Studying Pixels

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Studying Pixels combines game studies and a joyful engagement with video game culture. Every Sunday, game studies scholar Stefan Heinrich Simond and Japanese scholar Dan Hughes cover anything from reviews of contemporary games to news stories and from aca

Studying Pixels


    • May 28, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 2m AVG DURATION
    • 91 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Studying Pixels

    Studying Pixels is taking a hiatus

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2023 10:12


    We have been podcasting diligently every week for approximately two years. Now, we decided to take a hiatus to recover a bit and organize some things in our private and professional lives. We look forward to returning, because we have got so many more episodes already planned. It's going to be fun!If you are a Studying Pixels Plus subscriber, you do not have to do anything. We will pause our Patreon campaign while we are on hiatus, so you will not be billed.If you wish to stay in the loop, please stay subscribed or join our Discord, which will also be alive and running the entire time.You are the best and we are looking forward to resume our journey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Close Playing (with Theresa Tanenbaum)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 43:29


    How do we go about analyzing video games? Well, close playing is one of the most prominent methods to do so. Together with Prof. Dr. Theresa Jean Tanenbaum, we discuss what close playing means and how to pragmatically go about it.ShownotesWell read: Applying close reading techniques to gameplay experiences (Jim Bizzocchi and Theresa Tanenbaum)Hermeneutic Inquiry for Digital Games Research (Theresa Tanenbaum)https://transformativeplay.ics.uci.edu/Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: Do JRPGs Need to Be Made in Japan?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 52:17


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on August 14, 2022.Technically, JRPG simply stands for Japanese Role-Playing Game. Yet, it seems like the genre ascription has taken on a life of its own. Is every RPG made in Japan automatically a JRPG? And what differentiates them from Western RPGs? Here's our take on the matter!ShownotesJapanische Rollenspiele: Was macht ein Spiel zum JRPG? – Podcast E054 (Behind the Screens) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    japan rpg acast spiel technically jrpg jrpgs made in japan western rpgs japanese role playing game
    Final Fantasy I-III

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2023 53:17


    The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster was recently released for PS4 and Nintendo Switch, and you know Dan has some thoughts about it. It's another solo episode, this time with Dan and his theories about the Final Fantasy series, it's origins, and how it came to be what it is today. Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Origins of publisher names (Square Enix, Sony, and others)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2023 18:16


    We are all familiar with names such as Sony, Nintendo, Ubisoft, or Konami. But how did these names come about? In this short episode, we explore the background behind some of the most influential company names.ShownotesThe Stories Behind the Names of 15 Gaming Brands You Know (Kelvon Yeezy)The History and Meaning of the Ubisoft Logo (FreeLogoDesign)What's In A Name (1Up.com)Sony Company History (Sony)Interview: Former Microsoft Exec Fries Talks Xbox's Genesis (Leigh Alexander)Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Story of E3

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2023 79:42


    E3 was the event that kept the entire video game industry in suspense for a whole week. It brought for bouts of joy and sighs of disappointment. Now, that E3 might be no more, we reflect upon its history.ShownotesE3 (Wikipedia)A Tale of Two E3s - Xbox vs Sony vs Sega (Christopher Dring)Geoff Keighley will not participate in E3 2020 (Christopher Dring)E3 Has Been Canceled (Rebekah Valentine)Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Back to the Mainstream

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2023 57:43


    Trends, they come and go. But some peculiarities of video game culture disappeared for a while only to make a more or less major comeback.Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tips for Neurodiverse Students and Academics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 76:52


    We discuss the problems neurodiverse students and academics may face throughout their studies and provide a series of tips and tools.ShownotesNeurodiversity in higher education: a narrative synthesis (Clouder, L., Karakus, M., Cinotti, A. et al.)Autism spectrum disorder: reconceptualising support for neurodiverse students in higher education (Evans, D., Granson, M., Langford, D., and Hirsch, S.)5 study tips for neurodivergent college students (Cliff Weitzman)Studying tips and tricks: a Neurodivergent perspective (Alice Farion-Renard)6 Tips For Neurodivergent College Students Going Back To School (Jayar Brenner)Three simple ways to help your neurodivergent students succeed (William Lane)5 ways educators can support neurodiversity in the classroom (InnerDrive)Students with disabilities (National Center for Education Statistics)Neurodiversity in College Admissions (Independent Educational Consultants Association)Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: Learning Japanese with Video Games (with Matt/Game Gengo)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 44:29


