This week we're joined by creative technologist and game developer Nicole He. We discuss the brilliance (and shortcomings) of creative technology, the surprisingly wide gap between creative technology and gaming, and the difficulty of making art in a medium that comes pre-packaged with tons of social and political ramifications.

Welcome to BAD END 101, featuring the draw-em-up metroidvania Chicory, the annoying attack animations of Nioh, and the weird (but fun) vibes of card-roguelike Griftlands.

It's our 100th episode, and to celebrate, we're finally revealing our definitive top 10 games EVER. We're also discussing the last 4 years in videogame journalism/crit, and where we want to go from here.

This week, in BAD END's first-ever video episode (link to video in the notes) we're talking about the paradox of "fun" survival horror in Resident Evil 8, along with the potential appeal of a Mass Effect Remaster. Since it's a video episode, we go on a couple tangents - discussing the merits of a new Dragon Quest, the bizarre genius of Bloodborne, Fortnite Dances, and, uh, tennis?

We're dipping our toes into post-quarantine life by taking photos of wild Pokemon and roaming through the open fields of Nier Replicant... in a second playthrough.

We're joined by writer and FUNLAND magazine creator Zack Kotzer to talk about the lost ethos of early gamer magazines, the amusing terribleness of Balan Wonderworld, and videogame genre-busting in Nier Replicant.

We're joined by journalist/streamer/podcaster Bijan Stephen to talk about gaming's greatest power fantasy: unalienated labor. We're also discussing the glorious perfection of Final Fantasy XIV, the ecstasy of shounen in 2021, and games like Bloodborne, Before Your Eyes, Valorant, Adios, and Deliver Us The Moon.

Loops on loops on loops. We're talking about videogame core loops of all kinds - some peaceful, some fun, some infuriating.

This week, we're joined by Lukas Frank (Storefront Church) and Cole Smith (DIIV) to talk about Thoughtseize Interviews, a new show where they interview artists while playing Magic the Gathering.

Today we're joined by game creator and critic Gareth Damian Martin to talk about In Other Waters - their new sci-fi exploration game.