Furidashi Game Design Academy https://furidashipod.podbean.com A podcast on gaming and video game design from both practical and academic perspectives. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0600 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en us Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Leisure:Video Games 1440 episodic Lauryn and Nicholas discuss gaming, ”gamers,” and game design from practical and academic perspectives. Nicholas Theisen Nicholas Theisen No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/9735518/square_logo_large_2024-2025_mk9sqx.png Furidashi Game Design Academy https://furidashipod.podbean.com 144 144 138. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E05 138. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E05 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/138-metal-gear-solid-2-sons-of-liberty-2001-year-of-metal-gear-s6e05/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/138-metal-gear-solid-2-sons-of-liberty-2001-year-of-metal-gear-s6e05/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/83cb2f43-bda8-3061-92e7-edd6bf9cd945 In this episode Nicholas tries to be fair to a game he very much did not enjoy, and Lauryn makes sure they cover something important, how the series is now leaning more heavily into its MANY combat mechanics and perhaps moving away from its origins as an anti-war war game.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this episode Nicholas tries to be fair to a game he very much did not enjoy, and Lauryn makes sure they cover something important, how the series is now leaning more heavily into its MANY combat mechanics and perhaps moving away from its origins as an anti-war war game.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3060 151 full 137. Metal Gear Solid (1998) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E04 137. Metal Gear Solid (1998) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E04 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/137-metal-gear-solid-1998-year-of-metal-gear-s6e04/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/137-metal-gear-solid-1998-year-of-metal-gear-s6e04/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/4ee6404c-1316-32b5-a234-f9c14082f508 This month, we finally discuss a game people have actually played: Metal Gear Solid. We also take a look back at Kojima's notion of creativity as a memetic/genetic process and how this game maybe complicates the somewhat rosy picture he paints in his memoir and interviews. Also! The premiere performance of "Liquid Snake and the Konami Code," with its hit song, "Genome Soldier!"

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> This month, we finally discuss a game people have actually played: Metal Gear Solid. We also take a look back at Kojima's notion of creativity as a memetic/genetic process and how this game maybe complicates the somewhat rosy picture he paints in his memoir and interviews. Also! The premiere performance of "Liquid Snake and the Konami Code," with its hit song, "Genome Soldier!"

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3364 150 full 136. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E03 136. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E03 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/136-metal-gear-2-solid-snake-1990-year-of-metal-gear-s6e03/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/136-metal-gear-2-solid-snake-1990-year-of-metal-gear-s6e03/#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/3d520939-c3a8-3c94-a57f-704ba316f743 In this episode we discuss Kojima's response to Konami's attempt to make a Metal Gear sequel without him and how, in so doing, established the baseline for what "stealth games" would become. We also compare its gameplay to the more expansive Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to show how it tries to force the player into a near paranoic sense of hyperawareness.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this episode we discuss Kojima's response to Konami's attempt to make a Metal Gear sequel without him and how, in so doing, established the baseline for what "stealth games" would become. We also compare its gameplay to the more expansive Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to show how it tries to force the player into a near paranoic sense of hyperawareness.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3646 149 full 135. Metal Gear (1987) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E02 135. Metal Gear (1987) | Year of Metal Gear | S6E02 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/135-metal-gear-1987-year-of-metal-gear-s6e02/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/135-metal-gear-1987-year-of-metal-gear-s6e02/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/34846e96-6c86-3f0b-b5e6-98540588c01d Lauryn and Nicholas take you back to the Cold War, to the '80s, when hair was big and everyone was worried about nuclear winter. We begin with the very first Metal Gear game and discuss what it means to try and make an anti-war war game. We reckon with all the ways the game teaches you how to play that were in many ways anathema to how video games were played at the time but nevertheless became the bedrock for how modern games are designed.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas take you back to the Cold War, to the '80s, when hair was big and everyone was worried about nuclear winter. We begin with the very first Metal Gear game and discuss what it means to try and make an anti-war war game. We reckon with all the ways the game teaches you how to play that were in many ways anathema to how video games were played at the time but nevertheless became the bedrock for how modern games are designed.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3243 148 full 134. Hideo Kojima, Memelord | Year of Metal Gear | S6E01 134. Hideo Kojima, Memelord | Year of Metal Gear | S6E01 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/134-hideo-kojima-memelord-year-of-metal-gear-s6e01/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/134-hideo-kojima-memelord-year-of-metal-gear-s6e01/#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/87e36b58-7125-30ca-a89a-c9a591e233b8 In this, the first episode of season 6, our YEAR OF METAL GEAR, we dive into the Kojima lore, why you shouldn't always take it at face value, and what it means to think of one's creative output as a kind of genetic legacy. ALSO: a mysterious message from an enigmatic stranger...

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this, the first episode of season 6, our YEAR OF METAL GEAR, we dive into the Kojima lore, why you shouldn't always take it at face value, and what it means to think of one's creative output as a kind of genetic legacy. ALSO: a mysterious message from an enigmatic stranger...

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3374 147 full 133. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) | S5E11 133. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) | S5E11 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/133-kikis-delivery-service-1989-s5e11/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/133-kikis-delivery-service-1989-s5e11/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/1792320a-ce31-33f9-9f11-8a0ccecf570e For our final episode of Season 5, before THE YEAR OF METAL GEAR, we look at the seminal Studio Ghibli film, Kiki's Delivery Service. We discuss what it means to come of age in a context where you are a literal outsider and how the film indirectly meditates on what it means to doubt your creative powers, lose them, and ultimately get them back.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> For our final episode of Season 5, before THE YEAR OF METAL GEAR, we look at the seminal Studio Ghibli film, Kiki's Delivery Service. We discuss what it means to come of age in a context where you are a literal outsider and how the film indirectly meditates on what it means to doubt your creative powers, lose them, and ultimately get them back.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3704 146 full 132. Halo: Combat Evolved | S5E10 132. Halo: Combat Evolved | S5E10 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/132-halo-combat-evolved-s5e10/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/132-halo-combat-evolved-s5e10/#comments Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/850a3948-0f4d-30d8-8df0-b42a0d44f5d7 In which we argue that Halo represents a genuinely novel approach to shooter design at a time when the video games industry was becoming but had not yet turned into what we know it to be today. Join us as we delve into the complex narrative and gameplay relationship between Master Chief and Cortana and ask... is Halo a tragedy?

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In which we argue that Halo represents a genuinely novel approach to shooter design at a time when the video games industry was becoming but had not yet turned into what we know it to be today. Join us as we delve into the complex narrative and gameplay relationship between Master Chief and Cortana and ask... is Halo a tragedy?

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3393 145 full 131. Ghost in the Shell (1995) | S5E9 131. Ghost in the Shell (1995) | S5E9 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/131-ghost-in-the-shell-1995-s5e9/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/131-ghost-in-the-shell-1995-s5e9/#comments Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/c44fbeec-cde6-3951-a6d1-ac81d41d931f In celebration of Pride month, we take a somewhat unusual look at Oshii Mamoru's Ghost in the Shell as an allegory of trans becoming. We look at how trans individuals have read the film against their own experiences and how this highlights a queerness in Kusanagi's character that Oshii likely never intended yet is still palpably there.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In celebration of Pride month, we take a somewhat unusual look at Oshii Mamoru's Ghost in the Shell as an allegory of trans becoming. We look at how trans individuals have read the film against their own experiences and how this highlights a queerness in Kusanagi's character that Oshii likely never intended yet is still palpably there.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3386 144 full 130. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | S5E8 130. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | S5E8 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/130-clair-obscur-expedition-33/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/130-clair-obscur-expedition-33/#comments Thu, 22 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/aba9849f-e5ec-33c2-95f8-d865b7be3ff2 In this episode, we think about games as a complete composition of many artforms and how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 withholds the kinds of information that normally aid gameplay in order to get the player to treat the game as much as a work of art to be appreciated as be immersed in.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this episode, we think about games as a complete composition of many artforms and how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 withholds the kinds of information that normally aid gameplay in order to get the player to treat the game as much as a work of art to be appreciated as be immersed in.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3529 143 full 129. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners | S5E7 129. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners | S5E7 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/129-cyberpunk-edgerunners/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/129-cyberpunk-edgerunners/#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/788339f6-47b6-309b-8774-8a3d86f79ca7 Following up on our discussion of Cyberpunk 2077, we consider the Netflix series and what it means to be bodies in spaces, how we lie to ourselves and each other, and how the anime aspires to say something profound but ultimately get too caught up in its own romantic tropes to truly grapple with what it's trying to show.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Following up on our discussion of Cyberpunk 2077, we consider the Netflix series and what it means to be bodies in spaces, how we lie to ourselves and each other, and how the anime aspires to say something profound but ultimately get too caught up in its own romantic tropes to truly grapple with what it's trying to show.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3618 142 full 128. Cyberpunk 2077 Redux | S5E6 128. Cyberpunk 2077 Redux | S5E6 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/128-cyberpunk-2077-redux-s5e6/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/128-cyberpunk-2077-redux-s5e6/#comments Thu, 20 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/9ee2c618-8d1a-3fc1-88df-785e1f4b12d2 After several years we return to Cyberpunk 2077 to discover that it's a very different game! In this episode, we focus on how the game's environments blend the broad visual and aural aesthetics of the game with a really tight sense of encounter design and worldbuilding that inscribes little incidental narratives onto the streets of a fully realized city.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> After several years we return to Cyberpunk 2077 to discover that it's a very different game! In this episode, we focus on how the game's environments blend the broad visual and aural aesthetics of the game with a really tight sense of encounter design and worldbuilding that inscribes little incidental narratives onto the streets of a fully realized city.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3425 141 full 127. Look Back (2024) | S5E5 127. Look Back (2024) | S5E5 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/127-look-back-2024/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/127-look-back-2024/#comments Thu, 27 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/a6be3e67-701b-3d52-89c7-e20b67a1ba49 In this month's free episode, we take a look at the visual and narrative aesthetics of 2024's Look Back, based on the manga of the same name by Fujimoto Tatsuki. We consider how mirroring, doubling, and reflection work not only as visual metaphors but as way of thinking about the overall narrative structure in this gut-wrenching coming-of-age story.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this month's free episode, we take a look at the visual and narrative aesthetics of 2024's Look Back, based on the manga of the same name by Fujimoto Tatsuki. We consider how mirroring, doubling, and reflection work not only as visual metaphors but as way of thinking about the overall narrative structure in this gut-wrenching coming-of-age story.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3412 140 full 126. Narrative Violence in Slay the Princess | S5E4 126. Narrative Violence in Slay the Princess | S5E4 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/126-narrative-violence-in-slay-the-princess/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/126-narrative-violence-in-slay-the-princess/#comments Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/dd387b5b-3d76-3152-841a-d9cca86cea48 This month we tackle the topic everyone loves to hate: violence in video games. But with a twist. We discuss how Slay the Princess uses a form of narrative violence, breaking the conventions of how story gets mapped onto gameplay, to show how love, hurt, loss, and existential dread can all be thought of as facets of a greater whole in the human experience.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> This month we tackle the topic everyone loves to hate: violence in video games. But with a twist. We discuss how Slay the Princess uses a form of narrative violence, breaking the conventions of how story gets mapped onto gameplay, to show how love, hurt, loss, and existential dread can all be thought of as facets of a greater whole in the human experience.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3200 139 full 125. Tokyo Godfathers | S5E3 125. Tokyo Godfathers | S5E3 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/125-tokyo-godfathers-s5e3/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/125-tokyo-godfathers-s5e3/#comments Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/a7a65fa2-5dde-3d00-ac57-465222afe2d8 In this episode we make a deep dive into Kon Satoshi's 2003 Christmas romp (?), Tokyo Godfathers. We focus especially on the dramatic tension between what characters imagine themselves to be and the reality of who they are--and how, sometimes, reality has a weird habit of slipping into fantasy.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this episode we make a deep dive into Kon Satoshi's 2003 Christmas romp (?), Tokyo Godfathers. We focus especially on the dramatic tension between what characters imagine themselves to be and the reality of who they are--and how, sometimes, reality has a weird habit of slipping into fantasy.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3222 138 full 124. Dragon Age: The Veilguard | S5E2 124. Dragon Age: The Veilguard | S5E2 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/124-dragon-age-the-veilguard-s5e2/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/124-dragon-age-the-veilguard-s5e2/#comments Thu, 21 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/ab7a43b6-9755-3a34-b79f-a706413d947f In this episode, Lauryn and Nicholas go all in on Bioware's Dragon Age: The Veilguard. We talk about core combat not from the perspective of mechanics but in both thematic and narrative terms. Mostly, though, we discuss the companion system, and why many of the frustrations with DA:TV stem from how the game isn't really about you as the super special hero but rather how you fit into a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> In this episode, Lauryn and Nicholas go all in on Bioware's Dragon Age: The Veilguard. We talk about core combat not from the perspective of mechanics but in both thematic and narrative terms. Mostly, though, we discuss the companion system, and why many of the frustrations with DA:TV stem from how the game isn't really about you as the super special hero but rather how you fit into a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2954 137 full 123. Delicious in Dungeon Crawl | S5E1 123. Delicious in Dungeon Crawl | S5E1 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/123-delicious-in-dungeon-crawl-s5e1/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/123-delicious-in-dungeon-crawl-s5e1/#comments Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/cdc9fb6a-7122-327c-b197-a555cbb6fc47 Welcome to Season 5, where we'll be focusing on game and media aesthetics! We wanted to started things off with a game/anime crossover in the form of Delicious in Dungeon. In this episode, we discuss how media narratives can reflect game narratives and aesthetics, as well as how to envision a narrative structure that enhances characterization.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Welcome to Season 5, where we'll be focusing on game and media aesthetics! We wanted to started things off with a game/anime crossover in the form of Delicious in Dungeon. In this episode, we discuss how media narratives can reflect game narratives and aesthetics, as well as how to envision a narrative structure that enhances characterization.

