Saddle up pardners: Today, you're riding out west with the EXP Gang.  OK, I'll stop.  This week, we discuss the recently released Western-FPS Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood.  We cover everything from co-op, to cover mechanics, to Confederates.  Although the game had some shortcomings, it ended up provoking a fruitful discussion.  Feel free to mosey on over to the comments section to share your thoughts.

Some discussion starters:

- What are your favorite things about Western film and literature?  What games (Western or otherwise) evoke similar feelings? 

- How can the thematic topics seen in many Westerns (explorations of civilization and the wilderness, violence and the law, morality versus barbarism, etc.) best be incorporated into games?

- Are we getting to a point where co-op, much like competitive multiplayer, is becoming a standard feature that we expect from games?

- For those of you who played the game: What are your overall impressions? 

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: 39 min 14 sec
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

 How we depict figures from our cultural history and actual history is our entertainment media is fascinating. We tend to overly praise and ridicule these individuals, particularly celebrities. Deciding which depiction of a cultural figure is too offensive or disrespectful is no easy task. The appearance is Kurt Cobain as a playable character in Guitar Hero 5 runs this border. Giving more options to players is great, but is allowing a deceased celebrity, particularly one who died in a tragic way, to sing ABBA too much?

This week, Scott and I discuss this Cobain fiasco and the philosophy behind open access to potentially disrespectful material, and we don't stop there. Our topics include duck hats, Johnny Cash, mash-up culture, and Frederick Douglas. As always, we love to hear your thoughts, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

There is nothing like a little friendly competition to get a heated discussion going. In fact, according to Leigh Alexander's recent interview with Capcom senior director of communications Chris Kramer, rival development teams may lament their bygone days of battle. Join us this week while Scott and I discuss the Mortal Kombat/Street Fighter debate, the pros and cons of exaggerated competition, and some of the more memorable video game rivalries.

As always, you can find the original article in the show notes. We would also love to hear your thoughts on the subject, as well as memorable rivalries we may have missed, which you can leave in the comments section below.

Some discussion starters:

- Have you ever found yourself picking sides on a video game rivalry? Did this enhance your experience with the game or the gaming community?

- Do you think video game rivalries are healthy for the industry? Is there a genre or particular game that needs a boisterous competitor?

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: 25 min 1 sec
- Interview, "Capcom 'Would Welcome' Return Of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat Brand Rivalry" by Leigh Alexander via Gamasutra
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

The final day of PAX 2009 has come to an end. Though saddened by the thought of an empty convention, eerily devoid of digital revelry, we are filled to the brim with satisfaction. The last day of PAX was as busy as ever. Panels included such interesting topics as the future of videogames, gamer culture, and depictions of sex and serious topics. The excellent panelists gave us loads to talk about on this episode, but we also discuss games from the show floor and out feelings towards the unique PAX event over all. We invite you to leave your thoughts in the comments section and join us next year for PAX 2010!

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: 33 min 16 sec
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

It's Day 2 of PAX and Experience Points is going strong! Today we sat in on on a variety of panels that covered everything from sex, to gender, to story telling methods in games. We also were lucky enough to witness the spectacle that is the Omegathon, a PAX-wide video game tournament featuring attendees. In this episode, we recap our thoughts on the panels and re-live the glory of the Omeganauts. As always, we love your comments, so feel free to jump in with your thoughts.

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: 29 min 10 sec
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Experience Points is in Seattle for PAX 2009! The days are unbelievably packed with all things gaming related. Much of our first day was spent in the various panels, so this podcast serves as a sort of debriefing session. Feel free to to leave your thoughts or questions in the comments, and if you are in Seattle, let us know so that we can stop by and say "Hi!"

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: 29 min 08 sec
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

The mainstream acceptance of video games is a relatively recent phenomenon, as is the scientific study of how games effect players.  When studies are conducted, it is important to examine them closely, as they can influence political decisions, social perceptions, and future research trends.  This week, we explore a study looking at gamers' physical and mental health.  We discuss some of the study's shortcomings and anticipate the ways in which future research can benefit the larger gaming community.  As always, we welcome your input so feel free to read through the articles and weigh-in with your comments.

Some discussion starters:

- What is the best way to organize the gaming community in a study?  Number of hours gaming?  Relative importance of gaming in someone's life?  Can we find any way to define what constitutes a "Video-Game" player?

- How do people utilize games to deal with problems in their life?  Are games something that attract a certain mental or physical profile?  Do games cause ill health or does ill health lead people to play games?

- What can games teach us in terms of our lifestyles?  How do games (even those that are not "serious") improve our lives?

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: 28 min 21 sec
- The Two Articles from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine can be found here, in the August 2009 press release section.  They are in PDF format.
- "Study: Average gamer is 35, fat and bummed," via MSNBC.com
- Music provided by Brad Sucks