Backstage Gaming

Baldur's Gate is Everywhere

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:59:52 -0000

We're here to do our legally obligated Baldur's Gate 3 episode, but don't worry about spoilers. We're much more interested in why this game has exploded in the way that it has, and what its surge in popularity (and other games' like it) can tell us about how we engage with games as a community.

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Together Among the Stars: An Actual Play Post-Mortem

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:59:49 -0000

This week, we work a little differently and talk through an episode we recorded for a different show! We recorded a Patreon-exclusive episode for the Unexplored Places in which we played Together Among the Stars by Takuma Okada, and we had such a good time that we needed to break down what made this game so special.

Check out the Unexplored Places at unexploredcast.llibsyn.com, and take a look at Takuma Okada's work at noroadhome.itch.io

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Playing Badly, For Good

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:28:45 -0000

This week, we're back to run out the second half of 2023 strong! Dylan and Chris get into the weeds of why it can be Really Fun to engage with games in suboptimal ways, and the surprising discoveries that can come out of that.

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An Update

Wed, 10 May 2023 13:36:09 -0000

This one is Very Short, but we wanted you all to know that we are alive and that the podcast has not been fully abandoned. We'll be back in force soon, with some new ideas and some new projects in the tank!

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Things Left Behind

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 16:07:56 -0000

This week, we're more on our artsy bull than ever! We set out to talk about additions to remakes and re-releases of games that leave something to be desired, before RAPIDLY shifting into a discussion of the value of limitation, the interesting choices that come out of necessity, and how it feels to leave those things behind when they're no longer necessary.

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Dead Genres Tell No Tales

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 02:14:20 -0000

This week, we dive into an even-more-naval-gazey-than-usual discussion of bygone genres of games. Or, perhaps, ways games ask us to engage with them less often these days. Or maybe... it gets a little rambly, but we promise it's a good time!

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Bottle Show!

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 19:44:19 -0000

This week, we delivery a slightly smaller episode on a slightly smaller topic: games with compact worlds that you spend a lot of time in. From RPGs to Adventure Games to menu systems, we talk about how much of an impact a small, intimate space can have on a game's presentation!

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The Games That Made Us: Chris Time

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:00:00 -0000

We return to the topic from a couple episodes ago, but from Chris's point-of-view this time. We go over the games and realizations that made Chris into the consumer of games that he is today, and wax a little poetic along the way!

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Guess Who's Back... Back Again...

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 18:24:54 -0000

Here we come, screaming back into the foreground to promise to do better about uploading regularly! For real this time!

As we get back into the swing of things, we're naval gazey as ever, discussing how to best judge games as "finished products" in an era of patches, DLC, and continual games-as-service models, and we look at a few examples of games that purposefully don't follow those new ways.

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The Games that Made Us: Dylan Edition

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we kick off a two-week series and a new broad conversation starter: the games that made Dylan. We take a walk through games that had an impact on Dylan, his relationship with games, and the perspective he brings to the show. Come give a listen!

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BSG: Cross Tag Battle

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 19:43:03 -0000

This week, we tackle another big-picture topic with a couple of narrow dives: crossovers in games, how they relate to aesthetic and vibe, and how designing them well looks. To help us out, we do a couple of deep looks into Kingdom Hearts and Magic the Gathering. Come along!

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How Very Puzzling

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 23:08:10 -0000

This week (or, more accurately, a few weeks ago, oops) we take a look at how games use puzzles of varying difficulties to draw us in, make us think, and tell their stories.

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Old Friends

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we return to proper, naval-gazey form for a rambling look at what makes us return to games over and over. From mechanics to vibes, we go over some of our favorite replays and what keeps us coming back.

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Nostalgia, Fake Language, and Bertolt Brecht

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0000

This week, we're oddly topical once again as we dive into an overview of Tunic, a new isometric, Zelda-inspired adventure game with a LOT going on under the hood. From the game's presentation to avant-garde gaming in general, turns out there's a lot to break down in this little indie darling.

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Getting Lost in Elden Ring

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:33:51 -0000

This week, for the second time in a row, our topic is weirdly topical (at first). We chat about Elden Ring, its strange blending of genres, and why it feels so darn good to just explore, then veer off the rails into discussions of other strange instances of open-world game design.

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Current Events?

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:34:51 -0000

This week, for something a little different, we talk about a couple new games that have dropped that are very much in our wheelhouses: King of Fighters 15 and Sifu. We talk engagement, aesthetic, presentation, and generally just chat about some new cool stuff.

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Bidoofin' Off

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:35:36 -0000

This week, Chris & Dylan take it easy and do a little talking about the recent Bidoof's Big Stand Pokemon short. Why does it work, what does it say, and what does it point towards? Find out today!