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://bsky.app/profile/espressocat.bsky.social

Nicholas: https://bsky.app/profile/academicality.bsky.social

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3152 136 full Where We're Headed in Season 5 Where We're Headed in Season 5 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/where-were-headed-in-season-5/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/where-were-headed-in-season-5/#comments Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:42:16 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/6c1d4dba-bd0e-3cc4-b665-a87d37d28087 Just a brief check-in during our hiatus month to give you a taste of what we'll be talking about in the coming year.

]]> Just a brief check-in during our hiatus month to give you a taste of what we'll be talking about in the coming year.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 305 135 full 122. Novelty and Innovation | S4E11 122. Novelty and Innovation | S4E11 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/122-novelty-and-innovation-s4e11/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/122-novelty-and-innovation-s4e11/#comments Wed, 14 Aug 2024 20:40:56 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/193f38d8-38d0-37c6-9ae2-c588348c63fd In this episode, we consider how to make your game stand out from the others, the importance of a clear hook or appeal to the player, as well as how to translate the sense of innovation you might find more easily in solo projects back into larger, collaborative efforts.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we consider how to make your game stand out from the others, the importance of a clear hook or appeal to the player, as well as how to translate the sense of innovation you might find more easily in solo projects back into larger, collaborative efforts.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3036 134 full 121. Playtesting | S4E10 121. Playtesting | S4E10 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/121-playtesting-s4e10/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/121-playtesting-s4e10/#comments Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/b62ebc74-16ce-351c-9f0f-500c208ece55 In this episode we delve into the subject of playtesting: how to choose the right playtesters for your game as well as learning how to go after the criticism you need, not necessarily what you want to hear. We talk about the qualitative differences between testing for smaller indie and mass market games, as well as how you develop a community of people around your design who, hopefully, become as invested in it as you are.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode we delve into the subject of playtesting: how to choose the right playtesters for your game as well as learning how to go after the criticism you need, not necessarily what you want to hear. We talk about the qualitative differences between testing for smaller indie and mass market games, as well as how you develop a community of people around your design who, hopefully, become as invested in it as you are.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3023 133 full 120. Friction in Video Games | S4E9 120. Friction in Video Games | S4E9 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/120-friction-in-video-games-s4e9/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/120-friction-in-video-games-s4e9/#comments Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:37:59 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/5f0482b2-bba8-3eda-9c59-ecb5f5567d1f This month we tackle the concept of friction in game design, how it's not necessarily the same thing as challenge or difficulty, and why it's important for making even the tiny little things you do in a game an engaging experience.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> This month we tackle the concept of friction in game design, how it's not necessarily the same thing as challenge or difficulty, and why it's important for making even the tiny little things you do in a game an engaging experience.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3425 132 full 119. The Human Toll of Gamedev | S4E8 119. The Human Toll of Gamedev | S4E8 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/119-the-human-toll-of-gamedev/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/119-the-human-toll-of-gamedev/#comments Tue, 14 May 2024 07:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/8f12dea1-37d0-34f7-9879-f6a1139862c5 This month we stop talking around the fact that the games industry is imploding and tackle it head on. We address the collective psychic damage we all seem to be suffering as a result, as well as how not to despair in dark times. In the end, we need to protect the creative parts of ourselves from those who only want to profit from our talents at any cost.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> This month we stop talking around the fact that the games industry is imploding and tackle it head on. We address the collective psychic damage we all seem to be suffering as a result, as well as how not to despair in dark times. In the end, we need to protect the creative parts of ourselves from those who only want to profit from our talents at any cost.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3006 131 full 118. The Mechanics of Pleasure | S4E7 118. The Mechanics of Pleasure | S4E7 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/118-the-mechanics-of-pleasure-s4e7/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/118-the-mechanics-of-pleasure-s4e7/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2024 18:00:25 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/e65247b5-e052-30d1-bed2-697ae6b74f4e In this episode, we discuss the sensuous side of gamedev, the upsides and downsides of "friction," and how to better understand what your player wants to be doing, so as to craft a better suited gameplay experience for them.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we discuss the sensuous side of gamedev, the upsides and downsides of "friction," and how to better understand what your player wants to be doing, so as to craft a better suited gameplay experience for them.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2838 130 full 117. Working in Teams, Working Alone | S4E6 117. Working in Teams, Working Alone | S4E6 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/117-working-in-teams-working-alone-s4e6/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/117-working-in-teams-working-alone-s4e6/#comments Tue, 12 Mar 2024 08:22:41 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/40bf508c-0310-3a1b-b534-114d5266ef78 In this episode we deconstruct the concept of auteur theory and show how even when a game's production has a strong creative direction, often that means getting people to buy into that vision and contributing to it rather than having their work dictated to them. We talk about the documentary Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds and how it reveals the ways in which solodev and team development are not as different as you might think.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode we deconstruct the concept of auteur theory and show how even when a game's production has a strong creative direction, often that means getting people to buy into that vision and contributing to it rather than having their work dictated to them. We talk about the documentary Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds and how it reveals the ways in which solodev and team development are not as different as you might think.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3174 129 full 116. From Inspiration to Game Design | S4E5 116. From Inspiration to Game Design | S4E5 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/116-from-inspiration-to-game-design-s4e5/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/116-from-inspiration-to-game-design-s4e5/#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:44:23 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/658b8067-104e-3479-973c-c9b1ae302c4b In this episode Lauryn and Nicholas tackle how game designers translate their own interests and influences into tangible elements in their own games. Working from Nicholas' ongoing work on Sympathetic Memories, we first examine the way historical and literary influences work their way in. Then, we round out the episode by exploring how solo work of this kind can inform the way inspiration works in larger, more collaborative games.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode Lauryn and Nicholas tackle how game designers translate their own interests and influences into tangible elements in their own games. Working from Nicholas' ongoing work on Sympathetic Memories, we first examine the way historical and literary influences work their way in. Then, we round out the episode by exploring how solo work of this kind can inform the way inspiration works in larger, more collaborative games.

Download the Sympathetic Memories demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/sympathetic-memories

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3331 128 full 115. Subjectivity in Narration | S4E4 115. Subjectivity in Narration | S4E4 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/115-subjectivity-in-narration-s4e4/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/115-subjectivity-in-narration-s4e4/#comments Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:19:56 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/e114c923-fba3-37f4-ab4d-e11ca0d84d80 In this episode we talk about the uses of first and second person narration in games, not only in terms of basic storytelling but also how they work their way into systems like objectives and quest logs. We explore the philosophical underpinnings of first person perspective and try to show how games can actually meaningfully collapse what we typically think of as subjective and objective modes of understanding.

Download the Le Concours des Filles (soon to be Sympathetic Memories) demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode we talk about the uses of first and second person narration in games, not only in terms of basic storytelling but also how they work their way into systems like objectives and quest logs. We explore the philosophical underpinnings of first person perspective and try to show how games can actually meaningfully collapse what we typically think of as subjective and objective modes of understanding.

Download the Le Concours des Filles (soon to be Sympathetic Memories) demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2852 127 full 114. Themes and Pillars | S4E3 114. Themes and Pillars | S4E3 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/114-themes-and-pillars-s4e3/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/114-themes-and-pillars-s4e3/#comments Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:31:05 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/68afbc64-c86d-3884-b0b5-b4fba5276fcd In this episode we focus on where ideas come from, how they develop out of our experiences and interests, and how they ultimately coalesce into specific pillars and themes for a game. We also discuss what it means for these pillars to be in tension with one another, and how that can play out both in terms of a game's narrative as well as its mechanics.

Download the Le Concours des Filles (soon to be Sympathetic Memories) demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode we focus on where ideas come from, how they develop out of our experiences and interests, and how they ultimately coalesce into specific pillars and themes for a game. We also discuss what it means for these pillars to be in tension with one another, and how that can play out both in terms of a game's narrative as well as its mechanics.

Download the Le Concours des Filles (soon to be Sympathetic Memories) demo for free on our Itch.io site: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2986 126 full 113. Encounter Design Blues | S4E2 113. Encounter Design Blues | S4E2 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/113-encounter-design-blues-s4e2/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/113-encounter-design-blues-s4e2/#comments Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:24:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/1f895e0f-d3ef-3716-b69e-6e6d4384d764 In this episode, Lauryn and Nicholas pick up where they left off in discussing how Baldur's Gate 3 structures its skill check encounters. We look at how encounter design in video games generally seems to privilege a system of challenges and achievements where the player's subjective experience is either an afterthought or simply a second order effect. We consider what it might look like to center player subjectivity instead and create a narrative experience where both success and failure are equally valid forms of gameplay and where neither victory nor loss ever stand in the way of progression.

Get Nicholas's demo for free on Itch: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, Lauryn and Nicholas pick up where they left off in discussing how Baldur's Gate 3 structures its skill check encounters. We look at how encounter design in video games generally seems to privilege a system of challenges and achievements where the player's subjective experience is either an afterthought or simply a second order effect. We consider what it might look like to center player subjectivity instead and create a narrative experience where both success and failure are equally valid forms of gameplay and where neither victory nor loss ever stand in the way of progression.

Get Nicholas's demo for free on Itch: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3414 125 full 112. The Game Design Nexus | S4E1 112. The Game Design Nexus | S4E1 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/112-the-game-design-nexus-s4e1/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/112-the-game-design-nexus-s4e1/#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:39:29 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/af9a8c8c-4bc3-32df-9c24-4881e747ed7c In this fourth season of Furidashi, Nicholas is making a game! So, the first thing we need to figure out is... well... where to even begin. We discuss the good and bad of game engines, licensing agreements, how to leverage your existing skills, and where to draw inspiration from. In the past, we've focused more on top down, theoretical considerations in game design, but this go around we're going to get into the simple, nuts and bolts of making a game.

Get Nicholas's demo for free on Itch: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this fourth season of Furidashi, Nicholas is making a game! So, the first thing we need to figure out is... well... where to even begin. We discuss the good and bad of game engines, licensing agreements, how to leverage your existing skills, and where to draw inspiration from. In the past, we've focused more on top down, theoretical considerations in game design, but this go around we're going to get into the simple, nuts and bolts of making a game.

Get Nicholas's demo for free on Itch: https://furidashipod.itch.io/le-concours-des-filles

Substack: https://gamedesigndiscourse.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2788 124 full 111. Translating Tabletop 111. Translating Tabletop https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/111-translating-tabletop/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/111-translating-tabletop/#comments Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:28:17 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/ff3e5fb0-aa64-3859-ad2a-184663ce4d5a In this episode, we extend our discussion of Baldur’s Gate 3 into thinking about how video games translate various aspects of their tabletop counterparts. More than just mechanics, we look at how video games try to simulate the more subjective and social aspects of pen and paper roleplay, something that, historically, video games have struggled with. But Baldur’s Gate 3 seems to mark a very real departure in how video games depict dynamic social interactions, so we thought it was high time to revise our previous critiques, wherein we assumed the social aspect of tabletop play can only get lost in translation.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we extend our discussion of Baldur’s Gate 3 into thinking about how video games translate various aspects of their tabletop counterparts. More than just mechanics, we look at how video games try to simulate the more subjective and social aspects of pen and paper roleplay, something that, historically, video games have struggled with. But Baldur’s Gate 3 seems to mark a very real departure in how video games depict dynamic social interactions, so we thought it was high time to revise our previous critiques, wherein we assumed the social aspect of tabletop play can only get lost in translation.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 423 123 full 110. Baldur’s Gate 3 110. Baldur’s Gate 3 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/110-baldur-s-gate-3/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/110-baldur-s-gate-3/#comments Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:49:11 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/b9892aea-b367-3250-830c-d11913c8b60f In this episode, we sit down to tackle Larian’s colossal new game, Baldur’s Gate 3. We really only scratch the surface here, but we try to focus on the many ways in which the game addresses the question of freedom, both in gameplay terms as well as thematically, and we dig into how, unlike most RPG video games, Baldur’s Gate 3 actually lets you roleplay in the classic tabletop sense.

Substack post on freedom and player choice in BG3: https://open.substack.com/pub/gamedesigndiscourse/p/player-choice-in-baldurs-gate-3?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we sit down to tackle Larian’s colossal new game, Baldur’s Gate 3. We really only scratch the surface here, but we try to focus on the many ways in which the game addresses the question of freedom, both in gameplay terms as well as thematically, and we dig into how, unlike most RPG video games, Baldur’s Gate 3 actually lets you roleplay in the classic tabletop sense.

