The Experience Points Podcast
A weekly video game podcast from the co-writers of ExperiencePoints.net
EXP Podcast #177: Journey's End

As you may know, Scott and I are avid thatgamecompany fans, particularly of Journey, their latest masterpiece. It was such a rewarding and almost mystical experience we did not want it to end. Steven Poole, however, thought it should have ended just a tad sooner. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss Poole's claim that Journey's ending is a "cop out" and, more importantly, examine the way game endings can violate themes and trends established within story and gameplay. As always, we love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Chime in with your comments below!

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 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:

- Run time: 28 min 41 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_177_-_Journeys_End.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:08pm PDT

This week, Jorge and I take a trip to the theater and discuss the recently-released Indie Game: The Movie. It's a documentary featuring the creative folks behind three of the most well-known independent games of the past few years: BraidSuper Meat Boy, and Fez. The movie offers a glimpse of the extremely personal journey of making a video game and explores the personal and professional challenges they face along the way. The film has generated a lot of discussion inside the video game community and in broader press and we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments!

Some discussion starters:

- What does the film teach us about the independent scene and the video game industry overall?

- Who is this movie for? What can gaming enthusiasts take from it and what might newcomers learn?

- What other independent developers would you like to see highlighted in a movie?

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 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:

- Run time: 46 min 35 sec

- The official website for Indie Game: The Movie

- "Indie Game: The Movie's new credits put end to conflict," by Allistair Pinsof, via Destructoid

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_176_igtm80.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:08pm PDT

We made the drive back up to Northern California, but left pieces of ourselves back in the Los Angeles the convention center - mostly the tired and exhausted parts. This week on the show, Scott and I revisit our experience at E3 and chat about our general thoughts on the show, the weird experience such an industry show creates, and some of our video game favorites and let downs. Surely you watched the show from afar if you couldn't make it yourself. If so, chime in below in the comments section and let us know what your E3 surprises and disappointments were this year!

Show notes:

- Run time: 34 min 05 sec

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_175_-_E3_2012_Revisited.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:59pm PDT

E3 is over! Right now a giant Sonic the Hedgehog statue sits in the dark, international developers are flying over the Atlantic ocean, and thousands of swag collectors are rummaging through their treasures like a child on Halloween night. While the show came to a close, Scott and I still had plenty of games to check out, some exciting and original works and other supreme disappointments. Thanks again for listening and be sure to tune in to next week's podcast when we discuss E3 with more depth and the benefit of hindsight.

Show notes:

- Run time: 36 min 06 sec

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_-_E3_2012_Day_3.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:22pm PDT

It's the second day of E3!  Jorge and I spent a lot of time with the big publishers today.  We saw high profile titles like Black Ops 2 and Dishonored, but we also carved out space for more niche games like Papa & Yo and Dust 514.  We hope you enjoy the recap and we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the show in the comments!

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 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:

- Run time: 32 min 32 sec
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: e3_2012_day_2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:15pm PDT

The E3 2012 show floor doors burst open today, letting industry professional tossing out business cards like they were beads on Mardi Gras, media reps carrying enough stress to kill an elephant, a horde of ravenous fans hungry for glorious swag. Scott and I sauntered in at some point too, a tad confused and more than a little curious. We took Day 1 of the show relatively slow, but we still have plenty to talk about. Join us on this E3 2012 podcast to discuss our first thoughts on the show, some of the IndieCade entries, Natural Selection 2, NBA Baller Beats, and more. As always, we love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Show Notes:
- Run time: 30 min 06 sec

Direct download: E3_2012_-_Day_1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:51pm PDT

California is big and brown and has very little 3G/4G wireless coverage in its middle. Regardless, Jorge and I have made it safely down to Los Angeles for E3 2012 while still managing to catch the all-important press conferences for Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, and Sony. Join us while we discuss each conferences larger themes and our first impressions about what E3 has to offer. If you caught the streamed conferences yourself, let us know your thoughts on the show thus far in the comments below.

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 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:

- Run time: 34 min 36 sec
- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Direct download: e3_2012_day_0.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:53am PDT