Podcasts about alpha conspiracy

Last minisode of the year for the Critical Distance Confab. I tried to think of a theme, but really it's just two indie games worthy of some attention and love. Angelina Bonilla aka Red Angel co-hosts with me this month. We've been able to bring the minisodes back thanks to our listeners' support on Patreon. To help us to add more new features to the site, including foreign-language coverage and videos, please consider supporting us. In case you don't know, the purpose here is to highlight some games we feel aren't getting the critical attention they deserve for whatever reason. The hope is that one of you intrepid listeners will sort that out by playing and writing about them. The games mentioned will range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on up through AAA games that have slipped through the cracks. Angelina's Pick Milkmaid of the Milky Way/a> by Mattis Polkestad Eric's Pick The Banner Saga by Stoic Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month on the Critical Distance Confab, Angelina Bonilla better known as Red Angel was kind enough to come on. Red Angel started off as a writer for online publications. However, after some time there, she wanted to for a while to turn her efforts to video. Ignorant of the wider YouTube critical community, she just started her channel. She began her Late Night Ponderings series as an extension of the editorials she wrote for Noobfeed and Game Skinny, but they evolved beyond the constraints of editorial mandates and game journalism "style" into something more personable. And instead of focusing on larger titles, she found she had little to add and instead chose to use her time critiquing smaller indie games for the most part. We talk about her writing sounding "like poetry," wanting to bring different perspectives into this sphere, and owls for some reason. SHOW NOTES Red Angel YouTube Channel Late Night Ponderings: Life Is Strange's Ending and Reception Death and Photography in Life is Strange Oxenfree The Duality of Grief in Clarissa and ALex Why I Cover Indie Games Late Night Ponderings: Similar Sinews Angelina Bonilla Author's Page - Noobfeed Angelina Bonilla Author's Page - Game Skinny Red Angel Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

I'm not dead, the minisodes are back, back from the dead that is, on the Critical Distance Confab. In the spirit of October, we bring you another minisode installment on horror games. Co-hosting with me this month is my podcast associate from PopMatters, Nick Dinicola. In case you don't know, the purpose here is to highlight some games we feel aren't getting the critical attention they deserve for whatever reason. The hope is that one of you intrepid listeners will sort that out by playing and writing about them. The games mentioned will range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on up through AAA games that have slipped through the cracks. We've been able to bring the minisodes back thanks to our listeners' support on Patreon. To help us to add more new features to the site, including foreign-language coverage and videos, please consider supporting us. Nick's Pick Downfall by Harvester Games Eric's Pick Stories Untold by No Code Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month on the Critical Distance Confab we welcome Alex Carlson from the YouTube channel PostMesmeric. Alex Carlson is a relative newbie to the world of YouTube video game criticism. He had some experience with written criticism, most notably on Hardcore Gaming 101, but transferred over when he was introduced to the idea that YouTube could be used for more than simple entertainment. His channel is a hidden gem, which I came upon one day when Youtube's algorithm was feeling particularly kind: toiling away in relative obscurity, perhaps thanks to the capricious nature of this algorithm, he nonetheless continues to put out quality videos. We talk about his style of criticism connecting design to theme, his predilection for critiquing horror games, and his more personal video about how certain games exploit his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. SHOW NOTES PostMesmeric YouTube Channel Pyre and Responsibility | PostMesmeric This Dishwasher: Vampire Smile Analysis - The Art of Control | Postmesmeric Layers of Fear Analysis - Framing and Perspective | PostMesmeric Detention Anaylsis - Fear and Reality | PostMesmeric Evolving Rhythm Gameplay | PostMesmeric Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts - An In-Depth Critique | PostMesmeric Banjo Kazooie vs. Banjo Tooie - Rare's Metamorphosis |PostMesmeric Gaming With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder |PostMesmeric Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month on the Critical Distance Confab, all the way from New Zealand, is YouTuber Mitch Cramer. Mitch Cramer, aka HeavyEyed, is a relatively new to the world of YouTube video game criticism. Starting off as a band manager, he moved away from that to put some video production skills to use. He started a channel and steadily plucked away at it until some attention came his way after one video spiked in viewers. We talk about his in depth criticism of the Star Fox games, the local video game development scene in New Zealand and his steady improvement at what he finds the toughest part of making a video, the writing. SHOW NOTES HeavyEyed YouTube Channel Star Fox 64 - Medals & High Scores // HeavyEyed The Problems With Star Fox //HeavyEyed Looking At Every Zelda Introduction // HeavyEyedd Mental Health in Video Games // HeavyEyed The Language of Video Games // HeavyEyed Hi-Bit Era - The Future of Pixel Art Games // HeavyEyed HeavyEyed Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

