Wardcast

Stepping foot inside the new and improved Seattle Convention Center for the first time, Dylan is joined by Hidden Gemsters old and new to showcase the indie games PAX West 2023 has on offer! Joining him is Good Trouble's Director of Communications Harris Foster, Innersloth's Communications Director Victoria Tran, Strange Scaffold's Creative Director Xalavier Nelson Jr., and Intelligame Founder Josh Boykin. From the panel description: PAX is huge — with hundreds of things to see and do, can you really experience it all? Since 2017 the Hidden Gems panel has helped PAX attendees discover new favorites that may be lurking right under their noses. Our panel of game industry professionals seek out the hidden and overlooked spaces of the convention center and beyond to pluck out one-of-a-kind experiences that are worth your time. Who knows… you may just find your next favorite game here! Games include Antonblast, Peggy's Farm, Thank Goodness You're Here!, Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To, Emberwind, Rose and Locket, Star Salvager, Clam Man 2: Headliner, Project Dark, Beastieball, Arco, Shot One, Treachery in Beatdown City, and World of Horror. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Masked, vaxxed, and ready for PAX, Hidden Gems returns for its first in-person panel since the start of the pandemic. Joining Dylan in the panel's home in the Bumblebee Theatre are our pals Coby West from The Glory Society and Anya Combs from Backerkit! From the panel description: Making its triumphant return, Hidden Gems is back for PAX East 2023! What is Hidden Gems? Imagine this: you've spent your whole day exploring the expo, playing games, and making life-long memories, but you still haven't seen a fraction of what is available at the show. How do you know you're not missing the coolest thing at PAX? That's where we come in. Our veteran crew of hidden-gemologists has compiled a list of the latest and greatest overlooked games to grace the show floor. Join us as we highlight, discuss, and point you in the direction of these hidden gems! Games include Scene Investigators; Hyde's Haunt and Seek; Rightfully, Beary Arms; Pacific Drive; Sparks; Unleaving; Who's Your Daddy?!; The Wandering Village; Paper Trail; and Ten Candles. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Here we are: at the end of 2022, with 2023 waiting right around the corner. Despite not recording many episodes this year, we still found the time to play — as well as develop! — games, and now it's time to tell you, dear lister, which ones meant the most to us in Two Thousand and Twenty-Two. Games include Fortnite, In Sound Mind, World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, Tunic, Rogue Legacy 2, and Splatoon 3. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We awaken from our Wardcast cryosleep long enough to get ahold of some audio equipment and record ourselves a podcast. Much has happened while we were away — too much to cover in a single podcast, in fact, so we'll just focus on the most recent events. Namely, John Riccitiello's continued mismanagement of Unity with its announced merger with ironSource. We then scooch on over to talk about the games we've been preoccupying ourselves with — we stand on either end of the soulslike spectrum with Tunic and Elden Ring, converse about Wordle and Wordle accessories, and take command of some decks in Magic: The Gathering. All this and more on this very special Wardcast! Games include The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Tunic, Inscryption, Wordle, Fortnite: Zero Build, Pokémon Legends Arceus, Elden Ring, and Magic: The Gathering. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

It's time for one final ‘cast before the year is done, and it's the one we've all been waiting for: the Best Games Played of Twenty Twenty-One! We've spent the past few episodes giving big ups to our favorite games this year; now it's time to give the biggest ups to just a final few — those games that stood out from the pack. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you may even be surprised by what games make the top ten. Awards include Funnest Ride, Best Return to Form, Most Layered, Snappiest Dialog, Most Genuine, Freshest Interactions, Most Realized, Brightest Return, Best Momentum, and Wildest Ideas. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

It's our third and final stretch of the Road to BGP 2021, and we're almost prepared for the final showdown. But before we get to the games, we revisit a classic video game boondoggle, consider the six degrees of Ryu, and argue about Pokémon designs. Then, Dylan and Alex finally settle in for some dodgeball metropolises, residential horrors, papercraft plumbers, not to mention some honorable mentions that didn't quite make the cut. Games include Knockout City, Resident Evil Village, Adios, New Pokémon Snap, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Hitman 3, Later Alligator, The Pathless, and Slice & Dice. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

