The Experience Points Podcast

Last week, Konami announced Six Days in Fallujah, a game set during the tumultuous 2004 batle in Fallujah, Iraq, developed by Atomic Games. Nothing stirs up controversy like a videogame adaptation set in a current war zone (except a large scoop of gratuitous nudity). With war veterans on both side of the fence, it is not so easy to work out how videogames should address warfare and current events. Yet Scott and I try to do just that anyway! Join us while we discuss PR insults, mixing games and social messages, and limitations of fun. At the bottom of the page, you'll find our delightful show notes. In them you'll find the Wall Street Journal's and LA Times' articles concerning Six Days in Fallujah, we encourage you to read them, particular for soldiers' opinions. Also, Chris Breckon of Shacknews had a closer look at the actual game, the product seems unsatisfying, but his thoughts on the subject are insightful. As always, we look forward to reading your thoughts in the comments section.Some discussion starters:- Is there a market for games about current events, particularly about controversial subjects?- Can a game intend to make players uncomfortable yet still be fun, or does this defeat the purpose?- Have any games you've played addressed serious and currently significant subjects?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: 24 min 59 sec- Wall Street Journal, Iraq, The Videogame- Los Angeles Times, Konami announcement update- Chris Breckon of Shacknews, Six Days in Fallujah, One Small Problem- Oligarchy, a political game about the petroleum era.

Grab you shotgun and your thinking caps, because this week, we are devoting the podcast to a thorough discussion of Resident Evil 5! We put in some marathon couch co-op sessions, analyzing everything from the control scheme to the game's character development. As we discuss in the show, Resident Evil 5 quickly became a controversial game in a number of respects. The game has sparked debates over everything from game design to social responsibility, so we take some extra time to delve into this surprisingly complicated game. We encourage everyone to read the show notes for some background on the ethnicity discussion, as some very smart folks have calmly, patiently, and rationally explained the issues behind the game's imagery. These are some charged topics, but as always, we welcome feedback and discussions. Feel free to send us an email or post your thoughts in the comments.Some discussion starters:- When does a control scheme move from being a "style" to simply being outdated? If you have played the game, do you think RE5 crosses this line?- Resident Evil has always featured arbitrary, yet constant rules. To what extent do you appreciate "game-eyness" in your video games? What do you think about the "if-then" gameplay we discussed?- What kind of co-op games most effectively make use of two-player teamwork: do structured, explicitly-designed two player challenges or more free-form, player initiated cooperation make for better cooperation?- What are games' obligations towards social responsibility? How can games address complicated issues like race, class, gender, and politics?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: 50 min 16 sec - N'Gai Croal's original comments on the RE5 Trailer: "Newsweek's N'Gai Croal On The 'Resident Evil 5′ Trailer: 'This Imagery Has A History" - Shawn Elliot: "Primal Fear: Haunted by Ghosts of Predators Past"- Shawn Elliot: "Racial Imagery in RE5 Trailer?" - Evan Narcisse on Crispy Gamer: "Thought/Process: More on Resident Evil 5 and Uncomfortable Echoes"- Music provided by Brad Sucks

The gaming internet sites were humming with excitement during the Game Developers Conference last week in sunny San Francisco. Upon one particular announcement, a mix of gleeful tittering and cries of consternation were audible across the bay and a widespread internet discussion soon followed. The product announced was OnLive, a gaming service that purports to do away with hardware concerns by streaming your games over high-speed internet. This week, Scott and I discuss OnLive as it relates to the curative properties of snake oil, urban ISP ruffians, scam artists, and the future of consumer participation in game consumption. Since we are drawing on a wider collection of news sources than normal, we will link some of the more interesting pieces in the show notes along with OnLives demonstration video. If you are curious about OnLive further, allow us to google that for you. Comments are encouraged via email on the right or in the comments section below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.Since we are drawing a wider collection of news sources than normal, we will link some of the more interesting pieces in the show notes along with OnLives demonstration video. If you are curious about OnLive further, allow us to google that for you. Comments are encouraged via email on the right or in the comments section below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.Some discussion starters:- Do you think the time is right for a service like OnLive? Are people ready for another console competitor? - Do you think the infrastructure exists for OnLive? - Would you partake in this service or do you think the growing pains of expanding their content is too much?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: 28 min 14 sec - OnLive website with video. - John Spinale talks to The Escapist about OnLive. - Richard Leadbetter, of Erogamer, explains why OnLive can't possible work.