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A Word From Our Sponsors

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 01:56:52 -0000

As long-time listeners may remember, we spent our first (and so far only, thanks pandemic) live show talking about weird and wild game advertisement campaigns from back in the day. Today, with a similarly wild energy but without a crowd laughing and eating up time, we go back to the topic to look at how ads have changed over time.

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Fighting Games, But Not That Kind

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 01:48:55 -0000

This week, we use one of Chris' growing passions to do a thorough overview of how principles of fight choreography and stunt design influence the kinds of games we play. From over the top to highly grounded, the way that games present their violence to the player does a lot of heavy lifting.

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Exploring the Space

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 02:21:40 -0000

This week, we take a long look at two related genres that we've been dabbling in recently: Metroid-vanias and Souls-likes. We get in deep about pacing, exploration, navigation, and how all of that comes together to influence how a story is told.

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Why Games Good? With Bump & Spike

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 00:50:12 -0000

This week, Dylan and Chris dive into a discussion of McGuffins; what they are, how they're used, and how adding them to game stories can be a little more complicated than it first seems!

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Rank The Dud

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:50:52 -0000

Happy Day After Halloween! For this week's festivities, we return to our old favorite of "Spot The Dud," where it's up to Dylan to guess the numerical ranking of a number of game reviews (and he does SHOCKINGLY well).

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Attractive, Don't You Think?

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we return from a long hiatus to chat about attract modes: those splashy trailers and snippets of gameplay that pop on when you've let a game idle on the title screen for too long. We talk about their arcade origins and the different ways they can impact how we think about the games we play.

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Art is Good

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we're thrilled to once again have our friend Dakota Curry on to talk about concept art, illustration, and all the ways that artists put their minds to creating the games we love. Also, Chris enters a fugue state trying to succinctly summarize the rules of Magic the Gathering. Enjoy!

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Fighting Fresh

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 02:14:52 -0000

This week, we kick off a two part special looking at the visual design aspect of games. Today, we take a look at some fighting games near and dear to our hearts to figure out all the little ways that the designs of their characters make a difference to the feel of the game. And next time? Well... you'll just have to tune in and see!

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But Wait, There's More

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:58:40 -0000

This week, we talk about what happens after the credits role; content that's unlocked or context that's expanded after you have "finished" a game. The energy on this one is also... let's say 'unique.' Give a listen!

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THE BEAR PITS

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 02:39:50 -0000

This week, we take a deep dive into a small, goofy scene from the classic PC stealth game, Thief. Sometimes, the best scenes are the ones you just sort of walk through. Anyway, you shoulda seen the bears in my day.

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The Big Triple Digits

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:52:32 -0000

We made it to episode 100! Thanks to all of you for your support and for coming along for the ride. To celebrate, we headed back to the Writer's Room to try taking Street Fighter in our own direction and synthesizing all of the adaptations that have come before. A tall order, it turns out!

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Penetrating the Scene

Tue, 25 May 2021 00:28:00 -0000

This week, we hunker down and get into our core competency: acting! We take a scene from Vagrant Story, one of Dylan's favorite games, give it a read through, and help direct each other to better and more nuanced performances to give you a glimpse into the real work we do as performers. Come give a listen!

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Good, Actually?

Mon, 10 May 2021 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we discuss some games with weird design choices. Whether it's a control scheme that chooses not to use established rules or cameras that behave strangely, we dig into designs that have been maligned and ask if they may have something else to offer.

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With Intent

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0000

A shorter episode this week as we vent about what we see as a general lack of... willingness to play, let's say. We look at silent protags and RPG characters as examples of how to mine out intent from characterization. Come along!

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Sparkle Your Imagination

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0000

This week's topic is a niche one, but we dive into a few examples of games that really put their themes out there to be seen. Come along as we take a look at these uniquely up-front games!

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Hard Work & Guts

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0000

This week we wax super philosophical about the nature of acting, art, pursuing a craft, and shonen anime. Come along for the ride, won't you!

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Typing Noises: I'm In

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we dive into the world of online games, talking through what makes them so fun, and how so many great stories can come out of them!

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Spot The Dud Three: Electric Threegaloo

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we return to our fun mini-game, Spot the Dud! We read through some game reviews, talk about how they talk about games, and try to figure out which one got the lower score. It's fun! Come listen!

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Playing Together

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we offer an overview of how games bring people together, even if they aren't *technically playing together. From couch co-op to Twitch streaming to live performance, the ways we interact with each other because of games are as varied and interesting as the games themselves.

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Thinking Vs. Feeling

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 01:41:00 -0000

Games are complex things that take time to figure out, and how we learn their systems varies wildly from game to game. How we go about that learning can say a lot about the games we're playing, and us as players!

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New Year New Us

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0000

Hi, all! Been a while! We're back, and 2021 we're going to be CONSISTENT again. To shake off the rust, we take a look at the gaming landscape of 2020 and wax a bit poetic about "what it all means." Nothing like staying on brand.