The second stretch of 2021's Road to BGP has us talking time loops a-plenty, sequels and expansions, and the return of some of our favorite armor-clad space soldiers. Join us as we try, and fail, to finish talking about the rest of the games we loved this year. Games include Monster Hunter Rise, Deathloop, Metroid Dread, holedown, Inscryption, Halo Infinite, and Outer Wilds - Echoes of the Eye. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

As was foretold, we have reemerged from our subterranean slumber to fulfill an ancient prophecy — talking about the games we enjoyed the most in 2021, and also one we didn't much care for. It should also be stated: content warning for discussions of domestic violence, animal death, terminal illness, and similar topics during the discussion of some of these games. Games include Twelve Minutes, KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION, Cruelty Squad, Pac-Man 99, Before Your Eyes, Hitman 3, Guilty Gear Strive, and Splitgate. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Hey, ho, and whadya know — it's a rare Wardcast sighting! We've come out of hiding for a special occasion: to witness the final Smash Brother get announced — live! Join us as we see who exactly they announce (it could be anyone), and stick around after as we discuss the revelatory reveal and bring up some games we've been playing. Games include Deathloop, Outer Wilds - Echoes of the Eye, Twelve Minutes, WarioWare: Get It Together!, and Paper Mario: The Origami King. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

After a year and a half hiatus, Hidden Gems returns to the virtual PAX floor to showcase games at the second ever PAX Online! Joining Dylan on a tour through game demos galore is Hidden Gems mainstay Felix Kramer, El David y Estefi Show host David Lucio, and Innersloth and Among Us community director Victoria Tran! From the panel description: As you peruse all the fun and games PAX Online has on offer, you may be wondering, “what are the must-see games this weekend?” Allow us to answer that question for you! Tune in as our esteemed panelists from across the games industry convene for the first virtual Hidden Gems, where we'll show you the games you won't want to miss and the demos you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home! Games include Death Trash, Jack Move, Button City, Hoa, Haak, No Place for Bravery, Cris Tales, Dice Legacy, Tunche, Peglin, Justice Sucks Recharged, Klang 2, Dorf Romantic, and Firegirl. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We mosey on back to good ol’ R-V-of-A to round up a posse of news and topics to discuss. We chat about recent departures from Giant Bomb, continued reflections on the Battle of the Tims, and lessons learned from the Axiom Verge documentary. But then we get to the real meat of the matter — games. Overwatch is facing huge changes to its gameplay, Resident Evil Village finds the perfect balance from the franchise’s past, and New Pokémon Snap delivers on a twenty-two-year-old promise. After that, we contend with rumors of a professional Switch and an update from your friends at Wardcast. Games include Overwatch, Resident Evil Village, and New Pokémon Snap. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We’re here in the great city of Austin, Texas, where Dylan has decided to take his fully vaccinated self to visit friend and colleague Coby West — technical producer at game dev co-op The Glory Society. Dylan and Coby discuss their recent forays into tabletop gaming, try to agree on a definition for 2.5D, observe the ongoing Epic v. Apple trial, dive deep into some hands-on with the PlayStation 5 and Astro’s Playroom, and talk about upcoming games they’re excited for. Games include Super Mario Maker 2, New Pokémon Snap, Blades in the Dark, Gone Home, Paradise Killer, and Astro’s Playroom. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