After a year long hiatus, the minisodes are back on the Critical Distance Confab. In case you missed them the first time around, the idea behind these minisodes is for myself and a co-host to highlight some games that haven't gotten a lot of criticism or much attention at all. The hope is that one of you intrepid listeners will try one of them out and write about it. The games on the docket range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on up to AAA games that have slipped through the cracks. We've been able to bring the minisodes back thanks to our listeners' support on Patreon. To help us to add more new features to the site, including foreign-language coverage and videos, please consider supporting us. To keep things shorter and more manageable for our guests, we've changed the format to one game a piece instead of the three games a piece we had previously been doing. Enjoy! Co-hosting with me this month is our intrepid editor-in-chief, Zoya Street. Zoya's Pick Two Dots by Betaworks Eric's Pick Masquerada: Songs and Shadows by Witching Hour Studios Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Joining me for this month's interview is author of actual books and YouTube critic Joseph Anderson. Starting from a desire to build up his online presence to attract a book agent, Joseph Anderson decided to create some YouTube videos to release himself of some "petty gripes" he had regarding the Dark Souls vs. Dark Souls 2 debate. He felt that a lot of what Dark Souls 2 was getting knocked on for was present in the original game. From there the channel grew to surpass his original occupation. We talk about the extreme amount of prep work - including multiple playthroughs - he engages in, the roulette-wheel-like luck of algorithms, and the surreality of success. SHOW NOTES Joseph Anderson YouTube Channel Dark Souls Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5 Diablo 3 and Reaper of Souls Fallout 4 Analysis Fallout 4 - One Year Later Dark Souls 3 Critique Uncharted and The Last of Us - Great and Terrible Games Joseph Anderson Vs No Man's Sky The Witness - A Great Game That You Shouldn't Play Joseph Anderson Amazon Author Page Joseph Anderson Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

I managed to snag critic, rhetorician and YouTube vaudevillian Harry Brewis, more commonly known as Hbomberguy for this month's interview. Mr. Hbomberguy is a bit of an odd duck with regards to YouTube games criticism. He first came to internet prominence through his videos of ridiculing internet dumbasses and that work forms a clear line regarding how he talks about video games. His earlier video game videos we far more conventional, while the videos he made afterwards are far more bizarre, funny and in line with the breaking down arguments and rhetoric displayed in those "measured responses." We also talk about the cultivation of comic personas, the control video allows him over his audience, and the monumental effort that goes into making his videos look like a slapdash production. SHOW NOTES Hbomberguy YouTUbe Channel The Sarkeesian Effect: A Measured Response Measured Response: Bill Nye VS Pseudosience (Part One) Fallout 3 Is Garbage, And Here's Why SHIELD BASH: LORDS OF THE FALLEN REVIEW - Hbomberguy Why Braid Is Great - Hbomberguy Bloodborne Is Genius, And Here's Why What Makes An Action Scene Good? Perverted Sentimentality: An Analysis of UNDERTALE SERIOUS SONIC LORE ANALYSIS Hbomb Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Freshly back from E3, YouTuber Hamish Black, the man behind the Writing on Games channel, sat down with me for this month's interview. Nearly two years ago exactly, Hamish Black took the plunge and began making critical YouTube videos. He began by tying the academic work he learned at university to video games. However, he soon found his formula a little restricting and began stretching beyond his original conception. At the time, he was ignorant of the larger community of in-depth critics and so was alone in building his channel. But as he continued plugging away, he did become aware of many other critics, both YouTube and otherwise, which helped him branch out his own work. In the interview, Hamish Black and I discuss his start and growth along with his search for the balance between academic theory and approachability, the evolving context of games, and resisting the call of Dark Souls as a YouTube hit maker. SHOW NOTES Writing on Games YouTube Channel 'Her Story' and the Birth of the Reader Revisiting Killer 7 or: Art as Technique Dark Souls Helped Me Cope With Suicidal Depression Why Blighttown Really Matters (Dark Souls) - Writing on Games How the Meaning of Vanquish (and Spec Ops: The Line) Changed The Real Problem With Steam Music Games and the Joy of Making Mistakes Writing on GamesCast Writing on Games Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

With this interview, we move away from YouTube for the moment to talk with Philip Jones, the director of the 2015 documentary Gaming in Color. The documentary started with an intent to focus on the then-new Gaymer X convention. But as the original crew fell away due to lack of funding, Philip Jones and others picked up where they left off and expanded the scope of the film. With a focus on the intersection of the queer and gaming communities, the documentary seeks to answer the question of many outside observers, why is something like Gaymer X necessary? Philip Jones and I also discuss the logistics in putting together a documentary with the crew spread across the US, whether it's still relevant given how fast the community moves in this day and age, and the specific choice behind the positive tone the film puts forth. SHOW NOTES Gaming in Color Homepage Gaming in Color on Steam Gaming in Color Kickstarter Philip Jones' Twitter Gaymer X Midboss Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month I interview YouTuber Kevin John, also known as Cagey. Cagey is a small time YouTube essayist, a jolly old soul from Scotland. From writing at fan sites he struck out on his own with his own YouTube channel. His output is much shorter than many of the other people we've featured here as he prefers concise arguments. We discuss his worships of the temple of the red pen, ambiguous channel iconography and what he has learned during his time making videos. SHOW NOTES Cagey Videos YouTube Channel Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders - Last Stand "Great Level: Kingdom Under Fire EXTRAS Game Feel Part 1 (of 2): Controls Game Feel PArt 2 (of 2): Presentation Mercenaries and The Deck of 52 - Cagey Videos X-Men: Legends: Sibling Rivalry The Magic Maze Red Barrels are Awesome (And We All Know It) Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