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Let's Go Sports!

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0000

This week is short and rambly, but we give a brief overview of the inherent dramatic mechanics of sports, and how eSports tap into those ideas in their own unique ways. Chris also learns about his new favorite thing of all time.

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Charting a Course

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 22:00:00 -0000

This week, we finish our discussion of maps in games by looking at the other end of the topic: map-making and exploration. From the flavorful side of well-crafter, diegetic maps to the actual in-game mechanics of cartography, how a game chooses to reveal its world can have a huge impact on the feel of the experience.

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The Big Picture

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 22:00:00 -0000

This week, in what may be the first of two shows about maps, we take a look at level select maps, overworld maps, and the narrative power that a map can hold. Are they strictly utilitarian? Can they be more? Jump in and find out!

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Trying Something New

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we chat about series and genres that we aren't typically into and what changes that. Whether it's a great trailer or a tie-in with something we already love, sometimes it just takes a little push to get us to try something new.

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Footsies Talk

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we're looking at the new fighting game, Footsies, a one-button game and teaching tool designed to improve your fighting game basics, and we dive into the other areas of game design that could benefit from the same approach. Have a listen!

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Have I Got a Story for You!

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we take a look at games that treat a story as a reward in-and-of-itself. Whether it's the capstone to a sidequest or a facet of how the game is presented, sometimes a bit of narrative is every bit as rewarding as a gameplay improvement.

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Fighting for Dummies

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 00:16:00 -0000

This week, we talk about combat. Again. But this time, we talk combat aesthetic, abstraction, and how all of that comes together to help a game become what it is!

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Narrator Blues

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we dive into one of the most often debated tools for storytelling: the voiceover narration. When can it be useful? When is it a crutch? Why does it matter?? All that and more!

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This is Bonkers

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:07:42 -0000

This week, Dylan surprises Chris with a discussion of Alien Soldier and games that take a unique and front-loaded approach to telling ABSOLUTELY WILD stories.

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Broken Canons

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we go on a tour of game series that let their canons get out of hand. Whether it's split across dozens of entries in different media, or just changes a lot, there are some games that have gotten decidedly more complex than you'd expect.

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Just Chillin'

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Not every game's biggest appeal is the story or challenge. Sometimes, you find a game that you just like to spend time in. This week, we chat about comfortable games, what makes them so fun to chill in, and why this is such a pleasant element of gaming.

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Everyone Stop Fighting!

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we take some time to talk about games that might not need their combat system. Whether it's a game that brings enough to the table that the combat is irrelevant, or a combat system that feels tedious, we look at some offenders and offer some alternatives.

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Backstage Back Alright!

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0000

After a much longer than anticipated hiatus, we're BACK, baybee! We do a bit of recapping what we've been up to in the last couple months, and lay some groundwork for some future episodes! Thanks for your patience, we're back and ready to roll!

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Minisode 13: D'ya Get It? (This is a bad pun)

Mon, 18 May 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we use Ghost of Tsushima as a jumping-off-point to talk about the difference between Diagetic and Non-Diagetic game design elements. How do games give us information? How do they balance between in-world and UI-based information? All that and more right here!

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Minisode 12: Do the Mash

Thu, 07 May 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Today, we talk about combinations that are greater than the sum of their parts. Whether it's aesthetic or mechanical combinations, games have a unique ability to mash together disparate ideas to make something more.

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Minisode 11: Get Real

Mon, 04 May 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This episode isn't *really* about "The Discourse," but it's also not not about "The Discourse," so... brace yourselves. Mostly, it's about the role of realism (or lack of realism) in how games work and how their stories are told. Come along, won't you?

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Minisode 10: Character Arc Double Feature

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Hot on the heels of breaking down the character of Link last week, now it's time for each of us to tackle our own characters. From an example of a character twist to the importance of tactic choices, we get in the weeds and walk you even further through some of the process.

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Minisode 9: A Link to the Character

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Today is part one in a two-part special on character analysis. We go over the character arc of Link from Ocarina of Time, breaking it down as we would a character we would perform. Don't believe Link can have a character arc as a silent protagonist? You're wrong, and we'll tell you why!

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Minisode 8: In Transition

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we're talking about what happens in-between play. How games choose to bridge the gaps between setpieces or levels can have a surprising impact on the overall feel of the game, and we dive into why that is and some games that come to mind. Come along!

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Minisode 7: The Sound of Music

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we do something that it's honestly shocking that we haven't done yet: we talk about music's place in the storytelling toolbox of games. From particularly memorable musical moments to character leitmotifs and genres, this is more of an overview, but who knows? Maybe we'll come back to this again before too long.

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Minisode 6: Whispers of Tragedy

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week is weird. On the one hand, we're much more on our classic, theatrical analysis game. On the other hand... well, you'll see.

