The Experience Points Podcast

E3 is over! Right now a giant Sonic the Hedgehog statue sits in the dark, international developers are flying over the Atlantic ocean, and thousands of swag collectors are rummaging through their treasures like a child on Halloween night. While the show came to a close, Scott and I still had plenty of games to check out, some exciting and original works and other supreme disappointments. Thanks again for listening and be sure to tune in to next week's podcast when we discuss E3 with more depth and the benefit of hindsight.

Show notes:

- Run time: 36 min 06 sec

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

It's the second day of E3! Jorge and I spent a lot of time with the big publishers today. We saw high profile titles like Black Ops 2 and Dishonored, but we also carved out space for more niche games like Papa & Yo and Dust 514. We hope you enjoy the recap and we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the show in the comments!To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Run time: 32 min 32 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks

The E3 2012 show floor doors burst open today, letting industry professional tossing out business cards like they were beads on Mardi Gras, media reps carrying enough stress to kill an elephant, a horde of ravenous fans hungry for glorious swag. Scott and I sauntered in at some point too, a tad confused and more than a little curious. We took Day 1 of the show relatively slow, but we still have plenty to talk about. Join us on this E3 2012 podcast to discuss our first thoughts on the show, some of the IndieCade entries, Natural Selection 2, NBA Baller Beats, and more. As always, we love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Show Notes: - Run time: 30 min 06 sec

California is big and brown and has very little 3G/4G wireless coverage in its middle. Regardless, Jorge and I have made it safely down to Los Angeles for E3 2012 while still managing to catch the all-important press conferences for Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, and Sony. Join us while we discuss each conferences larger themes and our first impressions about what E3 has to offer. If you caught the streamed conferences yourself, let us know your thoughts on the show thus far in the comments below.

To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:

- Run time: 34 min 36 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks

The same gaming lull is here, but out gaming habits are as vibrant as ever. Believe or not, but Scott and I do find time in our busy schedule to actually play games. This week we take a break to chat about the games we have been playing recently, from everyone's favorite Blizzard release to an unexpectedly enjoyable side-scrolling MOBA. Let us know what you have been enjoying lately in the comments section below, and be sure to chime in with your thoughts on the games we've discussed in the show.

To listen to the podcast:

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.

- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.

Show notes:

- Run time: 39 min 29 sec

- Digital: A Love Story

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

We all know there's no such thing as ghosts (right...?), but what about virtual ghosts? This week, inspired by Jason Johnson's piece on Red Dead Redemption's haunted mansion, we discuss the myths, urban legends, and tall tales that crop up around games. We talk about the ways games facilitate far out theories and why mysteries are so alluring to players. Of course, you can't have conspiracies without fellow conspirators, so we're looking forward to hearing your theories in the comments.And, just for fun, here's one of my favorite haunted RDR videos:Some discussion starters:- What are some of your favorite gaming myths, rumors, and/or ghost stories?- What type of game best facilitates folklore? How do rules, systems, and plots inform theories?- How have gaming urban legends changed over the years?To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Run time: 29 min 48 sec- "Black Undead Damnation," by Jason Johnson, via Kill Screen- A list of rumors about Tumbleweed, from the Red Dead Redemption wiki on Wikia- Music provided by Brad Sucks

There are some truly stunning game players out there, people who can shoot, soar, jump, and score through the most difficult gaming challenges around. They show a true mastery over game systems. But does this make them good critics? How good at games do we have to be to contribute the most valuable video game discussions? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I tackle an excellent article by Kyle Stegerwald addressing the question of skill and games criticism. As always, we encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Show notes:

- Run time: 32 min 37 sec

- "Bad at What? The Question of Skill and Games Criticism", by Kyle Stegerwald via medium difficulty

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

We try to stretch, maybe do some breathing exercises, and envision that "happy place" in our mind's eye, but even the best of us experience game-related grumpiness. This week, thanks to Mitch Krpata's recent and refreshingly honest appraisal of his video game raging, we talk about games that make us mad. We touch on everything from specific games to the ways frustration manifests itself, while trying to keep fury-related flashbacks to a minimum. As always, don't just stew in silence; feel free to burst into the comments with your thoughts on angry gaming.Some discussion starters:- What specific games make you mad? Are there certain franchises that continually rile you up?- How do specific games systems foment anger? Conversely, are there certain types of mechanics or dynamics that are naturally calming?- Let's hear your horror stories: Broken controllers? Smashed monitors? Lifelong bans? What are the consequences of Hulking out?To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Run time: 28 min 42 sec- "All the Rage," by Mitch Krpata, via Insult Swordfighting- Music provided by Brad Sucks

I may be a low-down dirty cheat, but I am not alone. In fact, plenty of people glitch against walls, harvest the brilliant internet hive-mind for puzzle solutions, or ask the twitterverse how to build the sweetest weapons and armor. Are we losing something or gaining something by cheating? And why do we cheat in the first place? Join Scott and I while we discuss these questions, our own cheating habits, and so much more. As always, we encourage you to leave your comments below and let us know how, when, and why you have opted to rely on outside help.

To listen to the podcast:

- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.

- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.

- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.

Show notes:

- Run time: 35 min 30 sec

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Jorge and I are always going on about why games are valuable, but we're usually talking about their artistic, social, and cultural value. This week, we focus more on the bottom line. Inspired by Chris Kohler's fantastic article about game pricing and the effects of the used market, we talk about the monetary factors that influence the games we play and how we perceive the industry. It's huge topic and we touch on a host of issues that all deserve their own conversations, so I'm sure we'll come back to them in the future. For now though, we're interested in what you think about when budgeting your game purchases. Feel free to jump into the comments and share your cost benefit analysis!Some discussion starters:- How does a game's price factor into your purchasing decisions?- What is your current relationship with the used game market? Has this changed over the years?- Would more transparency in game company budgets and financial strategies impact what you would willingly pay for a game?To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by left-clicking here. Or, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format.- Subscribe to this podcast and EXP's written content with the RSS link on the right.Show notes:- Run time: 41 min 21 sec- "Videogames Can't Afford to Cost This Much," by Chris Kohler, via Wired- Music provided by Brad Sucks