In this episode, I interview the newly crowned Critical Distance 2016 Journalist of the Year, Heather Alexandra. Each new interviewee seems to bring some new aspect to the video criticism form. Heather Alexandra instead of jumping straight into video essays, began with the longer form of Let's Play, but with a critical bent. From there she continued to evolve her voice down two paths, the more structured video essay we are familiar with, and a more casual conversation format developed from the Let's Play style. We discuss that two pronged approach as well as her freelance work, new job at Kotaku, and speculate on the future of video game commentary. SHOW NOTES Heather Alexandra's YouTube Channel Kotaku's A Critical Look Playlist "Let's Crit": Far Cry 4 "Let's Crit": Shadow of the Colossus Let's Remember Skies of Arcadia Vanquish: Why Ya Gotta Do More Than Just Play Games ZAM - The Witness Review A Closer Look At "The Harvester" in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Reviting Red Dead Redepmtion MGS2 Livestream w. Zolani and Austin! Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Our first interview of 2017 is with Great Levels in Gaming YouTube producer Max Barnyard. Like our previous interviewee, Max Barnyard focuses his criticism on specific elements of video games; in this case, the construction and purpose of exemplary level design. video games. But what is a level in a contemporary video games? We discuss that question, along with how he chooses what levels to showcase, his work with Achievement Hunter, and his penchant for puns. SHOW NOTES Max Barnyard YouTube Channel Great Levels in Gaming at Achievement Hunter Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 1 - Journey Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 2 - Far Cry 3 Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 5 - Final Fantasy XIII Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 8 - Halo: Combat Evolved The Last Cave & The Labyrinth - Cave Story - Great Levels in Gaming Egoraptor - Sequelitis Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

We end this year of interviews with Mark Brown of Game Maker's Toolkit. Mark Brown went a different direction with his video based video game criticism. Instead of interviews, opinion shows or holistic game examinations, he devoted his channel to the exploration of craftsmanship in video games. Devoting his energy to explaining a singular thing in each video, what it does and how it is accomplished. We discuss how he explores a game design concept, the use it has found in various different audiences, and where he hopes to take the channel into the future. SHOW NOTES Game Maker's Toolkit YouTube Channel Adaptive Soundtracks| Game Maker's Toolkit Half-Life 2's Invisible Tutorial | Game Maker's Toolkit Analysing Mario to Master Super Mario Maker | Game Maker's Toolkit A Super Mario Maker Super Spin-Off Episode Point and Click Puzzle Design | Game Maker's Toolkit Boss Keys Sequelitis - Mega Man Classic vs. Mega Man X Every Frame a Painting YouTube Channel Game Maker's Toolkit Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Continuing on with our series of video in video game criticism, this month, I have Sam Gronseth, the Game Professor of the YouTube channel Games as Literature, on to talk. Sam Gronseth taught a class to teach literary analysis using video games instead of novels or short stories for several charter schools. He then turned those lesson plans into a YouTube channel. His videos are filled with accessible explanations, from basic 101 concepts to understanding the deeper meaning of video games. In addition, he has created Literary Analysis videos that go in-depth on a specific title. We talk about that original class, the struggle of keeping up a schedule for a hobby, and the pleasure that teaching and video making have given him. SHOW NOTES Games as Literature YouTube Channel Games as Lit. 101 - Syllabus Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis - Bioshock Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis: Gears of War Trilogy Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis: The Stanley Parable Gaming Symposium YouTube Channel Games as Lit. 101 Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Somewhat late, we present this month's interview of the Critical Distance Confab! I interview Ian Danskin of the Innuendo Studios YouTube channel. In 2014, Ian Danskin made his first YouTube video about celebrity in internet culture, This is Phil Fish, and what that means. He expected a few views and he would build his audience over time, except that video went viral and is to date, by far, his most viewed video. Since then, he's mostly trekked his own path and talked about whatever interested him. We cover some of those interests in talking about adventure games, the challenge of discussing theory that was mostly self taught and, of course, the virality of YouTube videos and the efforts of tracking what an audience is looking for. SHOW NOTES Innuendo Studios YouTube Channel This is Phil Fish Why Are You So Angry? Who Shot Guybrush Threepwood? Things of Beauty: Super Smash Bros. as Spectator Sport Story Beats: Ben There, Dan That The Artist is Absent: Davey Wreden and The Beginner's Guide It's Not Easy Being Blue Innuendo Studios Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

