Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how randomness and procedural generation are used in game design to elicit excitement and, at times, anxiety. Also: don't do drugs?

Our episode on Disco Elysium

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Lauryn and Nicholas deconstruct the arbitrary distinction between mechanics and gameplay to examine what a player centric conception of mechanics would look like.

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Lauryn bought Nicholas a copy of Disco Elysium, and a heated discussion of narrative integration into mechanics and rulesets ensued! Also: Don't. F**k. With. Kim. Kitsuragi.

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Lauryn's choice matrix returns for an in depth discussion of how gamedev's make choices about what affordances to give to players and how. Also: JUMP!

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In this episode, we begin our course on character and identity with an exploration of the "paper doll" concept in roleplaying games and its relevance for how games construe player choice as a means to flesh out who our avatars are in game.

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Lauryn and Nicholas talk class struggle and how [not] to represent it in gameplay, with reference to the Dead Domain video on Dishonored's communist subtext. Also: Bioshock dethroned?!

Dishonored's Communist Subtext - Of Rats And Royalty

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Lauryn and Nicholas discuss a recent Game Maker's Toolkit video on "invisible choices" and try to analyze the many axes of how choices are implemented in video game design. Also: Furidashi After Dark.

GMTK episode on "invisible choices"

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We discuss the recently announced deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, the ramifications of that deal for the expanded platform economy it will create, and Lauryn maybe roasts Nicholas for being a class traitor?

Previous episode on the Epic/Apple lawsuit

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We look at Oshii Mamoru's approach to understanding the distinctions between live action and animated film and how that might help inform the question of how game designers manage the balance of control between the player and the software they play. Also: The Matrix is pretentious fun.

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

Lauryn and Nicholas look at the evolution of Unreal Engine from an ordinary development kit to the basis for a wide range of media production as well as the broader ramifications of film and video game production bleeding into each other. Also on the docket: The Matrix Awakens and the uncanny valley.

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Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash

Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality