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

We talked about our games of the year and the honorable mentions and now it's time to wrap up 2014.  Let's start 2015 by taking a look at the calendar and talking about the games we're looking forward to playing next year.  What do you see yourself enjoying in the coming year?  What do you hope to be surprised by?  Maybe a visit from a mythical fox-dragon?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_309_-_fired_up_2015.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:48am PDT

Last week we delivered out Games of the Year podcast, but that list is just so short! Scott and I have returned to further unpack the exciting year of video games and give a nod to some of the most interesting games of 2014. Some will will surprise, others not so much. What 2014 games are on the top of your list? Let us know!

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 37 mins 52 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_308_-_Gaming_Highlights_of_2014.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:00pm PDT

It's that time of year again everyone: the time when we make the painful decisions.  The time when we take stock of the year and elevate three champions that represent the year's high points.  It's our Games of the Year for 2014 (because who could pick just one?).  What experiences from 2014 will stick with you as we get ready for the new year?  Let us know in the comments!

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 53 mins 25 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_307_-_GotY_2014.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

What happens in Vegas gets shared all across the internet! This week on the Experience Points Podcast, Scott and discuss the latest news and announcement from the Game Awards show and Sony's Playstation Experience event. You can prepare yourself for the show by watching the game awards show in entirety right here. For your viewing pleasure, you can also find all the trailers for the games we discuss in the show notes below. Let us know which these games you are most looking forward to!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_306_-_2014_Game_Awards_and_PSX.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:35pm PDT

In what is becoming the World Cup of the video game universe (Sorry Snake, looks like Pac Man bested you in the qualifying round), the medium’s marquee mascots have gathered once again to partake in the time honored tradition of beating the crap out of one another (this time in HD!). We got our hands on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (despite not getting our hands on a GameCube controller adapter) and spent some time thinking about the new roster, Smash’s place in the fighting game scene, and weaponized Pokemon.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_305_-_Smash_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Super Smash Bros. WiiU came out on Friday and yet we still haven't shown our complete and utter dominance as Jigglypuff yet. Why all the rush? Because some games are just meant to be played day one. But which games and why? Join us this week on the podcast while we discuss all the reasons you want to hop into the latest games, lest you miss out on something amazing.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_304_-_Playing_Day_One.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:00pm PDT

Like a demonic phoenix rising from a feces-laden alter, The Binding of Isaac has returned.Rebirth adds cooperative play, scores of new items, and a visual remake (or de-make?). This week we return from our trip in the basement and rogue-likes, faith, and beasts of unimaginable horror.

 

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_303_-_BoIR.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

The yearly barometer for shooters and the games industry at large is out! Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare just hit store shelves we are heeding our own call of duty by reviewing and discussing the latest in the multi-million dollar franchise. How advanced is it? Will we ever defeat Robo-Putin? What is the most user-friendly design of a grenade? All this and more in this week's episode!

 

More at experiencepoints.net

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_302_-_Call_of_Duty_Avanced_Warfare_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:35pm PDT

Let’s talk about your most trustworthy companion. No, it’s not your dog or that flask you’re keeping in your jacket pocket. I’m talking about the thing that’s tucked into the corner of your vision, quietly monitoring you and keeping track of where you’re going and who you’re meeting: the mini-map. It’s a convenient tool, but how does it impact the way we impact the way we interact with a game’s world? Is there a line between a navigational enhancement and a crutch? How does this all relate to the Galactic Empire in Star Wars? Join us as we navigate are way through these questions.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_301_-_Minimap_Madness.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:37pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I get up out of our seats and jump around! It's time to dissect the art and design of the perfect jump.

Oh! One other thing we forgot. The EXP Podcast has reached 300 episodes! Thanks to each and every one of you that have listened to the show over the years and jumped into this crazy experiment with us. We appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to filling your ear holes with more of "serious but not humorless" chatter.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 40 mins 43 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_300__-_Jumping_Around.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47pm PDT

Your digital library might be limitless, but your entertainment center only has so much space on it.  At a certain point it’s time to box up your old consoles and join the next generation.  Before that happens, it’s worth taking a time to look back on some of the games that probably won’t make the generational leap.  Even in today’s environment of cross-platform releases and remastered releases, there inevitably be experiences that will soon be lost to the sands of time.  This week we talk about a few of these games and make some predictions about what will fade away as the sun sets on the PS3, the Xbox 360, and the Wii.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

 

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_299_-_Last_gen_gems.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

On your lunch break? Starving for a mouth-watering podcast to sink your teeth into? Look no further! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I head to the kitchen to discuss food in games. We round out the podcast at our usual thirty-minute mark, but there is a bounty of food topics to discuss in games. What are your favorite hunger mechanics? What are the most effective examples of eating in games? What is your favorite game that features food and why is it Chronotrigger?

