Brainy Gamer

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 35, pt. 3

This is the final installment in my series devoted to game designers and the design process.

In this edition I talk with Jonathan Blow, creator of the highly-acclaimed Braid and a new game called The Witness, slated to appear next year.

We discuss a wide array of topics, including the game community's reaction to Braid and his goals for The Witness. Jon is refreshingly open about his discoveries and missteps in the ongoing development process of his new game. He also explains why he's grown uncomfortable characterizing his projects as "art games." It's a fascinating conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.

Thanks for listening!

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The Witness website

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 35, pt. 2

This is the 2nd in a 3-part series devoted to game designers and the design process.

In this segment I chat with Matthew Burns, founder of Shadegrown Games a small studio developing a new music game called Planck. Matthew is also a Producer (contract) for Microsoft, and he's worked on the Halo series since 2006.

Note: We do not discuss details of Halo 4. No tidbits. No sneak peeks.

The final episode in this series will appear in a few days, and it will feature an extended interview with Jonathan Blow.

I hope you enjoy the show. Thanks for listening!

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

Shadegrown Games
Eurogamer profile of Matthew and Planck 

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 35, pt. 1

This edition of the podcast begins a 3-part series devoted to game designers and the design process.

In this first segment I chat with Manveer Heir, Senior Designer at BioWare, about his work and the challenges presented by a complex project. Manveer discusses his day-to-day duties; problem-solving as creativity; why developers keep secrets; and why he routinely "ruins peoples dreams."

Note: We do not discuss details of Mass Effect 3. If you're hoping for juicy tidbits or inside info on that game, you will not find them here.

Parts 2 and 3 of the podcast will appear later this week. Listen to the opening of this episode, and you will hear me reveal whom those guests will be!

I hope you enjoy the show. Thanks for listening!

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 34

   

This edition of the show features an in-depth discussion of L.A. Noire with Tom Bissell (Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter) and Brian Taylor (Kill Screen, GamePro). Spoilers abound, but only minor plot points are revealed. I think you can listen to this discussion and still fully appreciate the game as a newcomer. In fact, you might even appreciate it more. 

Segment 2 features a conversation with Leigh Alexander. We discuss a range of topics, including how she prepares for a big event like E3; the impact of social networking on our lives; and how she manages working in an environment that can be both hostile and nurturing.

I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

• Tom Bissell's Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter
• Brian Taylor's photography site and blog
• Leigh Alexander's Sexy Videogameland and Gamasutra articles
• Kirk Hamilton's review of L.A. Noire

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 33

This massive edition of the show features a Gamers Confab segment with Mitch Krpata (Boston Phoenix, et al); Nels Anderson (Klei Entertainment); and Brad Gallaway (GameCritics.com). We discuss a slew of games we've played recently, and we successfully persuade Mitch to stop hating LittleBigPlanet. Well, maybe not.

Segment 2 features a roundtable conversation with Patrick Klepek (EGMi), Matthew Burns (Shadegrown Games), and Chris Dahlen (Kill Screen) recorded at GDC. We chat about our favorite sessions at the conference and trade a few stories. Did you know Patrick covered his first GDC at the age of 14, accompanied by his father?

Segment 3 features a short chat with Sean Duncan, also recorded at GDC. Sean is a professor in the School of Education and the Interactive Media Studies program at Miami University

I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

• Mitch Krpata's Insult Swordfighting
• Nels Anderson's Above 49
• Brad Gallaway at GameCritics.com
• Patrick Klepek at EGMi
• Matthew Burns' Shadegrown Games
• Chris Dahlen's Kill Screen Magazine
• Sean Duncan's website

Games discussed in this episode:

• Gods Eater Burst
• Yakuza 4
• Ilomilo
• Monster Tale
• Metro 2033
• Bit.Trip.Flux
• Cysis 2
• Dragon Age 2
• Okami
• Nitrone Games
• Dead Space 2
• Battlestar Galactica board game

Brainy Gamer Podcast - GDC '11 audio diary 1

This is part 1 of my GDC '11 audio diary. For more information on this project, read my previous post.