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Minisode 5: Some Spicy Takes

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Well, we've hit the point in this quarantine saga where Chris decides to tick EVERYONE off. This week, we talk a little bit about some genres that we think might need to be handled differently in games, in general. Agree? Disagree? Let us know!

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Minisode 4: Trying Something New

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Today, inspired by some of our recent gaming activity, we talk about trying new genres. What have we been playing that's new to us? Why do we recommend pushing those boundaries? It's all here, in a bite-sized package for your ears!

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Minisode 3: Give Me a Challenge

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Buying new games? All the time? In THIS economy? This week, we talk about how to get the most bang for your buck by exploring all the ways that people have made games harder on themselves. Enjoy!

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Minisode 2: Our Quarantine Games

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0000

For our second minisode, we decided to take things easy. No grand academic theses, no tenuous connections, just us talking about a handful of games we love that are helpings us through this trying time.

An extra "Thank You" to the podcast SuperGGRadio for inspiring this topic! Check out their Twitter for their own take on this idea!

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Minisode 1: Do the Creep.III Epilogue Waltz -- Unlimited

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 12:58:00 -0000

Welcome to the first of our bi-weekly, give-us-something-extra-to-do-during-social-distancing minisodes!

Today, we talk Kingdom Hearts in the context of Power Creep, which we discussed a couple of weeks ago. How does KH engage with its protagonists' growing strength? Through the Power of Friendship! (Honestly, kinda)

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Feeling Nostalgic

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, we chat about nostalgia, remakes, and references. What's the difference between a nostalgic property that adds something versus one that's just trying to cash in on the nostalgia dollar? What are our favorite and least-favorite current examples of this? Come along and find out!

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Do the Creep

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0000

This week, inspired by the new Dragon Ball Z game and all of the narrative... choices made by Dragon Ball as a franchise, we talk about power creep. What is it, how does it affect gameplay, and what is the impact it has on the narrative of a game? Also, Chris gushes a little bit about Sekiro and we shill REAL hard.

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Episode 59.XIII: Final Chapter -- Prologue

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0000

This very goofy title is courtesy of Dylan, and this episode has nothing to do with Kingdom Hearts. Instead, we're wrapping up our two-part reverse Writer's Room bit by going back to our personal white whale, the Sonic the Hedgehog movie. We've both consumed this film with our human eyes, and now it's time for us to face the music of all the crap we shoveled onto every piece of marketing this movie put out. Come along, won't you?

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Episode 59: Reverse Writers' Room

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0000

This week, a Dragon Quest veteran and a Dragon Quest newbie sit down together to talk about the new Netflix-distributed Dragon Quest film, "Your Story." Is it a good movie? Is it a good adaptation? Is it fun? We'll find out! And use this as an opportunity to do our usual Writers' Room style shows, but in reverse!

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The Booth!

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0000

Oh, hello! I didn't see you there. We're just stepping into this vocal booth to do a little bit of cold-reading and directing of one another in this nice, intimate podcast space. Come along, won't you? Maybe you'll learn something, too!

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Fight Me! In the Theater!

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 01:17:57 -0000

Hello! Happy late episode! This week, we keep it short and sweet and spend our time musing on the surprising number of parallels between learning how to play a fighting game and learning how to be an actor. If that sounds weird, well... I guess you'll just have to tune in and find out what we mean.

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C'mon and SMASH

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we're taking a surprisingly topical bent and talking about the newest character added to the roster of Super Smash Bros. More specifically, we take close looks at how Smash Bros. goes about adapting so many disparate genres and designs into its unique fighting-game blend.

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How Puzzling

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we chat puzzles, but maybe not in the way you're thinking. Puzzles and mysteries draw us in, and some games use this to their benefit, even if they don't seem like "Puzzle Games" on the surface.

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At the Very Beginning

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we decide to chat about how games start. First impressions are important, and the way a game kicks off can do wonders to help set up a player's immersion and expectations for the experience they're about to have. Also, Dylan talks about like 7 Final Fantasy games in a shockingly small amount of time. Also included: Tasteful Pizza Nudity, a Sip of Alucard, and Maintaining our Brand

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Episode 64 (Minus 11...) ((This is an Early 3D Retrospective))

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:00:00 -0000

This week, Dylan brings a delectable selection to the table; a variety of games from the late 90's and early 00's, early adopters of the wonderful world of 3D graphics. We look at reviews from when these games came out, are awed by some master wordsmiths, and see how much the intervening decades have impacted how we think about these games. Also included: Gamespot Time Capsule, Miyamoto Clones, KYAHH!, and Wiseau the Hedgehog

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Truth??

