The Experience Points Podcast

The trailer for Dead Island appeared last week and shook gaming enthusiasts to the core. The internet was positively elated by this emotionally provocative commercial, which you can find embedded below. Techland must be doing something right, the film adaptation of the game has already been optioned. But how does the trailer hold-up to our critical gaze? What is all the excitement about? Join us this week while Scott and I discuss dead children, cultural expectations, and the art of a good trailer. You can find a slew of links in the show notes and, as always, we encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

More Dead Island Videos

Some discussion starters:

- What did you think of the Dead Island trailer?

- Is it sound to try to enhance a game using material not find within it?

- Should Dead Island set a new precedent for successful game trailers?

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 this link. 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 in the address bar.

Show Notes:

- Run time: 27 min 38 sec - "Dead Island - Announcement Trailer," via IGN - "Welcome to Dead Island," by Ryan Geddes via IGN - "Dead Island trailer made chronological, humorous," via Joystiq - Carousel and Delux Commercials by Adam Berg

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

With the ubiquity of the Internet and the popularity of social games, are single-player experiences becoming a niche genre? This week, we're happy to welcome Justin Keverne back to the podcast to discuss the role of single player games in a medium currently fascinated by group experiences. An accomplished game designer and critic, Justin helps us make sense of the relationship between single-player, multiplayer, and "social" games. We cover everything from the fourth wall, to Venn diagrams, and even the behemoth that is Facebook. As you know, the podcast isn't meant to be a single-player experience, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!Some discussion starters:- Is the single-player experience a historical aberration?- How do social components effect your experience with a game? What are the differences between a collaborative playthrough of a single-player game, online leader boards, asynchronous play, and active multiplayer?- What types of themes are best explored in a single-player game? What are some examples of games that rely on solo experiences? 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 the title. 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: 58 min 38 sec- "Groping The Elephant," Justin Keverne's website- "What is a Social Game?" by Nicholas Lovell, via GAMESbrief- "Are single player-games doomed?" by Raph Koster, via Raph Koster's Website- "Is the shift to online a fad?" by Raph Koster, via Raph Koster's Website- "Have single-player games ever existed?" by Raph Koster, via Raph Koster's Website- "Single Players are Not an Aberation" by Tadhg Kelly, via Gamesbrief- Music provided by Brad Sucks

We have traveled the world far and wide and brought back with us a special guest for this week's show. Joining us on this very special podcast is Professor Roger Travis from the University of Connecticut. In both his educational and literary work, Roger takes a fascinating interdisciplinary approach to games, history, and classics. Who could be more suited, then, to discuss Russian plans to retell national mythologies in videogames? Join us this week while we discuss practomime, games based learning, cold war villains, bardic storytelling, and the Arbiter. As always, we encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also find the original article and more of Roger's work in the show notes. Discussion starters: - Does does historical nostalgia manifest itself in video games? - Do game makers have an obligation to accurately portray history? - What are the narrative confines of heroic mythologies in games? 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 the title. 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: 64 min 13 sec - "Russia wants to ban Cold War villains from games," by Shaun Walker via The Independent - Video Games and Human Values Initiative - Living Epic - Play The Past - Music provided by Brad Sucks

Batman has Robin, The Green Hornet has Kato, Sherlock Holmes has Dr. Watson: Whenever a hero needs assistance, a loyal sidekick appears to lend a helping hand. This week, we use Brendan Main’s piece about a particularly controversial sidekick to explore how second bananas function in video games. Feel free to type up your thoughts in the comments. Alternatively, you can just tell your sidekick to do it for you.Some discussion starters:- On the subject of Navi: Love her or hate her? Why?- What are some examples of well-implemented sidekicks? Is their success tied to specific narrative or thematic elements, do they perform a specific function in the game, or is it some combination of both?- How do multiplayer games encourage or inhibit leader/sidekick relationships? Is there a way to foster this relationship without devaluing the second player?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 the title. 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.- Run time: 30 min 58 sec- “Hey, Listen, I Like Navi,” by Brendan Main, via The Escapist- Music provided by Brad Sucks

Take a famous icon, smear it with mod and dim the lighting, and you've got a successful franchise reboot. At least that is what Crystal Dynamics is hoping to accomplish with their latest Lara Croft project. Even though two Tomb Raider games were released in the last three years, apparently the franchise is in need of a face lift. Join us this week on the EXP Podcast while Scott and I discuss Tomb Raider's longevity, Dragon Ball Z, Jesus, and what it means to reboot a series. As always, we encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Discussion Starters: - What aspects of Lara Croft remain iconic for you?