I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening.

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

More audio diaries on the way!

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 31

This episode is all about music in games. I'm joined by guests Dan Bruno (Harmonix, Cruise Elroy) and Kirk Hamilton (Gamer Melodico, Joystiq), two excellent game writers who are also talented musicians.

We each play a collection of clips from our favorite pieces of game music, and we discuss why they serve the games they're written for so effectively. You'll hear everything from chiptunes to orchestral scores. If you can, listen to the show with headphones to catch all the details in the music we play.

I hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening!

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Show links:

• Gamer Melodico
• Cruise Elroy
• Kirk Hamilton's home page
• Dan Bruno's home page
• Phoenix Wright: Maya Fey's Theme (played by Kirk)
• Orisinal
• Bob-omb Battlefield Theme (played by Dan)

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 30 pt. 3

 

This show is the final in a 3-part series called Gatherings of the Tribe in which I talk to a variety of people about the big events that bring gamers together throughout the year: GDC, PAX, E3, etc.

This episode features my conversation with game developers Matthew Burns (Shadegrown Games), Nels Anderson (Hothead Games), and David Carlton (Playdom).

We discuss a variety of topics, including why developers attend PAX and GDC; why developers keep secrets; and why developers enjoy "spreading their cognitive genetic material."

Hope you enjoy the show, and thanks for listening.

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Show links:

• Shadegrown Games
• IndieGames article on Shadegrown Games
• Magical Wasteland
• Playdom
• Malvasia Bianca
• Hothead Games
• Above 49

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 30 pt. 2

 

This show is the 2nd in a 3-part series called Gatherings of the Tribe in which I talk to a variety of people about the big events that bring gamers together throughout the year: GDC, PAX, E3, etc.

This episode features my conversation with critic bloggers Kirk Hamilton (Gamer Melodico) and Rob LeFebvre (Games Are Evil, The Portable Gamer).

Stay tuned for Part 3, which will feature three indie developers offering their perspectives on these big events.

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Show links:

• Gamer Melodico
• Games Are Evil
• 148 Apps
• Kirk Hamilton on Twitter
• Rob LeFebvre on Twitter

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 30

 

This edition of the show begins a 3-part series called Gatherings of the Tribe in which I talk to a variety of people about the big events that bring gamers together throughout the year: GDC, PAX, E3, Comic-Con, Gameloop, Games Learning & Society...the list goes on and on. 

This episode features my conversation with veteran game journalists Gus Mastrapa (Wired.com, et al) and Chris Dahlen (Kill Screen Magazine, et al).

Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3, which will feature critics and developers offering their takes on these big events. Those segments will appear in the coming week.

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Show links:

• Gus Mastrapa at Wired.com
• Gus Mastrapa on Twitter
• Kill Screen Magazine
• Chris Dahlen's Save the Robot blog
• Chris Dahlen on Twitter

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 29

This edition of the show features an interview with Tom Bissell, author of the new book Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. We discuss why Tom wrote the book; why Mirror's Edge is a better game than you think; why we ought to cut game designers some slack; and many other topics. 

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 28

 

After a Shakespeare-induced hiatus, the Brainy Gamer podcast is back!

This edition of the show features two interesting conversations. In the first segment I chat with Jamin Brophy-Warren and Chris Dahlen, co-creators of Kill Screen. We discuss their new magazine, writing about games, Roger Ebert's 4-star review of The Phantom Menace, and many other topics.

In Segment 2 I talk with indie designer Jason Rohrer (Sleep is Death, Passage) about his work, his involvement in the art game movement, and the importance of simplicity. 

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

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

• Download the podcast directly here.

Show links:

• Kill Screen Magazine
• Jason Rohrer's website
• Sleep is Death