On this episode, we chart a course through all things games: We start our journey from Recent Release Bay, where games that have recently entered the hype cycle slosh against the waves, including Returnal, Ratchet and Clank, and New Pokémon Snap. We then enter the icy and tumultuous Activisea, where blistering gales carry the news of Activision Blizzard slowly transforming into the Call of Duty Corporation, with Toys for Bob forced to become a Warzone support studio. These harsh winds are only slightly buffeted by our quiet reflections on Hearthstone and World of Warcraft. Once the squall ends, we sail straight towards the Game Dev Archipelago, using the Double Fine’s recently released Amnesia Fortnight 2019 documentary as a guide. By this point, it’s all calm waters, as we discuss individual authorship on massive game projects as well as anti-adventure games with Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor. Games include Teardown, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, and Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Another year in quarantine means another year without gaming events. At least, it’s another year without events in meatspace, so we zap into cyberspace to speculate on what an all-digital E3 looks like, all while getting our GDC fix from the Crows Developers Conference. But even without the yearly industry event, we still get our fix of industry news and discussion: Jeffery Kaplan has jettisoned from Blizzard, itch.io comes to the Epic Games Store, and Discord decides to not get acquired by Microsoft as they eye a potential IPO. And then it’s just games, games, games: Alex still has work to do at Together BnB, Monster Hunter rises up again for another whirlwind discussion, and Lil Nas X twerks his way into our hearts with a booty-shaking rhythm game. Games include Crows Developers Conference, Monster Hunter Rise, Together BnB, Twerk Hero, PS1 Haunted Demo Disc, Say No! More, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Brawl Stars, Holedown, Threes!, 2048, and Golf on Mars. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

With germ juice coursing through our veins, we hop back onto the mics to discover a world different than where we left it — Mario is dead, Pokémon cards are skyrocketing in value, and everyone’s playing viral sensation Together BnB. Beyond that, we memorialize the looming destruction of Yahoo Answers, mourn Deathloop’s prophesied delay, and return to the mean streets of Knockout City. Games include Dishonored 2, Magic: The Gathering Arena, Together BnB, Knockout City, and PAC-MAN 99. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We rise to the podcast occasion to talk about the one thing that matters most: superhero movi— wait, no… video games! When we’re not criticizing the Snyder Cut and other assorted superhero fare, we’re checking out the newest brothers of Smash, fighting ancient gods in the Doom Eternal DLC, collecting our self-assigned walking sim homework, and oh so much more. In news: Squenix’s Balan Wonderworld seems to be in rough shape, and SIE CEO Jim Ryan thinks we shouldn’t worry ourselves about wanting to play old games, which is extremely distressing given the oncoming closure of the PS3, PSP, and PS Vita digital stores. But, hey, at least we’ll have these haunted PS1 demo discs to see us through. Games include Monster Hunter Rise; Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; Doom Eternal; Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist; What Remains of Edith Finch; Adios; Haunted PS1 Demo Disc 2021; Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury; and Super Mario Odyssey. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

This episode, Dylan and Alex start the show by taking their taste buds on a space-faring adventure with some Halo-branded snacks. We then touch back down on terrestrial soil as we uncover news of game devs investing in non-fungible tokens, the Anthem and Artifact reboots getting canceled, Google Stadia closing its internal studios, and DC’s Deathstroke apparently being a huge Halo fan? Checking into Alex’s adventures with World of Warcraft and the Monster Hunter movie, we get his impressions on both, while also taking the time to stroll through a variety of walking sims. Games include World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth; Fortnite; Minesweeper Effect; Wreckfest; What Remains of Edith Finch; Event Zero; and Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Alex and Dylan are back at it again with a plethora of news and games as well as recording their live reactions of the long-awaited return of the Nintendo Direct. Listen in as we in realtime get disappointed by the latest Smash character reveal, become confused by Knockout City’s ad strategy, and argue about the relevancy of Splatoon. But wait, there’s more! Instead of a Summer of Games, 2021 is poised to deliver to us a Winter of Games. We grapple with the BlizzPros of BlizzCon, consider the state of PlayStation, and celebrate the House of Lightning Mouse’s 25th anniversary. Games include Knockout City, World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, and Dinosaur Planet. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

