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

Our Game of the Year plates were just too full to accommodate everything last week, so this week we talk about some more of our favorite games from 2015.  It's like a delicious, unending plate of leftovers, so pile it high and indulge yourself.  Don't worry, the squid is totally fine to eat; it's only been in the fridge for a few months...

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_361_-_2015_GotY_leftovers.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:43am PDT

What a year is has been for gaming! We've browsed through police interviews, parachuted through the sky, and dug deep into the earth. Now, as 2015 draws to a close, Scott and I return for our annual Game of the Year discussion. As always, we encourage you to share your favorite games that you've played. Yes, even if that includes The Witcher.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 56 mins 30 secs

- Intrio & Outro Music by Brad Sucks


SPOILERS

- Additional music from the Super Mario Maker, Rocket League, Life is Strange, Bloodborne, and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain OSTs respectively.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_360_-_Games_of_the_Year_2015.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:03pm PDT

It seems like anyone and everyone can have an awards show these days, so we've decided to test that theory.  This week, we introduce our very own, highly serious, and extremely dignified awards show that will from here onwards be referred to as "The Gamies."  Ever wanted to know what was the most tempting money-waster or who was the best waifu/husbandu of 2015?  No?  Well too bad because we're going to tell you anyway.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_359_-_Gamies_2015.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Winter has come at long last! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I revisit the cold north of Telltale's Game of Thrones. This marks the end of Season 1. Did it achieve the great heights we've come to expect from Telltale? Does Mira get ahead of the drama at King's landing? Is there an actual Ice Dragon? All this and more!

Quick technical note, due to some unfortunate audacity issues there are a few pieces of audio missing from this week's episode. Let's call it another Westeros mystery and move on as best we can.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 43 mins 42 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_358_-_Game_of_Thrones_Episode_6_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:07pm PDT

It just wouldn't be the holiday season without a little Call of Duty, now would it?  Black Ops 3 is coming at you like swarm of angry bees.  Don't worry though: we're here to guide you through this near-future dystopia.  Rule number one: don't ever trust robots.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_357_-_Blops_debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

It's nearly Thanksgiving here in America. Today, Scott and I are both thankful we are not the last survivors of humanity wandering an irradiated wasteland. It's the small things, y'know? Let's celebrate by discussing the game everyone's been playing: Fallout 4. And what would Fallout 4 be without bugs? They define Bethesda games! But do they break them? All this and more in this week's EXP Podcast!

- Runtime: 33 mins 59 secs

- "Fallout 4 Is Full of Bugs, But Fixing Them Could Ruin It," by Zak McClendon via Wired

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_356_-_The_Fallou_4_Bug_Bite.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:57pm PDT

Two-headed trolls?  JRPG characters from the 90s?  10-second clips that spawn hours of speculation?  It's all pretty standard business for Blizzard and Nintendo.  The two companies recently announced some new and upcoming games (and in one case, a movie), so we're taking the opportunity to weigh in.

Direct download: EXP_355_-_Nintendo_Blizzard.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The state of RPGs, Western and Japanese, ebbs and flows. It might just be the copy of Persona 4 Golden in my Vita, but right now I feel inundated with RPG options. From new spirit-trapping colletion games to the much anticipated Fallout 4, we have plenty of options for games that offer dozens and dozens of hours of gameplay in rich worlds. This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss some of these RPG options we have out our disposal.

 

- Runtime: 35 mins 13 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_354_-_An_RPG_Thing.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:08pm PDT

I recently returned from the Magic Kingdom and I bring with me tales of whimsy, churros, and missed opportunities for gamification.  Disneyland is all about fostering the illusion of fantastical, yet grounded environments.  Because of this, I couldn't stop drawing parallels between world building in video games.  So here it is: the definitive Disneyland review.  For your safety, please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the podcast at all times.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_353_-_Disneyland_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Halo 5: Guardians just release, and for the first time since the series began, the latest entry in the franchise does not feature split screen co-op. I only just learned of this travesty moments before recordings, so feast your eyes this week on some shock and anger as it happens. Of course we also discuss ways to bring the benefits of couch co-op to the online space, so maybe there's hope yet!

 

Probably not...