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on January 16, 2022.Learning any language is a lengthy and, at times, tedious endeavour. So why not make the process as fun as possible? – On his YouTube channel Game Gengo (ゲーム言語) our guest, Matt, does exactly that. Because how could learning Japanese be more fun than learning with video games? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Revisiting Ludo-Narrative Dissonance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2023 72:41


    Ludo-narrative dissonance occurs when a game's story appears to be at odds with the gameplay. When The Witcher has to urgently save Ciri, but must first explore every village and cave, master a trading card game, and visit all the brothels in the realm. But can ludo-narrative dissonance also have creative merit? We discuss precisely this question, based on the article “Game of Twisted Shouting: Ludo-Narrative Dissonance Revisited” by Paweł Grabarczyk and Bo Kampmann Walther.ShownotesGrabarczyk, Paweł, and Bo Kampmann Walther. “Game of Twisted Shouting: Ludo-Narrative Dissonance Revisited.”Eludamos: Journal for Computer Game Culture, vol. 13, no. 1, Dec. 2022, pp. 7–27.Ludonarrative Dissonance in Bioshock (Clint Hocking)Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Super Mario Movie, The Original

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2023 59:52


    No, you didn't misread that. Stefan and Dan watched the original Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993 and they… have some thoughts. Was it a good film? No. Was it influential in the video game adaptation space? For better or worse, yes. Let's see what it has to offer and what we can expect from the new movie coming out in April. ShownotesBob Hoskins: 'The Method? Living it out? Cobblers!' (Simon Hattenstone)Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Magic of Motion Capturing (with Jimmy Corvan)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2023 38:44


    Motion capturing might look so smooth and effortless on screen but it is often the result of an intricate process. Our guest, Jimmy Corvan, can attest to that. He worked at the motion capture studio House of Moves for eleven years and shares his insights on how characters in The Last of Us, Mortal Kombat, Call of Duty and many more games (and films) were brought to life.ShownotesHouse of Moves: https://www.moves.comRoom 8 Group: https://room8group.comVisit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Review Round-Up: Wo Long, Forspoken, Fire Emblem Engage, and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 70:36


    We've played so many games recently and barely had the time to squish them all into the show. So that is exactly we are doing with this episode. Here are our impression of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Forspoken, Fire Emblem Engage, Octopath Traveller II, and the Dead Space Remake.Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Like a Dragon: Ishin!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2023 48:05


    Dan has played Like a Dragon: Ishin, and is very excited to share not only his thoughts, but a bit of a history lesson on the Bakumatsu period, Modern Japanese history, and the ramifications of a game that uses real history for it's narrative. Don't miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    Replay: Terrible Marketing Choices

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 58:13


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on May 22, 2022. How about we advertise a new game by paying off people's speeding tickets for one day? Or, even better, how about we showcase a dead goat for some extra PR? Or maybe we plaster the inner city with racist billboards? – Sometimes it is truly impressive what publishers come up with to draw attention to their games. We go through 10 of the arguably most terrible marketing choices ever made. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hogwarts Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2023 90:02


    It is one of the biggest launches this year so far and at the same time one of the most contested one. In our review, we focus on the actual game and discuss how the magic of Hogwarts enthralled us just as much as the incessant repetition of the open world repulsed us.Visit studyingpixels.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bizarre Gaming Gadgets

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2023 63:15


    Every now and then, video game companies come up with the weirdest, most peculiar, and often entirely unusable gaming gadgets and accessories. Here are our favourites!ShownotesPlus 13. Heaven is a Halfpipe: The Story of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Studying Pixels)Title image by Marcin Wichary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwichary/45221968804/) under CC BY 2.0 license; cropped image for title fitting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Surprising Post-Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2023 62:00