On this, our semiquincentennial episode, we get down to brass tacks to discuss the most important topics: what’s up with all these musicians performing inside of video games, whose idea was it to try to resurrect an ill-conceived Iraq War game, what are the core Mario and Zelda games, and exactly how tall is Lady Dimitrescu? All these questions and more will be answered on this episode of the Wardcast! Games include Fortnite, The Pathless, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We begin our eleventh month of quarantine talking about the things we know best. For starters: personal investing and stock market manipulation! After we dance on the graves of a couple of hedge funds, we move on to eulogize the passing of Flash, use LEGO bricks as a conduit to learning about game dev, return to talking about stars and the wars therein, and hit some mans in the latest release from IO Interactive. Games include Stinkoman 20X6, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Battlefront II, and Hitman 3. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

With 2020 solidly in the rearview, we embrace 2021 and everything that comes with it: Hollywood cannibals, bean dads, Alex’s addiction to segues, and yet another disappointing chat about The Game Awards. But that’s not all! We also take the time to discuss the One-Winged Angel coming to Smash, the rebirth of Lucasfilm Games, and the Cyberpunk 2077 saga of labor issues, problematic representation, and unstable software. Games include Monster Hunter Rise, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Cyberpunk 2077, and Doom Eternal. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

After a long and arduous year, we’ve finally made it to Best Games Played! We simplified and streamlined to make our end-of-the-year recording responsibilities a little simpler, and as such, we still got some games to discuss before we get to the final countdown We talk PlayStation 5 ownership and a new world of haptic feedback, who will be the Lord of the Sweetieflies on Snaktooth Island, one final update to Blaseball, and so much more. So join us for one final journey as we sojourn through our Best Games Played awards and sail into 2021! Games include Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Bugsnax, Blaseball, Ghost of Tsushima, Astro’s Playroom, Forza Horizon 4, Phasmophobia, Superliminal, Star Wars: Squadrons, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, Demon’s Souls, Ring Fit Adventure, Titanfall 2, Deep Rock Galactic, and The Last of Us Part II. Awards include Greatest Debates, Warmest Neighborhood, Oddest Ball, Best Game Show, Boldest Myth, Best Archive, Best Playground, Greatest Responsibility, Best Shared Screams, and Most Balanced. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

With two Smashers down and four left to go for the seemingly final DLC pack for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Dylan, Alex, and Nelson gather together to debate and discuss who will be lucky enough to ascend to such vaunted a station. Theories abound: maybe another Microsoft representative, maybe a yet-to-be-fully-acknowledged Nintendo rival, or maybe someone from the company’s retro past? Who’s to say! We consider the realistic, the reaching, and the ramshackle possibilities on this, our second round of the Smash Ultimate Prediction Pool. Games include The Wonderful 101: Remastered. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

As we roll through the sleepy days of autumn, the games industry continues to keep us on our toes. First up, we have multiple video game movies to contend with, with the release of the first full Monster Hunter trailer and the first photos of Tom Holland as Nathan Drake. But autumn means one other thing: that’s right, it’s Spooky Season! So we contend with games both scary and macabre as we ponder the nature of consciousness in SOMA, fend off Mr. X in Resident Evil 2, investigate a murder in Paradise Killers, and explore the afterlife in I Am Dead. And once we’re done spooking ourselves through games, there are other horrors to contend with: Facebook’s total absorption of Oculus, lackluster Mario Royale successors, Steve losing his meat, content creators paying license fees to play games, and the American election. Games include SOMA, Resident Evil 2, Genshin Impact, Paradise Killer, I Am Dead, Disc Room, Star Wars Squadrons, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Super Mario Bros. 35, Soviet Jump Game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Grand Theft Auto V. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Wedding bells are ringing out at Wardcast Manor, as two of our hosts prepare for holy matrimony, but before they can spend life eternal with their significant others, they have to take their vows: Do you, Alex, take this Breath of the Wild gacha game, in good rolls and in bad, to be a decent enough successor to the seminal Zelda game? To valiantly defend Super Mario 64 even though it may not be the best entry in 3D All-Stars, and to always find Project Winter to be vastly superior to Among Us? And do you, Nelson, promise to always ensure that we have a five-stack in Valorant, whether in competitive or unranked? To always find Zagreus in Hades drop-dead sexy, and to find Final Fantasy VII Remake a frustratingly lacking game, as long as it is sold on shelves? Games include Genshin Impact, Valorant, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Hades, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Among Us, Project Winter, and Final Fantasy VII Remake. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