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 30 mins 23 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_298_-_Eating_Through_Games.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:53pm PDT

You wake up and roll out of bed.  You strap on the rare gauntlets you found yesterday, you realize you don't have time for breakfast.  When you reach the mouth of the cave, you load your rifle and pull the trigger.  The thrall's head snaps back, it's body crumples to the ground, and you try to decide whether you hate this daily grind or whether it's the best thing in the world.  This week, we revisit the concept of "grinding" in games.  Whether it's farming rare items or trying to trying to level up, what lessons can we learn from devoting time to repetitive action?  As always, jump into the comments and share stories from your time in the mines.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_297_-_The_Grind.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

What does P.T. stand for? Podcast time! This week on the show, Scott and I explore the endless hallways of P.T. and come back with our thoughts on the Silent Hills playable teaser, the creative mind of Hideo Kojima, and what the final product might look like in its most fearsome iteration. Also, after to listen to the podcast, come back and watch the YouTube analysis of the game by Marszie in the show notes. It's pretty great.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_296_-_PT_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:22pm PDT

Image from Flickr user Georg Sander

"Well-weathered leather.  Hot metal and oil.  The scented country air.  Sunlight on chrome.  The blur of the landscape.  Every nerve aware."  Don't worry, we're not turning the podcast into a prog-rock analysis show.  However, we are using this episode to talk about cars.  Specifically, how video games might preserve automobile history as they change.  This leads into a broader discussion on how games can act as archives or as tools to convey history.  Feel free to jump into the comments with your picks for what video games should preserve for posterity.

 

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 35 mins 55 secs

- "Preserving History in Gran Turismo," by Corey Milne, via Play the Past

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_295_-_Car_history.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:26pm PDT

You thought buying a full priced game was expensive? Microsoft just bought Mojang, and Minecraft along with them, for 2.5 billion dollars. That is way more money than I spent to play the game. So how does Microsoft plan on making it worth their while? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I are joined by a guest to discuss the future of Minecraft, what it can mean for players, and the secret life of Notch.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 39 mins 3 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_294_-_The_Minecraft_Money_Show.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:46pm PDT

Babysitting has never been so stressful.

It’s been a long and deadly road, but we’ve finally made it to the finale of The Walking Dead, Season 2. It’s the culmination of all the big questions: How does Clem adapt to increasingly adult responsibilities? How do you know when to stick with the group and when to strike out alone? Is alcohol the solution to dealing with the zombie apocalypse? We wouldn’t blame you if you needed a stiff drink after this one and we’re looking forward to hearing your responses in the comments!

 

- 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: 1 hr 3 mins 52 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_293_-_WDS2E5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:03pm PDT

The football season is back, but the eSports League of Legends season is almost coming to a close. Now I can go from sitting in a room watching strangers play a video game to sitting in a room watching strangers play a sports ball game. How different, really, are the two experiences? And what will eSports look like when we consider it a "past time"? All this and more on this week's EXP Podcast!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_292_-_eSports_Extravaganza.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

"After I no-scoped that noob I broke down and cried."

Can games inspire catharsis?  If you mean expel bodily fluids, then yes, I suppose it's an inevitability.  For the sake of your couch, I wouldn't recommend it.  Instead, why not look to games for emotional catharsis?  It's a question posed by Critical Distance in this month's Blogs of the Round Table.  We decided to join the conversation and discuss the types of games that let us build up and then vent emotions.  Competitive games, meditative headstands, and the lasting legacy of Greeks (even ones that have twin chain blades) all come up over the course of the chat.  As always, we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.

 

- 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.

 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_291_-_Digital_Catharsis.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00pm PDT

Did you see that amazing and gorgeous looking trailer from Gamescom!? It was a fully rendered marvel! I can't wait to see how it will look in the much more limited and realistic setting of the actual game, you know, we can finally know what it is, right? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss cinematics in games, what they can offer games before and after release, and more. Have some thoughts on CG trailers or cut scenes? Let us know in the comments below, especially if you have a favorite! And if you actually do want to see a cool trailer, check out the one for Rime below.