    Rolling the credits usually marks the end of a game. But some titles effectively flip the script. The credits are just the beginning of another adventure. We discuss games that present us with surprising, memorable, or simply extensive post-game content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: Games in the Box (with Claudius Clüver)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2023 30:08


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on November 28, 2021.We might nostalgically look back at the beauty of game boxes and fail to realize how strongly they are linked to the economization of games. With our guest, game studies scholar Claudius Clüver, we trace how games got into the box and how, with the advent of digital distribution, they made their way back out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    acast claudius replay games
    Reading Schrape's Gamification and Governmentality

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2023 67:07


    Gamification is one of the most extensively used buzzwords these days. And rightfully so, considering that the logic of play pervades just about all domains of daily life. We discuss Niklas Schrape's critical reflection, based on the text Gamification and Governmentality.ShownotesSchrape, Niklas: Gamification and Governmentality. In: Mathias Fuchs, Sonia Fizek, Paolo Ruffino et al. (eds.): Rethinking Gamification. Lüneburg: meson press 2014, pp. 21–45. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Konami Code

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 36:30


    U, U, D, D, L, R, L, R, B, A – an abstract sequence of inputs that is deeply ingrained into cultural memory. We explore the history of the Konami Code, with lots of fun trivia and gimmicks to try yourself!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Discord | Twitter | InstagramShownotesThe Story Of The Konami Code And Early Days Of NES Development (Aria)Nintendo Power Issue #1, July/August 1988 (Nintendo Power)What Is the Konami Code, and How Do You Use it? (Benj Edwards)Konami code explained: What is the code and which games still use it? (Joe Julians)Konami Code | Full Supported Konami Video Games List (Hanna Synetska)Konami Code (IGN)Kazuhisa Hashimoto, Creator Of Famous 'Konami Code' Gaming Cheat, Dies (Jordan Pascale)Konami posts Konami Code on Twitter to commemorate HashimotoEven the Bank of Canada can't resist the Konami code (Megan Farokhmanesh) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trauma in Video Games (with Thomas Spies)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 32:01


    Oh no, your family has been abducted and your village burnt to the ground! Better start a bloody vendetta…or so the story of many video games starts out. Our guest, Dr. Thomas Spies, argues in favour of more complex and differentiated trauma representations. Here's our conversation about titles such as Max Payne, Distraint, The Last of Us, Hellblade, and Disco Elysium.ShownotesTrauma im Computerspiel. Mediale Repräsentationen mentaler Extremerfahrungen (Thomas Spies)“Making Sense in a Senseless World”: Disco Elysium's Absurd Hero (Thomas Spies)gofundme campaign: Honorare Sammelband Kritische VideospielstudienGet Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2023 63:06


    Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion has been out for some time now, and Dan has really sunk his teeth into a game he's already pretty familiar with. Join him and Stefan as they talk about how the Remaster stacks up to the original, and what it means for the FFVII Franchise moving forward.Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Discord | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: Childhood Gaming Memories

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2023 48:28


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on January 9th, 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 Predictions for 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2022 58:52


    Merry Christmas! As is tradition, we come together to evaluate our predictions from last year and put up a bunch of new ones for 2023. Will we be even remotely correct? – Join us to find out!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Discord | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Callisto Protocol

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2022 63:39


    Great expectations were set for The Callisto Protocol. Is it going to bring back space horror in a major way? Well, it might not, because in our review we discuss how the game is impressive at first sight, but in itself conceptually torn.Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Discord | Twitter | InstagramShownotesPlus 6. The Rise and Fall of Visceral Games (Studying Pixels) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: Halloween Special: Cursed Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2022 68:49


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on October 31, 2021.“I am god here.” A strangely unsettling sentence, especially if uttered by a character in a game that might very well be cursed. For this Halloween we collect and retell our favorite gaming-related creepypastas and urban legends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Game Awards 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2022 58:15


    The Game Awards have become a mainstay in the annual cycle of marketing and industry celebration. We go over our high- and lowlights of the show!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Discord | Twitter | InstagramShownotesThe Game Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List (Logan Plant)The Game Awards 2022: Everything Announced (Adam Bankhurst)That Guy Who Interrupted the End of The Game Awards Has Been Arrested (John Friscia)Jason Schreier about his interview with Matan EvenGod of War Ragnarok is Being Review Bombed (Dalton Cooper) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 77:17


