Uncaring Universe Podcast

Brooke is a narrative designer and writer from Australia. She has worked on award-winning games titles such as The Gardens Between, Paperbark and Florence. Currently, she has just finishwed working on Control, by Remedy Entertainment. Brooke received the MCV Pacific XBOX Women in Games Creative Impact award for her work in the game industry. This episode is a deep dive into narrative design workflow and heuristics, as Brooke explores her journey from speculative fiction writer to critically acclaimed non-verbal storyteller to big budget, AAA narrative designer. Check out Brooke's website: https://brookemaggs.com Follow her on twitter: @Brooke_Maggs And your host, Danny: @madquills

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Arkady is the author of 'A Memory Called Empire'. 'Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn't an accident—or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court.' We discuss: • How to create/write truly believable alien cities/societies • The importance of catchy linguistics • The machineries of empire - real and imagined. Follow your host, Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow Arkady on twitter: @ArkadyMartine And Danny: @madquills And you can sign up to my newsletter to be notified of each new episode (and a few other gems of storytelling advice) here: tinyletter.com/madquills/ As ever, I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from you – and every share/review you leave is hugely appreciated and helps us spread the wisdom to those writers who need it most.

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Zen is the author of 'Sorcerer To The Crown' and its sequel 'The True Queen' - inventive takes on Regency fantasy with a commonwealth twist. The True Queen is a bold new addition to the burgeoning series that interrogates the roots and heritage of power – magical or otherwise – and has a lot of fun doing it. We discuss: • What is Blyton-punk/commonwealth fantasy? • How to finish. • The continued impact of the industrial revolution on literature/fantasy • Zen's routine, and why some is always better than none. Follow your host, Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow Zen on twitter: @zenaldehyde And Danny: @madquills And you can sign up to my newsletter to be notified of each new episode (and a few other gems of storytelling advice) here: tinyletter.com/madquills/ As ever, I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from you – and every share/review you leave is hugely appreciated and helps us spread the wisdom to those writers who need it most.

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Jenn is the author of the Chorus of Dragons series: book 1, 'The Ruin of Kings' has just been released, with book 2, 'The Name of All Things' following in October. Ruin of Kings is bold new entry in the genre that delights in subverting and playing with genre conventions, while still containing plenty of what makes those tropes so appealing in the first place. We discuss: • The fantasy tropes and that Jenn wants to interrogate, and why • The all-importance of protagonist motivation • Why environment is so key to your creative process • How Jenn is innovating around the very format/structure of a book/audiobook and how we can do better on that front in general. Follow your host, Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow Jenn on twitter: @Jennlyonsauthor And Danny: @madquills And you can sign up to my newsletter to be notified of each new episode (and a few other gems of storytelling advice) here: https://tinyletter.com/madquills/ As ever, I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from you – and every share/review you leave is hugely appreciated and helps us spread the wisdom to those writers who need it most.

Following on from our end of year look at the best books of 2018, Lulu and I kick off 2019 with a chat about what we're looking forward to, and why. Plus Lulu fields some questions from Twitter about her experience as articles editor for the speculative fiction website 'Strange Horizons' – including what male writers always get wrong about women! Follow Lulu on Twitter: @lulukadhim And your host, Danny: @madquills Listen/subscribe (and please write a review if you like what we do!) on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 This episode, Lulu and I discuss our favourite books of the year. You can read my column on the PanMacmillan blog of the same topic, although we try to discuss a mixture of books from my list and Lulu's own on the 'cast, and dive into deeper detail on their common themes and the year's trends. https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/science-fiction-and-fantasy/best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books. Lulu Kadhim writes science fiction and plays board games when she isn’t experimenting in the kitchen. By day, she’s a Producer at Six to Start. By night, as well as writing short stories, she’s an Articles Editor at Strange Horizons, and a board member of Con or Bust. Follow Lulu on Twitter: @LuluKadhim And Danny, your host: @madquills As ever, I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from you – and every share/review you leave is hugely appreciated and helps us spread the wisdom to those writers who need it most. And a big thank you to all the authors mentioned for writing such wonderful fiction.

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 For this episode, I’m joined by Greg Kasavin – the lead writer and creative director at Supergiant Games - creators of the hugely influential Bastion, Transistor and most recently Pyre. Greg also spent a decade at Gamespot, during which time he became Editor-in-Chief, before leaving to work for EA on two command and conquer titles. I’m a huge personal fan of Greg’s work, especially the world building of Transistor and Pyre, and I was thrilled to hear him talk so openly about his process, the difference between writing and narrative design, how he and Supergiant decide what kind of game to make next – and the fact Bastion was nearly a gardening game. Enjoy the show – and no, I couldn’t get him to tell me what kind of game they’re making next. Follow Greg on twitter: @kasavin And Danny: @madquills As ever, I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from you – and every share/review you leave is hugely appreciated and helps us spread the wisdom to those writers who need it most.