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 06:00:00 -0000

With Dylan busy for the holiday, Chris goes rogue this week for a short, sweet, and slightly more produced episode. He talks about games with branching stories, the beauty of discovery, and how much he dislikes using the word "True" in reference to games. He even went nuts and created a basic beat to underscore the show! Find that at: https://soundcloud.com/user-985292243/bsg-groove

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The Art of Magic, ft. Dakota Curry

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we dive back into the world of Magic the Gathering's story-telling techniques, this time with the benefit of having an actual artist on the show! Our friend Dakota joins us to talk about illustration, the process of creating narrative art, and to dissect some interesting artwork. Also included: Parkour M. Bison; Sonic Finger Waggling Magic

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Writer's Room: Rogue-Like

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0000

It's episode 50! How is that even possible? Regardless of the multitude of mistakes that has lead to us still doing this show, we're here to celebrate with a special take on our Writer's Room segment; this time, rather than examining a series or property, we decide, in our hubris, to tackle the question of how to turn the Rogue-Like, a style of game defined by constant failure and repetition, into a non-interactive story. And we find some pretty rad stuff along the way. Also included: Roguelike Soulsborne, Kid Detective; Super Saiyan Magenta: Groundhog's Day, But Make It Rocky

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Well, This is Tedious

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0000

This week, in our hubris, we decide to tackle a game neither of us has played, but darn-it, the discourse around Death Stranding had us both so riled up. We look at tedium as a narrative tool in games, talk about games that decide not to be fun, and think for a while about why that might not be such a bad thing.

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Get Brecht

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0000

This week, we take a look at the thoughts of famously odd-ball theater theorist and playwright Bertolt Brecht. What did Brecht believe about storytelling, presentation, and how can we apply those thoughts to video games? How much more mileage can we get out of the Metal Gear series? Join us to find out!

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So, You Think You Can Act?

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:00:00 -0000

You know how the whole stick of this show is that we're actors? Well, what if we act for you? This week, we take turns, offering each other sides and direction in order to have a slightly more in-depth look at what exactly it is an actor does. We talk about our individual processes, offer some nuggets of advise for any actors who might be listening, and generally just have a good time reading scripts together.

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Sounds Fishy, But OK

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0000

This week, we ping-pong from game to game, looking at a common literary trope, and how it applies to video games: the unreliable narrator. We're joined for this episode by Alex, co-host of the Super GG Radio podcast! Check them out at anchor.fm/superggradio, or wherever fine podcasts are sold!

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Dubs vs. Dubs: Re-Castings

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0000

This week, we dive into re-castings in long-term series or ports and re-releases of beloved games. Why do they happen? How do people feel about them? And what do they add or change about the stories they tell? Also included: Port Mistakes and New Dylan

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Madeline's Climb: Celeste's Mechanical Narratives

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

*** Spoilers for Celeste ***

This week, we talk about the recent indie platformer Celeste, it's story, and how it tells it. We look at the level-by-level challenges, the characters' arcs, and how this game ties itself together.

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A E S T H E T I C C

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

What is aesthetic? What is art? What is zombies? These questions have haunted thinkers since the dawn of time, and this week, two dweebs with a podcast are gonna answer them. Join us as we talk about what "aesthetic" actually means, and look at a few game franchises that have made unique use of their individual aesthetics.

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Spot The Dud, The Second One

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the loop-zone! Dylan's in Tech for a show, Chris has been recording a lot, and we both needed a nice, fun, breezy episode this week. Welcome back to Spot The Dud! Chris reads some review for games in the same general 1-10 ranking ballpark, and Dylan has to guess which one is the biggest stinker!

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Kill 'Em With Kindness

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

**Spoiler Warning for Undertale, because we know that game is fresh and important to a lot of people**

This week, we're here to talk about games that ask you to pull your punches. Whether it's an encounter that forces you to put aside the usual violent options, or a game with pacifism built into it's DNA, looking at how games approach non-violent storytelling in a usually violent medium is fascinating. Also included: Dwelling on Dreams, God-Smacked, Dylan Fils Aime, and the great Chris Bait-And-Switch

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Episode 40: Writer's Room - F-Zero

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:00:00 -0000

This week, we've gotta go fast, but not in the way you'd expect! We hop back into our regular Writer's Room segment to talk about F-Zero, the Nintendo property known for it's speed and cartoonish characters, to try to figure out how we could best translate these unique strengths into another medium. We think we did a pretty ok job!

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Episode 39: Stacked Stories

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:00:00 -0000

This week, we're all about games with multiple campaigns or perspectives. Whether you're choosing your side at the beginning, or the game shifts itself around to show you the different sides of the story, using perspective shifts and concurrent storytelling can add a unique twist to your game's story and how your audience approaches or replays it. Also included: Sonic "The" Hedgehog, Hehehehehehe... Duty, and The Big Plug Collection.

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Episode 38: Words, Words, Words

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:30:00 -0000

This week, we take a break from looking at the more complex elements of game story telling, and instead look at the simpler building blocks: dialogue, narration, and cutscenes. Are they good? What are some games that use them interestingly? Are they necessary? Let's find out! Also included: Use Cake on Man, Dissociation Dylan, and Tim Cook: Podcast Warden.

