The Experience Points Podcast
A weekly video game podcast from the co-writers of ExperiencePoints.net
EXP Podcast #71: Hostile Forces

For a medium designed to entertain and even calm, videogames can be surprisingly frustrating. Intense hostility can be elicited by games, be they single-player or multiplayer. This can result in high blood pressure, loud swearing, or even the destruction of property. Chris Lepine of The Artful Gamer inspires the podcast this week with his post on angry gamers and a shattered six-axis. Join us this week while we discuss breaking controllers,  8 bit anger, the calming affects of transparency, diverting hostility, and adversarial gaming.

Show notes:

- Run time: 36 min 26 sec
- "The Angry Gamer," by Chris Lepine via The Artful Gamer
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_71_-_Hostile_Forces.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:05pm PDT

EXP Podcast #70: Silent Hill Sound Off!

It's easy for games to get lost in the crowded winter season, when huge games like Mass Effect and Call of Duty dominate dominate both sales charts and critical conversation.  This week, we have an in-depth discussion about a game that has been quietly lurking in the shadows: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.  The most title recent in a long-running series, Shattered Memories re-imagines the first Silent Hill to provide both a unique gameplay and storytelling experience.  In addition to upholding the sense of dread and horror from the previous games (seriously, try playing this with the lights off!), the Shattered Memories has some narrative twists that set it apart from most other games. 

 

Jorge and I made sure to keep the first half of our talk spoiler-free before getting down to specific plot points.  Despite (or perhaps because of) its rough edges, we both highly recommend the game.  Just don't blame us when you're huddled beneath the covers at night, afraid to turn the lights off.  Finally, the in-game psychologist told us its healthy to share your feelings with others, so feel free to jump in with your comments.

 

Some discussion starters:

 

- For those of you who played the game, what did you think?  Had you played other Silent Hill games before?  How did your puzzles and stories differ from ours?

- The game claims "to play you" just as much as you play it.  For those of you who played it, was this accurate?  What other games "play" their players, and how do they do so?

- Is there room on the market for "double-A" games like Shattered Memories?  Is this a meaningful distinction?  How should we evaluate games with experimental concepts but less polish than blockbuster titles?

 

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.

 

Show notes:

- Run time: 44 min 23 sec

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_70_silent_hill.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:42pm PDT

EXP Podcast #69: The Finish Line

This past weekend concluded the 2010 San Francisco Game Developers Conference, which brought together developers from around the world to discuss all aspects of the games industry. Numerous talks were held covering a wide range of subject. One particularly interesting talk, embedded above, was by Chris Hecker, who called on designers to "finish" their games. Fittingly, we called on game developer Krystian Majewski, creator of the IGF Award nominated Trauma, to offer his professional wisdom. Join us this week while we discuss missing deadlines, game depth, charismatic marketers, and the importance of wacky ideas.

Show notes:

- Run time: 38 min 05 sec
- "Please Finish Your Game," by Chris Hecker, via ChrisHecker.com
- See Game Design Reviews for more information about Trauma and Krystian Mejewski
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_69_-_The_Finish_Line.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:38pm PDT

EXP Podcast #68: Naked Ambition

As games evolve, more mainstream titles are incorporating elements of nudity.  This raises the question of nudity's importance.  In one sense, its value is derived from what it represents in terms of the story or the characters.  Nudity is also useful for examining wider societal issues and cultural norms.  But what if we had to assign nudity an actual economic worth?  Does $3 sound about right?

This week, we discuss G. Christopher Williams' article about nudity in The Saboteur.  The game represents an intersection of monetized, optional, and artistic nudity, and is an interesting case study for how mainstream games deal with exposed flesh.  We share our thoughts on the game's approach to bare bodies and then trade ideas about what the future holds for digital nudity.  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments (clothing optional).

Some discussion starters:

- What are the implication of having monetized nudity?

- Do you think there is a difference between cutscene and interactive examples of nudity from a moral/ethical point of view?

- Can you think of any games in which nudity was essential to the complete experience?  Are there games in which nudity ultimately weakened the overall 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.

Show notes:

- Run time: 30 min 09 sec
- "The Value of Nudity: Considering the Saboteur," by G. Christopher Williams, via PopMatters
- "In the Nude for Games," by Jorge
- Music provided by Brad Sucks


Direct download: EXP_Podcast_68_naked.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:00pm PDT

EXP Podcast #67: Late for a History Lesson

It is hard to look away from the onslaught of newly released titles, which time to pique our interest with all these "fresh" ideas. But games have been around for a while now, and not every game is a glistening display of pure innovation. We have old roots that are worthy of exploration. Or, as Evan Stubbs suggests, those seeking to expand the medium have an obligation to reexamine older titles and put modern day gaming in its historical context.

Join us this week while Scott and I discuss stealth mechanics of the past, the art of building upon genre, the Beatles, Braid, and the risks and rewards of gamer time travel. As usual, you can find Evan's original article on the subject in the show notes. We also encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.


Show notes:

- Run time: 28 min 51 sec
- Learning from History by Evan Stubbs, via RedKingsDream
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_67_-_History_Class.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:52pm PDT