Substack post on freedom and player choice in BG3: https://open.substack.com/pub/gamedesigndiscourse/p/player-choice-in-baldurs-gate-3?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3728 122 full 109. The Three Eras of Final Fantasy 109. The Three Eras of Final Fantasy https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/109-the-three-eras-of-final-fantasy/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/109-the-three-eras-of-final-fantasy/#comments Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:57:31 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/bda230f0-ea7c-3d08-8ffc-dc23a7431529 In this episode we examine the three epochs or eras of Final Fantasy. We trace its early, now legendary, days as a tactical, turn-based RPG, the shift to more cinematic gameplay, and the subsequent turn away from the game’s roots toward a more high-paced, third person action gameplay. The point of all this is to show that there is a clear throughline from where we were to where we are now, even if it seems like Final Fantasy is now so different.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode we examine the three epochs or eras of Final Fantasy. We trace its early, now legendary, days as a tactical, turn-based RPG, the shift to more cinematic gameplay, and the subsequent turn away from the game’s roots toward a more high-paced, third person action gameplay. The point of all this is to show that there is a clear throughline from where we were to where we are now, even if it seems like Final Fantasy is now so different.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 541 121 full 108. Final Fantasy: Action Man 108. Final Fantasy: Action Man https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/108-final-fantasy-action-man/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/108-final-fantasy-action-man/#comments Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:29:48 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/a29bcd25-52d0-39c6-bb64-038fc1aecf05 In this episode, we delve into Final Fantasy 16 and the recent trend in Final Fantasy games towards more action oriented gameplay. But rather than make all the same tired comparisons others have already made to Devil May Cry or Game of Thrones, we focus on the clear evolution Final Fantasy games have undergone, and how this seemingly recent development has, in fact, been a long time coming.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we delve into Final Fantasy 16 and the recent trend in Final Fantasy games towards more action oriented gameplay. But rather than make all the same tired comparisons others have already made to Devil May Cry or Game of Thrones, we focus on the clear evolution Final Fantasy games have undergone, and how this seemingly recent development has, in fact, been a long time coming.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3375 120 full 107. Lauryn’s Gamedev Journey 107. Lauryn’s Gamedev Journey https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/107-lauryn-s-gamedev-journey/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/107-lauryn-s-gamedev-journey/#comments Mon, 26 Jun 2023 08:44:15 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/d828a9ab-22f8-3150-845e-ad4cc77c3ba3 Greetings! In this episode, we make Lauryn explain herself and her gamedev journey. We talk about what it was like to make the transition from writing to level design and eventually back to narrative systems as well as what it means to take on a leadership role in the games industry.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Greetings! In this episode, we make Lauryn explain herself and her gamedev journey. We talk about what it was like to make the transition from writing to level design and eventually back to narrative systems as well as what it means to take on a leadership role in the games industry.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 926 119 full 106. Is Diablo 4 an RPG? 106. Is Diablo 4 an RPG? https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/106-is-diablo-4-an-rpg/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/106-is-diablo-4-an-rpg/#comments Mon, 19 Jun 2023 08:33:26 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/99c4574f-0c1f-3063-9ec1-699469612c35 In this episode, we ask an admittedly clickbaity question that, nevertheless, raises some points: is Diablo 4 an RPG? We cover a bit of the history of roleplaying games, the awkward transition from tabletop to video games, and how character progression maps onto–or, in some cases, fails to map onto the player’s evolving gameplay experience. All of that to explain why maybe we need to rethink RPG as a game genre.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we ask an admittedly clickbaity question that, nevertheless, raises some points: is Diablo 4 an RPG? We cover a bit of the history of roleplaying games, the awkward transition from tabletop to video games, and how character progression maps onto–or, in some cases, fails to map onto the player’s evolving gameplay experience. All of that to explain why maybe we need to rethink RPG as a game genre.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3476 118 full 105. Dumb AI !@#$ 105. Dumb AI !@#$ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/105-dumb-ai/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/105-dumb-ai/#comments Mon, 29 May 2023 13:28:56 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/19516710-bfa1-3190-9823-9d6de89a2e96 In this episode we continue our discussion of AI, focusing on its potential within the games industry, as well as its pitfalls. We consider the labor issues involved and how, despite all the hype, the reality of the many things that fall under the AI umbrella is an incredibly murky one, touching on issues of copyright as well as the basic question of who AI is for and who is it being done to.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode we continue our discussion of AI, focusing on its potential within the games industry, as well as its pitfalls. We consider the labor issues involved and how, despite all the hype, the reality of the many things that fall under the AI umbrella is an incredibly murky one, touching on issues of copyright as well as the basic question of who AI is for and who is it being done to.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 847 117 full 104. Eliza 104. Eliza https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/104-eliza/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/104-eliza/#comments Mon, 22 May 2023 08:44:56 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/0fa01b9f-9328-3dc0-a070-a44b6b799b41 In this episode, we take a look at a visual novel from 2019, the incredibly prescient Eliza. We spend some time laying out the unique mechanics of a visual novel and how those reading mechanics parallel the counseling methods the game interrogates. We also spend quite a long time thinking about the way the game reflects the culture of tech and the imperative to understand the ethical and cultural ramifications of being at the bleeding edge of software development.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we take a look at a visual novel from 2019, the incredibly prescient Eliza. We spend some time laying out the unique mechanics of a visual novel and how those reading mechanics parallel the counseling methods the game interrogates. We also spend quite a long time thinking about the way the game reflects the culture of tech and the imperative to understand the ethical and cultural ramifications of being at the bleeding edge of software development.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3519 116 full 103. Contiguity in Worldbuilding 103. Contiguity in Worldbuilding https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/103-contiguity-in-worldbuilding/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/103-contiguity-in-worldbuilding/#comments Mon, 24 Apr 2023 10:21:55 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/320c81ec-3d32-33d1-9777-3a819b8f6261 In this episode, we talk about the concept of contiguity in worldbuilding and in game design more generally. We focus on longstanding franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Final Fantasy to look at how game worlds retain a clear sense of identity, despite evolving over time and in some cases even branching out into other media. You could call it vibes-based game design, but it is also a call to the importance of consistent collaboration within large design teams.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we talk about the concept of contiguity in worldbuilding and in game design more generally. We focus on longstanding franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Final Fantasy to look at how game worlds retain a clear sense of identity, despite evolving over time and in some cases even branching out into other media. You could call it vibes-based game design, but it is also a call to the importance of consistent collaboration within large design teams.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 844 115 full 102. Kingdom Hearts 2 102. Kingdom Hearts 2 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/102-kingdom-hearts-2/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/102-kingdom-hearts-2/#comments Mon, 17 Apr 2023 08:41:41 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/979e49b3-4f33-3d64-a754-09fd91f07422 In this episode, we discuss Kingdom Hearts 2 from 2005. We contextualize it in terms of the transformation of AAA games taking place in the 2000s, how the game functions like a theme park… because Disney… how that theme park design presents the concept of a multiverse for a younger player demographic, and how the allegorical structure of the game creates a layered experience in terms of gameplay, narrative, and character development.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we discuss Kingdom Hearts 2 from 2005. We contextualize it in terms of the transformation of AAA games taking place in the 2000s, how the game functions like a theme park… because Disney… how that theme park design presents the concept of a multiverse for a younger player demographic, and how the allegorical structure of the game creates a layered experience in terms of gameplay, narrative, and character development.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3424 114 full 101. Character Progression 101. Character Progression https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/101-character-progression/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/101-character-progression/#comments Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:27:46 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/cc9f551f-7e67-3630-b3e8-23b10f3acea2 In this episode, we discuss character progression, how it differs from player and subjective progression, and how character can manifest not just as an arc through the story, but through gameplay as well. We look at examples as wide ranging as The Witcher, Street Fighter, X-COM, Battletech, and Gran Turismo. What do all of these games have in common? What can they tell us about character in video games? Well, you’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we discuss character progression, how it differs from player and subjective progression, and how character can manifest not just as an arc through the story, but through gameplay as well. We look at examples as wide ranging as The Witcher, Street Fighter, X-COM, Battletech, and Gran Turismo. What do all of these games have in common? What can they tell us about character in video games? Well, you’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 889 113 full 100. The Last of Us 100. The Last of Us https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/100-the-last-of-us/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/100-the-last-of-us/#comments Mon, 20 Mar 2023 08:17:49 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/fda2b538-16e3-378d-be00-c6c3039fb65a In this, our one hundredth episode, we finally tackle 2013’s The Last of Us. While we acknowledge that the story is, well, just okay, we also dissect the game’s level and encounter design to see how The Last of Us creates compelling experiences for the player. We also look at the companion system and how the game elicits empathy through the complex interactions between Joel and Ellie and the perspectives the game forces us to adopt.

Game Maker's Toolkit - "Making The Last of Us Part II's Best Level"

Episode 90 - Subjective Progression

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this, our one hundredth episode, we finally tackle 2013’s The Last of Us. While we acknowledge that the story is, well, just okay, we also dissect the game’s level and encounter design to see how The Last of Us creates compelling experiences for the player. We also look at the companion system and how the game elicits empathy through the complex interactions between Joel and Ellie and the perspectives the game forces us to adopt.

Game Maker's Toolkit - "Making The Last of Us Part II's Best Level"

Episode 90 - Subjective Progression

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3410 112 full 99. Augmentation and Simulation 99. Augmentation and Simulation https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/99-augmentation-and-simulation/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/99-augmentation-and-simulation/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/260b06e8-0b6c-3b41-a6a5-ada5c7e10cc6 In this Patreon episode we jump off last week's Wordle episode to think about what it means for a game to work its way into the daily rhythms of our lives, as augmentation, versus carving out a sequester moment in our lives, as simulation. We delve into the early history of PC games and their relationship to hobby gaming, in an effort to provide a loose genealogy of the single player experience that dominates thinking in game design.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

 

]]> In this Patreon episode we jump off last week's Wordle episode to think about what it means for a game to work its way into the daily rhythms of our lives, as augmentation, versus carving out a sequester moment in our lives, as simulation. We delve into the early history of PC games and their relationship to hobby gaming, in an effort to provide a loose genealogy of the single player experience that dominates thinking in game design.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

 

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 645 111 full 98. Wordle With Friends! 98. Wordle With Friends! https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/98-wordle-with-friends/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/98-wordle-with-friends/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:28:10 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/703b0bdf-3866-3fc0-b054-06677754e6a0 In this episode, we discuss the popular browser game, Wordle, which was a worldwide phenomenon and yet somehow escaped notice when it came time to list the best games of 2022. We also discuss the way some video games work their way into the daily and weekly rhythms of our lives and why those games often find themselves on the outside or on the fringes of what gets to properly be called a video game. Whether you’re a Wordle master or merely a dabbler, we think this fun little game has a lot to say about how we integrate games into our social lives.

UX Collective Post on Designing for "Non-Players"

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we discuss the popular browser game, Wordle, which was a worldwide phenomenon and yet somehow escaped notice when it came time to list the best games of 2022. We also discuss the way some video games work their way into the daily and weekly rhythms of our lives and why those games often find themselves on the outside or on the fringes of what gets to properly be called a video game. Whether you’re a Wordle master or merely a dabbler, we think this fun little game has a lot to say about how we integrate games into our social lives.

UX Collective Post on Designing for "Non-Players"

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3333 110 full 97. Games and Mystery Plot Structure 97. Games and Mystery Plot Structure https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/97-games-and-mystery-plot-structure/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/97-games-and-mystery-plot-structure/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2023 09:05:03 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/ddda930e-2985-3a4a-990e-921b74b3ebc2 In this clip from our Patreon episode we discuss many of the elements that make up mystery plots, how they work on a gameplay and not just a narrative level, as well as the effect these elements have on creating compelling characters.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this clip from our Patreon episode we discuss many of the elements that make up mystery plots, how they work on a gameplay and not just a narrative level, as well as the effect these elements have on creating compelling characters.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 514 109 full 96. Pentiment 96. Pentiment https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/96-pentiment-1673880574/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/96-pentiment-1673880574/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2023 08:49:34 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/05b96c4a-3e88-3f76-8b19-59a427aec5be In this episode Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the 2022 game Pentiment from Obsidian Entertainment. We look at how the game functions as a form of productive historical revisionism and how attention to historical circumstances works itself out in terms of game mechanics and systems. We also discuss the mystery plot structure and the many ways in which Pentiment subverts it.

Opening Music: "Sicut cervus" by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, performed by The Cambridge Singers

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the 2022 game Pentiment from Obsidian Entertainment. We look at how the game functions as a form of productive historical revisionism and how attention to historical circumstances works itself out in terms of game mechanics and systems. We also discuss the mystery plot structure and the many ways in which Pentiment subverts it.

Opening Music: "Sicut cervus" by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, performed by The Cambridge Singers

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 3539 108 full 95. Immortality - Year End Special Pt. 2 95. Immortality - Year End Special Pt. 2 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/95-immortality-year-end-special-pt-2/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/95-immortality-year-end-special-pt-2/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2022 07:55:28 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/8f455e4c-8414-3875-b489-26a5c89e0d22 Lauryn and Nicholas dive into their not game of the year, because that concept is silly, but rather the game they both feel really pushed for the possibilities for narrative and narrative systems design: Half Mermaid's Immortality. Also on the docket: why it's good sometimes for a game to make you queasy.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas dive into their not game of the year, because that concept is silly, but rather the game they both feel really pushed for the possibilities for narrative and narrative systems design: Half Mermaid's Immortality. Also on the docket: why it's good sometimes for a game to make you queasy.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2350 107 full 94. Let’s Play! - The Cave of Time 94. Let’s Play! - The Cave of Time https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/94-let-s-play-the-cave-of-time/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/94-let-s-play-the-cave-of-time/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:17:40 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/6cbaf4da-0dd0-3d88-aeba-70f0c8c9ead4 Our gift to our Patreon subscribers this holiday season: a chill playthrough of the first book in the Choose Your Own Adventure series! Join Lauryn and Nicholas as they make bad choices and critique the game's UI design!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Our gift to our Patreon subscribers this holiday season: a chill playthrough of the first book in the Choose Your Own Adventure series! Join Lauryn and Nicholas as they make bad choices and critique the game's UI design!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 191 106 full 93. Same As It Ever Was - Year End Special Pt. 1 93. Same As It Ever Was - Year End Special Pt. 1 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/93-same-as-it-ever-was-year-end-special-pt-1/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/93-same-as-it-ever-was-year-end-special-pt-1/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:58:59 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/d8f69f9e-fd07-357c-8394-ae9f11a9429c Lauryn and Nicholas discuss gamedev industry trends from the past year and try to explain why endless series of sequels and remakes may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss gamedev industry trends from the past year and try to explain why endless series of sequels and remakes may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2120 105 full UNLOCKED! 41. Furidashi Behind the Scenes UNLOCKED! 41. Furidashi Behind the Scenes https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/unlocked-41-furidashi-behind-the-scenes/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/unlocked-41-furidashi-behind-the-scenes/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2022 07:28:21 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/8aa58891-a85d-3c79-a547-57c2d8b4a9a1 Last year Lauryn and Nicholas went through a year in Furidashi and as part of that recorded a behind the scenes for their Patreon subscribers. We're unlocking that episode now for all to enjoy!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Last year Lauryn and Nicholas went through a year in Furidashi and as part of that recorded a behind the scenes for their Patreon subscribers. We're unlocking that episode now for all to enjoy!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2447 104 full 92. Ludonarrative Harmony? 92. Ludonarrative Harmony? https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/92-ludonarrative-harmony/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/92-ludonarrative-harmony/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:08:25 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/a71cf0c2-dd7b-344e-a81c-542b89df3283 Nicholas tries to help Lauryn exorcise all those academic demons that still haunt her brain, as they look back on her thesis project re: ludonarrative harmony and try to reconceptualize it based on what they've learned over Furidashi's two years of existence.

