In the first of several Bonus Bytes exploring genres, the fellas discuss the conventions of action/adventure games.

The fellas discuss the evolution of cheat codes. Glitches, Easter Eggs, hacks, mods, fanatical button pressing, and Amibos are explored. Reminisce along if you recall old school Pokemon glitches, flying cars in GTA, Doom, or Time Splitters 2. During the Skill Treat, Carlos explains the method and importance of strategy canvassing.

The Story of GameShark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4vs4X66nas

Intro- 00:00:00

D-Pad Delights: 00:00:25

Deeper Into the D-Pad: 00:09:39

Skill Treat: 53:16

Outro: 01:03:40

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz & Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

Mario Party, Demeo, and Trivial Pursuit Live bend board game conventions. Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz and Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

Why do video games evoke such anger? The fellas discuss a hypothetical etymology for the term tilted. They also analyze the distinctions between challenge and frustration, as well as external and internal challenges in gaming. They break down their emotional regulation techniques, such as grounding, meditation, and self-monitoring. The Skill Treat introduces cognitive distortions while Megaman, The Sopranos, Snoop Dogg, and pinball gambling weasel their way into the conversation.

Intro- 00:00

D-Dap Delights- 00:33

Deeper into the D-Pad- 05:25

Skill Treat-48:00

Outro-54:45

Links:

More on cognitive distortions: https://www.psychologytools.com/articles/unhelpful-thinking-styles-cognitive-distortions-in-cbt/

Self Made Man Sculpture https://www.bobbiecarlylesculpture.com/SelfMadeMan.php

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz and Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

We felt the 2021 flick was FATALity flawed. Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz and Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

The guys analyze how the titular legal concept applies to the videogame industry. Spiritual successors, cross-overs, the Fair Use Protection Act (FUPA), and licenses are discussed. They make references  to Left 4 Dead, Yooka-Laylee, DBZ Buddaka to illustrate these concepts. In an unexpected turn, their discussion leads to John Locke, Abraham Lincoln, flappy bird clones, THAT HELICOPTER FLASH GAME, gamefeel, proprietary code, Hyrule Warriors. Finally, Carlos discusses how animators build suspense in Pacific Rim: The Black.

Intro-00:00:00

D-Pad Delights- 00:00:50

Deeper into the D-Pad: 00:19:50

Skill Treat- 01:46:53

Outro- 02:00:53

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz & Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

The fellas jump into a discussion on the objectives created outside a game’s narrative--often called achievements or trophies. How do these goals operate on different platforms? Why do gamers feel an incentive to earn achievements? What could make them even better? They also discuss No Man’s Sky, achievement hunting, Xbox 360 badges, simple achievements--like those in Avatar the Last Airbender, purchasing gamerscore, secret achievements, and Carlos describes his experiences creating trophies for Days Gone. The guys also introduce a new segment Skill Treat. 

Intro-00:00:00

D-Pad Delights- 00:01:33

Deeper into the D-Pad-00:06:22

Skill Treat-00:58:43

01:11:40--Outro

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz and Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

The fellas discuss updates on their VR experiences, the relationship between Control and Alan Wake, tactics games, how games journalism could be improved, what went wrong with the coverage of Cyberpunk, celebrity brand endorsements, review scores, the subjective nature of reviews, embargoes, and Framing Brittany. 

Intro- 00:00:00

D-Pad Delights- 00:00:52

Deeper into the D-Pad- 00:07:32

Change of Heart- 01:17:20

Outro: 01:25:34

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz & Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

Join us for our deepest dive yet! RK Taylor and Carlos Gutierrez discuss their first experiences with virtual reality, special effects in 3D films, Robert Nozick’s experience machine, worlds within worlds, the magic circle, VR addiction, blocking incalcitrant preteens, what makes virtual reality environments convincing, metaphysical idealism, and Care Bear superfans.

Intro- 00:00:00 

D-Pad Delights- 00:00:43 

Deeper into the D-Pad- 00:06:57 

Change of Heart- 00:59:55 

Outro- 01:15:15

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz & Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show and Julia Eldred for creating the artwork.

Carlos and RK Taylor share their first impressions of Monster Train. 

Special thanks to 8-bit Jazz and Kevin MacLeod for supplying music for the show