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Susan is the author of the Witchlands series: Truthwitch, Windwitch, Sightwitch and the forthcoming Bloodwitch. They're rollicking fantasy paeans to the power of friendship and family set among a backdrop of treaties ending, empires warring and lots of awesome magic. We discuss: • How Susan's scientific/ecological background informs her process and world building • The importance of showing your work and transparency • How the awesome magic system was invented and refined (Barleywitches!?) • Much more Check out Susan's site and sign up to her absolutely fantastic newsletter on the craft of writing: http://susandennard.com Follow your host, Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow Susan on twitter: @stdennard And Danny: @madquills As ever, I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions from you – and every share/review you leave is hugely appreciated and helps us spread the wisdom to those writers who need it most.

We take a break from our scheduled programming to reflect, for episode 30, on the origin and future of The Uncaring Universe – how I want to improve it, why it is what it is, what the partnership with the brilliant Tor UK brings and a few thoughts on my wonderful past guests. Follow me to recommend/request storytellers you'd like to see on the show or questions you'd like answered by future guests: twitter.com/madquills And as ever, be awesome if you could leave a like, comment, follow, RT, subscribe on iTunes etc, it really helps us get the show and the guests' wisdom out there to those that might love it! https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 John is the author of the many incredible sci-fi books, most recently the 'Lock In' universe/series and perhaps most famously the 'Old Man's War' series. He also regularly maintains an award-winning blog https://whatever.scalzi.com/ and is helping produce two adaptations of his books for Netflix. He's a bit of a personal hero and he dropped some fascinating insights and wisdom into the process of being prolific and writing endlessly page-turning novels. We discuss: • The Golden Age of SF-to-Netflix adaptations and why it won't last • The pressure to have an opinion • Planning for the future • Keeping near-future SF compelling and future-proof Your host, Danny: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow John on twitter: @scalzi And Danny: @madquills

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Molly is the author of the The Charmed Life of Alex Moore, a genre-bending thriller – that I don't want to describe too much and ruin the surprises. We discuss: • The impact of digital media on storytelling • Genre bending and the weird world we already live in • The beauty of going back to analogue • Much more Molly on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38087830-the-charmed-life-of-alex-moore Your host, Danny: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow Molly on twitter: @mollyflatt And Danny: @madquills

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Anne is the author of the The Space Between The Stars, a post-cataclysmic sci-fi road-trip. We discuss: • How to create great female scifi characters • 'soft' scifi and why you don't need to always worry about explaining tech • 'post-deterioration' fiction and world-building. Anne Corlett on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30981910-the-space-between-the-stars Your host, Danny: www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills Follow Anne on twitter: @consummatechaos And Danny: @madquills

Subscribe to Uncaring Universe on iTunes - and It massively helps us if you leave a review: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2 John is the author of the The Faithful and The Fallen quadrilogy, and is soon to release the first book in a new series entitled A Time of Dread. We’re talking epic fantasy full of meticulously accurate, bone-crunching battles involving human, demonic and seraphic forces in a vivid but war-torn realm. Genevieve is the author of The Invisible Library quadrilogy (so far), of which the latest book, The Lost Plot, was just released. This is a series somewhere between steampunk and urban fantasy, with an incredibly colourful cast of human and fae characters and at the heart of it all, the wonderfully mysterious, eponymous book repository. John Gwynne on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5898355.John_Gwynne Genevieve Cogman: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/119888.Genevieve_Cogman?from_search=true Me! https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/20408243-mad-quills And on twitter: twitter.com/@madquills

My guest this episode is Adrian Tchaikovsky, multi-award winning sci-fi AND fantasy author of the 'Shadows of the Apt' series and his in-progress 'Echoes of The Fall' trilogy. Adrian's latest sci-fi novel, 'Children of Time' has recently been optioned for a feature film adaptation and a sequel will follow shortly! We discuss evolutionary biology within SFF, Adrian's unconventional past approach to finding his agent, making aliens 'alien', and much more. Follow Adrian on Twitter: @aptshadow And Danny: @madquills And UU @uncaringunicast Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/madquills Uncaring Universe on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 As ever, a RT, share, or review on iTunes is massively appreciated and helps us keep doing what we do. Uncaring Universe is a monthly podcast dedicated to conversations with the best new writers of SFF books and games. UU is an official partner of Tor UK, my favourite SFF/horror/crossover publishers. Branding/artwork by the lovely Sam Garcia @SamCube_Draws Piano motif courtesy of Jess Rochman.

My guest this episode is Lucy Hounsom, talented new author of the high-but-subversive fantasy 'Worldmaker' trilogy. We discuss fantasy maps, the benefit of showing/keeping your early work, Skyrim mods and why we don't see more crossover game/book writers. Lucy's new release 'Heartland' is the second in her trilogy, and it's a thrill-ride rite-of-passage full of cracking originality, flawed but loveable characters and a great magic system. Follow Lucy on Twitter: @silvanhistorian Her website: https://lucyhounsom.co.uk And Danny: @madquills And UU @uncaringunicast Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/madquills Uncaring Universe on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 As ever, a RT, share, or review on iTunes is massively appreciated and helps us keep doing what we do. Uncaring Universe is a monthly podcast dedicated to conversations with the best new writers of SFF books and games. UU is an official partner of Tor UK, my favourite SFF/horror/crossover publishers. Branding/artwork by the lovely Sam Garcia @SamCube_Draws Piano motif courtesy of Jess Rochman.

My guest this episode is the weird fantasy author/s James Abbott (aka Mark Newton) whose new novel 'The Never King' is a jail-breaking gritty fantasy revenge thriller. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M9AQMQU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) We discuss pen-names, optimistic but gritty SFF, how truth is always stranger than fiction (20 minutes into the future fiction). Follow Mark/James on Twitter: @MarkCN And Danny: @madquills And UU @uncaringunicast Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/madquills Uncaring Universe on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 • If you enjoy the podcast, it helps massively if you leave a review! Uncaring Universe is a monthly podcast dedicated to conversations with awesome SFF creators, and is now an official partner of Tor UK, the brilliant SFF/horror publishers.

My guest this episode is the epic fantasy legend-in-the-making Brian Stavely, whose brand new novel 'Skullsworn' is a prequel to his Unhewn Throne trilogy. We discuss world building and how to create lore that shines through - even if you don't write it in - the Vermont weather - the evils of procrastination and the sadness of not being able to read every single book ever written. And his books of course. 'Skullsworn' is a fantastic, assassin-led fantasy novel whether you've read the Unhewn Throne trilogy or you're a complete Stavely noob - intimate while epic, brutal and also tender - it's also possessed of some absolutely cracking world-building. Follow Brian on Twitter: @brianstaveley And Danny: @madquills And UU @uncaringunicast Danny on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/madquills Uncaring Universe on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncar…id985787268?mt=2 Uncaring Universe is a monthly podcast dedicated to conversations with awesome SFF creators, and is now an official partner of Tor UK, the brilliant SFF/horror publishers.

I'm joined by Tom Toner, author of the new, wildly ambitious, far-future sci-fi 'Promise of the Child' the first book in his Amaranthine Specturm trilogy. We discuss revisions, going so far into the future it feels future-past, locking up your novel, and defending your writerly abode. Buy the book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-promise-of-the-child/tom-toner/9781473211377 Follow Tom: https://twitter.com/tom__toner?lang=en Follow me!: twitter.com/madquills Subscribe on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2

Ian Gregory, creative director of Witching Hour Studios (witching-hour.net) joins me to discuss their fantastic new literary RPG 'Masquerada' (http://www.masquerada.com/). I had to get Ian on the show after trying the game and becoming instantly smitten with its worldbuilding and writing (http://bit.ly/2m6M1YY) and his insights and passion didn't disappoint.

For the first Uncaring Universe of 2017, we're joined by the brilliant Vic James, debut author of Gilded Cage, an alternate-modern British dystopia with fantasy elements. Listen in as we discuss why Wattpad helped Vic write the novel, her journey to a Pan Macmillan publishing deal, the next wave of online writing platforms, and lots of amazing discussion about the fascinating events of Vic's life that informed the themes of the novel. Follow Vic on Twitter: @DrVictoriaJames And Danny: @madquills And UU @uncaringunicast Danny on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/madquills Get the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E5JN2WE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Uncaring Universe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2 Uncaring Universe is a monthly podcast dedicated to conversations with awesome creators. Thanks for listening.