 

 

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 35 mins 05 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_290_-_Cinematic_Concerns.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:18pm PDT

If you look closely, you can see the ghost drivers.

Video games are often considered a form of escapism, but what about the games that attempt to painstakingly model the small intricacies of the real world?  Jorge and I aren’t very experienced when it comes to conducting virtual trains, piloting virtual planes, or growing virtual grains, but we are very much fascinated by the strong interest in simulation games.  Inspired by a truly magnificent and terrifying trailer for Farm Simulator 15, we dive deep into the mindset and appeal of games about the real world.

 

- 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: 37 mins 57 secs

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_289_-_Podcast_Simulator_2014.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:24pm PDT

Your bank account is slowly tricking away into nothing. Can you even remember all the services you subscribe to, right now, off the top of your head? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss all the ways we pay for games and services in more than one lump sum. We also touch upon potential value of EA Access coming to Xbox One. As always, we encourage you to subscribe to this very podcast below and let us know your thoughts on subscription models in the comments below.

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 35 mins 49 secs

- "PlayStation Now rentals cost $2.99 for four hours' play, but everything could be changing," by Brian Crecente via Polygon

- "EA offers top games and big discounts for $5 a month," by Justin McElroy via Polygon

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_288_-_Subscribe_Now.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:31pm PDT

Image from Tell Tale

Join us “Amid the Ruins” for a discussion on episode 4 of The Walking Dead's second season.  As the title suggests, this episode deals with the consequences of some very dramatic events.  Characters come and go and we talk about our interpretations of Clementine’s development and her potential fate.  We also posit some pretty innovative dairy farming theories.

 

- 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: 46 mins 45 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_287_-_WDS2E4.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Destiny is still more than a month away from release, but already there is so much to talk about! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I delve into our early thoughts about the game. Is it living up to the anticipation? Does the look and feel adhere to the high standards we've set for Bungie? Where is that wizard from again? The Moon?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_286_-_Destiny_Beta_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:34pm PDT

Everyone open your creative writing journals, it's time to answer a question: "What does 'free' mean to you?"  It's a question the UK's Advertising Standards Association answered in their analysis of EA's recent Dungeon Keeper remake.  The game was advertised as "free," but the ASA's ruling found otherwise, saying that the ad was "likely to create a game experience for non-spenders that did not reflect their reasonable expectations from the content of the ad" and that they can no longer use the ad to promote the game.  On its surface, it seems like rebuke of some of "free-to-play's" sleazier dynamics, but it also raises some complex questions about who gets to define game systems, monetization schemes, and player expectations.  Adding to the comments is always free, so jump in with your thoughts!

Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:04pm PDT

The occasional strangeness of Valiant Hearts

We launch these podcasts every week, but still there is never enough time to touch on every game we play, even if they make an impression. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I take some time out of our regular schedule to chat about a variety of games we've been playing lately, from one "fall" to another. Let us know how you've been spending your gaming hours in the comments below and if we share something on our dockets, please share your thoughts on the game as well!

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 37 mins 54 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_284_-_Games_Big_and_Small.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:40pm PDT

As a relative outsider, I see Notch as an almost-mythical figure.  Here is a being who created a system of divine rules upon which millions have built their own worlds.  Maybe that's a bit dramatic, but it seems fair to say that Notch has a sizable following of people who are very invested in the game as well as his public image as a lawyer-trolling, Facebook-hating advocate for independent games.  But what happens when a figure like this becomes the public face of a controversial decision, such as the recent move to crack down on the selling of in-game stat and equipment boosts?  This week we use Richard Cobbett's column as a starting point to talk about celebrity culture, games as platforms, and kids these days.

 

- 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: 31 mins 33 secs

- "Ending the Minecraft Fantasy," by Richard Cobbett, via Eurogamer

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_283_-_The_Minecraft_Crackdown.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

The granddaddy of kart racing is back! Mario Kart 8 just made its triumphant return to the Wii U recently, and Scott and I got a chance to blast our way through a variety of tracks. Suffice it to say it made enough of an impression to fuel an entire podcast episode, which you can check out below. 

