Brainy Gamer Podcast

Brainy Gamer Podcast episodes:

• 08.23.2013

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 42

  In this episode I make my guest Steve Gaynor squirm uncomfortably in his seat. Of course, we also discuss his new game Gone Home, creating authentic characters, an important lesson from Ken Levine, and a secret room no reviewer has yet discovered. Plus other things. I hope...

  
• 03.26.2013

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 41

  This is the final episode in my series of conversations about the State of Games. I encourage you to listen to the first  three shows featuring a variety of smart and thoughtful guests. In this edition I talk with Kirk Hamilton, features editor at Kotaku, and Brett Douville, Lead Programmer at...

  
• 03.19.2013

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 40

  This is the third in a short series of conversations I'm hosting on the State of Games. I encourage you to listen to the first two episodes and stay tuned for the final installment, which will appear in the coming days. In this edition I talk...

  
• 03.15.2013

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 39

  This is the second in a short series of conversations I'm hosting on the State of Games. I encourage you to listen to the first episode and stay tuned for the final two which will appear in the coming days. In this edition I...

  
• 03.11.2013

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 38

  This is the first of several roundtable conversations I'm hosting on the State of Games, an admittedly unwieldy topic, but well-timed, I think, in this transitional period for games and the game industry. In this edition I talk with Leigh Alexander and Brendan Keogh, two...

  
• 09.07.2012

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 37

  Welcome to a special Ninja Edition of the Brainy Gamer podcast!  In this edition I talk with Nels Anderson and Chris Dahlen, Lead Designer and Narrative Designer of the new game Mark of the Ninja. We discuss the development process for the game, the challenges and...

  
• 04.09.2012

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 36

  The Brainy Gamer podcast is back! In this edition I talk with Stephen Totilo, editor-in-chief of Kotaku, one of the most influential blogs websites devoted to video games in the world. Stephen and I discuss video game journalism, the changes he's implementing at Kotaku, why "you...

  
• 08.30.2011

  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...

  
• 08.23.2011

  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)...

  
• 08.15.2011

  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....

  
• 06.03.2011

  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 revelations are revealed. I think you can...

  
• 04.04.2011

  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...

  
• 03.02.2011

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - GDC Audio Diary 1

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

  
• 12.04.2010

  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...

  
• 09.20.2010

  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...

  
• 09.14.2010

  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...

  
• 09.10.2010

  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...

  
• 06.13.2010

  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...

  
• 05.03.2010

  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...

  
• 01.09.2010

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Favorites of '09 pt.4

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features a holiday extravaganza of Gamers Confab goodness: a 4-volume confection featuring a gaggle of bloggers, journalists, and designers all discussing our favorite games of 2009. This final segment includes Matthew Gallant...

  
• 01.05.2010

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Favorites of '09 pt.3

  Part 3 of my "Favorites of '09" series includes writer Tom Bissell, whose work has appeared in Harper's Magazine and The New Yorker; Manveer Heir, lead designer at Raven Software and author of the Design Rampage blog; and Mitch Krpata,...

  
• 01.03.2010

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Favorites of '09 pt.2

  Part 2 of my Favorites of '09 series of podcasts features Leigh Alexander, news director at Gamasutra; Corvus Elrod from Zakelro Studio; and Nels Anderson from Hothead Games and his blog Above 49. Segments 3 and 4 will arrive in the coming days....

  
• 12.30.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Favorites of '09

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features a holiday extravaganza of Gamers Confab goodness: a 4-volume confection featuring a gaggle of bloggers, journalists, and designers all discussing our favorite games of 2009. Part 1 includes Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin...

  
• 11.09.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 26

  Had your fill of the 'Are Games Art?' debate? This edition of the podcast, featuring an interview with veteran game designer Brenda Brathwaite and art historian John Sharp, takes the conversation in a different and, I hope, more useful direction. Focusing...

  
• 09.10.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 5

  The Summer of Confabs concludes with a conversation featuring Chris Dahlen of Edge Online and The Onion A.V. Club; and Manveer Heir of Raven Software and the Design Rampage blog. We discuss ambiguity in games, why nobody's talking about Dragon Age,...

  
• 09.07.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 4

  The Summer of Confabs continues with a conversation featuring Ben Fritz, L.A. Times entertainment reporter; Kirk Battle (AKA L.B. Jeffries) from PopMatters and Banana Pepper Martinis; and Nick LaLone from Before Game Design. We discuss the Nintendo platform conundrum, left-behind gameplay, and...

  
• 09.04.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 3

  The Summer of Confabs continues with a conversation featuring game writer and narrative designer Sande Chen (The Witcher); Justin Keverne from Groping the Elephant; and Roger Travis from Living Epic and the Video Games and Human Values Initiative. We discuss the shifting...

  
• 09.02.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25 vol. 2

  Gamers Confab #2 features a conversation with guests Deirdra Kiai from Deirdra Kiai Productions and Hothead Games, Corvus Elrod from Man Bytes Blog, and Matthew Gallant from The Quixotic Engineer. We discuss two significant controversies that arose this year, and we consider...