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Episode 37: It's Magic!

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 11:30:00 -0000

This is one of those episode where we know *what* we want to talk about, but we're not entirely sure what's gonna happen when we do that. This week, we're talking about yet another medium-specific method of storytelling, but we kick video games to the curb in favor of trading card games. Come along as Chris rambles about Magic: The Gathering to a largely bemused Dylan! Also included: Off-Brand Hayter the wackiest Playbill of all, and OG Digimon

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Episode 36: Coop, There It Is

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 01:55:00 -0000

This week, we’re joined by a close personal friend, Coop, of “Dude, You Remember Macross” fame, to join us in a conversation about all things weeby. We talk Dragon Quest, take a brief diversion into God of War (so Chris can contribute to the conversation), and then wrap by talking about our first impressions of the new Fire Emblem: Three Houses, particularly how it manages to meld its character and mechanical choices together. Also included: A Dylan Surprise, Big Weeb Energy, One Star Please, and the Looooooooong Fade.

Be sure to check out “Dude, You Remember Macross,” at www.anchor.fm/dudeyouremember, or on twitter @DudeYouRemember

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Episode 35: Dylans and Villains

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 11:32:00 -0000

This week, we take a walk on the dark-side. We talk about what makes a good villain, a few things you should never do in creating a villain, and why sometimes you just need to rehydrate your villains. Also included: Papa-Dorf, "The Moan," and Dylan's Metal Gear Dissociation.

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Episode 34: Brick By Brick

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:30:00 -0000

This week, we were thrilled to be joined by our good friend Will Quam, a Chicago-based director, playwright, and the brain behind Brick of Chicago, an Instagram feed and tour company focused on the brickwork around the city of Chicago. With the help of his eye as a director and observer, we talk about all the little visual ways that games tell their stories. Also included: Fart. Please do check out Brick of Chicago at www.BrickOfChicago.com, or at instagram.com/BrickOfChicago.

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Episode 33: Flash!

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

Do you have any games that changed how you think about games, or stories, or life? Well, we sure as heck do, and this week, we talk about a few of those flash-bulb games that have impacted us over the years. Also included: The Funny Sex Number, Warlock Daddy, Nasty SNES, and Relevant Seinfeld Humor

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Episode 32: Let's Do Nothing!

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:30:00 -0000

All this talking about storytelling and narratives has gotten exhausting, and who has the energy for that in this summer heat? Instead, let’s take it easy, and not talk about story at all. In fact, let’s talk about some games with a very pointed lack of story, and see if we can riddle out how those work! Doesn’t that sound refreshing? Also included: TIME TO KILL, Funky Kong ASMR, Slimy Wilson, and Football-Sonas.

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Episode 31: A Change of Clothes

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 11:30:00 -0000

Step into the wardrobe with us today as we talk about how the design of a character, and notably a redesign, can act as a useful shorthand for how we perceive of our favorite characters. It’s also another morning recording, and you know how those get! Also included: Plunge You Up, The Fall, and Mummy Love.

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Episode 30: Writer's Room, Final Fantasy

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 11:30:00 -0000

The big 3-0, eh? Join us on our traditional 10-episode trip to the Writer’s Room. On the chopping block this time? Only one of the longest-running and most beloved RPG franchises in the world, Final Fantasy! Can we succeed where three motion pictures and two anime adaptations failed? Let’s find out!

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Episode 29: Totally Not an E3 Episode

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:30:00 -0000

This week, we’ve got E3 Fever! We take some time to talk about games that spawned a lot of discussion, and how that discussion is EXACTLY what the industry wants. This whole thing is an elaborate constructed narrative, and we’re here to unravel that. Also included: Hunkendorf, Dank Basement Chris, and a Complete Mess at the End.

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Episode 28: Spot the Dud

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:00:00 -0000

This week, we ease back into the recording process after our long tech-break by playing a game. Chris finds games with bad review scores; Dylan has to guess which one scored worst. It’s fun. We have fun here. Also included: FIFA Sex Tattoos, The Uno Fuck-Up, Twitter of the Past, and Sonic Boo.

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Episode 27: Theatre, but Make It Rogue-Like

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 11:30:00 -0000

We return from a long technical-difficulty-induced hiatus, and we’re back in rare form, frantically trying to build connections between a centuries-old form of Italian theatre and modern voice-acting and RPG game design. Buckle up, friends! Also included: Hive Queen Bezos, Make Clowns Happy 2019, The BSG Onsen Episode, Dylan’s Final Fantasy Hole, DadBook, and Using Every Part of the Artist

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Episode 26: The Hedge-Man Cometh

Mon, 06 May 2019 07:30:00 -0000

This week, we get REAL granular on you. We take the gift that the universe has given us all in the form of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie trailer and dive in deep, trying our absolute hardest to try to reverse engineer the footage it offers in search of the artistic thinking behind the film. Also included: The Teeth, The Teeth, Oh, God, The Horrible Teeth.

