June 24, 2026

220: Pyre (with AJ Fillari)

2 hours 33 minutes

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Join Dave and special guest AJ Fillari as they discuss Pyre (Supergiant Games, 2017). As your crew makes their way through their underworld hellprison, you take part in competitive rites with the goal of earning your freedom. The game explores the rhythms of sport and competition, win or lose, as well as political allusions, what it means to return home, and much more. Dave and AJ also discuss Supergiant's continuity as a studio and how it helps them consistently put out good games. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: AJ Fillari (they/any)

Listen to dotzip podcast https://dotzip.online/

Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Title Card

0:27 Introductions

5:54 Our Histories with Supergiant Games

9:52 Top-Level Thoughts

17:20 Story Setup

24:45 Push and Pull Decision Making

31:56 You Gotta Lose Sometimes

43:26 Playing in the Rites

56:26 Cast of Characters and Reactivity

1:01:44 Art and Visual Design

1:06:13 Music

1:15:56 Who Should Play?

1:20:21 dotzip and AJ's work

1:25:06 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous

1:26:49 Spoilers- Politics, Exile and Freedom

1:38:09 Spoilers- How Did Our Rites Go?

1:51:44 Spoilers- Who Should Go Free?

2:07:32 Spoilers- Endgame Results

2:14:02 Spoilers- Finale Music and Wrap-Up

Music used in the episode is credited to Darren Korb. Tracks used: In the Flame (with Ashley Barrett), Surviving Exile, Glorious Tradition, Thrash Pack, Strange Voyage, Never to Return (with Ashley Barrett), Bound Together (with Ashley Barrett)

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

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