Clint Hocking on "Ludonarrative Dissonance"

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas tries to help Lauryn exorcise all those academic demons that still haunt her brain, as they look back on her thesis project re: ludonarrative harmony and try to reconceptualize it based on what they've learned over Furidashi's two years of existence.

Clint Hocking on "Ludonarrative Dissonance"

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 354 103 full 91. VR Failing 91. VR Failing https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/91-vr-failing/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/91-vr-failing/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2022 07:51:22 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/8ce7ad5e-cbd7-36dd-927e-c361ad7cabde Lauryn and Nicholas dive into why virtual reality gaming seems to keep tripping over itself, how the body does and does not function as a "controller," and why we need to look more broadly to understand the efficacy of simulated experiences.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas dive into why virtual reality gaming seems to keep tripping over itself, how the body does and does not function as a "controller," and why we need to look more broadly to understand the efficacy of simulated experiences.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2107 102 full 90. Subjective Progression 90. Subjective Progression https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/90-subjective-progression/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/90-subjective-progression/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:24:22 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/15ab6695-e3bc-341d-a899-3fd45266c427 Lauryn and Nicholas take a page out of their current book project--quite literally--and discuss how you as a player develop through gameplay both in response to but also independent of the particular game in question. Also: Lauryn is a crow?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas take a page out of their current book project--quite literally--and discuss how you as a player develop through gameplay both in response to but also independent of the particular game in question. Also: Lauryn is a crow?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 152 101 full 89. Accessing Super Smash Bros. 89. Accessing Super Smash Bros. https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/89-accessing-super-smash-bros/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/89-accessing-super-smash-bros/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:04:03 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/05140e2c-acc1-3a5a-afe7-87d0fdd1a722 Riffing on Sakurai Masahiro's recent video on the origins of Super Smash Bros., Lauryn and Nicholas discuss fighting games, accessibility, and how to innovate by responding and adapting to genre conventions rather than trying to wholly reinvent them.

Sakurai on Super Smash Bros.

Furidashi Ep. 11 on controls and accessibility

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Riffing on Sakurai Masahiro's recent video on the origins of Super Smash Bros., Lauryn and Nicholas discuss fighting games, accessibility, and how to innovate by responding and adapting to genre conventions rather than trying to wholly reinvent them.

Sakurai on Super Smash Bros.

Furidashi Ep. 11 on controls and accessibility

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2244 100 full 88. Combat Encounters 88. Combat Encounters https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/88-combat-encounters/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/88-combat-encounters/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2022 07:58:32 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/2d6d1173-35d2-3a43-a720-0263dd8bb1e9 Following up on previous discussions concerning the relationship between subjectivity and gameplay, Lauryn and Nicholas look at combat not from the perspective of mechanics and systems but more holistically, through the encounter.

Episode 53: Character and Social Class in Dishonored

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Following up on previous discussions concerning the relationship between subjectivity and gameplay, Lauryn and Nicholas look at combat not from the perspective of mechanics and systems but more holistically, through the encounter.

Episode 53: Character and Social Class in Dishonored

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 150 99 full 87. Combat as Narrative 87. Combat as Narrative https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/87-combat-as-narrative/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/87-combat-as-narrative/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2022 08:11:58 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/04695c44-e923-329c-ab48-6cb30c7b0501 Lauryn and Nicholas continue on the theme of thinking of gameplay in narratological terms by looking at combat encounters as a microcosm of broader narrative structures. Also on the docket: what it feels like to be pumbled.

Tilda vs. The Widow - Into the Badlands

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas continue on the theme of thinking of gameplay in narratological terms by looking at combat encounters as a microcosm of broader narrative structures. Also on the docket: what it feels like to be pumbled.

Tilda vs. The Widow - Into the Badlands

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2079 98 full 86. Learning Thru Immersion 86. Learning Thru Immersion https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/86-learning-thru-immersion/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/86-learning-thru-immersion/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:26:36 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/a9e354af-d7da-3a66-a665-a72c49224005 Following up on the previous episode, Lauryn and Nicholas explore the concept of the "immersive sim" and how games try to teach their players what do through more seamless, tutorial-like elements.

Interview with Warren Spector from Glixel 

Guardian Piece on Immersion

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Following up on the previous episode, Lauryn and Nicholas explore the concept of the "immersive sim" and how games try to teach their players what do through more seamless, tutorial-like elements.

Interview with Warren Spector from Glixel 

Guardian Piece on Immersion

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 97 full 85. The Immersion Spectrum 85. The Immersion Spectrum https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/85-the-immersion-spectrum/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/85-the-immersion-spectrum/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2022 08:00:32 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/da54b9eb-c5ba-3ab4-af5a-8f68ff0443da Lauryn and Nicholas finally get around to defining (and critiquing) the concept of immersion, what flow is, and why the two concepts are not all that distinct. Also: Lauryn hates chess.

Jason VandenBerghe, "Applying the 5 Domains of Play"

Episode 3 - Gaming Player Psychology

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas finally get around to defining (and critiquing) the concept of immersion, what flow is, and why the two concepts are not all that distinct. Also: Lauryn hates chess.

Jason VandenBerghe, "Applying the 5 Domains of Play"

Episode 3 - Gaming Player Psychology

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2054 96 full 84. Hard and Soft World Building 84. Hard and Soft World Building https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/84-hard-and-soft-world-building/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/84-hard-and-soft-world-building/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/78ce5b98-8e72-3b48-983b-606c4ab72669 Lauryn and Nicholas continue from the free episode's conversation to critique the distinction between hard and soft world building in game narrative, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to properly address the subjective feel of a game.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas continue from the free episode's conversation to critique the distinction between hard and soft world building in game narrative, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to properly address the subjective feel of a game.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 140 95 full 83. World Building in Game Design 83. World Building in Game Design https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/83-world-building-in-game-design/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/83-world-building-in-game-design/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2022 08:32:59 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/c7cf7a39-0c76-3591-9484-4dbcd6687616 Lauryn and Nicholas cancel the Furidashi experience to become an Alchemy of Souls fancast... or they discuss the joys and pitfalls of world-building for game design. Also: Lauryn gets heartburn over Assassin's Creed.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas cancel the Furidashi experience to become an Alchemy of Souls fancast... or they discuss the joys and pitfalls of world-building for game design. Also: Lauryn gets heartburn over Assassin's Creed.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2032 94 full 82. Progression Is [Not] Narrative (Teaser) 82. Progression Is [Not] Narrative (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/82-progression-is-not-narrative-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/82-progression-is-not-narrative-teaser/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2022 08:21:12 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/78ac0d1f-9b5a-3ca7-b983-b0bb43e4e0a8 Lauryn and Nicholas get into the weeds about how progression and narrative systems both overlap and are distinct from one another.

67. Adventures in Management: Backpack Hero

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

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Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas get into the weeds about how progression and narrative systems both overlap and are distinct from one another.

67. Adventures in Management: Backpack Hero

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

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Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 123 93 full 81. Player Narrative vs. Game Narrative 81. Player Narrative vs. Game Narrative https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/81-player-narrative-vs-game-narrative/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/81-player-narrative-vs-game-narrative/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2022 08:28:56 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/601bd1ea-65ff-3a74-abed-b366a5f9715d Riffing on the dichotomy between dev driven game design and player driven design, Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the particulars of plotting game narratives and making them work with video game mechanics and systems.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Riffing on the dichotomy between dev driven game design and player driven design, Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the particulars of plotting game narratives and making them work with video game mechanics and systems.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2053 92 full 80. Storytelling Through Gameplay (Teaser) 80. Storytelling Through Gameplay (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/80-storytelling-through-gameplay/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/80-storytelling-through-gameplay/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/e26407b6-1b16-3659-9414-5fe2538e00fe Lauryn and Nicholas dive deeper into the question of what story is in video games and address things like audio cuing, nonverbal signaling, and when the dissonance between gameplay and what's "supposed" to be happening can be used toward productive ends.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas dive deeper into the question of what story is in video games and address things like audio cuing, nonverbal signaling, and when the dissonance between gameplay and what's "supposed" to be happening can be used toward productive ends.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 152 91 full 79. The ”What” of Video Game Storytelling 79. The ”What” of Video Game Storytelling https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/79-the-what-of-video-game-storytelling/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/79-the-what-of-video-game-storytelling/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/304df046-35e4-3fb7-98e6-5b31970b0df3 Setting aside the endless talk of systems and mechanics, Lauryn and Nicholas discuss what story in games looks like and the ways in which it differs from other media, such as film or literature.

Furidashi Youtube Channel

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Setting aside the endless talk of systems and mechanics, Lauryn and Nicholas discuss what story in games looks like and the ways in which it differs from other media, such as film or literature.

Furidashi Youtube Channel

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2011 90 full 78. Narrative vs. Progression (Teaser) 78. Narrative vs. Progression (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/78-narrative-vs-progression-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/78-narrative-vs-progression-teaser/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/93fb04cd-d224-3170-98b9-e240815c9e6b Lauryn and Nicholas address the occasional overlap between narrative and progression systems but also get into the weeds about what make them distinct from both a gameplay and backend perspective.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas address the occasional overlap between narrative and progression systems but also get into the weeds about what make them distinct from both a gameplay and backend perspective.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 145 89 full 77. Narrative Delivery in Video Games 77. Narrative Delivery in Video Games https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/77-narrative-delivery-in-video-games/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/77-narrative-delivery-in-video-games/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/2b151ee7-a7f7-38b4-b2f2-6a6d135c503c Lauryn schools Nicholas about the several methods games use to convey narrative content, and no... we're not just talking cutscenes.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn schools Nicholas about the several methods games use to convey narrative content, and no... we're not just talking cutscenes.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2334 88 full 76. MDA: Games As Commodities? (Teaser) 76. MDA: Games As Commodities? (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/76-mda-games-as-commodities-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/76-mda-games-as-commodities-teaser/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/29b1300b-c2bc-3dce-9bf2-e7e345ffd8e1 Lauryn and Nicholas return to the MDA (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) framework to show how it was of a particular time and describes a game production process that may not be as useful in the current era.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas return to the MDA (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) framework to show how it was of a particular time and describes a game production process that may not be as useful in the current era.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 121 87 full 75. Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics 75. Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/75-mechanics-dynamics-aesthetics/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/75-mechanics-dynamics-aesthetics/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/55a446b0-2055-3774-8f5f-0c329d4cb7c5 Lauryn and Nicholas take a look at the MDA Framework for game design, how it envisions games as "artifacts," and how it structures the design process as a discrete series of movements from mechanics to systems to player experience.

MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research

Episode 3: Gaming Player Psychology (re: Jason VandenBerghe)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas take a look at the MDA Framework for game design, how it envisions games as "artifacts," and how it structures the design process as a discrete series of movements from mechanics to systems to player experience.

MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research

Episode 3: Gaming Player Psychology (re: Jason VandenBerghe)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2147 86 full 74. Narrative Systems (Teaser) 74. Narrative Systems (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/74-narrative-systems-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/74-narrative-systems-teaser/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/a0709e14-366e-3f53-9e90-5849a08c08dc Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the similarities and differences between narrative and progression systems as well as how games have in recent years moved away from the "narrative wrapper" to make storytelling a more fully integrated game function.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the similarities and differences between narrative and progression systems as well as how games have in recent years moved away from the "narrative wrapper" to make storytelling a more fully integrated game function.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 85 full 73. System[s] Shock 73. System[s] Shock https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/73-systems-shock/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/73-systems-shock/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2022 10:39:05 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/0ae391fe-17e1-36eb-aa53-907f2f5f7430 Lauryn and Nicholas jack into their cyberdecks to hack the motherbrain of game design: the system! Also on the docket: the fate the two GMs.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas jack into their cyberdecks to hack the motherbrain of game design: the system! Also on the docket: the fate the two GMs.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2036 84 full 72. Meaningful Mechanics, Meaningful Choices (Teaser) 72. Meaningful Mechanics, Meaningful Choices (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/72-meaningful-mechanics-meaningful-choices-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/72-meaningful-mechanics-meaningful-choices-teaser/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/ac6459d7-ad02-3655-a9cd-a2543bfcbd9f Following up from their previous discussion, Lauryn and Nicholas get into the nitty-gritty as to what constitutes "meaningful mechanics" and how to make game design decisions that successfully model or provide some analogue to real life experiences. Also on the docket: walkable neighborhoods?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Following up from their previous discussion, Lauryn and Nicholas get into the nitty-gritty as to what constitutes "meaningful mechanics" and how to make game design decisions that successfully model or provide some analogue to real life experiences. Also on the docket: walkable neighborhoods?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 150 83 full 71. Designing UrbanPlan 71. Designing UrbanPlan https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/71-designing-urbanplan/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/71-designing-urbanplan/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/c3f3d889-e88d-3ef9-8e68-5b68054293fb Lauryn makes Nicholas finally explain the tabletop game he's working on in his spare time, called UrbanPlan, that tries to model the push and pull of local politicking and land use through game mechanics. Also on the docket: Lauryn does ad copy!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn makes Nicholas finally explain the tabletop game he's working on in his spare time, called UrbanPlan, that tries to model the push and pull of local politicking and land use through game mechanics. Also on the docket: Lauryn does ad copy!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2048 82 full 70. Gameplay is Narrative? w/ Ze and Nim! (Teaser) 70. Gameplay is Narrative? w/ Ze and Nim! (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/70-gameplay-is-narrative-w-ze-and-nim-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/70-gameplay-is-narrative-w-ze-and-nim-teaser/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/14ca27ed-1e78-36e4-95bc-42384578cb9a Second half of our conversation with Square Weasel Studio on aesthetics and storytelling, in which we discuss the odd disconnect between the games we play and the games we make and how disorienting yourself is creatively productive.