It’s a powdery fresh Wardcast as Dylan, Nelson, and Alex discuss the ever-changing gaming landscape. We got acquisitions galore as Red Ventures steps in to acquire CNET Media and all its associated brands while Microsoft makes a big play by purchasing Bethesda parent Zenimax Media for a whopping $7.5 billion. All the while, the next gen of consoles hangs heavy on the horizon, as we discuss the rise of the prosumers, question the point of 4K, and wonder who the heck is buying a console this holiday, anyways? Games include The Sims 4, Wide Ocean Big Jacket, Night in the Woods, Boku no Natsuyasumi, Disco Elysium, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

This week on the Wardcast, Dylan and Nelson are joined by Abby Russell, content producer at Giant Bomb! The duo talks to Abby about her work at the site, including the balancing act of being an informer, entertainer, and a (sometimes) critic of games, as well as understanding the parasocial relationship between herself and the audience. We also tackle the big questions: is the state of Virginia technically in “the South”? And who are video games’ hottest characters? Games include The Sims 4, Fortnite, Titanfall 2, and Marvel’s Avengers. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

For the inaugural PAX Online, we join together with our friends and colleagues to talk about acquiring funding for your indie game! Joining Dylan for this discussion is Finji’s Bekah Saltsman, Kickstarter’s Anya Combs, Kowloon Nights’ Callum Underwood, and Devolver Digital’s Nigel Lowrie! The gang discusses everything about funding partners, including what to have prepared for your preliminary meeting with a potential partner, what your expectations should be for your first collaboration, and more! From the panel description: Finding funding for your game’s development can sometimes feel like a forbidden art — discussed only in hushed tones in hidden rooms. We’re here to demystify that search and equip you with the knowledge and preparation needed to approach a financial stakeholder — whether it’s a publisher, a crowdfunding platform, a funding collective, or some alternate partnership. Listen in on this discussion between publishers, crowdfunding representatives, and other industry professionals about the ins and outs of funding your game. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

It’s a two man show this episode as Dylan and Nelson sit down to talk about a handful of games, coincidentally all starring the same voice talent. We follow up with Nelson’s foreshadowing last episode about how he might not like Marvel’s Avengers, only to discover that he, in fact, does not like Marvel’s Avengers! And Dylan finally played The Last of Us and leads us through a discussion on how the game holds up seven years on, especially in comparison with the release of Part II. Games include Marvel’s Avengers, The Last of Us Remastered, Fall Guys, and The Last of Us Part II. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Our third and final attempt at catching up has us discussing games, games, games! It’s a whirlwind tour of all sorts of games — web games, AAA games, and… weird, corrupted fan games? We also double up on two entries in two different franchises, as we jump between Hell and a world of assassination. It’s all this and more in our quarantine catch-up! Games include Blaseball, Mario Royale, Doom, Doom Eternal, Hitman, Hitman 2, Valorant, Pottergame, and Marvel’s Avengers. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We continue to catch up on the endless Summer of Games™! We find out that the gamers are unwell, as they deal with a Nintendo leak of gigantic proportions, debating […]

We continue to catch up on the endless Summer of Games™! We find out that the gamers are unwell, as they deal with a Nintendo leak of gigantic proportions, debating dedicated hardware versus emulation, and melting down over Halo Infinite’s alleged graphical “downgrade.” Also to contend with this episode: Pokémon teeth, an upsetting amount of Star Wars, MCU-ified M.O.D.O.K., and, unfortunately, more misconduct in the games industry — content warning for sexism, racism, and abuse — this time at Ubisoft. Games include Apex Legends, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Devolverland Expo, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Phantasy Star Online 2. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We collect virtually for the first time since the pandemic started to record our longest podcast to date, and for good reason: in lieu of E3 happening this year, we […]

