Gaming with RnR

Video gaming is a relatively new medium that has only been recognized as an art form over the past decade. Despite this recognition, gaming has a lack of recognition for its artistic values.

Raf and Ray are joined this week by local Atlanta artist and gamer, Josh, where they argue (with bias) whether gaming is an art form or not. They talk about its unique features as a medium, how it overlaps and shares characteristics with others and they critique various games that have been considered art.

Gaming exists in multiple formats and one of these, tabletop (pen and paper) gaming, is a form that emphasizes community, story telling and fun.

Ray and Raf are joined by Liz and Paul as they discuss why they love all forms of tabletop gaming, how its a great medium to address conflict resolutions, its ability to be inclusive, and why this form of gaming is more popular then ever.

Although we recommend everyone to listen, we think its most beneficial for new/potential players to check this out and learn more.

DISCLAIMER: This was one of our first recordings so we were not properly equipped to sound well. We apologize and have upgraded our podcast equipment since then (partly due to your support).

The impact of COVID-19 has been huge on the lives of everyone in the world. Everyday we wake up and have to interact with the virus in one way or another. It causes stress, anxiety, and new challenges that our community has never faced before.

Quarantine life has also led to beautiful moments where families and loved ones are reconnected virtually, sometimes in the form of gaming. In this week's mini episode, Raf and Ray discuss how gaming has helped them cope with COVID-19.

This episode is off-script and unplanned but we hope its just as meaningful.

We originally recorded this episode for Mental Health Awareness Month and then in typical RnR fashion, we overlapped with current events and talked about a topic that may be too close to home for some. We promise though, its a good talk about anxiety!

Co-hosts Ray and Raf are joined by Liz and Sam as they discuss their first experiences of interacting with anxiety in games, how games are great coping mechanisms for surviving against the anxiety caused by the world (aka Covid-19) and everyone bonds over that "one water level" they experienced as a kid.

As a gamer grows older, they begin to value autonomy just as much as mechanics. Why is it that we want to have a choice and have a product that is our own? Is this needed in video gaming?

Your co-hosts, Raf and Ray, are joined by Decision Making Correspondent, Liz, as they discuss the evolution of decision making in games, how it can enhance an experience, and how it unfolds in all types of mechanics. As usual, there is plenty of gaming recommendations for everyone to check out!

DISCLOSURE: This was one of our first recordings so we were not properly equipped to sound well. We apologize and have upgraded our podcast equipment since then (partly due to your support).

Cooperative board gaming has always existed but the past decade has seen a rise of cooperative experiences over competitive. Inversely, competitive gaming is on the rise. Why is it that board games are having a thriving market for collaborative experiences? Raf and Ray discuss the trials and tribulations that happen in the living rooms across the world with our DnD 5E correspondent, Paul, and our Board Game Correspondent, Kelsey!

*Cited Article: :"Collaborative Games: Lessons Learned from Board Games" by Jose Zagal, Jochen Rick and Idris Hsi.

Gaming is more than a hobby, it is part of our identity. In this episode our co-hosts are joined by Katamari Damacy lover, Alia, as they discuss the trials and tribulations of getting loved ones to appreciate gaming as much as we do.

Although gaming is a central focus, this episode discusses the importance of getting others to appreciate your hobby (whatever that may be) and tactics to to increase this respect in order to strengthen relationships.

Check out the second half for a list of recommended games to try out on a love one!

It is our first ever "mini" episode!

Co-hosts Raf and Ray discuss the high's and low's of the past decade in video gaming with our DnD fifth edition correspondent, Paul. They argue their perspectives over loot crates, the era of reboots and remakes, and list their top five influential games over the past ten years.

If you want a little trip down nostalgia lane, this is the episode for you!

Do our moral choices differ when we play a game? Do our choices in a game reflect who we are as a person? Wait, let's back up...what exactly is morality?

Co-hosts Raf and Ray are joined by their Philosophy Consultant, Cameron and Civ V conqueror, Sam, as they tackle the concept of morality and how it intersects with gaming. They talk about the controversial topic of violence in gaming, the responsibility of developers to create a morally just playground, and they argue a couple of hypothetical situations that may reveal their deepest, darkest intents.

Maybe.

How do you act while gaming alone? Do you notice any tendencies when you game? Do you have a similar persona throughout your gaming experiences? Does this differ if someone is watching you?

These are the questions we ask in our very first episode! Deep stuff...we know, that is what you will be getting with Gaming with RnR.

P.S. This first episode was recorded before we gathered our field experts, #foreshadow. We didn't want to overwhelm you, we (*cough* Raf *cough*) can be a handful.