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Second half of our conversation with Square Weasel Studio on aesthetics and storytelling, in which we discuss the odd disconnect between the games we play and the games we make and how disorienting yourself is creatively productive.

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 81 full 69. Aesthetics & Storytelling w/ Ze and Nim! 69. Aesthetics & Storytelling w/ Ze and Nim! https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/69-aesthetics-storytelling-w-ze-and-nim/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/69-aesthetics-storytelling-w-ze-and-nim/#comments Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/de434fa7-735e-3dea-8161-5ef6256e57c6 Ze and Nim from Square Weasel join Nicholas to talk about the interplay between visual style and narrative in game design.

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Ze and Nim from Square Weasel join Nicholas to talk about the interplay between visual style and narrative in game design.

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2129 80 full 68. Mechanics III: Action Economy (Teaser) 68. Mechanics III: Action Economy (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/68-mechanics-iii-action-economy/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/68-mechanics-iii-action-economy/#comments Mon, 30 May 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/6fcf7111-c5dc-34a6-a875-104e77761cc5 The best combo-breaker in the gamedev podcast scene, Lauryn and Nicholas, discuss that interplay of mechanics we all the "action economy" and ask the most important question: do you even read, bro?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> The best combo-breaker in the gamedev podcast scene, Lauryn and Nicholas, discuss that interplay of mechanics we all the "action economy" and ask the most important question: do you even read, bro?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 79 full 67. Adventures in Management: Backpack Hero 67. Adventures in Management: Backpack Hero https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/67-adventures-in-management-backpack-hero/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/67-adventures-in-management-backpack-hero/#comments Mon, 23 May 2022 07:23:23 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/a411dead-4ea6-34c0-aa17-d04695fc49f0 Lauryn and Nicholas continue their discussion of "management" style mechanics and how gameplay normally associated with strategy games can enhance more "adventure" oriented ones, with specific refence to the recent indie game Backpack Hero.

Episode where we critique ludonarrative harmony/dissonance

Our behind-the-scenes Patreon episode

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas continue their discussion of "management" style mechanics and how gameplay normally associated with strategy games can enhance more "adventure" oriented ones, with specific refence to the recent indie game Backpack Hero.

Episode where we critique ludonarrative harmony/dissonance

Our behind-the-scenes Patreon episode

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2100 78 full 66. Finding Peace in 4X Games (Teaser) 66. Finding Peace in 4X Games (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/66-finding-peace-in-4x-games-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/66-finding-peace-in-4x-games-teaser/#comments Mon, 16 May 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/1d02b021-1e8d-304e-96f5-79fedbe22ee4 Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the fundamental appeal of so-called 4X games (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) and the pleasures of gameplay focused on control and management.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the fundamental appeal of so-called 4X games (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) and the pleasures of gameplay focused on control and management.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 136 77 full 65. Gameplay Loops & Emergent Narrative 65. Gameplay Loops & Emergent Narrative https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/65-gameplay-loops-emergent-narrative/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/65-gameplay-loops-emergent-narrative/#comments Mon, 09 May 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/6f792d59-0f30-3851-a2bf-268e3e49d848 We do a deep dive into 2021's Loop Hero to talk about what games look like when they're less focused on combat and action and more on planning and control. What kinds of narratives emerge when you're not being force fed a story?

Chillrant 11: A Critique of the Core Gameplay Loop

The Core Game Design Loop

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> We do a deep dive into 2021's Loop Hero to talk about what games look like when they're less focused on combat and action and more on planning and control. What kinds of narratives emerge when you're not being force fed a story?

Chillrant 11: A Critique of the Core Gameplay Loop

The Core Game Design Loop

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1937 76 full 64. Furidashi After Dark: The Mercenary Experience (Teaser) 64. Furidashi After Dark: The Mercenary Experience (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/64-furidashi-after-dark-the-mercenary-experience-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/64-furidashi-after-dark-the-mercenary-experience-teaser/#comments Mon, 02 May 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/b4f0e8ce-91f1-302c-9c4c-808ca6ee1cce Pour yourself a drink and strap in for some real talk about our stellar production values, the joy of doing things out of spite, and the oddly mercenary nature of working in gamedev or teaching in the academy.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Pour yourself a drink and strap in for some real talk about our stellar production values, the joy of doing things out of spite, and the oddly mercenary nature of working in gamedev or teaching in the academy.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 146 75 full 63. Tabletop Design: Social Mechanics 63. Tabletop Design: Social Mechanics https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/63-tabletop-design-social-mechanics/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/63-tabletop-design-social-mechanics/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:02:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/aad43788-3548-3057-a057-49284e77cd9d In our ongoing series on tabletop game design, we delve into the social aspects of gaming in meatspace and the fundamental differences between it and gaming online. Also: Tabletop Simulator PUGs?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In our ongoing series on tabletop game design, we delve into the social aspects of gaming in meatspace and the fundamental differences between it and gaming online. Also: Tabletop Simulator PUGs?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2239 74 full 62. Making Something True w/ Square Weasel Studio (Teaser) 62. Making Something True w/ Square Weasel Studio (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/62-making-something-true-w-square-weasel-studio/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/62-making-something-true-w-square-weasel-studio/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/12224ce7-163f-36a2-bd3c-38b3444c95f5 We delve into what it means to make a game that is more about expression and evoking a mood than about making a finely tuned product. Also: four introverts walk into a podcast...

Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Square Weasel Studio: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> We delve into what it means to make a game that is more about expression and evoking a mood than about making a finely tuned product. Also: four introverts walk into a podcast...

Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Square Weasel Studio: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 150 73 full 61. Interview w/ Square Weasel Studio 61. Interview w/ Square Weasel Studio https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/61-interview-w-square-weasel-studio/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/61-interview-w-square-weasel-studio/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2022 08:27:22 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/ea0eb654-d74a-3810-9d74-cab4b579d6cf This week we sat down with Ze and Nim, the devs behind Square Weasel Studio, to talk about their new game, Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder, visual novels, and their unusual path to indie dev. Also: MANY CATS!!!

Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder on Itch.io

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> This week we sat down with Ze and Nim, the devs behind Square Weasel Studio, to talk about their new game, Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder, visual novels, and their unusual path to indie dev. Also: MANY CATS!!!

Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder on Itch.io

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2615 72 full 60. Tabletop Design: Game Types (Teaser) 60. Tabletop Design: Game Types (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/60-tabletop-design-game-types-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/60-tabletop-design-game-types-teaser/#comments Mon, 04 Apr 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/011ecff0-62ed-3825-8a70-c96e4dbcc63c We discuss three primary tabletop games times--board games, pen and paper, and card games--as well as the major design distinctions between the three. Also: capitalism is... good?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> We discuss three primary tabletop games times--board games, pen and paper, and card games--as well as the major design distinctions between the three. Also: capitalism is... good?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 147 71 full 59. Tabletop Design: Taking Turns 59. Tabletop Design: Taking Turns https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/59-tabletop-design-taking-turns/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/59-tabletop-design-taking-turns/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/31a24cc7-ed0a-347f-95d8-1c1b4bfc0bf6 Lauryn and Nicholas begin a series of discussions concerning tabletop game design by delving into the ethical implications of one of the oldest systems in the millennia-long history of playing games: taking turns. Also on the docket: new haircuts?

Our Patreon episode on turns and games mechanics

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas begin a series of discussions concerning tabletop game design by delving into the ethical implications of one of the oldest systems in the millennia-long history of playing games: taking turns. Also on the docket: new haircuts?

Our Patreon episode on turns and games mechanics

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1979 70 full 58. Mechanics II - Mechanics vs. Systems (Teaser) 58. Mechanics II - Mechanics vs. Systems (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/58-mechanics-ii-mechanics-vs-systems-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/58-mechanics-ii-mechanics-vs-systems-teaser/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/989858b7-5048-397f-bc7e-14296ac378cf We consider what makes game systems distinct from game mechanics and how the two interact with each other to form the basis of a game's ruleset.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> We consider what makes game systems distinct from game mechanics and how the two interact with each other to form the basis of a game's ruleset.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 69 full 57. Order from RNG 57. Order from RNG https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/57-order-from-rng/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/57-order-from-rng/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2022 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/2c3cd16d-34ae-3e1b-b494-07c312f8f844 Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how randomness and procedural generation are used in game design to elicit excitement and, at times, anxiety. Also: don't do drugs?

Our episode on Disco Elysium

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how randomness and procedural generation are used in game design to elicit excitement and, at times, anxiety. Also: don't do drugs?

Our episode on Disco Elysium

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2077 68 full 56. Mechanics I - What Are Mechanics? (Teaser) 56. Mechanics I - What Are Mechanics? (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/56-mechanics-i-what-are-mechanics-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/56-mechanics-i-what-are-mechanics-teaser/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/694a110d-75d8-3343-9105-d9373daab985 Lauryn and Nicholas deconstruct the arbitrary distinction between mechanics and gameplay to examine what a player centric conception of mechanics would look like.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas deconstruct the arbitrary distinction between mechanics and gameplay to examine what a player centric conception of mechanics would look like.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 132 67 full 55. Narrative Mechanics in Disco Elysium 55. Narrative Mechanics in Disco Elysium https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/55-narrative-mechanics-in-disco-elysium/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/55-narrative-mechanics-in-disco-elysium/#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/b1bac4b3-5071-3bdb-bc5a-f8f0c6304aeb Lauryn bought Nicholas a copy of Disco Elysium, and a heated discussion of narrative integration into mechanics and rulesets ensued! Also: Don't. F**k. With. Kim. Kitsuragi.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn bought Nicholas a copy of Disco Elysium, and a heated discussion of narrative integration into mechanics and rulesets ensued! Also: Don't. F**k. With. Kim. Kitsuragi.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2383 66 full 54. The Choice Matrix Reloaded (Teaser) 54. The Choice Matrix Reloaded (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/54-the-choice-matrix-reloaded-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/54-the-choice-matrix-reloaded-teaser/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/4f67c6a1-3e57-3bbe-bf7c-c128df8748de Lauryn's choice matrix returns for an in depth discussion of how gamedev's make choices about what affordances to give to players and how. Also: JUMP!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn's choice matrix returns for an in depth discussion of how gamedev's make choices about what affordances to give to players and how. Also: JUMP!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 140 64 full BONUS: Lesson 1 - Paper Doll Logic BONUS: Lesson 1 - Paper Doll Logic https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/bonus-lesson-1-paper-doll-logic/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/bonus-lesson-1-paper-doll-logic/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/5d67ec7c-0b0f-3208-be60-db4ab573e3fb In this episode, we begin our course on character and identity with an exploration of the "paper doll" concept in roleplaying games and its relevance for how games construe player choice as a means to flesh out who our avatars are in game.

Unlock the full set of lessons for $15 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> In this episode, we begin our course on character and identity with an exploration of the "paper doll" concept in roleplaying games and its relevance for how games construe player choice as a means to flesh out who our avatars are in game.

Unlock the full set of lessons for $15 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1085 65 full 53. Character & Social Class in Dishonored 53. Character & Social Class in Dishonored https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/53-character-social-class-in-dishonored/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/53-character-social-class-in-dishonored/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/c176a7a2-bae3-3b6a-ae3a-2403a8c27087 Lauryn and Nicholas talk class struggle and how [not] to represent it in gameplay, with reference to the Dead Domain video on Dishonored's communist subtext. Also: Bioshock dethroned?!

Dishonored's Communist Subtext - Of Rats And Royalty

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas talk class struggle and how [not] to represent it in gameplay, with reference to the Dead Domain video on Dishonored's communist subtext. Also: Bioshock dethroned?!

Dishonored's Communist Subtext - Of Rats And Royalty

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2156 63 full 52. The Choice Matrix (Teaser) 52. The Choice Matrix (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/52-the-choice-matrix-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/52-the-choice-matrix-teaser/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/950ea05c-0b3e-36e8-bc39-1763ab146a1c Lauryn and Nicholas discuss a recent Game Maker's Toolkit video on "invisible choices" and try to analyze the many axes of how choices are implemented in video game design. Also: Furidashi After Dark.

GMTK episode on "invisible choices"

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss a recent Game Maker's Toolkit video on "invisible choices" and try to analyze the many axes of how choices are implemented in video game design. Also: Furidashi After Dark.