This episode we're joined by Gary Burchell, the mastermind behind forthcoming 'FTL on the high seas with a drop of Cthulhu', Abandon Ship. Obviously it sounds amazing, so I invited Gary to discuss how to make entertaining fail states, why procedural generation was the right approach for the game, how an indie game is like a newborn baby, the fun in attrition, and why you should quit your job - at least for a while! Follow Gary and the game's progress: https://twitter.com/GameAbandonShip Check out the awesome announcement trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajyT1Yulw40 Follow me @madquills and the podcast @uncaringunicast Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2

We're joined by Nate Crowley aka Frog Croakley, author of: Daniel Barker's Birthday Viral Twitter Story: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/a-guy-complained-no-one-had-wished-him-happy-birthday-on-twi?utm_term=.thJDnY4Xp#.naVVJlZ21 The Sea Hates a Coward: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Hates-Coward-Tomes-Dead-ebook/dp/B013I681P8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474364530&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sea+hates+a+coward And its sequel, Grand Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grand-Amazon-Tomes-Dead-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B01GGNXHG8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474364530&sr=8-2&keywords=the+sea+hates+a+coward To discuss his forthcoming interactive fiction game, his fantastic, weird, macabre writing and the fatal socioeconomic flaw at the heart of the Harry Potter universe. Follow Frog, obviously, on Twitter: @frogcroakley And me if you so deign: @madquills And the podcast: @uncarinunicast

THIS WEEK WE'RE JOINED BY CHRIS AVELLONE WHAT. You may know of him already...but for those of you who don't, Chris is the designer and writer of such games as Torment, KOTOR2, Fallout 2/New Vegas, FTL: AE, Wasteland 2, Tides of Numenera, Divinity: OS 2, Prey, and... KS: System Shock (recently over-funded on Kickstarter). Join us as we chat what keeps getting him out of bed in the morning, the importance of editors and mentors, along with the essential creativity boost of trying new genres and challenges. Follow Chris, obviously, on Twitter: @ChrisAvellone And me if you so deign: @madquills And the podcast: @uncarinunicast

For this episode we're joined by Lauran Carter (aka 'The Fable Red head') to hear about her journey from presenting at E3, to Lionhead, through to her new creative social startup Glowmade. Follow Lauran (and her cute-ass cats!): @thealbiongirl Check out the awesome looking Glowmade: @glowmade And Lauran's own podcast, focusing on the journeys various awesome people have taken through the games industry: @SuperCoolCast And us, if you so desire: @uncaringunicast @madquills

Kicking off Season 2 we were joined by psychgeographer, writer, game producer, bicycle and MURDER TREE aficionado Hannah Nicklin. We cover a lot of ground. Hannah is fascinating, and tells us about her work with performance theatre, how to question your satire intake, and of course we talk plenty about her brilliant writing on and study of the concept of psychogeography and how it applies to the gaming world. Make sure you check out Hannah's website: http://www.hannahnicklin.com/ And her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hannahnicklin?ty=h And follow us all on Twitter: @Madquills @theoncominghope @hannahnicklin @uncaringunicast

Part 2 of our epic chat with Seth Dickinson, games writer and author of 'The Traitor Baru Cormorant'. In this 1st half (last week)we mostly discussed Seth's brilliant debut novel, and the line between complicity and subversion. In this half we discuss: - His work on Destiny's lore - Using animation and sound to tell a story, and how it can improve gameplay without actually changing it - Uncharted and how in so many games there is no narrative, or reason to care, about killing the poor AI cannon fodder - Bastion/Half Life/Transistor/F.E.A.R - and the tricks they use to make you care about the characters and game world. - Ludo-narrative dissonance!

This week we were *super* excited to be joined by writer Seth Dickinson, who has just released his incredible debut geo-political fantasy novel 'The Traitor Baru Cormorant' Seth has always worked on the lore and backstory for a little known shoot them up (jk jk) named Destiny. Join us for the first part of our chat about all things traitorous, destined and generally to indulge our theorycrafting about Mass Effect's ending. Follow Seth. Really, do so @sethjdickinson And us @uncaringunicast Danny @madquills Yashoda @theoncominghope And if you don't wanna miss out on part 2 (shit gets DEEP) or our awesome upcoming guests, do subscribe on iTunes: http://apple.co/1Xr4tqg

This week we're joined by the creators of recently released trans-humanist, minimalist planetary-exploration text adventure SUN DOGS, Nic Tringali and Rebecca McCarthy. We (obviously) discuss the game at length, including influences, where to for cyberpunk from here, Cowboy Bebob, Trigun, and sadly Nic's cat doesn't make the vocal cameo we were promised. Follow the erudite and awesome creators of http://www.sundogsgame.com/ - @nictringali @azuresama And as ever, ya boy @madquills and @uncaringunicast. This episode will be available on iTunes shortly, you an subscribe here: https://itunes.apple.com/dk/podcast/uncaring-universe-podcast/id985787268?mt=2 We really love feedback and suggestions, so please holler if you liked it or know better than us.