We are back with another interview on the Critical Distance Confab! This month we are joined by Bob Whitaker, associate professor in Modern History at Louisiana Tech University and founder of History Respawned. In 2013, he started the YouTube channel by looking at video games from a historical perspective. Not content to focus only on games portraying histories within his wheelhouse, he soon began bringing on other scholars to share their expert insights into the histories portrayed in games. In the process, he has brought their knowledge to a wider audience, beyond the confines of the academy. We talk about the insular nature of academia, the challenges of getting guests to come on to the show, as well as looking to the future of history-based games. SHOW NOTES History Respawned YouTube Channel History Respawned: Assassin's Creed IV History Respawned: Diablo III History Respawned: Valiant Hearts Hisotry Respawned: Bioshock Infinite and the Boxer Uprising Hisotry Respawned: Uncharted 4 Backwards Compatible: Gamers as a Public History Audience This History Respawned Podcast Hisotry Respawned Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome back for another interview on the Critical Distance Confab! This month our guest is Noah Caldwell-Gervais, a video maker who is skilled at creating richly layered arguments. He started making long-form video essays on games in 2013 with a thorough look at the Fallout series. Since then he has been applying his critical lens in videos that examine an entire franchise, or games connected by a common theme. We talk about these advantages of his long form style, how he chooses games, and his plans to branch out into travel writing. SHOW NOTES Noah Caldwell-Gervais' YouTube Channel A Thorough Look At Fallout The Complete Call of Duty Single Player Campagin Game Natures: Firewatchand The Long Dark Postal, Hatred, and Weighing the Worth of Asshole Simulators Mad Max in Close Critique What's Been Going On With Alien: Isolation's DLC? Noah Caldwell-Gervais' Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

The good, the bad and the ugly with the Critical Distance Confab. For those who don't know, the idea behind these minisodes is for myself and a co-host to highlight 3 games each. These are games that haven't gotten a lot of criticism or much attention at all. The hope is that one of you intrepid listeners will try one of them out and write about it. The games on the docket range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on up to AAA games that have slipped through the cracks. Co-hosting with me this month is games and digital art creator, Lauren Schmidt. Lauren's Picks The Tamperdrome Collection by G.P. Lackey Soup 0.9 by Yaruhara Legacy of the Wizard by Broderbund Eric's Picks off?ine by Pol Clarissou The End of the World by Sean Wenham Kathy Rain: A Detective is Born by Clifftop Games Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to another episode of the Critical Distance Confab! We are taking a mid-summer break from our series on video producers and critics to talk about Critical Distance. Senior Curator Zoya Street and I have decided to talk about the site and our process of curation, mainly in the This Week In Videogame Blogging feature. Every person is different with what they curate and why, and so we felt it might be a good idea to introduce our newest Senior Curator's views on the matter now that he's settled into the role. We discuss what we're looking for in TWIVGB entries, how standards of inclusion have risen over the years, the behind-the-scenes logistics, as well as touching on the other features Critical Distances publishes. Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Time for a few games more on the Critical Distance Confab. The purpose of these minisodes is for two of us to highlight 3 games each. These are games that haven't gotten a lot of criticism or any at all. The idea is that one of you listening right now will try one of them out and write about it. The games we talk about range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on through AAA games that may not have tried. Co-hosting with me this month is independent game critic, Nick Capozzoli. Nick's Picks Reap by Daniel Linssen Barrier X by PINKAPP Rusty Lake Hotel by Rusty Lake Eric's Picks Composition in a Minor Key by Aleks Samoylov 1979 Revolution: Black Friday by iNK Stories Pony Island by Daniel Mullins Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to another interview on the Critical Distance Confab! This month our guest is Chris Franklin, aka Campster, talking about his YouTube series Errant Signal. Over time, he has innovated on an established YouTube format to evolve his own personal style, featuring holistic close readings on games as well as video essays on theoretical concepts. He has also experimented with short form, quick-turnaround content, and he reveals what this experience taught him about criticism and video creation. During our interview, we talk about his process, the technical challenges he faces in creating a video essay, as well as the "logjam" created by trying to reconcile different facets of his personal approach to criticism. SHOW NOTES Errant Signal Half-Life Commentary - Half-Life Errant Signal - Mirror's Edge Errant Signal - The Stanley Parable Errant Signal - Gamification Errant Signal - "Keep Your Politics Out of my Video Games" Errant Signal - Hotline Miami (Spoilers) Errant Signal - (Spoilers) Fallout 4 and Role Playing Errant Signal - The Beginner's Guide (Spoilers) Errant Signal Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

A fistful of games on the Critical Distance Confab. These minisodes highlight games that haven't gotten a lot of critical attention, in the hope that one of you intrepid listeners will try one of them out and correct that oversight. The games we talk about range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on through AAA games that might have slipped through the cracks. Co-hosting with me this month is editor of CreativeFluff, Fred McCoy. Fred's Picks Salt by Lavaboots Games Choice of Robots by Choice of Games Kingdom by Noio, Licorice Eric's Picks Hotel Dusk Room 215 by Nintendo Gathering Sky by A Stranger Gravity Shadowrun Hong Kong by Harebrained Schemes Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome another interview here at Critical Distance! This month we interview the host of Matt Chat, English Professor at St. Cloud State University, Matt Barton. Inspired by the books he published on the history of video games, Dungeons & Desktops and Vintage Games, Matt Chat became a channel focused on older game. As the episodes went on he was fortunate enough to get the creators of these older games on for interviews and has been doing so for 6 years. He has interviewed such gaming luminaries as John Romero, Ralph Baer, Chris Avellone, Brian Fargo, Lord British and many many more you've never heard of. During our interview, we talk about the facts of interviewing, setting them up, the behind the scenes work going into them and how to develop a rapport with the subject. We also go into the hopes for future uses of the material he has produced and archieved on his remarkable channel. SHOW NOTES Matt Chat Dungeons & Desktop: The History of Computer Role Playing Games Vintage Games: An Insider Look at the History of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario and the Most Influential Games of All Time GamePlay: The Story of the Videogaame Revolution Matt Chat 40: Sword of Fargoal with Jeff McCord Matt Chat 44: Ralph Baer, the Father of Videogames Matt Chat 51-55: Interview with John Romero Matt Chat 78: Arnold Hendrick Interview Matt Chat Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