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 35 mins 02 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_352_-_Split_Ends.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:41pm PDT

Hey, I'm not saying that I'd pay for the ability to do the Carlton dance.  What I am saying is that maybe the fact that other people can pay for the ability to do the Carlton dance isn't all bad.  After all, it brings me enjoyment.  There's been lots of talk about microtransactions recently and not all of them have been as seemingly-benign as silly dances.  In fact, by the end of the show, things escalate to the point where Jorge and I start talking about nuclear proliferation.  Will we ever reach micro-transaction disarmament?  Listen in to find out.

 

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_351_-_The_Microtransaction_Mambo.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Console exclusive games are increasingly rare in our current console habitat, but this hasn't always been the case. How have our hardware limitations shaped our playing habitats and how we see entire genres? Will the future of VR look like older console generations? Most importantly, what does Mr. Businessman think of the console wars of yore? All this and more on the latest EXP Podcast!


Show Notes:

- Runtime: 33 mins
- "That Time Final Fantasy Ditched Nintendo for Sony," by Patrick Klepek via Kotaku
- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_350_-_Hardware_Habitats.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:31pm PDT

They say no news is good news and this week we can't really argue with that.  It's been a little rough out there, but we can't use that as an excuse to turn a blind eye.  Instead we wade into the mess and actually manage to find a few glimmers of hope here and there.  In fact, you might say that we are the heroes Tony Hawk, Deus Ex, Batman all deserve.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_349_-_news_blues.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The latest Destiny ads are using Led Zeppelin songs, but based on all the events of Destiny's first year, I think Katy Perry might fit better.  The Taken King is out and with it come a slew of big changes.  This week, we talk about what's new.  Sick helmets, strange coins, and social faux pas: you can find it all in this big ol' universe.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_348_-_revisiting_destiny.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

brings Hideo Kojima parachuting in from the skies to wreak havoc on sheep and the like. This week on the EXP Podcast, knowing we have a massive game in front of us, Scott and I discuss our first impressions of The Phantom Pain, from the tutorial to the effect of horse poop on moving vehicles.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 45 mins 11 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks


This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I bust out our huge collection of authentic Cool Spot merchandise and try to make our way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Did you know Mario was originally called Jumpman (of course you did), Skylanders is the best-selling videogame toyline (you could've guessed)? More importantly, can you figure out why anyone would still care about world records? 

 

 

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 34 mins 04 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_346_-_Guiness_Certified.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:58pm PDT

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I bust out our huge collection of authentic Cool Spot merchandise and try to make our way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Did you know Mario was originally called Jumpman (of course you did), Skylanders is the best-selling videogame toyline (you could've guessed)? More importantly, can you figure out why anyone would still care about world records? 

 

 

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 34 mins 04 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_346_-_Guiness_Certified.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:58pm PDT

Remember this day everyone: today is the beginning of what will almost certainly be our decades-long feud with Jimmy Kimmel.  Inspired by his spat with let's play fans, we're diving into how and why seemingly-random people on YouTube have more watchers than major network talk show hosts.  We don't pretend to completely understand it, but we're happy that when we put stuff on YouTube there are at least a few of you who don't want us to die in a fire!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_345_-_Onto_YouTube.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Everyone has been sucked up into the big glowing pattern in the sky. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I go with them. What do we find there? Why some balls of light, a pastoral British village, and some serious problems with alien life forms of course! 

This is a lengthy podcast this week about an interesting and potentially divisive game, so of course we want to hear your thoughts. If you've got some time, send us an email or leave a comment. We'd love to hear your perspective on Everybody's Gone to the Rapture.

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 51 mins 54 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_344_-_Everybodys_Gone_to_the_Rapture_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:11pm PDT

What keeps us out on the field?  Is it sweet taste of victory?  Is it the salty tears of our vanquished foes?  Is it the idea that if we stop we will instantly become a sad has-been, unable to compete in all but the most casual public matches?  This week we discuss what has been keeping us playing some of our current favorite competitive games.  Rocket League, League of Legends, Splatoon, and Smash are all part of our training montage.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_343_-_Staying_competitive.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Far across the Atlantic ocean, in a land known but some as Germany, in a little village named Cologne, the games industry hold a convention so big it threatens to swallow us all. I have passed through this endless labyrinth of games, trekked through legions of gamers, and returned to the land of freedom alive. This week on the podcast, Scott and I explore the highlights of Gamescom, including survival techniques and hilariously bad cosplay.


Give it a listen, won't you?

