The team discusses anthology as an approach to game design and writing, deep dives on Arco as an excellent example of that, and talks over Godot as the highlight of our new Tool of the Month feature. Introduction

• 0:00: We introduce Justin Wilson, who will be joining the conversation, and taking over podcast production.
• 6:03: We discuss the direction of the podcast.

Main Feature: Arco and Anthology

• 8:20: What is Arco?
• 18:20: Defining "anthology" in terms of both narrative and mechanics, and looking at why Arco is such a great example of that.
• 27:00: Arco's take on settler colonialism, revenge, and narrative
• 30:30: The innovative guilt mechanic.
• 37:08: The marriage of mechanical with narrative anthology and why both are important (especially together)
• 48:39: The combat system
• 51:47: Comparison with Weird West, which tried to do something similar to this, but didn't quite succeed

Tool of the Month: Godot

• 57:21: What is Godot?
• 1:02:17: Signals and Godot's approach to game architecture
• 1:07:26: Integration with C++ via GDExtensions and performance benefits

Wrapping it up

• 1:14:52: The dumpster fire world, and why games are still important.

Action Item: RunForSomething.net

• 1:18:50: You can run for office (or support active progressive campaigns on the local, state, and national levels) by going to https://runforsomething.net/. Just take a look and see what you think. We need more actual, normal people (as opposed to the self-interested grifters that make up the majority of both parties currently) in office, and this is a great resource for figuring out if you personally might be one of those people.

Conclusion

• 1:22:47: Social media and how to stay in touch with us.