GMTK episode on "invisible choices"

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 130 62 full 51. Monopolies & Platform Economies 51. Monopolies & Platform Economies https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/51-monopolies-platform-economies/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/51-monopolies-platform-economies/#comments Mon, 31 Jan 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/bcfa1b2e-9cf9-307a-80c0-a249cd7f0f0c We discuss the recently announced deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, the ramifications of that deal for the expanded platform economy it will create, and Lauryn maybe roasts Nicholas for being a class traitor?

Previous episode on the Epic/Apple lawsuit

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> We discuss the recently announced deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, the ramifications of that deal for the expanded platform economy it will create, and Lauryn maybe roasts Nicholas for being a class traitor?

Previous episode on the Epic/Apple lawsuit

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2461 61 full 50. Games And/Or Animation (Teaser) 50. Games And/Or Animation (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/50-games-andor-animation-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/50-games-andor-animation-teaser/#comments Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/e86f0636-1078-3f46-8434-edb3ed8376d0 We look at Oshii Mamoru's approach to understanding the distinctions between live action and animated film and how that might help inform the question of how game designers manage the balance of control between the player and the software they play. Also: The Matrix is pretentious fun.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> We look at Oshii Mamoru's approach to understanding the distinctions between live action and animated film and how that might help inform the question of how game designers manage the balance of control between the player and the software they play. Also: The Matrix is pretentious fun.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 122 60 full 49. Game Engines and Film Production 49. Game Engines and Film Production https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/49-game-engines-and-film-production/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/49-game-engines-and-film-production/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2022 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/486f74e5-4da3-3feb-a4cd-9d0b02807d38 Lauryn and Nicholas look at the evolution of Unreal Engine from an ordinary development kit to the basis for a wide range of media production as well as the broader ramifications of film and video game production bleeding into each other. Also on the docket: The Matrix Awakens and the uncanny valley.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas look at the evolution of Unreal Engine from an ordinary development kit to the basis for a wide range of media production as well as the broader ramifications of film and video game production bleeding into each other. Also on the docket: The Matrix Awakens and the uncanny valley.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2287 59 full 48. 2021 Surprises and Letdowns 48. 2021 Surprises and Letdowns https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/48-2021-surprises-and-letdowns/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/48-2021-surprises-and-letdowns/#comments Mon, 27 Dec 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/e88b88e7-8300-3f78-b69e-31a917c9f42b Find out who will win this year's Furidashi Prize (spoilers: there is no prize), what games pleasantly surprised us this year, and which ones we felt missed the mark, even where we didn't necessarily dislike them.

What's Your Gender? playthrough

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Find out who will win this year's Furidashi Prize (spoilers: there is no prize), what games pleasantly surprised us this year, and which ones we felt missed the mark, even where we didn't necessarily dislike them.

What's Your Gender? playthrough

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2637 58 full 47. Bored Game Theory (Teaser) 47. Bored Game Theory (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/47-bored-game-theory-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/47-bored-game-theory-teaser/#comments Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/f19359f1-6afd-3478-a07a-ed614ab963d7 The first of hopefully many more episodes on tabletop games, with a special emphasis on sociality and how to use board games to get along with all the people we're forced to hang out with. Also: Fantasy Flight, please sponsor us!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> The first of hopefully many more episodes on tabletop games, with a special emphasis on sociality and how to use board games to get along with all the people we're forced to hang out with. Also: Fantasy Flight, please sponsor us!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 57 full 46. Cozy Game Theory 46. Cozy Game Theory https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/46-cozy-game-theory/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/46-cozy-game-theory/#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/5e564360-c256-3975-a6ba-0c8f324dc4ac Our holiday episode! Lauryn and Nicholas talk about what makes a game warm and cozy, so that you can avoid dealing with your family this holiday season!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Our holiday episode! Lauryn and Nicholas talk about what makes a game warm and cozy, so that you can avoid dealing with your family this holiday season!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2239 56 full 45. Advocacy in Video Game Production (Teaser) 45. Advocacy in Video Game Production (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/45-advocacy-in-video-game-production-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/45-advocacy-in-video-game-production-teaser/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/5522f125-b4eb-3b0c-9b88-f068148c8833 Nicholas interrogates Lauryn about the various stages of the video game production process, and together they try to figure out ways to get past doing things the way they've always been done, which only serves to exclude certain voices.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas interrogates Lauryn about the various stages of the video game production process, and together they try to figure out ways to get past doing things the way they've always been done, which only serves to exclude certain voices.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 144 55 full 44. AAA Impediments to Better Representation 44. AAA Impediments to Better Representation https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/44-aaa-impediments-to-better-representation/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/44-aaa-impediments-to-better-representation/#comments Mon, 29 Nov 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/bf25ef78-f49f-3fd2-a2d1-a55732e30028 Lauryn and Nicholas examine why it is mass market games have such a difficult time representing marginalized groups, when indie games seem to do it so easily. Also starring: Lauryn's Slack adventures and "narrative wrappers."

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas examine why it is mass market games have such a difficult time representing marginalized groups, when indie games seem to do it so easily. Also starring: Lauryn's Slack adventures and "narrative wrappers."

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2475 54 full 43. What Games Make of Us (Teaser) 43. What Games Make of Us (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/43-what-games-make-of-us/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/43-what-games-make-of-us/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/76c20e35-61c7-3684-9918-b5f26aca4a10 Following up on their interview with Russ Perkins, Lauryn and Nicholas psychoanalyze each other by going back into their pasts, thinking about their most formative game experiences, what kinds critical perspectives they have as a result. Also on the docket: Even. More. FFXIV. Talk.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Following up on their interview with Russ Perkins, Lauryn and Nicholas psychoanalyze each other by going back into their pasts, thinking about their most formative game experiences, what kinds critical perspectives they have as a result. Also on the docket: Even. More. FFXIV. Talk.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 143 53 full 42. Seduced by Pac-Man w/ Russ Perkins 42. Seduced by Pac-Man w/ Russ Perkins https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/42-seduced-by-pac-man-w-russ-perkins/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/42-seduced-by-pac-man-w-russ-perkins/#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/56d43b7f-e2b6-38a5-925b-3d21176f7159 Russ Perkins joins Lauryn and Nicholas to talk uncommon careers in gamedev, cocktail arcade cabinets, and the importance of celebrating in your peers' success. Also: the delightful peculiarities of Firewatch and how Russ is just like a pineapple pizza.

Joygasm Podcast

Russ's portfolio

https://twitter.com/Russell_Perkins

Furidashi Patreon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Russ Perkins joins Lauryn and Nicholas to talk uncommon careers in gamedev, cocktail arcade cabinets, and the importance of celebrating in your peers' success. Also: the delightful peculiarities of Firewatch and how Russ is just like a pineapple pizza.

Joygasm Podcast

Russ's portfolio

https://twitter.com/Russell_Perkins

Furidashi Patreon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2788 52 full *UNLOCKED* 27. Creative Direction and Auteur Theory *UNLOCKED* 27. Creative Direction and Auteur Theory https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/unlocked-27-creative-direction-and-auteur-theory/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/unlocked-27-creative-direction-and-auteur-theory/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:01:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/936b3bc6-10d1-39da-9ece-6fb8eacb8ba0 Lauryn and Nicholas try to explain the how's and why's of video game production in terms of auteur theory, where, despite being made by an army of gamedevs, the games themselves seem to have an "authorial" vision.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas try to explain the how's and why's of video game production in terms of auteur theory, where, despite being made by an army of gamedevs, the games themselves seem to have an "authorial" vision.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2415 51 full 41. Furidashi Behind the Scenes (Teaser) 41. Furidashi Behind the Scenes (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/41-furidashi-behind-the-scenes-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/41-furidashi-behind-the-scenes-teaser/#comments Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/65061002-741f-3598-a404-c9f83087cfec Hear how the sausage gets made! Or not made! Lauryn and Nicholas talk a bit about their personal backgrounds, how they go about making the podcast, and how the episodes try to model a particular way of thinking about game design.

Ep. 10 - Free to Role Play

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Hear how the sausage gets made! Or not made! Lauryn and Nicholas talk a bit about their personal backgrounds, how they go about making the podcast, and how the episodes try to model a particular way of thinking about game design.

Ep. 10 - Free to Role Play

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 139 50 full 40. Furidashi Year in Review 40. Furidashi Year in Review https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/40-furidashi-year-in-review/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/40-furidashi-year-in-review/#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/1a486f03-d967-3d5d-ab29-867330a8817e Lauryn and Nicholas look back on some of our and your favorite episodes, talk about what we think of them now, and announce big changes going forward! Thank you all for a great year and many more to come!

Ep. 6 - Hell is Other Games

Ep. 8 - There's No Such Thing as a JRPG

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas look back on some of our and your favorite episodes, talk about what we think of them now, and announce big changes going forward! Thank you all for a great year and many more to come!

Ep. 6 - Hell is Other Games

Ep. 8 - There's No Such Thing as a JRPG

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2236 49 full 39. The Game You Want vs. The Game You Make (Teaser) 39. The Game You Want vs. The Game You Make (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/39-the-game-you-want-vs-the-game-you-make/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/39-the-game-you-want-vs-the-game-you-make/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/01037d64-4a53-348b-bf96-2895ec0ac11f Round 2 with Masao Kobayashi, we finally talk about intention in game design and how various forces in video game production maybe cause you to make a game wholly different from the one you set out to. Also: Dynasty Warriors, and, seriously, if you want to help pay for Banana Whiplash...

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Masao: https://twitter.com/MegaMasao

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Round 2 with Masao Kobayashi, we finally talk about intention in game design and how various forces in video game production maybe cause you to make a game wholly different from the one you set out to. Also: Dynasty Warriors, and, seriously, if you want to help pay for Banana Whiplash...

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Masao: https://twitter.com/MegaMasao

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 48 full 38. ”You Want Designers to Do Less” 38. ”You Want Designers to Do Less” https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/38-you-want-designers-to-do-less/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/38-you-want-designers-to-do-less/#comments Mon, 11 Oct 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/3fa411cc-7abb-3fd3-ab2b-7cc3287819c0 Returning champion Masao Kobayashi sits down with Lauryn and Nicholas to talk video game production and demystify the whole process from the perspective of a longtime producer in both AAA and indie studios. Also on the docket: if any VCs out there want to help make Banana Whiplash...

Masao: https://twitter.com/MegaMasao

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Returning champion Masao Kobayashi sits down with Lauryn and Nicholas to talk video game production and demystify the whole process from the perspective of a longtime producer in both AAA and indie studios. Also on the docket: if any VCs out there want to help make Banana Whiplash...

Masao: https://twitter.com/MegaMasao

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2861 47 full 37. The Real World of Mobile Gaming (Teaser) 37. The Real World of Mobile Gaming (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/37-the-real-world-of-mobile-gaming-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/37-the-real-world-of-mobile-gaming-teaser/#comments Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/0f408bea-f452-3513-a817-9ebd155aca50 Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how in recent years mobile games have entered the cross platform mix, how mobile games have reinvigorated arcades, and the future of mobile gaming from companies like Niantic. Also on the docket: redefining RPGs.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how in recent years mobile games have entered the cross platform mix, how mobile games have reinvigorated arcades, and the future of mobile gaming from companies like Niantic. Also on the docket: redefining RPGs.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 140 46 full 36. Mobile Games Revolution 36. Mobile Games Revolution https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/36-mobile-games-revolution/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/36-mobile-games-revolution/#comments Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/a12f21a4-ba8a-3d1f-b52e-ea15ee2d9e50 Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how mobile games should no longer be thought of as peripheral to the games industry but rather central, and how old video game design ideas are re-emerging as a result. Also starring: 80 MILLION ACTIVE USERS!!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how mobile games should no longer be thought of as peripheral to the games industry but rather central, and how old video game design ideas are re-emerging as a result. Also starring: 80 MILLION ACTIVE USERS!!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2115 45 full 35. Designing Moral Choices (Teaser) 35. Designing Moral Choices (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/35-designing-moral-choices-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/35-designing-moral-choices-teaser/#comments Mon, 20 Sep 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/7bd3ade4-5fec-313a-8eb5-5d5cebe3db59 Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how moral choices in games are as much about the total framework in which those choices appear as what the content of the individual choice is.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how moral choices in games are as much about the total framework in which those choices appear as what the content of the individual choice is.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 148 44 full 34. Eliciting Player Empathy 34. Eliciting Player Empathy https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/34-eliciting-player-empathy/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/34-eliciting-player-empathy/#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/4d67fa8f-0672-3b5b-bdc4-ebee5bf1d4b6 Lauryn and Nicholas address the difficult problem of how to design games that make you feel for and understand characters without completely alienating the player.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas address the difficult problem of how to design games that make you feel for and understand characters without completely alienating the player.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2210 43 full 33. Social Reproduction in Game Design (Teaser) 33. Social Reproduction in Game Design (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/33-social-reproduction-in-game-design-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/33-social-reproduction-in-game-design-teaser/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/cf24e69e-f75b-3616-8a4c-1551a1e3aaac We discuss how the games industry and its typical production cycles train and reproduce a particular kind of developer who, in turn, internalizes and perpetuates that cycle. Also on the docket: how Fordism relates to crunch!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> We discuss how the games industry and its typical production cycles train and reproduce a particular kind of developer who, in turn, internalizes and perpetuates that cycle. Also on the docket: how Fordism relates to crunch!