- Is Lara an immortal icon, or would a failed reboot mark her death knell?

- Can you think of any games that succeeding in rebooting a franchise for you?

- What games do you think desperately need a reboot?

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 the title. 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 35 sec - "A Survivor Is Born: The New Lara Croft," by Megan Marie via Game Informer - First-Person Tetris

- Music provided by Brad Sucks

There’s a huge amount of great video game writing out there. Too much for your humble hosts to ever digest by themselves. This week, we take advantage of 2010’s embarrassment of riches and discuss some of our favorite pieces of video game writing from last year. As always feel free to join in and spread the word about your favorite game-related posts, essays, novellas, treatises, and tweets!Pieces discussed:- “Okay, Kids, Play on my Lawn,” by Roger Ebert, via Chicago Sun-Times- “Groping the Map”, by Justin Keverne, via Groping the Elephant- “Video games: The Addiction,” by Tom Bissel, via The Guardian- “Making Men Uncomfortable: What Bayonetta Should Learn From Gaga,” by Tanner Higgin, via Gaming the System: Tanner Higgin- “Castrating the Straight Male Gaze on Bayonetta (or at least making room for other ones!),” by Amanda Phillips, via The Humanities, Arts, Science, and Technology Advanced Collaboratory- “The Presence of the Past in Fallout 3,” by Trevor Owens, via Play the Past- “Riffing on the Flagpole,” by Michael Abbott, via The Brainy Gamer 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 the title. 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.- Run time: 34 min 25 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks

This week, we stay just a bit longer under the sea, exploring the much lauded Bioshock 2 DLC, Minerva's Den. 2K's final journey into Rapture may just show other game developers how to create stand-alone additional content that puts other full length titles to shame.Some discussion starters:- How does Minerva's Den compare to Bioshock 2?- How does Minerva's Den compare the DLC from other recent games?- Does this game make you more excited/hopeful/concerned about Bioshock Infinite?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 the title. 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 31 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks

This week, we board our bathyspheres to revisit Rapture. BioShock 2 was faced with the monumental task of following one of gaming’s most revered titles and it was initially met with trepidation from fans. However, the game is much more than a cookie-cutter sequel, and we spend this episode discussing the significant systemic and narrative changes it brings to the series. Some discussion starters:- Did BioShock 2 alter your feelings towards the original game?- Did the moral choices in BioShock 2 carry weight for you?- How did the game’s emphasis on defending Little Sisters impact your play style?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 the title. 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:- “Groping the Map: Pauper's Drop”, by Justin Keverne, via Groping the Elephant- “On My Shoulder, Whispering,” by Michael Abbott, via The Brainy Gamer- Run time: 38 min 04 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks

We have covered our games of the year, but 2010 held far more than just six titles, and 2011 will hold many more. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I discuss some of the game we neglected last week, from games we never played to games we look forward to playing. Join us around the table while we devour our leftovers. As always, we encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.Discussion starters:- What games are people neglecting that deserve more attention?- What games of 2010 do you regret not playing?- What games of 2011 do you most look forward to?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 the title. 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 25 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks

It’s GOTY season, and we just couldn’t let the opportunity go without talking about some of the outstanding titles we played this year. Naming the one true “Game of the Year” is a hopelessly subjective task, so instead we each chose three games from 2010 that made strong impressions on us. As always, feel free to join in on the conversation. What were your highlights from 2010?Jorge’s Top Games of 2010:Mass Effect 2Lara Croft and the Guardian of LightRed Dead RedemptionScott’s Top Games of 2010:God of War IIISuper Mario Galaxy 2Red Dead RedemptionTo 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 the title. 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 45 sec- Music provided by Brad Sucks