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Episode 25: Oops! All Chris!

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 07:30:00 -0000

We done gone and lost our Dylan this week, everyone! Due to some scheduling conflicts, this week is a Chris Solo Show, in which he finally semi-tackles his long-standing project of comparing the works of Anton Chekhov to the recent game, God of War (2018). It’s not quite as goofy as our typical fare, but it made Chris very happy to talk about. Enjoy!

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Episode 24: We Studied the Blade

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:10:00 -0000

This week, with Bushido Blade on the brain, we take a deep dive into the unique and specific ways that fighting games create meaning out of their mechanics. Along the way, we talk a little about the history of the genre and geek out about one of our favorite odd-ball fighting series. Also included: Santa Dylan, Karate Guy is Dead, Marvel’s Rouge the Bat, The Plug Zone, and Capitalism Death Traps

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Episode 23: But Chris, You Said We Wouldn't Talk About Sekiro!

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 06:30:00 -0000

Whoopsies. This one turned out to be much more about the current twitter “discourse” on game difficulty than either of us intended at first, but we think we had a salient angle to speak from. We also talk about games that have made us do weird things, from map drawing to creature memorization. Also included: Cheating the Game, Cheating Yourself, Not Growing, Not Improving, Taking Shortcuts, Gaining Nothing, Hollow Victories, Risking Nothing, and Not Knowing the Difference.

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Episode 22: Movie Games BAD!!! (Baby's First Clickbait)

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:44:00 -0000

We got you! You clicked! Our clever ruse is a success! This week, we talk for a while about why it’s so rare to see a licensed game for a film property turn out to be actually fun, but then transition into talking about a lot of licensed movie games we actually really liked. It’s a roller coaster! Oh, plus, at one point we talk for a long time about a game cutscene that you can watch HERE. Also included: Tax Prison Podcasting, The Nightmare Before May Cry, an Ear Crime, and the Bumble Good-Bye.

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Episode 21: What's All This, Then!?

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 07:55:00 -0000

This week, we get wet and wild, by which I mean we were recording before either of us had fully absorbed our morning coffees. With that weird energy at our disposal, we talk about how stories change when the audience is forced to take on a different point-of-view, and how games create opportunities for this by swapping around main characters and making perspective switches. Also included: Horny for Osmosis, Nolan Nurth, Chris the Segue Boy, and an Actual Spoiler Warning

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Episode 20: Writer's Room, Resident Evil

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 07:30:00 -0000

This week, for our 20th Episode, we return to our Writer’s Room segment, taking a look at the Resident Evil franchise and how one might effectively translate it into another medium. We choose not to engage too much with the existing Resident Evil movies, because of reasons. We also talk a lot about toilet paper. Have fun! Also included: Personal Pan Potty, Big Pharma-Zombie, and Oops! All Terrorists!

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Episode 19.5: Live from Beat Kitchen in Chicago, IL

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 00:59:52 -0000

No pre-recorded episode this week, due to travel and work, but enjoy a quick treat! Our first ever live show, recorded at the Chicago Podcasters Unite C2E2 show on March 16th, 2019! The crowd was great, and we take our slot to talk how games sell immersion. Also included: Chris Forgets his Shakespeare, ThE tHeAtRe Of ThE eYe, and Sega Stole My Wallet!

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Episode 19: In the Wings

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 07:30:00 -0000

This one is kind of short, due to some outside world drama that took the wind out of our joke-sails a little bit during recording, but what we got is still good and fun! This week, we chat about how side content, whether it’s fetch quests or collectibles, can influence a game’s story or highlight its world. Also included: Sleepy Dylan, Chris’s Incompetence, and “It’s Just a Slap.”

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Episode 18: Reviewing Reviews

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 08:30:00 -0000

Join us as we look at games criticism, how it works, and the ways that it is helpful and how it could be improved. We also play a game using some game reviews. It’s all very fun. Trust us. Also included: Peaking with Dylan, Chris’ Big Plug, and DC’s Sham-Wow!

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Episode 17: Tales of Christine

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:30:00 -0000

This week we’ve got another super special guest episode! Our friend Christine, host of the podcast The Unexplored Places, joins us to talk about analog RPG narratives, as well as to gush with Dylan about one of their favorite JRPG series. Also included: Zesty Ohio, A Very Confused Audience Surrogate, and Dylan’s Anime-Glasses-Flash

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Episode 16: Let's A some Qs

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we chill out, max, relax all cool, and answer some questions from friends and Twitter. Come along as we play it by ear and engage with our audience for once! Also included: Chris’s Ear Rant, 12-Year-Old Murder, and Dylan's big cop-out.

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Episode 15: Constantine Stanislavski's "Making a Game Friend."

