The Experience Points Podcast
A weekly video game podcast from the co-writers of ExperiencePoints.net
EXP Podcast #88: Red Dead Redemption Roundup, part 1

Saddle up, amigos.  It’s time to ride into one of the year’s most high-profile games: Red Dead Redemption.  Published by Rockstar, Red Dead Redemption attempts to convey the feel of the Mythic West by dropping the player into an expansive, beautiful, and dangerous world.  It is a highly ambitious game whose plot and game systems both deserve in-depth analysis.  Because of this, we have split up our conversation. This week, we mainly discuss the game’s structure and mechanics while avoiding specific plot details.  We cover topics like morality, emergent gameplay, and the viability of the Rockstar formula.  As always, we’re interested to hear what you all thought, so feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

 

Some discussion starters:

 

- How much time did you spend on the side quests?  Were they just a distraction from the main plot or did they offer you something    

- Do you have any good emergent stories from your travels in New Austin?  With all the angry wildlife, surly townsfolk, and wide-open spaces, strange things are bound to happen...

- Do you think the Rockstar, open world formula is a viable platform to explore other genres?

 

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 36 sec  

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_88_red_dead_1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:08pm PDT

EXP Podcast #87: Taming the Trolls

The perils of internet anonymity have long stirred up conflict within gaming communities. Blizzards attempt to fight back against forum trolls resulted in a loud outcry from those eager to protect their privacy. While Blizzard's Real ID plans were eventually canceled, they opened up an interesting discussion about anonymity and the role of developers in maintaining a healthy community. Join us this week as Scott and I discuss Blizzard's plans, facebook privacy, horse photos, public shaming, Dennis Rodman, and militant honesty. We encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Some discussion starters:

- How well can online communities police themselves?
- What responsibility does Blizzard have in monitoring and shaping player behavior?
- Is our relation to anonymity changing?

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 39 sec
- “Pro Real ID" by Krystian Majewski, via Game Design Scrapbook
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_87_-_Taming_the_Trolls.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:30pm PDT

EXP Podcast #86: Lay Off the Cake

Aperture Science was a meme factory.  Years after Portal’s release, we are still quoting the jokes and phrases that helped give the game its unique personality.  With the forthcoming release of Portal 2, writer Erik Wolpaw is grappling with the memes spawned by the original.  Making cake references might be an easy way to wink at fans, but there is a danger of the game collapsing under the weight of its own baggage.  This week, we discuss the unique challenges facing Portal 2 and consider the ways in which memes function in video games and the video game community.  We’d be interested to hear your thoughts in the comments, be they on the subject of cake, cubes, or Keyboard Cats.  

 

Some discussion starters:

 

- Will it be hard for Portal 2 to distance itself from the baggage of the first game?  Would you be disappointed if there were not cake references?

- What are some of your favorite game memes and why?  Is there a specific purpose they serve either in or out of the game?

- Is it possible to have gameplay memes?  

 

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 03 sec

- “Portal 2's Wolpaw: 'I Do Not Want To Resurrect A Three-Year-Old Meme',” by Chris Remo, via GameSetWatch  

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_86_memes.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

EXP Podcast #85: Twisted Truth

Every year E3 is all about surprises. Some take the art of the surprise very seriously. At this year's event, Designer David Jaffe shocked fans when he announced the new Twisted Metal. Why were some so taken aback? Because Jaffe explicitly denied the existence of such a title. Without a shred of doubt, he completely lied to journalists and readers. Branching off a post from Kyle Orland on the subject, and two pieces by Nels Anderson, Scott and I discuss the value of surprises, games journalism, film industry norms, and the cultural of secrets. You can find the original articles in the show notes and we encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.


Some discussion starters:

- Is secrecy in the games industry valuable in anyway?
- Should we be alright with this much secrecy? How about Jaffe's behavior?
- Is the industry incapable of becoming more transparent or is the a cultural trait that can be changed?

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: 24 min 27 sec
- "David Jaffe is a liar. Do we care?" by Kyle Orland, via The Game Beat
- "It's All Cloack & Dagger" by Nels Anderson, via Above49
- "Sometimes, The Spy Games are Too Much" by Nels Anderson, via Above49
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_85_-_Twisted_Truth.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:12pm PDT