 

And of course we want to hear from you. What do you think of Mario Kart 8? Does it replace your old favorite in the series?

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 36 mins 58 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_282_-_Mario_Kart_8_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:22pm PDT

The summer doesn't truly start until pounding music, flashing lights, and the collective funk of thousands of sweaty video game enthusiasts assault your senses. That is, unless you're like me, who watched E3 2014 from the safety and comfort of the cyberspace. Jorge went down to Los Angeles while I held down the fort back home. Now that the booths have been dismantled and the food court cuisine are distant memories, it's time to reconvene and try to make sense of what we saw. We chat about our highs and lows from the show and probably start a feud with everyone's favorite Pixar movie score composer.

- 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: 1 hr 18 seconds

- Music: "I Love L.A.," by Randy Newman

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_281_-_E3_2014.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:44am PDT

Twenty-five years ago, Nintendo gifted upon us mere mortals the Game Boy, defining handheld gaming for years to come. Today on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I go into our histories with the portable device, what we've been playing now, and what has us most excited for the future.

 

Show notes:

- Runtime: 37 mins 19 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_280_-_Portable_Power.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

Many of us have been playing games for decades now, which means we’ve seen a lot. Huge advances in computing technology, the evolution of controller schemes, the rise and fall of Gex the Gecko: there’s been a lot at which to marvel. Bryan Rumsey from Gamer Jockies wonders whether we’ve reached the point where the capability of games to inspire a sense of wonder has diminished. Have all the years of exploring virtual words and memorizing the Pokedex made the average game experience blasé? Whether you’re a jaded veteran or perpetual enthusiast, we’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.

 

- 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 mins 05 secs

- “A Jaded Gamer: Searching for Wonder in Games,” by Bryan Rumsey, via Gamer Jockies

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_279_-_Where_is_the_Wonder.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:48am PDT

We just played Transistor for you yesterday, but we saved our many thoughts for this moment. Here it is, our debrief on one our most anticipated games of 2014. As always, lets have a discussion about the game in the comments below! I'm sure some of you all have better understanding of the story or the best way to clear a room of bad cells than either of us.

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 47 mins 33 secs

- Intro: "We All Become (feat. Ashley Barret)," by Darren Korb via Transistor (Original Soundtrack)

- Outro: "The Spine (feat. Ashley Barret)," by Darren Korb via Transistor (Original Soundtrack)

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_278_-_Transistor_Debrief.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 9:39pm PDT

Why would you live a life of boring safety when you could start a new society in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse?  Actually, Episode 3 of this season's Walking Dead series offers plenty of arguments in favor of a nice, quiet existence.  This week we go through all of the episode's stomach turning decisions and find ourselves horrified and excited about where the series is going.

 

- 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: 55 mins 50 secs

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_277_-_WD_S2E3_debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Nintendo recently announced a re-release of Pokémon Sapphire and Ruby for the 3DS. The future for the series is bright, but have we already forgotten the past? This week on the podcast, Scott and I take on the ultimate challenge. How many Gen 1 Pokémon we name?

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 46 mins 52 secs

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_276_-_Gotta_Name_Them_All.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:00pm PDT

Quick Rorschach test: what do you see when you look at the Luftrausers logo?  Well, aside from the two of you that said "puppies" (weirdos), it seems that everyone is seeing Nazi-related imagery.  The trick is that the game isn't about Nazis or any specific war in general.  This raises a question: do games that make allusions to historical realities have an obligation to explicitly address the events from which they draw their imagery?  It's the topic for this week and it's one we look forward to hearing your opinions on in the comments.

 

- 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: 34 min 36 sec

- "Visual Styles and Depictions of the Past," by Jeff Mummert, via Play the Past

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_275_-_Visualizing_History.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Games for Change, the organization dedicated to games that seek to impact society in some positive way beyond the production of entertainment, just hosted its 11th annual festival in New York this year. I was lucky enough to attend in person and check out a host of speakers discuss this surprisingly large subset of the industry. This week on the podcast, Scott and I discuss some of the festival highlights, insights, and controversies. 