More undiscussed games on the Critical Distance Confab. For those who may not know, the purpose behind these minisodes is highlight some games, 3 a piece, that haven't got a lot criticism or any criticism at all. The hope being that it will inspire some of you to go out, play them and write something about them. The games we highlight run the gamut from itch.io art games, through prestige level indie games, right on through AAA games that might have slipped through the cracks. Co-hosting with me this month is critic, Heather Alexandra. Heather's Picks Hylics by Mason Lindroth Memory of a Broken Dimension by xra Jet Set Radio by SEGA Eric's Picks Pillars of Eternity by Obsidian Entertainment Prune by Joel McDonald The Hobby Shop by Jacsn - Myst Jam Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome another new podcast here at Critical Distance! Continuing with video-based criticism, we have one of the original videogame pundits, Bob Chipman. His Game Overthinker series began in 2008, making his one of the few early voices to set up shop on YouTube. The original run of the show ran for 100 episodes, during which time it started with the angry young man shtick that was popular at that time, before incorporating skits and ongoing storylines. Now the show has been revamped using a personality-driven, pundit-like presentation style. During the interview, we talk about his influences, his evolution in production, as well as his place in the landscape over the years, and how said landscape itself has changed regarding both the style and the culture of internet video. SHOW NOTES Game OverThinker Playlist GAME OVERTHINKER V1 Game OverThinker V2 GAME OVERTHINKER EP 25: VIOLENCE IS GOLDEN Game OverThinker V32: I Heart Bayonetta GAME OVERTHINKER V45: AntiThinker - Mega Man Bob Chipman Patreon Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

New year, new games to discuss on the Critical Distance Confab. With the minisodes, every month, both I and a co-host, go back and forth listing off a game we think hasn't gotten the critical attention it deserves until we've each done three. The hope being that some of you listening will take the initiative and fix that oversight. These games can be from anywhere. Itch.io art games, prestige level indie games or even AAA games that fell through the cracks for whatever reason. Co-hosting with me this month is lecturer and critic, Professor Todd Harper. Todd's Picks Xenoblade Chronicles X by Monolith Soft Dragon's Crown + Odin's Sphere + Muramasa: The Demon Blade by Vanillaware Super Robots Wars Z by Namco Bandai Eric's Picks Sunless Sea by Failbetter Games Knee Deep by Prologue Games Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist by Crows Crows Crows Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to the new year of podcasts here at Critical Distance! Last year we went over publications, both books and magazines, in the critical video game sphere. Having, for the most part, run out of those we turn our eyes to different forms of criticism. Now we turn out eyes to video. Joining me this month is game designer and the writer behind the Extra Credits series, James Portnow. Starting out as a final course project for fellow Extra Credits creator, Daniel Floyd, the series has only grown in the years since. Every week the crew at Extra Credits creates a short cartoon Youtube video as a basic introduction of design concepts, craft implementation and surrounding issues of the video games industry. Over the years, supplementary shows have been added. You can check them all out (as well as specific episodes we discuss on the podcast) below! SHOW NOTES Extra Credits Channel Extra History Extra Remix Extra Play Design Club Video Games and Storytelling Call of Juarez: The Cartel Spec Ops: The Line Pt. 1 Spec Ops: The Line Pt. 2 Power Creep in Hearthstone - What it teaches us about games Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome back to another end of year podcast! 2015 is behind us, so just lean back and listen as myself and a couple of colleagues skim over some of the major discussions that came up during the year. CAST Eric Swain: The Game Critique Kris Ligman: Dire Critic Alan Williamson: Five out of Ten Riley MacLeod: Twitter SHOW NOTES Colorblind: On The Withcer 3, Rust and gameing's race problem by Tauriq Moosa Battlefield Hardline Review: Cop Out by Austin Walker Undertale Is Tearing GameFAQs Apart by Patricia Hernandez Hideo Kojima Is the Jonathan Franzen of Video Games by Kevin Nguyen Punk Games by Zoe Quinn We are not colonists by Gita Jackson The queer masculinity of stealth games by Riley MacLeod Video Games' Blackness Problem by Evan Narcisse et al Peter Molyneux Interview by John Walker The vast, unplayable history of video games by Gita Jackson Should I Stay or Should I Go: How To Stay Afloat in the Games MEdia by Luke Winkie Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to the last minisode of the year on the Critical Distance Confab. How this works is that each of us will go back and forth listing off three games each that we feel haven't gotten the critical attention they deserve in the hopes one of your will take it as a challenge. These games will be anything from Ich.io art games to prestige level indie games to AAA games that fell through the cracks for whatever reason. On co-hosting duties with me this month on this chilly November day is Giant Bomb writer and critic, Austin Walker. Austin's Picks Invisible Inc. by Klei Entertainment Cradle by Flying Cafe for Semianimals Cibele by Nina Freeman Eric's Picks The Cat Lady by Harvester Games Tales from the Borderlands by Telltale Games NaissanceE by Limasse Five Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Concluding this year's series of interviews of the authors and editors of video game criticism publications we turn our eyes to gonzo. Cara Ellison's Embed With Games: A Year on the Couch with Game Developers brings the long form, lifestyle gonzo journalism to video games as she chronicles her year long journey around the world to see various small and independent game artists in their element. Come and listen to us discuss the influence of an artist's location, the Hawthorne effect, the process of choosing who to cover in the first place and much more. We hope you enjoyed our year of interviews looking into the books and periodicals of video game criticism and also hope that they managed to add something to the conversation. Next year, we're moving on to criticism in a different form. SHOW NOTES Embed With Games Embed With tumblr Gaming Made Me: Tomb Raider Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to a new minisode on the Critical Distance Confab. This month we have a special Halloween edition where we will be focusing on quote/unquote horror games to highlight. As usual these are games that haven't gotten what myself and a co-host feel is a fair shake in criticism and attention. We each will bring three such games to the table. They can be anything, Ich.io games, indie games or even AAA games you might not have tried. With me for this theme month is fellow cohort of PopMatters Games' section and indie horror guru, Nick Dinicola. Nick's Picks Uncanny Valley by Cowardly Creations Dead Space: Extraction by Electronic Arts Dark Echo by RAC7 Games Eric's Picks The Cursed Forest by KPy3O The Charnel House Trilogy by Owl Cave Fingerbones + The Moon Sliver + The Music Machine + A Wolf in Autumn by David Szymanski Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome back for a new minisode of the Critical Distance Confab. If you don't know, the minisodes are a chance to introduce and highlight a bunch of games that hasn't gotten criticism...yet. Myself and a co-host will list off 3 such games each. They can be anything. Ich.io art games, prestige level indie games, all the way to AAA games that might have slipped between the cracks. Joining me this month is critic and writer, Gita Jackson. Gita's Picks Siren for Hire by Maddy Myers We Know The Devil by Aevee Bee and Mia Shwartz Grow Home by Ubisoft Eric's Picks Framed by Loveshack Technobabylon by Technocrat Games Unwind by Jijjy Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month we turn our attention to the genre anthology book, Shooter. Edited by Patrick Lindsey and Reid McCarter, the book bought 15 essays and a forward by Clint Hocking placing a wide variety of shooter video games in a historical and cultural context. We discuss their focus on a broad genre as opposed to a single game, what they were trying to say with the book and the process of putting together such an anthology. Unlike previous books, as this one is an anthology and in that spirit we decided to get some of the writers for some micro interviews. Thank you to Robert Rath, Corey Milne and Javy Gwaltney for making the time. CAST Patrick Lindsey: Han Freaking Solo Reid McCarter: Digital Love Child Robert Rath: Rob Writes Pulp Corey Milne: The Serious Work of Play Javy Gwaltney: Antagonize The Horn/p> SHOW NOTES Shooter Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

