Lore Party

Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) is joined by Shivnit from the Esports Business Podcast to explore what it takes to run a business in the Borderlands universe.
They discuss the business models of Atlas, Dahl, and Hyperion (4:52), how massively influential Dahl was on the universe (7:59), and how these fictional corporations mirror real-world companies (14:17).
This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers.

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Video games do not have to be apolitcal pieces of art. While some developers might actively avoid overt political messaging in their games, developer Introversion Software did the opposite with Prison Architect.
Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Neil (@neilbigdeal) and Lawerence (@Producedby_Lk) are joined by Elizabeth to explore the dying small town of Possum Springs in Night in the Woods.
They discuss Mae’s decision to drop out of college (1:53), how all of her old friends have grown up and moved on (4:12), and the slow painful death of Possum Springs (14:10).
This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers.

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The slow quiet life in a small town can seem like the perfect escape for anyone stuck at a dead-end corporate job in a bustling city. That’s the fantasy Stardew Valley presents to its players, and in doing so, the game itself becomes a refuge for anyone yearning for a simpler life where their every day anxieties don’t matter.
Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

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Bhavya (@bhaviously) and Caleb (@ScifiSpeedster) explore what memories mean to someone on their death bed, the central question in the hit indie game To the Moon.
They discuss the ethical dilemma of choosing fake memories over your real ones (3:32), the interesting direction the sequel takes this dilemma (8:49), and whether or not they themselves would choose to alter their memories given the technology actually existed (16:31).
This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers.

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Abu (@abu_zafar) and Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) are joined by MJ (@ihoardlibraries) from the Reignite podcast to explore romance and representation in Mass Effect.
They discuss how relationship dynamics would change in a galaxy full of aliens (0:19), compare Joker and EDI’s relationship to the movie Her (4:41), and realize the Asari are the wokest species in the entire galaxy (12:46).
This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers.

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Abu (@abu_zafar) and Leo (@LeoWigginsVO) are joined by MJ (@ihoardlibraries) from the Reignite podcast to explore romance and representation in Mass Effect.
MJ shares how the Mass Effect series played a role in shaping her identity (4:44), everyone reveals who they first romanced in the games (11:43), and we wrap up with a discussion about both the good and bad steps BioWare took when it comes to represenation in the series (23:48).
In Part 2 of this episode, we dive into an in-universe exploration of how society’s views on love, romance, and sexuality change when aliens are introduced.
This is an [Easy] level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the game. Expect spoilers.

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Bruce (@BruceWalton) and Kevin (@In_the_Lupe) explore the first two generations in the Kenway family: Edward and Haytham.
They discuss Edward’s growth from an insufferable asshole to respected Master Assassin (5:06), Haytham’s troubled upbringing (10:48), and his internal struggle of being raised a Templar while having an Assassin father (18:00).
This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers.

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In Darkest Dungeon, you are not the target of horror and tragedy. You are the source.
Minigame is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

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Abu (@abu_zafar) and Brett (@CoachBrett4) explore the futile war waged by the Scoia’tael.
They discuss the long history of conflicts between humans and elves (2:41), the goals of the Scoia’tel (14:32), and why they are doomed to fail (24:22).
This is an [Expert] level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers.

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