Tom discusses the role that specific features of hardware platforms have played on game development. Jim talks about third-party middleware components.

Tom discusses the role that specific features of hardware platforms have played on game development. Jim talks about third-party middleware components.

Jim, Brian and Tom all oppose loot-flation, but do find time to talk about memorable and beloved loot drops.

Jim, Brian and Tom all oppose loot-flation, but do find time to talk about memorable and beloved loot drops.

Leveling has evolved quite a bit from early RPG games. Many games promise differentiated leveling paths or varied 'character builds' but often an optimal path exists - Jim, Brian and Tom talk about the huge social pressure to fit with the norms in online multiplayer games.

Leveling has evolved quite a bit from early RPG games. Many games promise differentiated leveling paths or varied 'character builds' but often an optimal path exists - Jim, Brian and Tom talk about the huge social pressure to fit with the norms in online multiplayer games.

Fairness is hard to define and often gets thrown around by gamers without a lot of thought. Jim, Tom and Brian talk about the line between (un)fairness and bad game design, and the how fairness is interpreted differently in online and single-player games.

Fairness is hard to define and often gets thrown around by gamers without a lot of thought. Jim, Tom and Brian talk about the line between (un)fairness and bad game design, and the how fairness is interpreted differently in online and single-player games.

Jim, Tom and Brian discuss the new wave of viable F2P games that have been built from the ground up, MMOs that have been converted to F2P post-ship, and inevitably, FarmVille.

Jim, Tom and Brian discuss the new wave of viable F2P games that have been built from the ground up, MMOs that have been converted to F2P post-ship, and inevitably, FarmVille.