We have a new minisode of the Critical Distance Confab. These minisodes are a chance for myself and a new co-host each time, to highlight some games that have gotten virtually no criticism written about them. This is our chance to correct that. They can be anything. Ich.io art games, prestige level indie games, all the way to AAA games that might have slipped between the cracks. Though generally they will skew a little smaller. Joining me this month is Critical Distance's own senior curator and my boss, Kris Ligman. Kris's Picks Shall we date? The Neflheim+ by NTT Solmare Corp. Killing Time At Light Speed by Gritfish Tour de Akiba by AM Cosmos also Six Japanese Dating Sims to Fall In Love With by AM Cosmos Eric's Picks Unrest by Pyrodactyl Monument Valley by ustwo Escape from the Man Sized Closet by Stephen Colbert Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Continuing our vaguely in chronological order of video game critical publications, we turn our lonely eyes to a site that last year turned itself into a weekly e-zine. This month Stu Horvath was gracious enough to join me to talk about Unwinnable, Unwinnable Weekly and all the other Un-labled projects that he grants a platform to. We get a little silly near the end, hope you wont hold that against us. SHOW NOTES Unwinnable Unwinnable Weekly Unwinnable Weekly Special Summer Fun Issue Unlistenable Playable Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to another minisode of the Critical Distance Confab. Unlike our main podcast series, the minisodes are a chance for myself and co-host to highlight some games that have gotten virtually no criticism written about them. This is our chance to correct that. They can be anything. Ich.io art games, prestige level indie games, all the way to AAA games that might have slipped between the cracks. Though generally they will skew a little smaller. Joining me this time is freelance writer for Paste Magazine, Imran Khan. Imran's Picks Petrichor by Sundae Month Fallow by Rook Rain, House, Eternity by Kitty Horrorshow Eric's Picks EDDA by Diane Mueller Small Worlds by David Shute The Graveyard by Tale of Tales Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