    Ah, a new Pokemon game. Scarlet and Violet have quickly shown up on our Switches and have generated some controversy around it's performance issues. Is all the vitriol really warranted? Kind of. But! It's also one of the best Pokemon experiences to date. Join Stefan and Dan as they break down why that is!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Discord | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    True Sight (with Sarah Stang)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2022 42:40


    Seeing beyond what seems to be real, seeing a ‘truth' obscured from others—there seems to be a proper fascination with this exclusive gaze. We explore the notion of true sight in video games such as The Cat Lady and Fran Bow with Dr. Sarah Stang, Assistant Professor of Game Studies at Brock University in Canada.ShownotesMadness as True Sight in The Cat Lady and Fran Bow (Sarah Stang)Maiden, Mother, and Crone: Abject Female Monstrosity in Roleplaying Games (Sarah Stang)This is Sarah's website: https://smstang.comGet Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    God of War Ragnarök

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2022 72:38


    Is it getting chilly in here? God of War: Ragnarök has landed and received raving reviews across the board. We took some time, engaged with it deeply, and yes…it is totally awesome. Here's our review!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | InstagramShownotesOur brand new Discord serverPlus 14. How God of War Works (Studying Pixels) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Extremism in Gaming Communities (with Rachel Kowert)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2022 45:37


    Gaming communities can be a lovely place of bonding and encouragement. However, and in no contradiction to the former, they can also be excluding, pervaded by extremism, and profoundly hostile towards anything ‘different'. Why is that so and what can we do about it? – Those are the questions we ask Dr. Rachel Kowert, renowned research psychologist, best selling author, and research director of Take This.Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | InstagramShownotesNot just a game: Identity fusion and extremism in gaming cultures (Rachel Kowert, Alexi Martel, and William B. Swann)Rachel's website: rkowert.comRachel's YouTube channel: PsychgeistRachel on Twitter: @DrKowert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: The Myth of Missing No.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 32:04


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on October 24, 2021. Could that school friend really be right about this Pokémon that is not supposed to exist? Is there really a way to infinitely multiply items as this Nintendo magazine suggests? – We're diving back into our childhood to unravel how Missing No. changed the ideas about how video games work and who owns their lore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bayonetta 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2022 69:56


    The witch is back in town—frantic, silly, and always in the mood to dance. We played through Bayonetta 3 and consider it exceedingly stylish though some of the shots it fires miss the mark. Here's our review, including our commentary to the drama that revolved around the change in voice actresses.ShownotesPlatinumGames confirms Jennifer Hale is the new voice actress for Bayonetta in Bayonetta 3 (Brian)Original videos by Hellena TaylorA Tense Pay Dispute Overshadows Nintendo's Upcoming Bayonetta 3 (Jason Schreier)Rebuttal by Hellena TaylorGet Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Games That Actually Scared Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2022 64:12


    Okay, in this Halloween special Dan and Stefan are talking about games that actually scared them. And some of those titles you probably have not heard of so far. Buckle up, it's pumpkin time!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Games as Historical Problem Spaces (with Jeremiah McCall)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 47:31


    From Assassin's Creed to Civilization and from The Oregon Trail to Valiant Hearts—video games are profoundly fascinated with history. But how can we analyse those representations of history without simply ‘fact checking' the games? We are joined by the historian and long-running high school teacher Dr. Jeremiah McCall for a conversation about his framework of games as historical problem spaces.ShownotesThe Historical Problem Space Framework: Games as a Historical Medium (Jeremiah McCall)This is Jeremiah's blog: gamingthepast.netHere's a link to Jeremiah McCall's book: Gaming the Past: Using Video Games to Teach Secondary HistoryHistorical Game Design Theory and Practice with Luke Homes (Jeremiah McCall)Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Unusual Findings & 80s Nostalgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 56:50


