On this episode of the Rogue Space podcast, Jacob and Dave are joined by Starboard Games LLC’s very own Programming Lead, Hugh “Jango” Thornton, as they discuss their favorite movies, books, and games that they experienced in 2015 as well as what it is like to program for a game like INT.

Heads Up! When we are talking about our “bests” of 2015, we are talking more specifically about those games, movies, and books we played, watched, and read this year. They are not all from 2015.

|| Discussed in this Episode ||

Chappie (2015): From the writer/director who brought you District 9 back in 2009, Chappie follows a police droid who is stolen and reprogrammed to become the first free-thinking robot capable of emotion. While I have not yet seen this film and it has garnered mixed reviews, Jango seemed to like it quite a lot and so I would say that it is definitely worth a watch.

Ex Machina (2015): From the writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, Ex Machina follows the story of a young programmer who is chosen to evaluate the human qualities of a female A.I. so as to determine whether or not it is truly capable of emotion or free thought. This is a great and very intense film. Give it a watch.

The Hateful Eight (2015): Quentin Tarantino works his unique and brutal brand of movie magic once again in this his eighth film to date which tells the story of a famous bounty hunter and his prisoner as they find themselves taking shelter in a cabin housing a group of wicked characters. If you can see it in 70mm, I would highly recommend this film. Be warned, however, this film is long and the second half is quite a departure from the first in tone.

Fahrenheit 451 (1953): A dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury in which books are outlawed and a group known as the “firemen” burn any that they come across. It is a wonderful study of the necessity of free speech and the power that books hold within their pages. I have no idea how Dave has not read this book yet since it is oftentimes assigned as required reading in high school.

Redwall (1986): I know a lot of folks who have read this and really enjoyed it, but have never actually read it myself. Redwall is a fantasy novel/series about an abbey inhabited by anthropomorphic mice as they fight against a one-eyed, evil rat overlord who is trying to take over Redwall.

You Are Not So Smart (2011): A book by journalist David McRaney which teaches you all about how your brain is fooling you into thinking you are smarter than you really are. Yet another book that I have not yet read, but I think I will definitely pick it up since it is always a blast to learn about how my brain is working against me so as to work with me.

Dan Simmons Novels: Dan Simmons is a science-fiction and horror writer whose novels I have never stopped enjoying. My personal favorites are his horror novels, especially Summer of Night, The Terror, and The Abominable.

This War of Mine (2014): An independent game by 11 Bit Studios that allows players to experience the horrors of war from the perspective of those civilians caught up in the middle of a war zone. From what Dave has explained, this is a very challenging game emotionally and mechanically.