With us this time is founding editor of The Arcade Review Zolani Stewart. Coming up on a year now, The Arcade Review is a publication that situates itself as an arts magazine first and a games magazine second. Wanting to break away from the stagnant circles of what is traditionally considered games writing, Zolani, with some help, created a space where he could foster the type of writing he wanted to see. We go into his sharpening focus over time of both the philosophical bedrock as well as the more physical aspects of its improving design. Enjoy. SHOW NOTES The Arcade Review The Arcade Review Patreon Why Weird Games Are Important Glitches: A Kind of History We Who? Predatory Queerness: A Response to "Neighborhood Bondage" Lana and Zolani Visit A Gallery Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to another minisode of the Critical Distance Confab. These minisodes are something different than our main podcast series. At the end of every month, myself and a guest, will list off a few games each that haven't gotten the attention of critical discourse we feel they deserve. These games can be anything from ich.io art games to prestige indie games to left by the wayside AAA games. This month I'm joined by the editor-in-chief of the micro zine ZEAL, Aevee Bee. Aevee's Picks Drakengard 3 by Square Enix DaganRompa: Trigger Happy Havoc and DagenRompa 2: Goodbye Dispair by Nippon Ichi Software Odin's Sphere by Atlus Eric's Picks Hand of Fate by Defiant Development Memoria by Daedalic Entertainment ICBM by REPVBLIC Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month we have a double, yet related, feature. First, in side A, I talk with Alan Williamson and Lindsey Joyce, the editor-in-chief and managing editor respectively of Five out of Ten. We chat about the creation and ongoing process of creating the magazine, what it's like working with a hand of experience and what it's like learning the ropes. Then, in side B, Alan Williamson returns, this time, with his co-author Kaitlin Tremblay to talk about their book, Escape to Na Pali: Journey to the Unreal, that came out of an upgraded Five out of Ten pitch. They explain their love of the game and the collaborative process for crafting the collection of essays. SHOW NOTES Five out of Ten Escape to Na Pali: Journey to the Unreal Five out of Ten Patreon Reality Check: Murder We Wrote Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month we have a double, yet related, feature. First, in side A, I talk with Alan Williamson and Lindsey Joyce, the editor-in-chief and managing editor respectively of Five out of Ten. We chat about the creation and ongoing process of creating the magazine, what it's like working with a hand of experience and what it's like learning the ropes. Then, in side B, Alan Williamson returns, this time, with his co-author Kaitlin Tremblay to talk about their book, Escape to Na Pali: Journey to the Unreal, that came out of an upgraded Five out of Ten pitch. They explain their love of the game and the collaborative process for crafting the collection of essays. SHOW NOTES Five out of Ten Escape to Na Pali: Journey to the Unreal Five out of Ten Patreon Reality Check: Murder We Wrote Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to a new minisode of the Critical Distance Confab. In case you are just joining us or need a refresher, we here at Critical Distance are trying something new with a series of minisodes in the podcast. Here, each month, myself and a guest, will list off a number of games, aiming for a minimum of three each, that have not gotten the spotlight we feel they deserve. These are games that haven't gotten any criticism or otherwise aren't part of the conversation for whatever reason and we think they should be, even if just a little. These can be anything from itch.io art games to prestige indie titles to AAAs that have fallen through the cracks. This month's guest is editor-in-chief of Silverstring Media's critical publishing arm, Zoya Street. Zoya's Picks Say When by Kaitlin Tremblay + Emilie Majarian CHYRZA - Sunset Spirit Steel by Kitty Horrorshow Brick Block - Island - Procedural planet customiser by Oskar Stalberg Eric's Picks The Fall by Over the Moon Life Flashes By - Coffee: A Misunderstanding - Domique Pamplemousse by Deirdra Kiai aka Squinky Steve Jackson's Sorcery! by inkle Studios Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month we are joined by game historian, University of Lancaster PhD candidate and editor-in-chirf of Silverstring Media's Critical Publishing arm, Zoya Street. Zoya has written two seminal books on games, Dreamcast Worlds and Delay, and is the founder of the wonderful free e-zine, Memory Insufficient. Here, we talk about his background in design history and what that lens means for video games as artifacts as well as what isn't said by the artifact itself, but rather is left to the community surrounding to interpret and define. Have a listen. SHOW NOTES Dreamcast Worlds Delay: Paying Attention to Energy Mechanics Memory Insufficient Back Catalog Memory Insufficient at Silverstring Media e:\>_ "Between excessive fantasy and selfish disillusionment" - Reading a Japanese essay from 1999 about visual novel 'Captain Love' Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Welcome to the first Critical Distance Confab minisode! We're trying something new with the podcast. There are so many games coming out at every level, everyday. So many of them fall through the cracks for one reason or another. Everybody has asked themselves the question, "How did this game not get talked about? How is there no criticism on it?" We are a curatorial site. As curators we see the conversations that happen and as individuals often the conversations that do not happen. In an effort to combat this in our own small little way, we have decided to do a series of minisodes, on a trial run, that will specifically highlight those games that fell through the cracks. Every month, myself and one guest will list off three games each in hopes that the critical community sees them, tries them and maybe write about them, giving them the criticism we think they deserve. Anything goes. They can be anything from ich.io art games to prestige indie games to missed AAA titles, just so long as they are games that missed the boat for one reason or another. This month's guest is Polygon Senior Editor, Danielle Riendeau. Danielle's Picks Dyscourse - Owlchemy Labs Disorder - Swagabyte Games VA-11 HALL-A - Sukeban Games Eric's Picks Journal - Locked Door Puzzle Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut - Harebrined Schemes Beneath Floes - Kevin Snow + Patrick Bonaduce Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Continuing on with our theme of notable published video game books, we turn our eye to the other major work on 2012, Anna Anthropy's Rise of the Videogame Zinesters: How Freaks, Normals, Amateurs, Artists, Dreams, Drop-outs, Queers, Housewives, and People Like You Are Taking Back an Art Form. As much as it was a manifesto and a revelation back in 2012, it feels even more prescient now with all the changes and advancements that has occurred on the fringes of videogame creation since its publication. I talk with Anna about not only Rise, but also her other books, games as well as her self-published zines and how they all revolve around this do-it-yourself ethos. SHOW NOTES Anna Anthropy's Patreon Anna Anthropy's Zine Distribution Patreon Anna Anthropy's Twitter Rise of the Videogame Zinesters ZZT Choose Your Own Death: Star Wench A Game Design Vocabulary Zine Store Calamity Annie Queers in Love at the End of the World Lesbian Spider-Queens of Mars dys4ia Annarchive Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Continuing on the theme of video game book publishing, we decide to talk with Gabe Durham, the founder and editor of BossFightBooks, right now, the leader in single game book criticism. As of recording he had just wrapped up the Second Season Kickstarter and was taking pitches for the backer chosen game, Shadow of the Colossus. We talk about where the idea for BossFightBooks came from, how their publishing system works and what he's looking for in both authors and pitches to continue providing a variety of voices, styles and games. SHOW NOTES BossFightBooks Ludologica Fuck Videogames Rise of the Videogame Zinesters Extra Lives: Why video Games Matter Some Thoughts on Darius Kazemi's Jagged Alliance 2 and my own Killing is Harmless Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