    In recent years, we have seen a wave of media nostalgically embracing the 80s. Unusual Findings is the latest entry: a Maniac Mansion inspired point'n'click adventure. Does the crowdfunded project manage to transport us back to the childhood we never had? And what is the appeal of 80s nostalgia anyway? Here's our review!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Replay: Three Truths, Two Lies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 35:34


    This is a replay episode, originally aired on September 26, 2021.It is finally time for our very first episode! Our mascot Pixel-kun is celebrating and so are we. For introductions, we share five stories of our gaming biography, only three of which are true. Can you tell the difference? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The End of Stadia, Dunkey Turns Publisher, GTA 6 Leaks, and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2022 62:38


    Some interesting stories flew under our radar and so it is time to catch up! We are talking about the end of Google Stadia, videogamedunkey starting a publishing company, the turmoil revolving around the GTA 6 leaks, and the unification of chargers in the EU.Afterwards we are sharing our impressions of games we have recently played: Infernax, GRIS, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R, and Layers of Fear.Shownotes6:25 Stadia ShutdownA message about Stadia and our long term streaming strategy (Phil Harrison)17:16 Dunkey's BigModehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEt27Jgp8gs28:27 GTA 6 LeaksGTA 6 (Americas) leak - 90+ .mp4 footage/videos (teapotuberhacker)Huge GTA 6 leak includes gameplay footage of robbery, Vice City locations, and two playable characters (Jody Macgregor)43:17 EU and the USB-C48:06 Infernax50:42 GRIS52:44 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R57:15 Layers of FearGet Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lovecraft and Cosmic Horror

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 41:01


    The influence of H.P. Lovecraft on the domain of (video) games can hardly be overestimated. The introduction of the sanity meter, the ripples of madness in Bloodborne, and Batman's Arkham Asylum—the exploration on the fringes of knowledge fascinates today still. We discuss Lovecraftian aesthetics with horror aficionado Richard Mertens, who is not only the newest addition to the Studying Pixels team, but also hosts his own show, titled The Pike Horror Show.Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Return to Monkey Island

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2022 52:36


    Time to return to Monkey Island! For the series' original creator Ron Gilbert as well as for us—after many years and some mixed experiences. Does Return to Monkey Island hold up as a proper sequel to the original titles? – Here's our review!ShownotesGet Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Would You Rather?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 67:56


    We are turning 50 years, uhm, episodes old! And at the same time, we are celebrating our one year anniversary. What an occasion! So let's go ahead and ponder some “would you rather” questions. For fun!ShownotesNintendo Direct, 09/13/2022 (Nintendo)Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How 9/11 Affected Video Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2022 48:19


    Many of us still have vivid memories of 11 September 2001. The worlds deadliest terrorist attack left a gaping wound of societal trauma. Video games are no exception to this. So today, on the attack's anniversary, we are dissecting how 9/11 changed video game culture, how individual games were altered, and how games actively engaged with the ensuing consequences.ShownotesThe Post-9/11 Video Game: A Critical Examination (Marc A. Ouellette)Playing War. Military Video Games After 9/11 (Matthew Thomas Payne)How 9/11 Affected Games (Rick Lane)List of entertainment affected by the September 11 attacks (Wikipedia)How 9/11 Impacted Metal Gear Solid 2 (Shannon Lawlor)How 9/11 affected video games (Reddit thread by RCizzle65)Reading Gonzalo Frasca: Simulation vs Narrative (Studying Pixels)September 12th (Newsgames)The title image of this episode comes from here. The original link is no longer valid, but the image depicts the box art of Command & Conquer 2: Red Alert before it had been altered following the attacks at 9/11.Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Stray

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2022 49:21


    Exploring a cyberpunk dystopia from a cat's perspective—best idea ever. But does Stray hold up to scrutiny? Or does it cutify the dire setting? – Here's our review!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Gamescom 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2022 90:50