We collect virtually for the first time since the pandemic started to record our longest podcast to date, and for good reason: in lieu of E3 happening this year, we instead have to contend with an eternal summer of announcements. And in the final quarter of this episode, we discuss the ongoing allegations of abuse in the industry — content warning for discussions of sexual abuse and sexual assault — along with the failure of the industry to protect victims and oust abusers. Games include Tabletop Simulator, Just One, Wits & Wagers, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, Dépanneur Nocturne, Knuckles’ Chaotix, Spellbreak, Hitman, and Hitman 2. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Josh Boykin — founder of gaming community Intelligame — joins the show to talk about the intersectionality of games and society. Josh discusses the unique way he streams games for the site, balancing gameplay with thoughtful discussions with the chat, as well as the different lenses we use to critically discuss games — commercial, technical, artistic, social, and more. Meanwhile, The Last of Us Part II release is making waves about storytelling in AAA — we reexamine the struggles of ludonarrative dissonance and its less spoken off compliments ludonarrative resonance and ludonarrative harmony and how gaming’s attempt to escape this constraint is reflective of society striving for something better. And we cap things off with last month’s Wholesome Direct and Josh’s role in bringing the showcase to life! Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Josh Boykin — founder of gaming community Intelligame — joins the show to talk about the intersectionality of games and society. Josh discusses the unique way he streams games for […]

Emma Kinema, organizer for CODE-CWA and co-founder of Game Workers Unite, joins Dylan for a wide-ranging discussion on organizing workplaces in games, tech, and beyond. We talk about organizing in light of COVID-19, finding where workers draw power, the importance of solidarity, and challenging the old wives’ tales used to suppress worker wages. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Emma Kinema, organizer for CODE-CWA and co-founder of Game Workers Unite, joins Dylan for a wide-ranging discussion on organizing workplaces in games, tech, and beyond. We talk about organizing in […]

Recorded before we got the inevitable news of E3 2020’s cancellation, we hunker down to discuss the impacts the coronavirus has had on the gaming world and beyond. We also chat about Georgian caped crusaders, a wonderful kickstarter that recently happened, the end of our devil’s hunt, and a one-of-a-kind console prototype that sold for a little less than expected. Games include Halo: The Master Chief Collection, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cave Story+, Labyrinth, and Soko Loco Express. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

Recorded before we got the inevitable news of E3 2020’s cancellation, we hunker down to discuss the impacts the coronavirus has had on the gaming world and beyond. We also […]

We crack open the Wardcast time capsule to bring you an episode postdated January 25th, 2020, that had us conducting a then-punctual discussion about the Oscars, games, and the gaming news of the preceding months that occurred while we were otherwise preoccupied. We (hopefully) close the book on Death Stranding, take a look at Half-Life: Alyx, try to figure out what happened at The Game Awards, discover some hot ‘sclusies on C-SPAN, and discuss the onslaught of a new console generation. Games include Death Stranding, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We crack open the Wardcast time capsule to bring you an episode postdated January 25th, 2020, that had us conducting a then-punctual discussion about the Oscars, games, and the gaming […]

An impromptu addition to our schedule at PAX East has Dylan moderating a panel about publishing and crowdfunding with several friends from the industry. Joining Dylan back in the Bobcat Theatre are Finji CEO Bekah Saltsman, Kickstarter’s Director of Games Anya Combs, Lay Waste Games’ Co-Owner Jon Ritter, and Soft Serve Games’ Chris Wulf. We discuss the dos and don’ts about getting outside help to make your game, including how to approach publishers, what you should have prepared when you’re asking for funding, and some tips for running a successful Kickstarter. We also get a surprise game industry announcement near the end of the panel. From the panel description: Are you thinking about making a game in the next year? Have you already made a game and simply don’t know what to do next? Crowdfunding and [p]ublishing can be a great [way] to get your game out there, but the process does not begin when you launch a campaign or approach a publisher. There is work to be done before, during, and after to ensure you give your creation what it deserves! Join industry professionals to discuss their thoughts, experiences, and ask the burning questions you have. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