For this episode we're joined (in person!) by Hugh Armitage - writer, journalist and podcast/comics aficionado. We discuss writing groups, magical realism, the brilliant Welcome To Nightvale podcast and plenty of great new comic knowledge. We mention a few authors and such along the way, including the writing group Hugh and Danny are both part of that is always eager to welcome new writers into the fold, all relevant links below: Near Missive Writers Group: https://medium.com/near-missive Welcome To Night Vale: http://www.welcometonightvale.com/ Austin Kleon (writer, book-maker): http://austinkleon.com/ Paul Jarvis (podcasts/newsletter): https://pjrvs.com/ Follow Hugh on Twitter @hugharmitage And us @uncaringunicast Danny: @madquills

After a little hiatus, we're back (well, Danny is due to Yashoda's crazy-glamorous work travel schedule and we're joined by Cameron Robinson - ex-Gamespot hit-Skyrim Mod show and recent co-founder of creative video company Double Jump. Join us for a discussion of the Star Wars Battlefront beta, HUD-hating, the current state of geeky and gaming video content and MONEY VS HAPPINESS, and, inevitably, much more.

This week we're joined by comic creator and graphic novelist Karrie Fransman, to discuss stretching the limits of what a comic means, visual novels, the Edinburgh Book Festival - and then, somehow - nostril sessions, DARK SECRETS and more. Check out Karrie on Twitter @KarrieFransman and visit her lovely, varied website right here: karriefransman.com Don't forget to let us know what you think @uncaringunicast and if you so desire, follow co-hosts Danny @madquills and Yashoda @theoncominghope. Next fortnight we have another writer and visual-maker, slightly more TV oriented. More info next week to whet your incorrigible little appetites.

In part two, we sink our investigate fangs in no particular order into: - Dongle-shaming - Internet outrage - "Was the internet a blissful place before the people came along and ruined it?" - Jon Ronson’s new book on public shaming, "So you've been publicly shamed" Follow Rob @robcox85 and holler at your boy/girl hosts at @madquills and @theoncominghope respectively. We're always keen to hear your thoughts, feedback and suggestions!

This week we're joined by gaming PR and board-game aficionado Daniela Pietrosanu, to discuss news about the Assassins Creed movie, 5th edition of Settlers of Catan, the sad news about Tale of Tales. Follow Daniela on Twitter: @DanielaOana And us! @UncaringUnicast

@laurakbuzz joins us to chat the women of Mad Max and Ninja Theory, *that* Rock Band article, green thumbs (is that a euphemism..?) and make E3 predictions!

This fortnight we're joined by Renaissance man Ash Denton to discuss 'Capital', the pre-cyberpunk game he's working on, futurism, the ineffable magic of Neil Gaiman, video game adaptation casting and more!

This episode we're joined by the man behind the monthly videogame culture talks Videobrains! Check out the forthcoming Videobrains events here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/-jaketucker-7002870337?s=31949171 And past talks here: https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoBrainsUK/videos Follow Jake on Twitter @_jaketucker Or: Yashoda @theoncominghope Danny @madquills Uncaring Universe @UncaringUniCast CONTENTS: - Fortnightly roundup - We discuss Samsung Gear, Cat Cafes and SxSW - Jake explains VideoBrains and its genesis - We discuss NPCs - the theme of the last set of talks - Jake puts Danny in his place and explains why Animal Crossing is a communist utopia - We talk a little Bloodborne, new comics and instrumental prog guitar!

This fortnight we're joined by Jamin Smith, writer of audio-game '3 Monkeys' for an in-depth discussion about accessibility in games, innovation in representation of 'senses' in games, before veering off for a Murakami love-in. Content list: -Planet of the Apes -Link to Three Monkeys: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1950090942/three-monkeys-part-1-into-the-abyss -Murakami’s Self-Help Blog: http://time.com/3655303/murakami-agony-uncle-questions-website/ -Net Neutrality news -Power Ranger Reboot and Reaction piece from original Power Rangers http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/02/26/original-cast-members-react-to-the-gritty-power-rangers-reboot-that-saban-wants-banned-2731522 -Great article on gaming and accessibility: http://www.polygon.com/features/2014/8/6/5886035/disabled-gamers-accessibility -murakami bingo: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/01/books/review/03snider.html -bearded ramen guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo-x0IlgrE0

Uncaring Universe is a new transatlantic, fortnightly podcast by Yashoda Sampath and Danny Salfield Wadeson - discussing the big issues of the geek industries (games, film, comics, etc. Chapter 1, Pod 1 - In which we discuss the harsh realities of Indie publishing, crowd funding, VATMOSS, the death of a console generation and *those* Peter Molyneux interviews.