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 46 mins 23 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_342_-_Gamescom_2015_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:22pm PDT

A stiff drink is in your hip flask.  Your gun sits in your pocket, cold but comforting.  Your mindset is one that doesn't just accept trouble; you seek it.  You have everything you need to solve a murder.  Actually what you really need is a mid-90s era PC and the endurance to face not only the harsh fluorescent lights but also the long hours sitting in front of a screen.  Don't worry though, Her Story makes even the mundane feel mysterious.  Join us as we try to unravel Her Story's plot as well as its novel approach to storytelling.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_341_-_Her_Story.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Scott and I have spent weeks on a boat crossing the narrow sea to bring you our latest Debrief. This week on the podcast, we once again join House Forrester and drag ourselves through the painful, violent, wretched existence that is Game of Thrones. Who comes out alive!? Listen to find out!

 

Show Notes

Time: 55 mins 37 secs

Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_340_-_Game_of_Thrones_Episode_5_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:00am PDT

Gas up your tank folks, it's time to take a little joy ride around Gotham!  This week, we soar over the city streets and dive head first into Batman: Arkham Knight.  As with any debrief, we spend the first part of the show talking about the game's systems and then we dive into spoiler territory to talk about the plot.  What is the true nature of fear?  How does Batman balance vigilantism and justice?  When did Riddler find the time to create a vast underground network of race tracks?  If you have answers, let us hear them in the comments.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_339_-_Batman_Arkham_Knight.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

EVO has come and gone, but the ringing in my ears from the fanatical shouts from the commentators continues. Who are these people and how did they get this job? What makes a good shoutcaster? More importantly, who will shoutcast the Scott vs. Jorge cage match we have scheduled later this year! Join us this week on the EXP Podcast while we commentate the commentators.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_338_-_The_Shoutcast_Cast.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:45pm PDT

We had some sad news this past week: long-time game developer and Nintendo CEO, Satoru Iwata, died.  This week, we pay tribute to him by talking about his incredible career and accomplishments.  He leaves us with a huge legacy of outstanding games, so please jump into the comments with your memories.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_337_-_Satoru_Iwata.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

That's it. We've had enough! Not of podcasting, but of some video games that just overstay their welcome. We can pinpoint why we play certain games, but why do we stop? When do we know when to quit? And what game elements make is reach that tipping point sooner than others? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I explore the outer limits of our patience, bite into UI frustrations, and make some predictions. Join us!

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 34 mins 35 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_336_-_Reaching_Your_Limits.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:01pm PDT

We've finally reached the end of Earthbound.  There's nothing to do now but recap the final challenges and do what we always do when we finish a game: discuss the nature of human fear and love, meditate on the line between spirituality and organized religion, etc.  You know: normal stuff.  We really enjoyed doing these in-depth talks on a classic game and hopefully you liked them too!  We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.  If you have any ideas or suggestions for a future debrief on a classic, let us know!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_335_-_Earthbound_debrief_part_5.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Shenmue, The Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, and Xbox backwards compatibility: These are the four horsemen of the apocalypse that herald the end times... Welcome to the E3 extravaganza! This week on the podcast, we discuss some of the show's biggest reveals and all its E3-weirdness. 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 1 hour 17 mins

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_334_-_E3_2015_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:02pm PDT

Jorge haven't had too much luck with eSports, but maybe we'll have a shot at seaSports?  Anyone?  Whatever.  You'll all come around when we win the Splatoon world championships.  We've had some time to get our tentacles around Splatoon and have surfaced from the briny deep just long enough for a debrief.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_333_-_Splatoon_debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The Game of Thrones television show is coming to and end, but the battle for House Forrestor is still well underway! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I head north to battle some children, do some barrel rolls in King's Landing, and toss some axes about like professional jugglers. This is a hefty episode, so thanks ahead of time for listening. As always, let us know what decisions you've made along the way and why!

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 53 mins 10 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_332_-_Game_of_Thrones_Episode_4_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:18pm PDT

Slaying ghouls, drowners, and nightwraiths: a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.  However, are Jorge and I truly cut out for a life of witching?  Only time will tell.  This week we talk about the early hours of The Witcher 3 and end up wandering down a path full of type faces, open world game design, and griffin heads.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_331_-_Witcher3.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

At long last, it is time to cleanse these foul streets good hunter. This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss the much anticipated system-seller: Bloodborne. Did it meet our expectations? Did Scott prove himself a "filthy casual?" Did we even make it out of this game alive!? Listen to find out. Also, if you are interested in reading more about the lore of Bloodborne, I encourage you to check out the short treatise on the game in the show notes.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 53 mins 11 sec
- "The Paleblood Hunt: A Bloodborne Analysis," by "Redgrave"

 

- Music via Bloodborne OST

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_330_-_Bloodborne_Debrief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:14pm PDT

Every so often Jorge and I dive into the virtual newspaper and see if video game news is still weird and scary.  Good news: it is!  This week we talk about potential game to TV crossovers, the strange swamp of well-funded nostalgia is Kickstarter, and our dearly departed P.T.  Jump into the comments with your ideal animal adventure duo.  How about a badger and a fish?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_329_-_Myst_Kickstarter_Money_and_Ghosts.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

It's time once again to join Ness and friends on their journey through the wild and wacky world of Earthbound. This week on the podcast, Scott and I find all eight of the melodies, find similarities between Earthbound and Bloodborne, and venture through Fire Spring. We invite you all to play alone and of course you can listen to Part One, Part Two, and Part Three to catch up.

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 66 mins  52 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_328_-_Earthbound_Debrief_Part_4.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:34pm PDT

In the span of about a week, Valve rolled out a program for monetizing video game mods on Steam.  Then, the Internet kind of blew up and they rolled it back.  Now that the dust is finally starting to settle, we recap what went down and where we should go from here.  How do you balance creative freedom with compensating creators?  What are the consequences of Valve's domination of the PC space?  Who will make us a  mod that replaces the puts Earthbound sprites into Hotline Miami?

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_327_-_Mod_world.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Nothing says "hardcore" like replacing a C with a K. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I dive into an MK/MK extravaganza! First we try our hands at NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat X, and soon discover our hands are covered in blood and guts. Next we speed through Mario Kart at a blistering 200ccs and measure how well the game holds up in its latest batch of DLC. Kart or Kombat fan? Hop into the comments or shoot us an email and let us know!

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 34 mins  24 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_326_-_MK__MK_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:46pm PDT

My my, hey hey.  Rhythm games are here to stay.  It's better to burn out than to gather dust...if you're a plastic guitar that is.  Yes, after years in hibernation, Guitar Hero and Rock Band are back on stage.  Will that lead Jorge and me back to the altar of rock?  Have our dreams of virtual superstardom faded away like so many missed notes scrolling into infinity?  Fire up the virtual record player and find out.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_325_-_Guitar_Hero_Live.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

We are still in the early days of exploring all that Bloodborne has to offer, but the critical conversation about the game is happening right now. If we wait any longer, Yarnham may be inundated with snake-meatballs and ravens! This week on the EXP Podcast, join us to discuss the madness, the beauty, the painful, painful glory of Bloodborne.

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 43 mins 14 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_324_-_Bloodborne_Early_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:04pm PDT

Where do your loyalties lie?  Your house or your queen?  Your brothers in arms or your family?  Actually, you probably shouldn’t answer that; that servant boy over there looks a little shifty.  Don’t worry about trusting us though; we’ll keep all your secrets safe.  This week we recap episode 3 of Telltale’s Game of Thrones.  This installment puts us in the middle of some crucial decisions, which we’re sure will turn out for the best and result in mutual benefit for all involved.  On an unrelated note, can you hold this dagger?  Oh no, that isn’t a blood stain; it’s just rust.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_323_-_GoT_ep_3.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:44pm PDT

We have come a long way from Onette Valley everyone! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I join Ness, Paula, and Jeff in the world of Earthbound. From secret waterfalls to parental neglect, there is a lot to discuss If you are playing along with us, we discuss the events just up to Summers. We hope you enjoy your stay at our desert shack on the internet!

 

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 55 mins 05 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_322_-_Earthbound_Debrief_Part_3.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:30pm PDT

Classic arcade characters are on the rampage, Kojima has disappeared, and Nintendo has acknowledged the existence of smart phones: what the heck is happening out there?  This week, Jorge and I do a quick news roundup in an attempt to make sense of the chaos.  If we try to predict the box office, the fate of Kojima productions, and Nintendo's 5-year strategy, we have to get at least one.  I believe that's how statistics works.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_321_-_Nintendo_news.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

The Game Developers Conference, PAX East/Prime/South/West/Arctic, Twitch Con. There are just so many conventions to attend each year, all hoping to grab your attention with a selection of games, from Triple A to indie. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss the landscape of fan conventions, the presence of virtual reality hardware, and some of the games at the three conventions that just wrapped up over the past couple weeks. 