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 34 min 36 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_274_-_Games_for_Change_2014_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26pm PDT

Blame it on the war economy, blame it on the nanomachines, or blame it on our secret admiration of mullets; the bottom line is that Jorge and I found ourselves sneaking through Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.  It's a fascinating game in both positive and negative ways and we take the opportunity to think about Ground Zeroes and what it says about the series as a whole.  Topics discussed include bullet time, the harlem globetrotters, and foot textures; all things that Hideo Kojima undoubtedly has strong opinions about.  As always, we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments!

 

- 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: 46 min 01 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_273_-_MGSGZ_debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:19pm PDT

Werner Herzog has been pretty busy lately, so Valve has to take it upon themselves to produce a feature documentary about DOTA 2. This week on the podcast, Scott and I dissect Free to Play, a personal look into the 2011 Internationals. You can actually check out the documentary on YouTube, in full, and when you do, let us know your thoughts in the comments!

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 52 min 11 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_272_-_Free_to_Play_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:52pm PDT

As if trying to mimic the vast reach of the river with which it shares its name, Amazon is pushing into the media player market.  Unsurprisingly, The Amazon Fire TV will tie into video streaming services, but it looks as if games will also be a significant feature.  It has a game pad and Minecraft, so things seem pretty serious.  But what does the gaming library and the way it is marketed really say about how Amazon is approaching games?  How will this change the console experience?  Will Amazon continue on its path to knowing us better than we know each other?  All this and more is discussed on this week's show.

 

- 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: 31 min 40 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_271_-_Amazon_Gets_in_the_Game.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:57pm PDT

Our submersible is ready and our scuba gear is donned. We are ready once again to visit the terrible sunken city of Rapture. This week in the EXP Podcast, Scott and I delve into Burial at Sea, the final story-driven DLC for Bioshock Infinite. Does it wrap up the series with a beautifully designed bow? Or does it stir up more deep-sea sediment than it's worth?

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 41 min 10 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_270_-_Bioshock_Infinite_Burial_at_Sea_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:55pm PDT

Jack in to net, cyber-citizens: it’s time to talk about virtual reality. More specifically, it’s time to chat about the looming release of several VR headsets. This podcast was recorded a couple days before Facebook-Oculus Rift bombshell was announced, so view it as a quaint time capsule commemorating our pre-Zuckerberg matrix existences. As always, we’re looking forward to hearing about your VR hopes, dreams, and nightmares in the comments!

 

- 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: 35 min 23 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_269_-_Envisioning_our_Virtual_Future.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:33pm PDT

The words all pilots want to hear.

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I drop into Respawn's Titanfall, and what a drop it is! How well does the mech-shooter live up to expectations? Does the multiplayer campaign revolutionize FPS storytelling? Do pilots pee in the suit? Find out by listening to our chat below! And of course, hope into the comments to let us know your thoughts on one of this year's biggest releases.

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 43 min 36 sec

- Add us on Origin (EXPShen and SJuster)

 

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_268_-_Titanfall_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:00pm PDT

Spring may be on the horizon for us, but things continue to get colder and darker in for Clementine and the rest of <em>The Walking Dead</em> crew. The weather is getting worse, too. As usual, we spend some time discussing the overall story arc and gameplay systems before launching into plot details. Jorge and I had a few notable differences in our playthroughs, so we’re eager to hear about the consequences of your decisions in the comments! 

- 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: 48 min 45 sec

- Thanks to Colin who emailed us about the minimalist UI tip!

 

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_267_Walking_Dead_S2E2_debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:17pm PDT

Between Double Fine's first steps into the crowd sourced funding landscape and Broken Age's release this past month, Kickstarter came of age. Our expectations have soared to great heights, plummeted back down like a rock, and risen again, depending on the project. This brave new world has seen numerous indie darlings released, does Broken Age still stand out two years after it first captured our collective heart? Find out in this week's podcast! Also, let us know what you thought of the game in the comments below.

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 41 min 15 sec

 

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_266_-_Broken_Age_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm PDT

There are some weeks when I swear I spend as much time watching games as I do playing them. Let’s Plays, Twitch streams, and tournament broadcasts are thriving. The usual assumption behind all these types of broadcasts is that there are people on the other end controlling them. What happens when there isn’t? Strangely enough, it’s easy to find game broadcasts in which humans are relegated to the sidelines. This week we talk about the allure of AI vs. AI violence, the allure of gambling, and what happens when thousands of people try to plan a Rube Goldberg machine.

