The Brainy Gamer Podcast

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 26

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Had your fill of the 'Are Games Art?' debate? This edition of the podcast, featuring an interview with veteran game designer Brenda Brathwaite and art historian John Sharp, takes the conversation in a different and, I hope, more useful direction. Focusing on Brenda's remarkably poignant game Train, we discuss the intersection of art and game design and consider how a designer's personal vision and game design skills dovetail in the conception and development of a new game.

We also discuss John's views on the coming Ludic Age, and both guests share their thoughts on educating young designers for careers in the game industry. These and a variety of other topics - including an exciting conference announcement - in this edition of the Brainy Gamer podcast.

Note: If you're unfamiliar with Train, I highly recommend reading Ian Bogost's thoughtful account of it at Gamasutra. I'm linking to the section of his article that deals directly with Train, but I hope you'll read the entire piece. C'mon, it's Bogost. You know it'll be interesting. :-)

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 5

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:18:00 GMT

The Summer of Confabs concludes with a conversation featuring Chris Dahlen of Edge Online and The Onion A.V. Club; and Manveer Heir of Raven Software and the Design Rampage blog.

We discuss ambiguity in games, why nobody's talking about Dragon Age, Nintendo on the margins, integrating social media the right and wrong way, and many other topics.

I hope you've enjoyed this series. It's been a pleasure bringing these shows to you, and I'm especially grateful to all my guests who made it possible. I hope you'll also check out segments 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.
Subscribe to the podcast feed here.

Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 4

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 20:01:00 GMT

The Summer of Confabs continues with a conversation featuring Ben Fritz, L.A. Times entertainment reporter; Kirk Battle (AKA L.B. Jeffries) from PopMatters and Banana Pepper Martinis; and Nick LaLone from Before Game Design.

We discuss the Nintendo platform conundrum, left-behind gameplay, and the elusiveness of innovation, among other topics.

Stay tuned for the last confab I hope you enjoy them.

Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.
Subscribe to the podcast feed here.

Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

Recent L.A. Times articles by Ben Fritz
Essays by L.B. Jeffries at PopMatters
Banana Pepper Martinis - L.B. Jeffries' blog
Before Game Design - Nick LaLone's blog
For the Love of Anomie

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 3

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The Summer of Confabs continues with a conversation featuring game writer and narrative designer Sande Chen (The Witcher); Justin Keverne from Groping the Elephant; and Roger Travis from Living Epic and the Video Games and Human Values Initiative.

We discuss the shifting sands of gameplay, game difficulty, and the "vernacular of games"; and we cast a quizzical glance at game pricing.

Stay tuned, as I'll be releasing 2 more Confabs in the days ahead. I hope you enjoy them.

Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.
Subscribe to the podcast feed here.

Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

Game Design Aspect of the Month - edited by Sande Chen
Gamasutra article on Denis Dyack and gameplay
Groping the Elephant - Justin Keverne's blog
Living Epic - Roger Travis' blog
Video Games and Human Values Initiative

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 2

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 02:19:00 GMT

Gamers Confab #2 features a conversation with guests Deirdra Kiai from Deirdra Kiai Productions and Hothead Games, Corvus Elrod from Man Bytes Blog, and Matthew Gallant from The Quixotic Engineer.

We discuss two significant controversies that arose this year, and we consider the growing momentum enjoyed by indie games.

Stay tuned, as I'll be releasing 3 more Confabs in the days ahead. I hope you enjoy them.

Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.
Subscribe to the podcast feed here.

Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

Deirdra Kiai Productions - Deirdre Kiai's website
The Little Girl Nobody Liked - a game by Deirdra Kiai
Man Bytes Blog - Corvus Elrod's blog
The Quixotic Engineer - Matthew Gallant's blog

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:58:00 GMT

This edition of the podcast features a conversation with guests Steve Gaynor from 2K Marin (Bioshock 2), Nels Anderson from Hothead Games (DeathSpank), and Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) from the Versus CluClu Land blog.

We discuss the year in games to this point and the issues, people and games that have made the biggest impact on us.