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 37 mins 45 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_320_-_Con_Artists.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:05pm PDT

Zombies, fits of uncontrollable crying, and idyllic villages full of aliens: just another day in Earthbound.  We return to our game to talk about parenthood, friendship, and cryptozoology.  We've played up to Ness' arrival in mysterious and (confusing) Saturn Valley.  Hopefully we haven't lost any of you to those vicious new age hippies.  Feel free to share your spirit journey experiences in the comments.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_319_-_Earthbound_pt_2.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

You probably have a box of them in your house. Some of them might be broken or worn down through use. Others you may have broken throwing against a wall. They are video game controllers, and we love to hate them and argue which are better than others. But how do controllers express their own meaning?

 

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I are inspired David Shimomura's recent piece on "The semiotics of controllers." With so many buttons, we'll have plenty to discuss.

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 32 mins 28 secs

- "The semiotics of controllers," by David Shimomura, via Kill Screen.

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_318_-_In_Control.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:04pm PDT

Why is the thimble the best Monopoly piece?  What makes naked Shulk so enraging?  Why does your best friend always pick the red token?  Lots of things influence the avatars we pick in games.  Inspired by G. Christopher Williams' piece about his affinity for blue, we dive into the rationale behind the characters we pick.  What color palette is near and dear to your heart?  Let us know in the comments!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_317_-_The_Thimble.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

It's time to take the black my sworn brothers and sisters. This week on the EXP Podcast, we jump right back into a world dark and full of terrors: Game of Thrones. Telltale's story continues, taking us on a journey from Essos, to Westeros, and the Wall.

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 62 mins 56 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks, HBO's Game of Thrones

Direct download: EXP_316_-_Game_of_Thrones_Episode_2_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:48pm PDT

The time has come!  Grab your baseball bats and and your hamburgers because it's time to play Earthbound.  We start our journey with some broad thoughts about this supremely strange game and make it to the Happy Happy Village before calling our dad and turning in for the night.  Playing along with us?  Don't hesitate to visit the comments and ward off your homesickness.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_315_-_Earthbound_pt_1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

From overturned wagons to the earthquakes, games have long been rife with disaster, but how well have they depicted tragedy? And what risks do we take when designing for tragedy in games? This week on the EXP Podcast, we are inspired by Paste's Maddy Myers when she asks "should disaster games be fun?" 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 32 mins 22 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_314_-_Fording_the_River_of_Tragedy.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:56pm PDT

This week on the podcast, our very own Jorge Albor creates a new genre: "big small games."  Don't worry, it actually makes sense.  We've been laboring under the majestic weight of sprawling epics like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, so we decided to take a break with some games that have a smaller scope.  We talk about Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Infamous: First Light, Monument Valley and the overall concept of going for design depth rather than breadth.  Have any favorite games that fit somewhere between free indie and blockbuster status?  Let us know in the comments!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_313_-_Big_Small_Games.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

We may have enough games to while away eternity, all from the latest Steam sale alone, but Scott and I still find time to check-in on our regularly scheduled games of the season. This week on the EXP Podcast, we bring up our patch notes and discuss TitanfallLeague of LegendsDestiny, and Super Smash Bros. Has anything changed in the games or in our thoughts? Absolutely!

 

Show Notes:

 

- Runtime: 47 mins 17 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_312_-_Seasonal_Check-ins.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:47pm PDT

Gather round, my sweet summer children. Winter isn't coming; it's here, as is the first episode of Telltale's Game of Thrones series. Hanah joins us this week as we recap the story so far and justify our choices. We swear we acted for the good of the realm.

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_311_-_GoT_ep_1.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

One hundred years ago, the world was at War. Today we are remembering how that war effected the lives of millions, and continues to effect our own lives today, by playing a video game. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss Valiant Hearts: The Great War by Ubisoft Montpellier. If you have played the game yourself, be sure to hop into the comments on experiencepoints.net and share your thoughts. How does this game depict the war as you understand it? Is this was a "playable-museum-exhibit" should look like? We want to know!

Direct download: EXP_Podcast_310_-_Valiant_Hearts_Debrief.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:58pm PDT