The Experience Points Podcast

From overturned wagons to the earthquakes, games have long been rife with disaster, but how well have they depicted tragedy? And what risks do we take when designing for tragedy in games? This week on the EXP Podcast, we are inspired by Paste's Maddy Myers when she asks "should disaster games be fun?"

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 32 mins 22 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

This week on the podcast, our very own Jorge Albor creates a new genre: "big small games." Don't worry, it actually makes sense. We've been laboring under the majestic weight of sprawling epics like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, so we decided to take a break with some games that have a smaller scope. We talk about Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Infamous: First Light, Monument Valley and the overall concept of going for design depth rather than breadth. Have any favorite games that fit somewhere between free indie and blockbuster status? Let us know in the comments!

We may have enough games to while away eternity, all from the latest Steam sale alone, but Scott and I still find time to check-in on our regularly scheduled games of the season. This week on the EXP Podcast, we bring up our patch notes and discuss Titanfall, League of Legends, Destiny, and Super Smash Bros. Has anything changed in the games or in our thoughts? Absolutely!

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 47 mins 17 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

Gather round, my sweet summer children. Winter isn't coming; it's here, as is the first episode of Telltale's Game of Thrones series. Hanah joins us this week as we recap the story so far and justify our choices. We swear we acted for the good of the realm.

One hundred years ago, the world was at War. Today we are remembering how that war effected the lives of millions, and continues to effect our own lives today, by playing a video game. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss Valiant Hearts: The Great War by Ubisoft Montpellier. If you have played the game yourself, be sure to hop into the comments on experiencepoints.net and share your thoughts. How does this game depict the war as you understand it? Is this was a "playable-museum-exhibit" should look like? We want to know!

We talked about our games of the year and the honorable mentions and now it's time to wrap up 2014. Let's start 2015 by taking a look at the calendar and talking about the games we're looking forward to playing next year. What do you see yourself enjoying in the coming year? What do you hope to be surprised by? Maybe a visit from a mythical fox-dragon?

Last week we delivered out Games of the Year podcast, but that list is just so short! Scott and I have returned to further unpack the exciting year of video games and give a nod to some of the most interesting games of 2014. Some will will surprise, others not so much. What 2014 games are on the top of your list? Let us know!

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 37 mins 52 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

It's that time of year again everyone: the time when we make the painful decisions. The time when we take stock of the year and elevate three champions that represent the year's high points. It's our Games of the Year for 2014 (because who could pick just one?). What experiences from 2014 will stick with you as we get ready for the new year? Let us know in the comments!

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 53 mins 25 secs

- Music by Brad Sucks

What happens in Vegas gets shared all across the internet! This week on the Experience Points Podcast, Scott and discuss the latest news and announcement from the Game Awards show and Sony's Playstation Experience event. You can prepare yourself for the show by watching the game awards show in entirety right here. For your viewing pleasure, you can also find all the trailers for the games we discuss in the show notes below. Let us know which these games you are most looking forward to!

Show Notes:

- Runtime: 38 mins 18 secs

- Uncharted 4 Gameplay Trailer

- Bloodborn Game Awards Trailer

- Witcher 3 Elder Blood Trailer

- Drawn to Death Trailer

- Wattam Trailer

- What Remains of Edith Finch Trailer

- Tacoma Trailer

- Adr1ft Trailer

- Street Fighter V Trailer

- No Man's Sky Gameplay Trailer

- Legend of Zelda Gameplay Walkthrough

- Music by Brad Sucks

In what is becoming the World Cup of the video game universe (Sorry Snake, looks like Pac Man bested you in the qualifying round), the medium’s marquee mascots have gathered once again to partake in the time honored tradition of beating the crap out of one another (this time in HD!). We got our hands on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (despite not getting our hands on a GameCube controller adapter) and spent some time thinking about the new roster, Smash’s place in the fighting game scene, and weaponized Pokemon.