Keep your eye on this space, as I'll be releasing 4 more Confabs with a gaggle of terrific guests over the next week. I hope you enjoy them.

Listen to any episode of the podcast directly from this page by clicking the yellow "Listen Now" button on the right.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.
Subscribe to the podcast feed here.

Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

Fullbright - Steve Gaynor's blog
Versus CluClu Land - Wes Erdelack's blog
Above 49 - Nels Anderson's blog

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 24

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:42:00 GMT

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Clint Hocking, Creative Director at Ubisoft Montreal (Far Cry 2, Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory). In the second half of the show we're joined by Manveer Heir, Lead Designer at Raven Software and Borut Pfeifer, Lead AI Programmer at EALA.

Show links:

Click Nothing - Clint Hocking's blog
Design Rampage - Manveer Heir's blog
The Plush Apocalypse - Borut Pfeifer's blog

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 23

Wed, 6 May 2009 17:26:00 GMT

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast focuses on games that can make a difference. It features interviews with two people in the vanguard of innovative game design for social change: Suzanne Seggerman, president and co-founder of Games for Change; and Mary Flanagan, founder of the Tiltfactor Lab and Values at Play initiative. We discuss a wide range of topics, and we gear up for the G4C Festival in New York City later this month.

Brainy Gamer Podcast: GDC 09 vol. 1

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 00:16:00 GMT

Volume 1 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast post-GDC '09 edition. Join me and my guests as we discuss what we learned at this year's Game Developer's Conference.

Segment 1: N'Gai Croal, game design consultant at newly-formed Hit Detection and former games and technology journalist at Newsweek Magazine; and Manveer Heir, designer at Raven Software and author of Design Rampage.

Segment 2: Corvus Elrod of Man Bytes Blog; and Chris Dahlen of Save the Robot.

Brainy Gamer Podcast: GDC 09 vol. 2

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 00:10:00 GMT

Volume 2 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast post-GDC '09 edition. Join me and my guests as we discuss what we learned at this year's Game Developer's Conference.

Segment 1: Leigh Alexander, news director at Gamasutra and author of Sexy Videogameland; Nels Anderson, gameplay programmer at Hothead Games and author of Above 49; and David Carlton of Malvasia Bianca.

Segment 2: Ben Fritz of The Cut Scene; Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) of Versus Clu Clu Land; and Duncan Fyfe of Hit Self-Destruct.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 21

Sat, 7 Mar 2009 23:20:00 GMT

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, co-founders of thatgamecompany and creators of Flower. We discuss a variety of topics, including TGC's design philosophy, the road from Cloud to Flower, starting a game company from scratch, the liberating nature of limitations...and, of course Flower.

Also, a fond farewell to N'Gai Croal, and gearing up for GDC...all in this episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 20

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 22:50:00 GMT

This episode is big on story and small on spoilers! Downloadable content as betrayal; the virtues of peace, love, and green lipstick; the reviewer as critic; and why one player's narrative may be another player's imposition...all in this episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Holiday edition Vol. 1

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:04:00 GMT

Volume 1 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features two segments:

Segment 1: Leigh Alexander from Sexy Videogameland; Kirk Battle (aka L.B. Jeffries) from Banana Pepper Martinis; Mike Schiller from PopMatters; and Roger Travis from the Video Games and Human Values Initiative.

Segment 2: Daniel Purvis from Graffiti Gamer; Ben Abraham from SLRC; Trevor Dodge from Male Hipster Leering and the First Wall Rebate Podcast; and David Carlton from Malvasia Bianca.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Holiday edition Vol. 2

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:57:00 GMT

Volume 2 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features two segments:

Segment 1: Corvus Elrod from Man Bytes Blog; Mitch Krpata from Insult Swordfighting; Dan Bruno from Cruise Elroy; and Spencer Greenwood from Noble Carrots.

