Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the similarities and differences between narrative and progression systems as well as how games have in recent years moved away from the "narrative wrapper" to make storytelling a more fully integrated game function.

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Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

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Lauryn and Nicholas jack into their cyberdecks to hack the motherbrain of game design: the system! Also on the docket: the fate the two GMs.

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Following up from their previous discussion, Lauryn and Nicholas get into the nitty-gritty as to what constitutes "meaningful mechanics" and how to make game design decisions that successfully model or provide some analogue to real life experiences. Also on the docket: walkable neighborhoods?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

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Lauryn makes Nicholas finally explain the tabletop game he's working on in his spare time, called UrbanPlan, that tries to model the push and pull of local politicking and land use through game mechanics. Also on the docket: Lauryn does ad copy!

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Second half of our conversation with Square Weasel Studio on aesthetics and storytelling, in which we discuss the odd disconnect between the games we play and the games we make and how disorienting yourself is creatively productive.

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Ze and Nim from Square Weasel join Nicholas to talk about the interplay between visual style and narrative in game design.

Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn

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Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

The best combo-breaker in the gamedev podcast scene, Lauryn and Nicholas, discuss that interplay of mechanics we all the "action economy" and ask the most important question: do you even read, bro?

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

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Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Lauryn and Nicholas continue their discussion of "management" style mechanics and how gameplay normally associated with strategy games can enhance more "adventure" oriented ones, with specific refence to the recent indie game Backpack Hero.

Episode where we critique ludonarrative harmony/dissonance

Our behind-the-scenes Patreon episode

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the fundamental appeal of so-called 4X games (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) and the pleasures of gameplay focused on control and management.

Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod

Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

We do a deep dive into 2021's Loop Hero to talk about what games look like when they're less focused on combat and action and more on planning and control. What kinds of narratives emerge when you're not being force fed a story?

Chillrant 11: A Critique of the Core Gameplay Loop

The Core Game Design Loop

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Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality