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As you'll hear, there is no regular podcast this week. In light of the ongoing protests against racial injustice and police brutality, we recognise that our team is currently not diverse enough to contribute significantly to the discussions. Instead, we're using this week to recommend other podcasts that have already commented on the deeper issues at hand, and that you might find worth listening to on an ongoing basis. Please give a listen to: Spawn On Me: A Lesson In Blackness by Khalief Adams, Parris Lilly, Blessing Adeoye Jr, Cameron Hawkins and streamers Pikachulita and Zombaekillz (More from Khalief and Blessing on Kinda Funny Games Daily June 6, 2020) Throwndown 287: We've Been Here by Torrence David, Andre Tipton and Richard Bailey Jr Techish: #BlackLivesMatter, Profiting off Black Culture, Deleting Trumps Tweets, Space X Launch by Abadesi Osunsade and Michael Berhane EXP Podcast 575: A Conversation Only Somewhat About Games by Scott Juster and Jorge Albor
This month we look at the relationship between game loops and time. Using Monster Hunter World, Granblue Fantasy, Persona 4, Rogue Legacy and Asura's Wrath to look at how games design themselves around the time we spend with.0:00:00 Opening0:03:21 Monster Hunter World 0:14:06 Granblue Fantasy0:24:49 Persona 40:35:09 Rogue Legacy0:44:14 Asura's Wrath 0:54:59 Wrap up and endingAnything we missed you wished we talked about? Any questions we raised but never answered? Feel free to contact us or leave a comment via any of the followingFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/platformsandpitfalls/Twitter - Rowan @link6616 or Blue @BluCrims or the show @platandpitEmail - platformsandpitfalls@gmail.comThis particular episode was inspired by a piece on Experience Points by Scott Juster, http://www.experiencepoints.net/2013/02/finding-right-amount-of-asuras-wrath.htmlSubscribe to us via your favorite podcatcher by searching Platforms and Pitfalls or follow one of the linksRSS feediTunesThe opening and closing song Random thoughts by Audio Binger is used under an Attribution non commercial licence, find more great audio here http://www.audiobinger.net/Music used between each section is as follows.Monster Hunter World Title Screen Theme, CapcomGranblue Battle 1, CygamesPersona 4 A Corner of Memories, AtlusRogue Legacy Main Theme, Cellar Door GamesAsura's Wrath Main Theme In Your Belief, Capcom
This week Nick and I are joined by Jorge Albor and Scott Juster of the Experience Points podcast to discuss how video games fare as live action properties. Some of these films are homages, some are there to support their franchise, some are both. Most are better than what we have seen on the big screen.
Due to some technical difficulties on my end, Jorge Albor quite graciously (and quite last minute) filled in as host for this episode. This is probably for the best, as he probably did a better job at moderating this conversation than I ever could have. (For those unfamiliar with Jorge, you really should check out he and Scott Juster's weekly gaming podcast at ExperiencePoints.net-it's well worth your time.) So, this week features a host of new voices alongside Jorge, some of whom identify as gamers and some of whom do not, as the Moving Pixels podcast attempts to explore the concept of the so-called "girlfriend on a couch game." As a phrase coined by journalists to describe a particular kind of game, the "girlfriend on a couch game" seems like one in need of some discussion. We decided, though, not to discuss "girlfriend on a couch games" but instead to see if we could find out what kind of spectators these supposed games are geared for by talking to some "girlfriends on couches" themselves. Not all of the folks here are technically "girlfriends," though, some are wives on couches, little sisters on couches, partners on couches, friends on couches, and we were even joined by a husband on a couch. What resulted was a lively and interesting discussion of participation and spectatorship (and how they might intersect) in video games. Many thanks to all of our guests, who include: Dawna Perry, Jamie Dunston, Adrian Dunston, Nicole Martin, Jean McLachlin, and Sarra Williams. And, as always, thanks to Nick Dinicola for producing the podcast. It was a fun and enlightening afternoon of gaming discussion, as you will soon discover below.
Time moves fast in the world of video games. Technology changes (remember Rumble Paks?), franchises rise and fall (just ask Guitar Hero!), and it's hard to predict what will gain popularity (Minecraft, anyone?). With the recent release of Gears of War 3, Jorge and I decided we would take stock of what we consider to be one of most important franchises of the last five years. This show is less about the games' specific story and more about their narrative within the industry. We talk about everything from the influence of cover to blurred genres distinctions, and close with some thoughts (and hopes) regarding Epic's future. As always, thanks for listening and feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments!Discussion starters:- How does Gears differ from other big franchises of last few years?- Is the series' influence understated, properly recognized, or exaggerated?- What are your hopes for Epic's future projects?To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Run time: 41 min 20 sec- "No Glory for Gears," by Jorge Albor, via PopMatters- "'Gears of War 3:' A Triumphant Past, a Familiar Present, and an Uncertain Future," by Scott Juster, via PopMatters- Music provided by Brad Sucks
This week regular podcast contributors G. Christopher Williams and Nick Dinicola are joined by veteran podcaster Scott Juster of ExperiencePoints.net for a discussion of auteur theory and how it may or not apply to a discussion of video game development. Playing fast and loose with the concept of the auteur, we consider both some aesthetic concerns, issues of intentionality in communicating such a "signature" of self in a game, and how marketing and commerce might be affected by the way that game developers present themselves to the public.
With the release of Dead Space 2, Jorge was finally enticed into playing the first Dead Space. I had played the game some time ago and had quite a positive experience (check out the show notes for some of my writing on the game), so I was excited to get a chance to discuss it on the podcast. As with all of our in-depth discussions on particular games, we cover everything from the rule systems to the story themes, giving folks ample warning before revealing any crucial plot points. We discuss everything from the aesthetics of hydroponics, the nature of the sci-fi genre, to signs of an extra-terrestrial Professor Layton. While no one can hear you scream in space, feel free to sound off with your thoughts in the comments!Some discussion starters:- Is there a way to balance the impulse to create a unified world that avoids becoming repetitive? Are Dead Space's sterile hallways a liability or a strength?- How does Dead Space relate to other survival horror games?- What are the benefits and drawbacks of revisiting or playing an original game before its sequel? For those of you who have already played Dead Space 2, how did your knowledge (or lack thereof) with the original affect your experience?To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking the title. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.- Run time: 41 min 07 sec- "Review: Dead Space's Uniquely Familiar Feel," by Scott Juster, via Experience Points- "The Real Monster," by Scott Juster, via Experience Points- Music provided by Brad Sucks