  
• 08.31.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 25

  This edition of the podcast features a conversation with guests Steve Gaynor from 2K Marin (Bioshock 2), Nels Anderson from Hothead Games (DeathSpank), and Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) from the Versus CluClu Land blog. We discuss the year in games to...

  
• 07.20.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 24

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Clint Hocking, Creative Director at Ubisoft Montreal (Far Cry 2, Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory). In the second half of the show we're joined by Manveer Heir, Lead Designer at...

  
• 05.06.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 23

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast focuses on games that can make a difference. It features interviews with two people in the vanguard of innovative game design for social change: Suzanne Seggerman, president and co-founder of Games for Change; and Mary...

  
• 04.07.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast: GDC 09 vol. 1

  Volume 1 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast post-GDC '09 edition. Join me and my guests as we discuss what we learned at this year's Game Developer's Conference. Segment 1: N'Gai Croal, game design consultant at newly-formed Hit Detection and former games and technology...

  
• 04.07.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast: GDC 09 vol. 2

  Volume 2 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast post-GDC '09 edition. Join me and my guests as we discuss what we learned at this year's Game Developer's Conference. Segment 1: Leigh Alexander, news director at Gamasutra and author of Sexy Videogameland; Nels Anderson, gameplay programmer...

  
• 03.07.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 21

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, co-founders of thatgamecompany and creators of Flower. We discuss a variety of topics, including TGC's design philosophy, the road from Cloud to Flower, starting...

  
• 02.03.2009

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 20

  This episode is big on story and small on spoilers! Downloadable content as betrayal; the virtues of peace, love, and green lipstick; the reviewer as critic; and why one player's narrative may be another player's imposition...all in this episode of...

  
• 12.21.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Holiday edition Vol. 1

  Volume 1 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features two segments: Segment 1: Leigh Alexander from Sexy Videogameland; Kirk Battle (aka L.B. Jeffries) from Banana Pepper Martinis; Mike Schiller from PopMatters; and Roger Travis from the Video Games and Human Values...

  
• 12.21.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Holiday edition Vol. 2

  Volume 2 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features two segments: Segment 1: Corvus Elrod from Man Bytes Blog; Mitch Krpata from Insult Swordfighting; Dan Bruno from Cruise Elroy; and Spencer Greenwood from Noble Carrots. Segment 2: Chris Dahlen from Save...

  
• 12.21.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Holiday edition Vol. 3

  Volume 3 of the Brainy Gamer Podcast Holiday edition features Steve Gaynor of the Fullbright blog and 2K Marin; Wes Erdelack (aka Iroquois Pliskin) of Versus Clu Clu Land; and Tom Kim of Gamasutra Radio. Finally, in the closing segment I reveal my favorite...

  
• 10.28.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 18

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features Leigh Alexander and Mitch Krpata in the Gamers Confab where we discuss our games of the month and the current state of the survival horror genre. We also chat about the game...

  
• 09.18.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 17

  This episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features the debut of the Gamers Confab. My guests this month: Brinstar - Acid for Blood Matthew Gallant - The Quixotic Engineer Manveer Heir - Design Rampage We discuss our games of the month; big promises from...

  
• 08.03.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 16

  This episode of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with N'Gai Croal. We discuss N'Gai's early career, his views on games journalism, user-generated content, hard-casual games and lots more.

  
• 06.13.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 15

  What to do with all this video game freedom?; I do a 180 on Burnout Paradise; The game I want to play (hint: nobody's made it yet); Why boundaries can be good for artists, and why Jade beats Niko even without green lipstick;...

  
• 05.21.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 14

  This edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast features an interview with Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin (studio developing the next Bioshock game) and author of the Fullbright blog. We discuss game design, the first Bioshock game, and Steve's desire to...

  
• 05.06.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 13

  A week of GTA IV run, gun, and fun (all while not playing the game!); the emergence of the gaming tripod; IGN video madness; and an interview with Kirk Battle (AKA L.B. Jeffries) - all in this edition of the...

  
• 04.21.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 12

  An interview with Chris Dahlen; the gaming community on shaky ground; and it's PS3 go time - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

  
• 03.31.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 11

  An interview with Leigh Alexander; a week of Zelda love; meditative gaming; and blogs worth your time - all in this edition of the Brainy Gamer Podcast!

  
• 03.07.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 10

  Indie games, saving games, and game blog jerks; GDC from the outside; Boss fight advice from Zoe; Listener mail; and an interview with Corvus Elrod of Man Bytes Blog - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

  
• 02.14.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 9

  The Brainy Gamer goes on a gaming bender: No More Heroes, Burnout Paradise, Endless Ocean, and Rez HD; plus meditative gaming; another game recommendation kiss of death; and an interview with Mitch Krpata from Insult Swordfighting - all in this...

  
• 01.24.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 8

  Relax PC gamers, all will be fine; Gitaroo Man and PaRappa the Rapper are still crazy after all these years; and our obsession with reality - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!

  
• 01.04.2008

  Brainy Gamer Podcast - Episode 7

  Game of the year (and why disagreement is a good thing); the NY Times gets it wrong...again; 5 great games nobody bought; the Zoe Garcia story; and listener email - all in this edition of The Brainy Gamer Podcast!