Forbes Overworld

This week in Anthony's Lyft car: a life-long circus performer, a self-proclaimed nihilist, and why a man who spent years on a gift for his wife says it ultimately "went over like a lead balloon." NOTE: This episode marks the first time Anthony takes part in a mission to transport a body part.

-BACKSEAT RIDER FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://t.co/qaFOi6

-NEW LYFT USERS: use promo code BACKSEATRIDER for up to $50 in free ride credit

-Episode sponsored by Blue Apron (visit blueapron.com/backseat for $30 off your first order)

Like the subgenres of music and film, the gaming world features small yet dedicated communities around certain mechanics, histories and ideals. But whats it like to navigate these waters as a designer?Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss staunch communities both inside and outside gaming and talk to Leighton Gray, the co-creator and co-writer of the 2017 hit 'Dream Daddy': A Dad Dating Simulator and Kevin Cole, the creator of the roguelike adventure Haque.Also on the show, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi discuss the latest loot box controversy -- this time surrounding Destiny 2. (@47:45)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Like the subgenres of music and film, the gaming world features small yet dedicated communities around certain mechanics, histories and ideals. But whats it like to navigate these waters as a designer?

Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss staunch communities both inside and outside gaming and talk to Leighton Gray, the co-creator and co-writer of the 2017 hit 'Dream Daddy': A Dad Dating Simulator and Kevin Cole, the creator of the roguelike adventure Haque.

Also on the show, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi discuss the latest loot box controversy -- this time surrounding Destiny 2. (@47:45)

Role-playing games like Mass Effect and Dungeons and Dragons ask players to immerse themselves into a character and make decisions based on their unique motivations. But can games be used to challenge us and hold up a mirror to ourselves?Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss both the challenges and opportunities of exploring identity in games and talk role-playing in pen-and-paper, tabletop games with Dave Ewalt, a contributor editor at Forbes and author of the book, Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and The People Who Play It.Also on the episode, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi talk the best games of 2017 which absolutely, 100%, most definitely should include Bubsy. (@43:13)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Role-playing games like Mass Effect and Dungeons and Dragons ask players to immerse themselves into a character and make decisions based on their unique motivations. But can games be used to challenge us and hold up a mirror to ourselves?

Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss both the challenges and opportunities of exploring identity in games and talk role-playing in pen-and-paper, tabletop games with Dave Ewalt, a contributor editor at Forbes and author of the book, Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and The People Who Play It.

Also on the episode, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi talk the best games of 2017 which absolutely, 100%, most definitely should include Bubsy. (@43:13)

A woman recalls the horror of being sexually assaulted on a public bus; a female ad exec calls out a male coworker; a woman construction worker reflects on sexual harassment in the workplace. Anthony's real Lyft riders open up about their own experiences, as the sexual misconduct scandal continues to make headlines across the nation.

-BACKSEAT RIDER FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://t.co/qaFOi6

-NEW LYFT USERS: use promo code BACKSEATRIDER for up to $50 in free ride credit

Undertale. Stardew Valley. Hotline Miami. All are games that seized the gaming spotlight when released into the world and games made by one or two developers without star power. Entrepreneurship may not be the first thought that comes to mind when talking about video games, but it's one of the best fields for that type of thinking. Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss the indie game scene and the opportunities present for those willing to grind out a game. They also talk to Mike Wilson, the cofounder of publishing studio Devolver Digital and Good Shepherd Entertainment. Also, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi talk the latest gaming controversy: intrusive loot boxes in Star Wars Battlefront II and the response from gamers, EA and Disney. (@ 0:46:40)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Undertale. Stardew Valley. Hotline Miami. All are games that seized the gaming spotlight when released into the world and games made by one or two developers without star power.

Entrepreneurship may not be the first thought that comes to mind when talking about video games, but it's one of the best fields for that type of thinking. Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss the indie game scene and the opportunities present for those willing to grind out a game. They also talk to Mike Wilson, the cofounder of publishing studio Devolver Digital and Good Shepherd Entertainment.

Also, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi talk the latest gaming controversy: intrusive loot boxes in Star Wars Battlefront II and the response from gamers, EA and Disney. (@ 0:46:40)

How much thought do you give to negative news stories? How do they affect your mental health? After an onslaught of traumatic national stories, Anthony and his riders discuss their impact on daily life. In this episode, you'll hear why a quarrel is brewing between one man and his next door neighbor, why some topics are off-limits in one Chicago household, and why one man refused to enter an iconic Chicago building.

-BACKSEAT RIDER FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://t.co/qaFOi6

-NEW LYFT USERS: use promo code BACKSEATRIDER for up to $50 in free ride credit

What's the secret to comedy in video games? That's not the set-up to a joke, it's an actual question. Satchell Drakes and Matt Perez discuss the difficulties of translating comedy to an interactive medium and speak with William Pugh, the game designer behind The Stanley Parable and Accounting, as well as a GDC speaker on the subject. Also, Erik Kain and Paul Tassi talk about 'Call of Duty: World War 2' and why it's already such a resounding success @ 38:04.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.