Spitball Sessions

Josh and Luke talk about designing games for people with sensory disabilities.  Can games really demonstrate the experience of living without sight or hearing?  Can games be made better for people with those problems.

Then, in a controversial Mouthwash, they discuss visual novels.  Are they worth playing?  Should people be offended by them?  Why IS there a slash in Fate/Stay Night?

Josh and Luke discuss the Steam platform, and their frustrations with where it's gone over its lifespans.

Is Early Access a no-win situation for both gamers and developers?  Has DLC finally jumped the shEArk?  Are Steam Reviews actually helpful, or do they just make Josh mad (yes to both).  Do the guys actually like ANYTHING?  Or do they hate Everything?

Find out all that and more on the Special Steam Sale Bonus Edition.

This time Luke and Josh get lost in the woods while discussing Road Not Taken and how to make a game that teaches you how to play as you play it, without it feeling heavy-handed.

Then in a raucous Mouthwash, they  talk about the coming of Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead - a roguelikr survival game, and how it relates to moose.  Also, the troubles with driving cars, procuring supplies, and whether zombies can still be an interesting enemy.

Quick step into the podcast with real moxie, where the boys discuss the past, present, and possible future of the fan-beloved convention ofquicktime events.  Dragon’s Lair, Shenmue, Resident Evil 4.  Three games enter...  FOUR leaves.

Then, the boys dive deep on roguelikes.  Where to start, where to go...  What is a roguelike anyway?  Josh has another argument about naming conventions.  Luke defends ASCII.  Both get lost in the discussion and may be forever trapped...

Will they return with the priceless Maguffin?  Or will they die in the bowels of the earth?  Tune in next time to find out.

In this episode, inspired by an interview wih Peter Olotka, Josh and Luke discuss contra-design (not to be confused with Contra design): creating designs by intentionally going in the opposite direction.

Then, in the Mouthwash, they talk about the misnomer that is Metroivanias.  Josh hates the term.  Luke wonders whether there’s room for growth or if they are tied to a basic formula.  Josh declares Cave Story the greatest Metroidvania of all time.

Note: parts of Fez are spoiled in great detail, about 105 mins or so into the podcast.

The writer/designer of Yomi is Sirlin, and the article I was attempting to reference can be found at http://www.sirlin.net/ptw-book/7-spies-of-the-mind

In this Episode, Josh and Luke cover the different aspects of multi species gameplay, including playing as non sentient beings, like slime mold, or giant worms with monosylabic names. Then, in The Mouthwash, the guys discuss Dwarf Fortress and its descendants – including Gnomora, Rimworld, Oxygen not Included, and more. To read some of the […]

In this episode, Josh and Luke discuss the multiple ways developers can hold their players’ hands. First, taking inspiration from Ico, they cook up some game ideas that require extended platonic contact. Then, in the Mouthwash, they discuss developer handholding of a more allegorical nature – player assistance such as loot glint, route signs, and […]

In this action-packed episode of Spitball Sessions, Josh and Luke discuss the merits of adding bees to Halo.  Or rather they don’t, they discuss the misuse of the term Epic, what it stands for, and how it can be properly used.

In the mouthwash, our intrepid duo discussed a particular favorite, The Witness, and spoil it entirely.

It’s a disaster! Josh is sick, and Luke is left holding the mic! He does the only thing he can in the situation, he mutters into it for a few minutes, then wanders off.

We will have an updated podcast soon, I promise.

In this episode, Josh and Luke honor the end of their favorite podcast – Flip the Table! (more…)