EXP Podcast #117: Single-player Socialites

With the ubiquity of the Internet and the popularity of social games, are single-player experiences becoming a niche genre?  This week, we're happy to welcome Justin Keverne back to the podcast to discuss the role of single player games in a medium currently fascinated by group experiences.  An accomplished game designer and critic, Justin helps us make sense of the relationship between single-player, multiplayer, and "social" games.  We cover everything from the fourth wall, to Venn diagrams, and even the behemoth that is Facebook.  As you know, the podcast isn't meant to be a single-player experience, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Some discussion starters:

- Is the single-player experience a historical aberration?

- How do social components effect your experience with a game?  What are the differences between a collaborative playthrough of a single-player game, online leader boards, asynchronous play, and active multiplayer?

- What types of themes are best explored in a single-player game?  What are some examples of games that rely on solo experiences?

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: 58 min 38 sec
- "Groping The Elephant," Justin Keverne's website
- "What is a Social Game?" by Nicholas Lovell, via GAMESbrief
- "Are single player-games doomed?" by Raph Koster, via Raph Koster's Website
- "Is the shift to online a fad?" by Raph Koster, via Raph Koster's Website
- "Have single-player games ever existed?" by Raph Koster, via Raph Koster's Website
- "Single Players are Not an Aberation" by Tadhg Kelly, via Gamesbrief
- Music provided by Brad Sucks