Everybody's Talking At Once

Can we separate what black means in Magic from what blackness means in everyday life? Should we? Can it be done in a way that's intelligible to outsiders?

Does the Indie Custom Cube get a pass, as far as race or gender issues, because it's so esoteric, nerdy, and emphatically personal, and because it was created for and by a specific in-group? Or does that mean giving a pass to all sorts of things that truly don't deserve one?

In this episode, Lucio and I try to untangle those questions, and along the way we discuss racial slurs, the mechanics of prejudice, white privilege, white guilt, and yes, Magic cards (white and otherwise).

———

Ah, and before I forget: We keep mentioning that one other podcast that Lucio and I were on together. That would be this one right here.

And that one game developer whose name I couldn't remember was Danielle Bunten Berry, probably best-known for her work on M.U.L.E.

And yes, my throat is feeling much better now, thanks.

———

"All The People Say" by Carpe Demon.

https://etao.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/etao-podcast-03-201311261.mp3

Can we separate what black means in Magic from what blackness means in everyday life? Should we? Can it be done in a way that’s intelligible to outsiders?

Does the Indie Custom Cube get a pass, as far as race or gender issues, because it’s so esoteric, nerdy, and emphatically personal, and because it was created for and by a specific in-group? Or does that mean giving a pass to all sorts of things that truly don’t deserve one?

In this episode, Lucio and I try to untangle those questions, and along the way we discuss racial slurs, the mechanics of prejudice, why we’ll never say “the n-word,” white privilege, white guilt, and yes, Magic cards (white and otherwise).

———

Ah, and before I forget: We keep mentioning that one other podcast that Lucio and I were on together. That would be this one right here.

And that one game developer whose name I couldn’t remember was Danielle Bunten Berry, probably best-known for her work on M.U.L.E.

And yes, my throat is feeling much better now, thanks.

———

“All The People Say” by Carpe Demon.

We’re on iTunes. We’re also on Stitcher. And let’s not forget Podbay.

Davey Wreden discusses life after the release of his vividly realized, genuinely unique first game, The Stanley Parable—the problems that come with success, the guilt that comes with admitting that success comes with problems, endlessly recurring impostor syndromes, oscillating egomania, all that.

We also discuss the ongoing process of becoming an adult, our shared love of Spelunky, and the importance of (sometimes) being unsure of what you'll work on next. The need to be surprised. And then Spelunky again. (Davey Wreden really likes Spelunky).

One quick show note. The interview itself starts off a little clunkily. There are odd pauses, and odder noise; it sounds for all the world like Davey is cutting carrots for a minute there. But it's smooth sailing after about the 10-minute mark, and if you stick with it, I daresay it'll be worth it.

———

Intro music and segues by Carpe Demon.

https://etao.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/etao-podcast-02-20131109.mp3

We also discuss the ongoing process of becoming an adult, our shared love of Spelunky, and the importance of (sometimes) being unsure of what you’ll work on next. The need to be surprised. And then Spelunky again. (Davey Wreden really likes Spelunky).

One quick show note. The interview itself starts off a little clunkily. There are odd pauses, and odder noise; it sounds for all the world like Davey is cutting carrots for a minute there. But it’s smooth sailing after about the 10-minute mark, and if you stick with it, I daresay it’ll be worth it.

———

Intro music and segues by Carpe Demon.

We’re on iTunes. We’re also on Stitcher. And let’s not forget Podbay.

Game developer and graphic artist Jake Kazdal, who you might know from his work on Rez and Space Channel 5 Part 2, joins us for our inaugural podcast. He discusses the finer points of his studio's first release, Skulls of the Shogun, and shares the (crazily ambitious) plan for their next game, a roguelike-alike space shooter called Galak-Z: The Dimensional.

Plus, I talk about cultural consensus (and opting out of it), and the role of so-called "geek culture" in a world where even the mainstream loves superheroes and dragons and ice zombies and whatnot.

———

"All The People Say" by Carpe Demon.