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 144 42 full 32. The Core Game Design Loop 32. The Core Game Design Loop https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/32-the-core-game-design-loop/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/32-the-core-game-design-loop/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/f866cf92-6e37-38f3-ac86-9e19dde97216 Following up from last week's chillrant on the core gameplay loop, Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how that loop is both a product and reflection of the "design loop" and compartmentalization under which video games are produced. Also: someone should hire us to make Battlefield's Edge!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Following up from last week's chillrant on the core gameplay loop, Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how that loop is both a product and reflection of the "design loop" and compartmentalization under which video games are produced. Also: someone should hire us to make Battlefield's Edge!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1947 41 full Chillrant 11 - A Critique of the Core Gameplay Loop Chillrant 11 - A Critique of the Core Gameplay Loop https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-11-a-critique-of-the-core-gameplay-loop/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-11-a-critique-of-the-core-gameplay-loop/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/7fad883d-df0e-3af2-9bc1-f7e4ed569d23 Nicholas explains what the core gameplay loop is, why it's so fundamental in game design, but also why it doesn't quite reflect what the player experiences in game. Also on the docket: dire bat wing stew.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas explains what the core gameplay loop is, why it's so fundamental in game design, but also why it doesn't quite reflect what the player experiences in game. Also on the docket: dire bat wing stew.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1622 40 full *UNLOCKED* 31. Misogyny Makes Games Worse *UNLOCKED* 31. Misogyny Makes Games Worse https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/unlocked-31-misogyny-makes-games-worse/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/unlocked-31-misogyny-makes-games-worse/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/af5732b3-7cf0-305c-99f2-2f1942b24a8b Lauryn and Nicholas look at specific examples of how the masculine assumptions embedded in how creative decisions regarding games get made make for experiences that could be richer and more compelling. Also: reskinned white dudes.

Takeshi and Hiroshi Chillrant: https://youtu.be/FT_6OdY6TT4

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas look at specific examples of how the masculine assumptions embedded in how creative decisions regarding games get made make for experiences that could be richer and more compelling. Also: reskinned white dudes.

Takeshi and Hiroshi Chillrant: https://youtu.be/FT_6OdY6TT4

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2286 39 full 30. How To Be a Gamedev Ally 30. How To Be a Gamedev Ally https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/30-how-to-be-a-gamedev-ally/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/30-how-to-be-a-gamedev-ally/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/9e81a6ab-fd23-36f5-9d56-78d613a2f0f6 Lauryn and Nicholas begin from the recent suit against Activision Blizzard and go on to discuss the rampant issues surrounding harassment in the video games industry and how to be a better ally to those who suffer within it. Also on the docket: Alanah Pearce on why boycotts aren't always a great idea.

Pearce's video: https://youtu.be/ApDnEuUOzS8

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas begin from the recent suit against Activision Blizzard and go on to discuss the rampant issues surrounding harassment in the video games industry and how to be a better ally to those who suffer within it. Also on the docket: Alanah Pearce on why boycotts aren't always a great idea.

Pearce's video: https://youtu.be/ApDnEuUOzS8

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2037 38 full 29. The Liminal Space Between Indie and AAA (Teaser) 29. The Liminal Space Between Indie and AAA (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/29-the-liminal-space-between-indie-and-aaa-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/29-the-liminal-space-between-indie-and-aaa-teaser/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/5fdbdf47-a35f-3f06-be8f-6b751ea471f0 Once Lauryn dreamed of making her sleeper hit UnderBlind, but now she languishes in the deep, dark halls of AAA development despair. Also on the docket: the legal veil between major studios and indie devs.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Once Lauryn dreamed of making her sleeper hit UnderBlind, but now she languishes in the deep, dark halls of AAA development despair. Also on the docket: the legal veil between major studios and indie devs.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 145 37 full 28. Of Oreos and Call of Duty 28. Of Oreos and Call of Duty https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/28-of-oreos-and-call-of-duty/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/28-of-oreos-and-call-of-duty/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/2c067876-7a92-3c57-acdb-94ed9c736663 Lauryn and Nicholas explain why AAA game studios operate the way they do and why the market as a whole causes them to gravitate toward producing franchises and otherwise very similar games.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas explain why AAA game studios operate the way they do and why the market as a whole causes them to gravitate toward producing franchises and otherwise very similar games.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2233 36 full Chillrant 10 - No Such Thing As Indie Games? (Teaser) Chillrant 10 - No Such Thing As Indie Games? (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-10-no-such-thing-as-indie-games/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-10-no-such-thing-as-indie-games/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:35:26 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/00abe717-0843-37e4-b5d1-9841d711c77a Nicholas wonders whether, given the way the market works now, if it even makes sense to make a distinction between indie developers and major studios.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

I Don't See the Branches, I See the Leaves by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/dtv/

Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

]]> Nicholas wonders whether, given the way the market works now, if it even makes sense to make a distinction between indie developers and major studios.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

I Don't See the Branches, I See the Leaves by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/dtv/

Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 149 35 full AggressiveRant - Stadia Ruins Game Design AggressiveRant - Stadia Ruins Game Design https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/aggressiverant-stadia-ruins-game-design/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/aggressiverant-stadia-ruins-game-design/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/41e19189-ce03-3009-acae-4413176ee259 Normally, we go off on our little tangents to some relaxing beats, but this week Lauryn really had to get something off her chest. On the docket: why Google Stadia's recently announced revenue sharing model is indicative of so many problems in contemporary game design.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Normally, we go off on our little tangents to some relaxing beats, but this week Lauryn really had to get something off her chest. On the docket: why Google Stadia's recently announced revenue sharing model is indicative of so many problems in contemporary game design.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1540 34 full 27. Creative Direction and Auteur Theory (Teaser) 27. Creative Direction and Auteur Theory (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/27-creative-direction-and-auteur-theory-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/27-creative-direction-and-auteur-theory-teaser/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/a13a1d96-82f8-3224-b90d-720132704653 Lauryn and Nicholas try to explain the how's and why's of video game production in terms of auteur theory, where, despite being made by an army of gamedevs, the games themselves seem to have an "authorial" vision.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas try to explain the how's and why's of video game production in terms of auteur theory, where, despite being made by an army of gamedevs, the games themselves seem to have an "authorial" vision.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 146 33 full 26. Many Roads to Gamedev w/ Masao Kobayashi 26. Many Roads to Gamedev w/ Masao Kobayashi https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/26-many-roads-to-gamedev/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/26-many-roads-to-gamedev/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2021 23:53:48 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/bb32a433-9f2a-3ae0-9f59-fdf6a8ecc140 We brought Masao Kobayashi on for a more industry focused episode, diving into the differences between the video games industry in the US, Canada, and Japan. Also starring: work/life balance and how weather makes you work better?

Masao: https://twitter.com/megamasao

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> We brought Masao Kobayashi on for a more industry focused episode, diving into the differences between the video games industry in the US, Canada, and Japan. Also starring: work/life balance and how weather makes you work better?

Masao: https://twitter.com/megamasao

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2135 32 full 25. We [Don't] Hate Final Fantasy X-2 25. We [Don't] Hate Final Fantasy X-2 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/25-we-dont-hate-final-fantasy-x-2/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/25-we-dont-hate-final-fantasy-x-2/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/f7eedbfa-0aa6-3140-b1c4-907e08c25ac5 Lauryn and Nicholas have a perfectly civil argument about what makes Final Fantasy X-2 so awful and/or amazing.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas have a perfectly civil argument about what makes Final Fantasy X-2 so awful and/or amazing.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod
Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash
Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 144 31 full 24. Centering Writing in Final Fantasy 14 24. Centering Writing in Final Fantasy 14 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/24-centering-writing-in-final-fantasy-14/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/24-centering-writing-in-final-fantasy-14/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/3192eccf-681e-3765-87b5-243b4830633b What started out as an easy recording about our mutual love of Final Fantasy XIV turned into an extensive meditation on narrative wrapped systems and the importance of having clear narrative through lines between expansions of long-running games.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> What started out as an easy recording about our mutual love of Final Fantasy XIV turned into an extensive meditation on narrative wrapped systems and the importance of having clear narrative through lines between expansions of long-running games.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod
Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash
Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2155 30 full 23. Level Design II - Revealing Mechanics (Teaser) 23. Level Design II - Revealing Mechanics (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/23-level-design-ii-revealing-mechanics-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/23-level-design-ii-revealing-mechanics-teaser/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/2a3d8e39-2d0c-3026-9956-58061b325211 Lauryn and Nicholas go in depth with some of their favorite levels, past and present, to explore how level design can be used as a tool to show you the underlying systems in a game that normally stay hidden.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas go in depth with some of their favorite levels, past and present, to explore how level design can be used as a tool to show you the underlying systems in a game that normally stay hidden.

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod
Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash
Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 130 29 full 22. Level Design I - Foundations 22. Level Design I - Foundations https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/22-level-design-i-foundations/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/22-level-design-i-foundations/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/68dccd1e-b432-301e-b5ee-656cb83b51d0 We invite Lauryn on as a special guest to talk about the fundamentals of level design, in particular, the "why" underlying a particular map or zone. Also starring: hapless level designer and hapless level designer's boss.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> We invite Lauryn on as a special guest to talk about the fundamentals of level design, in particular, the "why" underlying a particular map or zone. Also starring: hapless level designer and hapless level designer's boss.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod
Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash
Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2184 28 full 21. Game as Platform (Teaser) 21. Game as Platform (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/21-game-as-platform-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/21-game-as-platform-teaser/#comments Mon, 31 May 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/28774d5e-35e6-3b11-85c8-9b2f304b5954 Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how the distinction between game and platform is not a hard and fast one with particular reference to Skyrim, Minecraft, and... Lego?

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how the distinction between game and platform is not a hard and fast one with particular reference to Skyrim, Minecraft, and... Lego?

Unlock the full episode for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod
Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash
Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 140 27 full 20. What Constitutes a Game? 20. What Constitutes a Game? https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/20-what-constitutes-a-game/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/20-what-constitutes-a-game/#comments Mon, 24 May 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/d490d095-0136-3f0a-85b0-9f21b14545da In light of the recent Epic vs. Apple case, Lauryn and Nicholas talk about the right and wrong ways to ask the question, "what is a game?"

Link to WarioWare/Nintendo episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/14-franchise-philosophy/id1533677626?i=1000511200293

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> In light of the recent Epic vs. Apple case, Lauryn and Nicholas talk about the right and wrong ways to ask the question, "what is a game?"

Link to WarioWare/Nintendo episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/14-franchise-philosophy/id1533677626?i=1000511200293

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod
Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash
Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2239 26 full 19. Camera, Character, Controls (Teaser) 19. Camera, Character, Controls (Teaser) https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/19-camera-character-controls-patreon-teaser/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/19-camera-character-controls-patreon-teaser/#comments Mon, 17 May 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/6343a043-3ea5-3cc9-8757-d52c026ac9f9 Lauryn explains the "three C's" of game design.

For more on this topic and to unlock our other Patreon episodes, go to https://www.patreon.com/furidashi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

 

]]> Lauryn explains the "three C's" of game design.

For more on this topic and to unlock our other Patreon episodes, go to https://www.patreon.com/furidashi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

 

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 147 25 full 18. Video Game Logic 18. Video Game Logic https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/18-video-game-logic/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/18-video-game-logic/#comments Mon, 10 May 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/80123402-f7b7-3364-89ba-31688267a112 Lauryn and Nicholas talk about the concept of "video game logic" as it appears in Sakurazaka Hiroshi's All You Need is Kill and the 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow. Also on the docket: how the design of a game requires you as the player to "plug into it."

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas talk about the concept of "video game logic" as it appears in Sakurazaka Hiroshi's All You Need is Kill and the 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow. Also on the docket: how the design of a game requires you as the player to "plug into it."

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2024 24 full Chillrant 8 - Procedurally Generated Suffering Chillrant 8 - Procedurally Generated Suffering https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-8-procedurally-generated-suffering/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-8-procedurally-generated-suffering/#comments Mon, 03 May 2021 00:01:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/584ffb6a-95de-3f8e-8e76-6dc08cfeb22c Nicholas coming back from hiatus with a solo pod on Iris and the Giant and how it uses procedurally generated levels as an allegory for personal suffering. Also starring the most trivial Returnal spoilers imaginable.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas coming back from hiatus with a solo pod on Iris and the Giant and how it uses procedurally generated levels as an allegory for personal suffering. Also starring the most trivial Returnal spoilers imaginable.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1643 23 full 17. Dungeons and Railroads 17. Dungeons and Railroads https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/17-dungeons-and-railroads/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/17-dungeons-and-railroads/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/5e90844b-f304-3e40-b6aa-4b486c1f5650 Lauryn and Nicholas take a look at being a game master/DM and what lessons it holds for how to understand a game designer's relationship between what they do and the kinds of players they're trying to cultivate. Also on the docket: not killing your players' characters.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas take a look at being a game master/DM and what lessons it holds for how to understand a game designer's relationship between what they do and the kinds of players they're trying to cultivate. Also on the docket: not killing your players' characters.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2544 22 full 16. Call of Duty: Breaking Dawn 16. Call of Duty: Breaking Dawn https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/16-call-of-duty-breaking-dawn/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/16-call-of-duty-breaking-dawn/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2021 21:53:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/8ecede48-85f1-378b-ab52-4f16c9768ae4 Lauren explains why the theory of characterization underlying Call of Duty is the same as the Twilight novels, and Nicholas explains why it's hard to remain critical when you're emotionally attached to thing you criticize.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauren explains why the theory of characterization underlying Call of Duty is the same as the Twilight novels, and Nicholas explains why it's hard to remain critical when you're emotionally attached to thing you criticize.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2271 21 full Chillrant 7 - Takeshi & Hiroshi Chillrant 7 - Takeshi & Hiroshi https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-7-takeshi-hiroshi/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-7-takeshi-hiroshi/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/4850af47-ce31-3397-b9ad-1944283e8ef2 Nicholas takes an uneasy walk through his own feels to discuss Oink Games' Takeshi and Hiroshi. Also on the docket: how games can improve players, so players can improve gamedevs, and hapless level designer becomes more than human.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas takes an uneasy walk through his own feels to discuss Oink Games' Takeshi and Hiroshi. Also on the docket: how games can improve players, so players can improve gamedevs, and hapless level designer becomes more than human.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1488 20 full 15. Persona 5 Animus 15. Persona 5 Animus https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/15-persona-5-animus/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/15-persona-5-animus/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/984d3233-7dcf-3e88-8556-4eb3e40ac1ec Lauryn and Nicholas take a deep dive into Persona 5 Strikers and discuss what happens as games branch out from their original designs and the problems that crop up once they cross platforms. Also starring: egg tarts and hapless level designer gets a promotion!