Segment 2: Chris Dahlen from Save the Robot; Sparky Clarkson from Discount Thoughts; and Matthew Gallant from The Quixotic Engineer

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Holiday edition Vol. 3

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:56:00 GMT

Volume 3 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features Steve Gaynor of the Fullbright blog and 2K Marin; Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) of Versus Clu Clu Land; and Tom Kim of Gamasutra Radio.

Finally, in the closing segment I reveal my favorite game of 2008 while also shamelessly gaming the system.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 18

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:47:00 GMT

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features Leigh Alexander and Mitch Krpata in the Gamers Confab where we discuss our games of the month and the current state of the survival horror genre. We also chat about the game review grind; remind ourselves that games cost money; and remove the 4th-wall in a horrifyingly authentic podcast recording surprise in which no harm comes to Leigh whatsoever!

All this, and a plea for slowing down, in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 17

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:25:00 GMT

This episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features the debut of the Gamers Confab. My guests this month:

Brinstar - Acid for Blood
Matthew Gallant - The Quixotic Engineer
Manveer Heir - Design Rampage

We discuss our games of the month; big promises from big games; why men don't play SingStar; and much more - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 16

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 20:20:00 GMT

This episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with N'Gai Croal. We discuss N'Gai's early career, his views on games journalism, user-generated content, hard-casual games and lots more.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 15

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:52:00 GMT

What to do with all this video game freedom?; I do a 180 on Burnout Paradise; The game I want to play (hint: nobody's made it yet); Why boundaries can be good for artists, and why Jade beats Niko even without green lipstick; plus listener email - all in this chock-full edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 14

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:53:00 GMT

This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin (studio developing the next Bioshock game) and author of the Fullbright blog. We discuss game design, the first Bioshock game, and Steve's desire to help create a new vision for interactive expression.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 13

Tue, 6 May 2008 23:54:00 GMT

A week of GTA IV run, gun, and fun (all while not playing the game!); the emergence of the gaming tripod; IGN video madness; and an interview with Kirk Battle (AKA L.B. Jeffries) - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 12

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:29:00 GMT

An interview with Chris Dahlen; the gaming community on shaky ground; and it's PS3 go time - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 11

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:38:00 GMT

An interview with Leigh Alexander; a week of Zelda love; meditative gaming; and blogs worth your time - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 10

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 05:01:00 GMT

Indie games, saving games, and game blog jerks; GDC from the outside; Boss fight advice from Zoe; Listener mail; and an interview with Corvus Elrod of Man Bytes Blog - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 9

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:20:00 GMT

The Brainy Gamer goes on a gaming bender: No More Heroes, Burnout Paradise, Endless Ocean, and Rez HD; plus meditative gaming; another game recommendation kiss of death; and an interview with Mitch Krpata from Insult Swordfighting - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 8

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:14:00 GMT

Relax PC gamers, all will be fine; Gitaroo Man and PaRappa the Rapper are still crazy after all these years; and our obsession with reality - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 7

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 05:54:00 GMT

Game of the year (and why disagreement is a good thing); the NY Times gets it wrong...again; 5 great games nobody bought; the Zoe Garcia story; and listener email - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 6

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:48:00 GMT

Super Mario Galaxy's big idea; voice-acting in video games; and an analysis of Mass Effect - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 5

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:54:00 GMT

Why the fun is back in video games; a Zack and Wiki love-fest; what's wrong with a game canon; and news from the blog - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 4

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:23:00 GMT

Dr. Gamepadlove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Console; Nolan Bushnell makes me cry; Listener questions; and news from the blog - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 3

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 02:54:00 GMT

A discussion of Microsoft's ad campaign for Halo 3; an analysis of Persona 3; and news you can use - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 2

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:27:00 GMT

A discussion of the silent protagonist in video games; an analysis of why Time Magazine's feature piece on Halo 3 bit the big one; and news you can use - all in this episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 1

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:46:00 GMT

Cue the confetti, the first Brainy Gamer podcast is here! Segment 1: news; Segment 2: the so-called death of 2D gaming; Segment 3: an analysis of Odin Sphere. Enjoy!