In 2012, critic and Royal Melbourne Insitute of technology PhD candidate Brendan Keogh released his long form critical piece on Spec Ops: The Line in the form of an ebook. Killing is Harmless: A Critical Reading of Spec Ops: The Line was at the time the first known published book of criticism on a single game. In the years since a cavalcade of books of video game criticism has been published and more to come in the future. Two years after initially publishing the book, we decided to interview Brendan to get his perspective on the book, the reception and how things have change over time in his critical methods. We also get into musing on the book's cultural and historical placement given the recent boom in video game criticism books. SHOW NOTES Brendan Keogh Critical Damage Darius Kazemi Review: Killing is Harmless, by Brendan Keogh Cameron Kunzelman's On Killing is Harmless Susan Sontag's Against Interpretation Noal Carroll's On Criticism David Sudnow's Pilgrim in the Microworld Spec Ops: The Line Critical Compilation Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

Our regular podcast host Mattie Brice needs a bit of extra time for her latest interview, so we've dug into our archives again for yet another heretofore unheard Critical Distance Confab episode. In this installment, Eric Swain interviews our very own founder and former head curator Ben Abraham. Part of the original games blogger boom in 2007-2008, Ben Abraham has always found himself focused on the community of critics. It led him to try and bridge many of those working unknown and segregated by the internet's distance to eventually founding a curation site (this one!) to bring all the best writing. Also in this podcast, we discuss some of his other notable projects and his obsession with Far Cry 2, the focal point of a few of those projects. SHOW NOTES SLRC Permanent Death - The Complete Saga Frank Bilders is Dead A Post-Comment World i am ben abraham Replayabilty is NOT a word Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month we bring you another interview from the unheard archives. A few years ago Kirk Battle, going under the pseudonym L.B. Jefferies, was one of the most prolific critics of the burgeoning amateur bloggers arising from the boom of 2007 and 2008. Now he is retired from the video game criticism game. We look back on his time as a critic and his view of criticism itself. In addition to being a personal inspiration to podcast moderator Eric Swain, Kirk Battle was named Critical Distance's 2010 Blogger of the Year. SHOW NOTES Banana Peppers Martinis PopMatters - L.B. Jefferies Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Review Zarathusra Analysis ZA Critique: The Darkness ZA Critique: Okami Lester Bangs rant Pauline Kael - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 Samuel Johnson and Video Games Does Video Games Need a Lester Bangs? The New YouTube Video Games Criticism: An Interview with "moviebob" Does Video Games Need a Pauline Kael? On Design Centric Criticism Telling Tales in Gabriel Knight 2 Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy

This month's podcast is all about a subject near and dear to our hearts: curation. Here at Critical-Distance we curate games writing and other forms of criticism. We go through the massive amount of output on the internet that we can find and put it into a regular roundup. But what about curation of the games themselves. Steam is getting flooded with new releases to say nothing about the games that never seem to get the spotlight at all, hidden away individual projects scattered around the web. For this month's podcast, Mattie brings two curators of small, free indie games (Merritt Kopas and Chris Priestman) to discuss the process and the philosophy behind what games they try to give the spotlight to and what audience they are trying to reach. CAST Mattie Brice: Alternate Ending Merritt Kopas: mkopas Chris Priestman: Warp Door SHOW NOTES Forest Ambassador Forest Ambassador Patreon Forest Ambassador Twitter Warp Door Warp Door work in progress Warp Door Twitter Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy