The Experience Points Podcast
A weekly video game podcast from the co-writers of ExperiencePoints.net

Bust out your tin foil hats, because you're being watched.  Of course, you probably already knew that; achievement logs aren't all that hard to find, are they?  There's no doubt that we have more data about how we play games than ever before, but what does this mean for game reviews?  Are we due for a New York Times/Tesla controversy?  This week, inspired by Sam Machovech's article, we talk about what it means to review a game in an environment where your opinions and your actions can disagree.

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes
- Find the show on Stitcher
- Here's the show's 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:

- Runtime: 32 min 22 sec

- "The Critic and the Cloud," by Sam Machovech, via Unwinnable
- The New York Times' responds to questions about their Tesla review
- KnobFeel: Reviews of receiver knobs
- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_213_-_Data_Driven_Reviews.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The PlayStation 4 was announced! OMG! But hey, the new console is still a long way from release and we have games to play now. This week on the podcast, Scott and I discuss the games currently on our playlist. From the over-the-top Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance  to Legendary, Marvel's marvelous deck-building card game, we browse the games a catalog of games. If you have played any of them, do let us know in the comments below and let us know what you have been playing as well!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 39 min 25 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_212_-_Springtime_Playlist.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:15pm PDT

When it comes to conversations, especially between three talkative people, Twitter just doesn't cut it.  Therefore, when Mattie Brice, Jorge, and I started trading tweets about the merits of difficulty in games, we knew it was time to change venues.  This week, we're excited to have Mattie on the show to talk about the meaning behind the challenges games offer.  We cover everything from Super Hexagon to Pokemon, and even throw in some parallels to BDSM to spice things up (Pro tip: don't Google BDSM+Pokemon…unless you're into that).  As always, thanks for listening, and feel free to jump into the comments with your thoughts!

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes
- Find the show on Stitcher
- Here's the show's 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:

- Mattie Brice's website
- Runtime: 52 min 39 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_211_-_Meeting_the_Challenge_with_Mattie.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

America's most widely celebrated holiday, the Superbowl, has come and gone. While all of us over here in the Bay Area are mourning, Scott and I have our minds tuned to video games - well, sort of. Specifically, inspired by an article from Tim Rogers, we're discussing the similarities between American Football and Final Fantasy Tactics. Is Tom Brady a White Mage or a Black Mage? And what's a safety called in JRPGs? Join us this week on the EXP Podcast while we chat about fandom, e-sports, and more. As always, share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to check out Tim's original article in the show notes!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 34 mins 13 secs

- "Football: The Review," by Tim Rogers via Kotaku

- "The Chris Johnson Problem," by Chuck Klosterman via Grantland

- The slowest bicycle race you will ever watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL1lXDNSJQ

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_210_-_Gaming_Football.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:06pm PDT