gore and kills, the storytelling itself is the scariest part of the game. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com

    What Makes a Good Star Wars Story?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2019 5:12


    With Rise of Skywalker just down the corner, @farristhewheel takes a look at Star Wars games of the past to see where the series has gone right and wrong. Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael Farris explores how video games are more powerful and more meaningful than ever. These are the stories that stay with us long after the galaxy is saved and the final boss is defeated.

    End of Season 5 of Lore Party

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2019 1:17


    Executive Producer of Lore Party, Abu Zafar breaks down the end of this season of Lore Party content.

    Bury Me, My Love - Minigame Classics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2019 8:31


    This episode originally aired on September 10, 2018 It’s one thing to read about the Syrian refugee crisis in an article, or to see it on TV. But only a video game like Bury me, my Love could make the tragedy feel so real. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

    Neo Cab and The Stories We Tell in the Dark

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2019 6:01


    With Apple releasing their new gaming service, Apple Arcade, Michael takes a look at Neo Cab, one of the more unique games in the library and discovers that sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones we tell each other when the lights go out.

    How Two Developers Interpreted the Fallout Universe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2019 9:12


    Interplay and Bethesda. The two main developers of the Fallout franchise. Despite working with the same canon, the two developers handled the universe very differently. In this episode, Michael explores the franchise as a whole and the themes and story the two developers wanted to tell. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party Website: loreparty.com Michael's Twitter & Instagram: @farristhewheel

    Minigame Classics - Making Your Own Lore in 'No Man's Sky'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2019 8:08


    The story is whatever you make it in No Man’s Sky. Only a video game can give you the tools and the world to craft a narrative only you can. That’s why we love games.

    Saying Goodbye to Mass Effect in the Citadel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2019 8:02


    Mass Effect 3 disappointed many long time fans. However, in this episode, Michael discusses the final DLC and how it was the perfect ending to the Mass Effect Trilogy

    The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2019 8:17


    Michael Farris (@Farristhewheel) examines Metal Gear Solid V and its odd place in the franchise and gives his prediction as to what we can expect from Death Stranding. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).  Lore Party can be found on Twitter and Instagram @Lore_Party and at loreparty.com

    The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2019 9:25


    In part 2 on game designer Hideo Kojima, Michael Farris (@farristhewheel) explores the campy adventures of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and the disappointing sequel: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.  MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

    The Painful Nostalgia of Life is Strange - Minigame Classics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2019 11:40


    Life is Strange is a game that confronts the realities of nostalgia, and how it can be both painful and unproductive for our lives. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).

    The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2019 7:15


    It’s no secret that Hideo Kojima has always had ambitions to become a film director, and it becomes even more obvious when you look at the evolution of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Michael explores Kojima’s cinematic inspirations, and how Death Stranding is the continued evolution of Kojima’s ambitions.

    Welcome to 'Minigame'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2019 0:56


    Minigame is a deep-dive into video game stories and why we love them. It's part diary, part essay and each episode will be 5 - 10 minutes long.

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