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas take a deep dive into Persona 5 Strikers and discuss what happens as games branch out from their original designs and the problems that crop up once they cross platforms. Also starring: egg tarts and hapless level designer gets a promotion!

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2344 19 full 14. Franchise Philosophy 14. Franchise Philosophy https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/14-franchise-philosophy/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/14-franchise-philosophy/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/10749755-8eda-3e3a-ae7a-5bb4b53339dc Lauryn and Nicholas follow-up on Assassin's Creed and talk about why the Mario franchise succeeds in making wildly different kinds of games fall under one umbrella where other game franchises do not. Also starring: Sam & Max and the Nintendo Seal of Approval!

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas follow-up on Assassin's Creed and talk about why the Mario franchise succeeds in making wildly different kinds of games fall under one umbrella where other game franchises do not. Also starring: Sam & Max and the Nintendo Seal of Approval!

Follow us on Twitter:

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2091 18 full 13. Rewarding Game Design 13. Rewarding Game Design https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/13-rewarding-game-design/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/13-rewarding-game-design/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/64525899-0259-3874-a90a-dda063a163bd Lauryn and Nicholas follow up their gamification episode with a deep dive into how games evolved into doing loot grinds and the games that give some hope that we're moving away from that. Also starring: Halloween in Animal Crossing and why Nicholas wants to conquer the world.

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas follow up their gamification episode with a deep dive into how games evolved into doing loot grinds and the games that give some hope that we're moving away from that. Also starring: Halloween in Animal Crossing and why Nicholas wants to conquer the world.

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2317 17 full 12. Gamification Doesn't Work 12. Gamification Doesn't Work https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/12-gamification-doesnt-work/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/12-gamification-doesnt-work/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/196693bf-4b39-3d57-afee-07e2dc337d87 Lauryn and Nicholas discuss gamification, why people think it works but in the long run ends up either being dissatisfying or luring players into tedious grinds. Also starring: Habitica and teaching a ten-year-old to multiply fractions.

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas discuss gamification, why people think it works but in the long run ends up either being dissatisfying or luring players into tedious grinds. Also starring: Habitica and teaching a ten-year-old to multiply fractions.

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2258 16 full 11. Controls, Controls! You Must Learn Controls! 11. Controls, Controls! You Must Learn Controls! https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/11-controls-controls-you-must-learn-controls/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/11-controls-controls-you-must-learn-controls/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/4770a5c5-f526-3f45-a9ed-7d390671f673 Lauryn and Nicholas talk about the question of accessibility in games and how our physical nature (and the variance therein) contributes to our preconceptions about what game controls should or should not be. Also starring: Joust and epigenetics!

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas talk about the question of accessibility in games and how our physical nature (and the variance therein) contributes to our preconceptions about what game controls should or should not be. Also starring: Joust and epigenetics!

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2979 14 full 10. Free to Role Play 10. Free to Role Play https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/10-free-to-role-play/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/10-free-to-role-play/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/a8b7c693-869a-36a1-8d4f-72d87ee53740 Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how life maps onto role playing games and how, perversely, role playing games map onto life. Also starring: Japanese web dramas and Fortnite?

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas talk about how life maps onto role playing games and how, perversely, role playing games map onto life. Also starring: Japanese web dramas and Fortnite?

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2854 13 full Chillrant 6 - No More Assassin's Creed Chillrant 6 - No More Assassin's Creed https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-6-no-more-assassins-creed/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-6-no-more-assassins-creed/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2021 15:14:25 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/b62d07c9-0da7-3860-9099-f9e983ff5990 Lauryn questions whether a series can maintain its identity if, over time, the games themselves change so much. Even if it's a great game, why keep calling it Assassin's Creed?

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Lauryn questions whether a series can maintain its identity if, over time, the games themselves change so much. Even if it's a great game, why keep calling it Assassin's Creed?

Follow us on Twitter!

The Pod: http://www.twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: http://www.twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: http://www.twitter.com/uahsenaa

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1101 15 full 9. You're Not a Paper Doll 9. You're Not a Paper Doll https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/9-youre-not-a-paper-doll/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/9-youre-not-a-paper-doll/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/870f42f0-c1b8-3d61-bdc9-a4064f5578f5 Lauryn and Nicholas continue their conversation about character choice in RPGs and why total freedom of character choice can often feel unsatisfying.

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas continue their conversation about character choice in RPGs and why total freedom of character choice can often feel unsatisfying.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1791 12 full 8. There's No Such Thing as a JRPG 8. There's No Such Thing as a JRPG https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/8-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-jrpg/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/8-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-jrpg/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/41bf4803-9490-38a1-8109-e8be71119d14 Lauryn and Nicholas look at the early history of RPGs and role-playing game design to talk about why the distinction between "Western" and "Japanese" RPGs is more fluid than you may think. Also starring: the "golden age" of 80s PC RPG and adventure games.

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas look at the early history of RPGs and role-playing game design to talk about why the distinction between "Western" and "Japanese" RPGs is more fluid than you may think. Also starring: the "golden age" of 80s PC RPG and adventure games.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 2143 11 full 7. YulePunk 2077 7. YulePunk 2077 https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/7-yulepunk-2077/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/7-yulepunk-2077/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/5b2b269b-e5f7-39bc-aa39-5886fd207b15 In this special Christmas episode, Lauryn and Nicholas talk Cyberpunk 2077 and the importance or oddness of the holiday season when it comes to video game releases. Also on the docket: Christmas in Japan and why it may or may not be better than Christmas everywhere else.

]]> In this special Christmas episode, Lauryn and Nicholas talk Cyberpunk 2077 and the importance or oddness of the holiday season when it comes to video game releases. Also on the docket: Christmas in Japan and why it may or may not be better than Christmas everywhere else.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 4777 10 full Chillrant 5 - The Cult of Immersion Chillrant 5 - The Cult of Immersion https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-5-the-cult-of-immersion/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-5-the-cult-of-immersion/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/89d9c82a-8aa8-3d6c-9364-21bdde35fd74 No solo rant this week--Lauryn joins Nicholas to talk about the person the games industry made her and how that conflicts with the person the games industry should need her to be. Also on the docket: Ghost of Tsushima and finding the human element.

]]> No solo rant this week--Lauryn joins Nicholas to talk about the person the games industry made her and how that conflicts with the person the games industry should need her to be. Also on the docket: Ghost of Tsushima and finding the human element.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1680 9 full 6. Hell is Other Games 6. Hell is Other Games https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/6-hell-is-other-games/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/6-hell-is-other-games/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/08740041-6871-331d-8dc0-345a592a9363 This week Lauryn and Nicholas hand in the first draft of their MA thesis on Super Giant's Hades. Is the game anti-immersion? Or does it, by maintaining the pretense of anti-immersion, present an even more immersive experience? What even is immersion? Find out this week! Also starring: Bertolt Brecht and alienation effects!

]]> This week Lauryn and Nicholas hand in the first draft of their MA thesis on Super Giant's Hades. Is the game anti-immersion? Or does it, by maintaining the pretense of anti-immersion, present an even more immersive experience? What even is immersion? Find out this week! Also starring: Bertolt Brecht and alienation effects!

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 4111 8 full Chillrant 4 - Free Indirect Camera Chillrant 4 - Free Indirect Camera https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-4-free-indirect-camera/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-4-free-indirect-camera/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/a07b46be-cf23-3929-86c0-6c3c30c25615 Relax to some chill beats, while Nicholas regales you with how Jane Austen's Persuasion is just like Silent Hill 2 and why Baldur's Gate 3 seems to be two kinds of game fighting against each other. Also on the docket: smooth voiced narrators and talking brains.

]]> Relax to some chill beats, while Nicholas regales you with how Jane Austen's Persuasion is just like Silent Hill 2 and why Baldur's Gate 3 seems to be two kinds of game fighting against each other. Also on the docket: smooth voiced narrators and talking brains.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1626 7 full 5. Third Person Pluralism 5. Third Person Pluralism https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/5-third-person-pluralism/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/5-third-person-pluralism/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/94ff2096-29b4-3f1b-a24a-fa3df306d523 Lauryn and Nicholas have a long think about what makes the 3rd person camera not quite work in Baldur's Gate 3, why it does work in Hades, and third person perspective mix roleplaying and tactical gameplay elements. Also starring: hapless level designer's cool best friend and many many sighs.

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas have a long think about what makes the 3rd person camera not quite work in Baldur's Gate 3, why it does work in Hades, and third person perspective mix roleplaying and tactical gameplay elements. Also starring: hapless level designer's cool best friend and many many sighs.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 4312 6 full Chillrant 3 - Gripes of Tsushima Chillrant 3 - Gripes of Tsushima https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-3-gripes-of-tsushima/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-3-gripes-of-tsushima/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/bc75123f-c829-396f-9079-63955665be72 Nicholas puts on his Japanese scholar's bonnet for a chill half hour of wondering why you'd set a game in a particular time and place but then not use any of the cultural elements typical of that period. Also on the docket: hack and slash games and why samurai don't always behave "honorably."

]]> Nicholas puts on his Japanese scholar's bonnet for a chill half hour of wondering why you'd set a game in a particular time and place but then not use any of the cultural elements typical of that period. Also on the docket: hack and slash games and why samurai don't always behave "honorably."

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1641 5 full 4. Crunchy Roles 4. Crunchy Roles https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/4-crunchy-roles/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/4-crunchy-roles/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/a01fa742-d050-35c7-ac67-5426f5ad3f4c With the recent news of Cyberpunk 2077 being delayed yet again, Lauryn and Nicholas talk crunch, burnout, and how to begin to deal with the chronic labor issues that plague the video game industry. Also discussed: hapless level designers and how you actually build diversity.

]]> With the recent news of Cyberpunk 2077 being delayed yet again, Lauryn and Nicholas talk crunch, burnout, and how to begin to deal with the chronic labor issues that plague the video game industry. Also discussed: hapless level designers and how you actually build diversity.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 5500 4 full Chillrant 2 - Camera Aesthetics, or Final Fantasy 7 Remolded Chillrant 2 - Camera Aesthetics, or Final Fantasy 7 Remolded https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-2-final-fantasy-7-reloaded-or-camera-dynamics/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-2-final-fantasy-7-reloaded-or-camera-dynamics/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 furidashipod.podbean.com/ccc3598a-7db7-37f2-9aaa-e9213e4c5df1 Nicholas opines on Final Fantasy 7 and how the feel of the original seems to be missing from the recent remake. Also discussed: third person camera, the virtues of cinematic pacing, and teaching the player the pleasures of anticipation.

]]> Nicholas opines on Final Fantasy 7 and how the feel of the original seems to be missing from the recent remake. Also discussed: third person camera, the virtues of cinematic pacing, and teaching the player the pleasures of anticipation.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1617 bonus 3. Gaming Player Psychology 3. Gaming Player Psychology https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/gaming-player-psychology/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/gaming-player-psychology/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/344a13e0-7a24-35f5-b204-670b9df714c7 In this continuation episode from their previous discussion on MMO history and design, Lauryn and Nicholas delve into applications of player psychology research as embodied in Bartle's taxonomy of player types and VandenBerghe's "Big 5." All that and a lengthy digression on social dynamics in Japanese education and localization!

]]> In this continuation episode from their previous discussion on MMO history and design, Lauryn and Nicholas delve into applications of player psychology research as embodied in Bartle's taxonomy of player types and VandenBerghe's "Big 5." All that and a lengthy digression on social dynamics in Japanese education and localization!

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 4744 3 full Chillrant 1 - Granularity Chillrant 1 - Granularity https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-1-granularity/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/chillrant-1-granularity/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/912551cf-8edb-3807-8276-bdf5c2bbad3c Nicholas waxes nostalgic over the X-wing and TIE Fighter games as a way to get into the question of granularity in gameplay.

]]> Nicholas waxes nostalgic over the X-wing and TIE Fighter games as a way to get into the question of granularity in gameplay.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 1743 bonus 2. The MMO Social Club 2. The MMO Social Club https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/the-mmo-social-club/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/the-mmo-social-club/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/301294ed-6990-3e62-ab24-30f5feb53a73 Lauryn and Nicholas wax melancholic while talking about MMOs and the accidental invention of seemingly undefinable social relationships in online gaming.

]]> Lauryn and Nicholas wax melancholic while talking about MMOs and the accidental invention of seemingly undefinable social relationships in online gaming.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 5407 2 full 1. Avoiding the Apocalypse 1. Avoiding the Apocalypse https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/avoiding-the-apocalypse/ https://furidashipod.podbean.com/e/avoiding-the-apocalypse/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0500 furidashipod.podbean.com/7e3ea408-c7bc-33a9-8167-dda9abcce3ac In this first episode Lauryn and Nicholas discuss 2007's Bioshock, ludonarrative dissonance, and what it means to make choices in games with real moral consequence. All this, as the world seems to be falling apart around us.

]]> In this first episode Lauryn and Nicholas discuss 2007's Bioshock, ludonarrative dissonance, and what it means to make choices in games with real moral consequence. All this, as the world seems to be falling apart around us.

]]> Nicholas Theisen false No 5910 1 full