Animals have a long history in video games, and continue to play important parts in the most recent titles. This week, we happened upon an article detailing the story of a high school student offended by the treatment of dogs in Call of Duty: World at War. Her efforts to petition Activision to change its ways got us thinking about how and why games are criticized, as well as the larger role of animals in games. Although we have a bit of fun at the article's expense, it is a useful tool for examining how people react to violent games, how different forms of violence are interpreted, and how animals fit in to the medium as whole. As always, we love hearing your responses to both the story and the podcast, so feel free to send us an email or jump in on the comments!Some discussion starters:- What memorable animal appearances can you think of? What role did the animals play in the game?- While we were not exactly optimistic about Lucci's chances of getting Activision's attention, her efforts raise a good point: how should people display their disagreement with publishers and developers? Petitions? Essays? Response games (like the PETA example)? Voting with one's wallet?- To what degree does the incorporation of animals succeed in games, and how would you like to see it improved?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: 25 min 54 sec - Mike Fahey's (Kotaku) article and response: "Students Protest Call Of Duty Dog Killing"- The original article from the Lowell Sun: "NDA students protest video game's depiction of cruelty to animals"- Cooking Mama and PETA's response- Music provided by Brad Sucks

It seems like most people have their favorite examples of the "so bad it's good" class of film. Low-budget, occasionally self-aware, "B movies" often form strong followings of people who love them for their effort and entertainment value. This week, we discuss a recent article by Christian Nutt of Gamasutra that examines the obstacles and efforts in the creation of "B" video games. We invite you to join our conversation about chainsaw arms, "Sweet" dialogue, and NPH by commenting on this post. As always, you can find the original article in the show notes for your enjoyment.Some discussion starters:- Have you ever enjoyed a game you knew was poorly designed or implemented? Would you consider this a "B" videogame?- Is it possible to have "B" game mechanics or must "B" games rely on thematic implementation?- Can you think of any games that you considered "A" level when they were released, that now seem campy or "B" level?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:- 27min 18sec- "Can The Industry Make a 'B Game'?" by Christian Nutt, via Gamasutra- Music provided by Brad Sucks

We all know by now that the stereotype of the solitary, basement-dwelling video game nerd is the stuff of fiction. Gaming communities have always existed, but the rise of the Internet has allowed for increasingly complex and direct communication between players and developers. This week, we use Leigh Alexander's piece on Eve Online to start a conversation about community management in modern games. We take a look at Brandon Boyer's article about Infinity Ward's Twitter-based suggestion box for the next Call of Duty: Modern Warfare game. Of course, no discussion about community would be complete without your feedback, so please don't hesitate to jump in via comments or email! Some discussion starters: -How involved are you in large scale community games like Eve Online? What drew you to the community and why do you think it was successful? -Players: How (if at all) do you interact with game developers? Do you post on message boards, send emails, or just vote with you wallet? Developers: What are the most effective ways of gathering feedback?-In today's world of downloadable content and game patches, is there a danger of developers over-reacting to complaints from a vocal minority of players? 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: 27 min 56 sec -Leigh Alexander's article about Eve Online: "Interview: CCP's Tinney On How EVE Keeps Growing"-Brandon Boyer's article about Infinity Ward's use of Twitter: "Call of Duty creators Infinity Ward launch their Twitter suggestion box "-Steven Totilo's article about Gabe Newell's DICE 2009 talk: "DICE 2009: The Very Different Gaming World Gabe Newell Wants"-Music provided by Brad Sucks