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we are excited to unveil the long sought-after fourth book in the Russian acting teacher’s cannon of texts, in which he discussed character creation in video games as a parallel to the actor’s process. In addition to the above being our stupidest and most-inside-baseball joke ever, we also have a lot of fun this episode, and Dylan and Chris both rant for a while on current gaming loves and how games allow creative impulses in their players. Also included: The Great Bathroom Puzzle, Dylan the Ouija Boi, The Robot-Arm Acting Technique, and Key-Blazing.

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Episode 14: Try, Try Again

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 08:30:00 -0000

Welcome to the Backstage Gaming Morning Show! On this slightly-groggy episode, we talk about the place of failure in narratives, and how games engage with this tool (or, in some cases, fail to). Also included: Dylan’s One, Two, and Three, Build a Beefcake Workshop, Hot Podcast Mixtapes, and Da Bear Pits.

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Episode 13: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Plot

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we use the newly released 12th game in it’s series, Kingdom Hearts 3, to talk about multi-part storytelling, and the difference between “Story” and “Lore.” Also included: Big Main Energy, Fan Poking, and Hot Jam.

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Episode 12: Seems Sketchy

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 08:30:00 -0000

We’re back on schedule this week with a very special episode, featuring our first ever guest! We’re joined by our old friend JP, a sketch comedian with Bad Medicine Comedy out of Washington, D.C., and with his help we look at what makes for a good piece of sketch comedy, and how those principles show up in a handful of games. Also included: The Hairy Fight-Man, JP’s Favorite Movie, and Baby’s First Segue

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Episode 11: Resident Resources

Sat, 19 Jan 2019 04:26:00 -0000

It’s late episode time! The boys are back to talk about a new Resident Evil game, complete with Dylan’s many thoughts about how these games work and why he loves them. Also included: Announcement Time, A Horny Zombie, and Scooby Doo Body Horror

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Episode 10: Writer's Room, Metroid

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 08:27:00 -0000

This week, we introduce a new (possibly recurring) episode concept! We spend the whole episode attempting to find the potential means to adapt the classic NES game Metroid into a non-interactive, narrative experience. We think we might actually have done a decent job. Also included: More Other M hate, Needless Geass, and the Pokemon digression.

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Episode 9: Let's Go to the Talkies!

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we continue our ramblings on silent protagonists, but this time we look at a few who stopped being silent. Sometimes this works out. Other times… well, come along with us. Also included: CGI Donkey Kong, Dylan’s Worst Noise, and the Wheeler Possession.

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Episode 8: Silence!

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we talk about a uniquely video-gamey narrative tool: Silent Protagonists. We talk about what makes them work, how to pick apart their differences, and how games use them to different ends. Also included: Awful Hairy Sonic, Dylan’s Link-Takes, and the Return of the Return of Snagglepuss

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Episode 7: We Table-Top, Too!

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we relax and just sort of chat about some table-top games we love, and ways that we’ve found to tie our theatrical talents and interests to them. We also felt lazy after last week’s very prep-heavy episode, so forgive us this lapse into rambling. Also included: Swamp Daddy, Hanukkah Hams, and the Tiniest Fart.

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Episode 6: Iconoclasts Analysis

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This is a long one (but we cut off at the normal time for anyone who needs an out or doesn't want spoilers). This week, we go deep and do some preliminary breakdowns of selected scenes from the Konjak game Iconoclasts. We do cold reads of the scenes, and talk about the choices we, as actors, would make if we were called on to play them. Also included: New Terms, Swamp Thing, and Bonus Extra Content

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Episode 5: A... Good Video Game Movie!?!?

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we talk about the new (ish) Castlevania Netflix series, and why we think it succeeded where EVERY OTHER game-to-film adaptation failed. Also included: Turkey Boi, The Rottenest Tomatoes, Snake Impressions, and Light

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Episode 4: Uncharted, The Musical

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we look at the beloved Uncharted series as though it were a Broadway musical. No we’re not kidding. We talk pacing, characterization, and scene structure, and how musical theater and action games aren’t that different in how they tackle those things.

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Episode 3: On That Grind

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 08:30:00 -0000

This week, we do something a little bit different; rather than go deep into a game or game concept, Dylan and Chris take the idea of "Grinding," as popularized by old school RPGs, and use that as a handy parallel for the work of trying to create a career in the arts.

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Episode 2: Let's Get In Character

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 08:30:00 -0000

We walk you through the basics of analyzing a character from an actor's point-of-view, then use that framework as we take a look at the God of War and Devil May Cry series, paying particular attention to the way their main characters change game-to-game. We also spend 8 minutes on a VERY NECESSARY tangent.

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Episode 1: The Beginning

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 04:47:55 -0000

Chris and Dylan introduce themselves, set up the show, and ramble their way through a discussion of score-chasing, speed-running, and the rehearsal process.

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