    Gamescom, the biggest video game trade show in the world, has come and gone. Of course, we were there to check out a whole range of games and to discuss the status quo of video game culture with experts. Here is our report!Shownotes00:05:42 One P I E C E Odyssey (Our hoster does not allow the word to be written normally here, sorry. It is that famous manga/anime series about the guy in the straw hat.)00:09:24 Floodland (with Kacper Kwiatkowski, Co-Boss and Creative Advisor at Vile Monarch)00:21:10 Goat Simulator 3 (with Sebastian Erikkson, CEO at Coffee Stain)00:37:32 Video Games vs Social Media (with Karol Severin, Senior Analyst at MIDiA Research)00:49:55 Blockchains and the Metaverse (with Michelle Kang, Head of Growth at Nervos Network)01:01:59 Vikings on Trampolines01:08:46 Lies of P01:11:20 Using Games for Citizen Science (with Attila Szantner, CEO & Co-Founder of Massively Multiplayer Online Science)01:23:21 ConclusionGet Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Thymesia

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 32:53


    With its plague themed setting and its sprinkles of role-play mechanics, Thymesia attempts to employ the strengths of Soulsborne games and run with them. But does it manage to stand out enough? Here's our review!Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Do JRPGs need to be made in Japan?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2022 51:10


    Technically, JRPG simply stands for Japanese Role-Playing Game. Yet, it seems like the genre ascription has taken on a life of its own. Is every RPG made in Japan automatically a JRPG? And what differentiates them from Western RPGs? Here's our take on the matter!ShownotesJapanische Rollenspiele: Was macht ein Spiel zum JRPG? – Podcast E054 (Behind the Screens)Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    japan rpg acast spiel technically jrpg jrpgs made in japan western rpgs japanese role playing game
    Scarlet and Violet: The Past and Future of Pokémon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2022 41:35


    Each year a new, mainline Pokémon game comes and goes. This time, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet promise a continuation of the series' tradition while also integrating the innovations of recent titles. We discuss what we know so far.ShownotesOur Pokémon Legends: Arceus reviewEverything we know about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Nicole Carpenter)Pokémon Presents Showcase August 2022 (The Pokémon Company)Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    My Life in New Game Plus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2022 46:20


    Some games are designed to be played over and over again. And others, we just return to every once and while for comfort, insight, or even self-reflection. We discuss how we replay games and how our approaches have changed over time.ShownotesWe mentioned that Dan was a guest on last week's episode of The Pike Horror Show to talk about a whole range of horror movies. Here's the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Episode image by BugWarp, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hidden Mechanics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 50:45


    Some games deliberately hide certain mechanics to make player actions feel more satisfying—such as barely escaping death—or secretly track player actions to determine the ending they are going to see. In this episode we are opening some black boxes for a sneak peak!ShownotesGames aren't always fair, the magic lies in making you think they are (Jennifer Scheurle)The genius of Silent Hill 2's endings (MegaBearsFan)Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How Video Games Became Fake News

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2022 71:05


    Video games have repeatedly intersected with fake news. Whether it is the absurd claim that Hideo Kojima assassinated the former prime minister Shinzo Abe, the deliberate use footage from Arma 3 by Russian media, or the mishaps of CNN and BBC who included video game footage in news reporting. We discuss these cases and many more in order to discern why it keeps happening and what the detrimental consequences might be.ShownotesLegal action threatened as Hideo Kojima falsely linked to Shinzo Abe assassination (Andy Robinson)Video game misrepresented as footage of Ukraine invasion (Josh Kelety)Some Of The Most Popular 'Ukraine Footage' Is Actually A Video Game (Luke Plunkett)Russian News Accidentally Airs Video Game Clip During Segment On Syrian War (Cecilia D'Anastasio)CNN Shows Fallout Computer Terminal In A Video About Russian Hacking (Ethan Gach)News Station Uses Metal Gear Solid V Pic For Report On Child Soldiers (Gergo Vas)Russian Military Uses Video Game Screenshot To Allege US Support For ISIS (Ethan Gach)Russian State TV Airs Video Game Clip as Real War Footage (Matt Novak)Russian 'Proof' That the US Is Helping ISIS Is Actually From a Video Game (Matt Novak)Russia Just Tweeted a Video Game Screenshot to Show Chemical Weapons Trucks (Matt Novak)Get Studying Pixels PlusWebsite | Twitter | Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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