 

- 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: 30 min 17 sec

Video Game Championship Wrestling

Salty Bet

Twitch Plays Pokemon

 

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_265_-_Self_playing_games.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:40pm PDT

How do you find games? Or do they find you? Who are your trusted sources for video game news and what sort of effort do you put into finding strange or weird games? This week on the podcast, Scott and I wonder how we heard about The Walking Dead and whether or not Steam tags are absolutely useless. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and hey, maybe even give us a game recommendation or two!

 

Show notes:

 

- Runtime: 29min 37 sec

 

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_264_-_Discovering_Games.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:04pm PDT

Last week, an unassuming little game called Flappy Bird managed to ruffle some feathers. Sorry, I just had to do that. The entire saga is actually a fairly sad tale about the video games press, attitudes towards intellectual property, and the state of mobile gaming in general. Flappy Bird may be gone from the app store, but legal, financial, and ethical questions it embodied remain. 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:
- Runtime: 32 min 03 sec

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_263_-_Figuring_out_Flappy_Bird.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:43pm PDT

I have not finished Dark Souls. Can I still sit at the big kids table? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I join in on the AV Club's discussion about Dark Souls and status symbol games. How did this brutally difficult game become not only popular, but a video game rite of passage? And how will it be remembered in ten years? Let us know in the comments below!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 33 min 04 sec

- "Why do games like Dark Souls become geek status symbols?," by Matt Gerardi & Drew Toal via AV Club

- "Android Netrunner - The Game Designer's Game," by Krystian Majewski via Game Design Scrapbook

- "Playing Dark Souls: Desperate Acts and Our Shared Humanity," by Jorge Albor via PopMatters

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_262_-_Dark_Souls_and_Status_Symbol_Games.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:16pm PDT

Getting early access to a game used to be a pretty tall order. You might weasel your way into a limited beta, find a preview disk in a magazine, or poke around the shadier parts of the Internet. Today, it’s much easier: you can just buy your way in. Whether it’s through Steam or directly from the developer, increasing numbers of games are offering prospective players the chance to play the game before it’s official release. Of course this brings into the question the definition of release dates and what it even means to call a game “finished.” This week, we use Rowan Kaiser’s article on the topic to explore early access trend and what it means for customers, designers, and critics. 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:

- "Early Access exposes the lie that the best games should, or even can, be finished," by Rowan Kaiser, via Polygon
- Runtime: 34 min 44 sec
- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_261_-_Assessing_Early_Access.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:00pm PDT

Out of seemingly nowhere, a little unambitious game was included on both Scott and I's favorite games of 2013. That game was Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, a simple coming-of-age story that manages to achieve, seemingly with ease, what so many Triple-A games try to accomplish. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I finally give the game the attention it deserves. Join us in the comments below!

- 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: 38 min 03 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_260_-_Brothers_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:49pm PDT

Much like the eponymous monsters for which it is named, The Walking Dead is back! This week, we have a thorough conversation on episode one of Telltale's second season of the Walking dead. For those of you who haven't played it, what are you waiting for? But seriously, you can listen to the first half of the show without fear of spoilers, as we use it as an opportunity to talk about adventure games, tweaks to the mechanics, and the state of the series in general. After that we jump right in with story details. We're looking forward to comparing notes with folks that made different decisions, so feel free to jump into the comments!

- 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: 48 min 32 sec
- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_259_-_WD_S2E1_debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The year has barely begun, but already the horizon is chock full of interesting titles, from competitive indie sword fights to face-crunching future-battles. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I delve into our most anticipated games of 2014. There is a lot to be excited for if you are the optimistic type, so jump into the comments below and let us know what releases you eagerly await!

- 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 40 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_258_-_The_Year_Ahead_2014.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:23pm PDT

Scott made Santa's shortlist this year and the jolly old man dropped off a beautiful Zelda-inspire WiiU on his doorstep. This week on the podcast, Scott and I explore some of the subtle and not-so-subtle elements of the WiiU interface. We also take our podcast ship on a tour through the "Miiverse" and try to understand the future of social platforms. Oh, and of course Mario makes an appearance.

Have a comment to share on your WiiU experience? Leave us a note in the comments below or shoot us an email! We love hearing from all of you, so make a New Year's resolution to get in touch!

Show notes:

- Runtime: 34 min 59 sec

- Music by: Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_257_-_WiiU_Wanderings.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:33pm PDT