Keita Takahashi of Namco Bandai, creator of Katamari Damacy, has once again dipped his nimble fingers into his mystical bucket of genius and pulled out Noby Noby Boy, one of the most bizarre games I have ever played. Mike Schiller of PopMatters bravely took it upon himself to review this oddity. This week, Scott and I use Schiller's piece to discuss our own thoughts on Noby Noby Boy, Metagames, "play," and the sexuality of interstellar worm-like beings. I highly encourage you to watch some YouTube videos of the game and read the PopMatters review, both of which you can find in the shownotes. As always, we would love you to post your comments, no matter how bizarre they may be.Some discussion starters:- What are your thoughts on making your own in-game challenges? Have you any memorable accomplishments? - Do metagames enhance or diminish a gaming experience? - Do you think Noby Noby Boy is representative of a wider PS3 audience?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: 27 min 4 sec - Some Noby Noby Boy gameplay. - Noby Noby Boy and the New PS3 Paradigm by Mike Schiller of PopMatters.-Music provided by Brad Sucks

The video game world is buzzing with the release of Street Fighter IV. It is a franchise that helped usher a generation of gamers into the fighting genre, and arrives greeted by a wave of emotionally-charged expectations. Further complicating any attempts at objective analysis further is the fact that Street Fighter is rooted in the arcade tradition. With the game's release comes peripherals (by the way, it looks like Jorge was right: MadCatz is the pricey one!) that capture the arcade feeling. Mitch Krpata of the site Insult Swordfighting raises the important question of how to analyze games that rely (either implicitly or explicitly) on peripherals. We trace a brief history of non-controller pad input devices and muse on their effects on the games that use them. As always, feel free to jump in with your experiences and thoughts. Some discussion starters: -Should Street Fighter IV be reviewed a specific way (either arcade stick or control pad)? -How much focus should the hardware have in game analysis? -What do you think of the "fairness" argument: Should games have a standardized control scheme to ensure a level playing field? Should developers ensure that third party peripherals do not undermine this? 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: 28 min 19 sec -Mitch Krpata's article: "A Peripheral Concern " -Music provided by Brad Sucks

Hello readers and listeners. This week Scott and I branch off of neat panel discussion Stephen Totilo held with Ken Levine of 2k Boston and Todd Howard of Bethesda Softworks. Each panelist was asked to comment on their game endings, Bioshock and Fallout 3 respectively. We take their comments and run with them, discussing our thoughts on cut scenes, interactive conclusions, and more. As always, we encourage you to take a look at the original article and footage in the show notes. Comments are appreciated and we've got some discussion starters just below if you need some momentary inspiration. Some discussion starters: - Do traditional game endings feel like a payoff? Have you ever cheated and watched an ending online?- What do you think the future holds for videogame endings? Do you think there is an easier or better way to end games?- What have been your favorite and least favorite videogame endingsTo 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: 31 min 12 sec- Original MTV Multiplayer article with footage from Ken Levine and Todd Howard Comic-Con panel.-Music provided by Brad Sucks

This week will see the release of thatgamecompany's unique new title, Flower. In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, Jenova Chen, the co-creator of thatgamecompany, explained that he hoped that Flower will feel "like therapy" to players. This got us thinking about the ability of games to act as stress relievers and how both the mechanical and narrative techniques in games affect our mindsets. We also talk about the traditional notions of why some games are considered relaxing, and we explore the soothing possibilities of games that normally would not be considered calming. We invite you to relax, take a deep breath, and then jump in with your thoughts! Some discussion starters: -What games, if any, do you use as "therapy?" Do they fall into one genre, or are there any you think are "surprisingly" calming? -Is there a contradiction between a therapeutic game and one in which the player partakes in destructive in-game behaviors? -What kinds of themes and imagery do you think of when you here about a "therapeutic game?" -Does a genre of meditative or Zen gaming need to exist, or can it be encompassed within larger categories? 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: 25 min 43 sec -Patrick Klepek's article with excerpts from Jenova Chen: "'Flower' Should Make You Feel Better About Yourself, Argues Creator" -Music provided by Brad Sucks