An impromptu addition to our schedule at PAX East has Dylan moderating a panel about publishing and crowdfunding with several friends from the industry. Joining Dylan back in the Bobcat […]

We deploy a parachute full of pants to land squarely in the Bobcat Theatre to celebrate the tenth Hidden Gems panel! Joining Dylan for this momentous occasion is producer Felix Kramer, community developer Jenny Windom, and League of Heels announcer Pat Baer. Listen in as we uncover the secrets and surprises from PAX East 2020, and follow along with the panel slides here. From the panel description: As the cold winter winds blow outside, you venture indoors to warm yourself at PAX’s hearth. Inside, you find a treasure trove of games ready to be played, but there are so many to see, where do you start? That’s where we step in: if you’re looking for secrets and surprises from the show floor, there’s no better place to hear about them than at Hidden Gems! Join us as we gather folks from across the games industry to showcase games and experiences that you won’t want to miss. Games include Sludge Life, Kana Quest, Ambition: A Minuet of Power, Mini Maker, Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Floppy Knights, Overpass, She Dreams Elsewhere, Knights and Bikes, Skate Story, Welcome to Elk, Minute of Islands, and Phogs! Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

We deploy a parachute full of pants to land squarely in the Bobcat Theatre to celebrate the tenth Hidden Gems panel! Joining Dylan for this momentous occasion is producer Felix […]

For our third year at PAX South, we’ve brought together some Hidden Gems veterans to retake the stage at the Cactus Theatre. Joining Dylan Ilvento are compatriots Harris Foster, Rami Ismail, Anya Combs, and Victoria Caña. Follow along with the panel slides here. From the panel description: Welcome to PAX, a virtual cornucopia of games and wonderment! If you’re looking for secrets and surprises from the show floor, there’s no better place to hear about them than at Hidden Gems! Join us as we explore all PAX has to offer and select for you a handful of curated pieces that you’ll want to check out while you’re here. Games include Garden Story, Bill Hates Video Games, Calico, The Artful Escape, Infernax, Speaking Simulator, All Hams on Deck, From Rust, Fire Tower, Foregone, Magequit, Boyfriend Dungeon, and Just Shapes and Beats. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

For our third year at PAX South, we’ve brought together some Hidden Gems veterans to retake the stage at the Cactus Theatre. Join Dylan Ilvento are compatriots Harris Foster, Rami […]

As part of MAGFest’s Music and Gaming Education Symposium, Dylan invited Anya Combs and Sam Eng for a discussion about the trials and tribulations of working in the game industry. We talk about how we got started in the industry, difficult patches we’ve hit, and how we’ve grown from those experiences. Feel free to follow along with the panel slides. From the panel description: Discussions about ‘breaking into’ the games industry are well worn territory. There’s plenty of information out there already about networking, upskilling, and other common topics. But let’s say you’re already doing all of that and you’re still finding it hard getting your big break. What do you do when the going gets tough? Join us for a roundtable discussion with members from the games industry to talk about how they tackled personal challenges on their journeys to get where they are today. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!

As part of MAGFest’s Music and Gaming Education Symposium, Dylan invited Anya Combs and Sam Eng for a discussion about the trials and tribulations of working in the game industry. […]

It’s the start of a fresh new year, and that means there’s only one thing to do! That’s right, it’s time to go In. To. The. MAG. We’re poding at MAG for a special one-night-only event. Dylan and Nelson are joined by Video Game Book Club host Michael Macasiano, here to talk about trading morals for superpowers, eclectic arcade games, and videogamesareawful.com. Games include Heave Ho, Circumnavigators, Hercules, F-Zero AX, Sonic Championship, Tetris: The Grand Master 3 - Terror‑Instinct, and Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward. Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord or email us at contact@ward-games.com!