Wardcast

We continue to catch up on the endless Summer of Games™!

We find out that the gamers are unwell, as they deal with a Nintendo leak of gigantic proportions, debating dedicated hardware versus emulation, and melting down over Halo Infinite’s alleged graphical “downgrade.”

Also to contend with this episode: Pokémon teeth, an upsetting amount of Star Wars, MCU-ified M.O.D.O.K., and, unfortunately, more misconduct in the games industry — content warning for sexism, racism, and abuse — this time at Ubisoft.

Games include Apex Legends, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Devolverland Expo, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Phantasy Star Online 2.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

We collect virtually for the first time since the pandemic started to record our longest podcast to date, and for good reason: in lieu of E3 happening this year, we instead have to contend with an eternal summer of announcements.

And in the final quarter of this episode, we discuss the ongoing allegations of abuse in the industry — content warning for discussions of sexual abuse and sexual assault — along with the failure of the industry to protect victims and oust abusers.

Games include Tabletop Simulator, Just One, Wits & Wagers, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, Dépanneur Nocturne, Knuckles’ Chaotix, Spellbreak, Hitman, and Hitman 2.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

Josh Boykin — founder of gaming community Intelligame — joins the show to talk about the intersectionality of games and society.

Josh discusses the unique way he streams games for the site, balancing gameplay with thoughtful discussions with the chat, as well as the different lenses we use to critically discuss games — commercial, technical, artistic, social, and more.

Meanwhile, The Last of Us Part II release is making waves about storytelling in AAA — we reexamine the struggles of ludonarrative dissonance and its less spoken off compliments ludonarrative resonance and ludonarrative harmony and how gaming’s attempt to escape this constraint is reflective of society striving for something better.

And we cap things off with last month’s Wholesome Direct and Josh’s role in bringing the showcase to life!

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

Emma Kinema, organizer for CODE-CWA and co-founder of Game Workers Unite, joins Dylan for a wide-ranging discussion on organizing workplaces in games, tech, and beyond.

We talk about organizing in light of COVID-19, finding where workers draw power, the importance of solidarity, and challenging the old wives’ tales used to suppress worker wages.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

Recorded before we got the inevitable news of E3 2020’s cancellation, we hunker down to discuss the impacts the coronavirus has had on the gaming world and beyond.

We also chat about Georgian caped crusaders, a wonderful kickstarter that recently happened, the end of our devil’s hunt, and a one-of-a-kind console prototype that sold for a little less than expected.

Games include Halo: The Master Chief Collection, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cave Story+, Labyrinth, and Soko Loco Express.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

We crack open the Wardcast time capsule to bring you an episode postdated January 25th, 2020, that had us conducting a then-punctual discussion about the Oscars, games, and the gaming news of the preceding months that occurred while we were otherwise preoccupied.

We (hopefully) close the book on Death Stranding, take a look at Half-Life: Alyx, try to figure out what happened at The Game Awards, discover some hot ‘sclusies on C-SPAN, and discuss the onslaught of a new console generation.

Games include Death Stranding, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

An impromptu addition to our schedule at PAX East has Dylan moderating a panel about publishing and crowdfunding with several friends from the industry. Joining Dylan back in the Bobcat Theatre are Finji CEO Bekah Saltsman, Kickstarter’s Director of Games Anya Combs, Lay Waste Games’ Co-Owner Jon Ritter, and Soft Serve Games’ Chris Wulf.

We discuss the dos and don’ts about getting outside help to make your game, including how to approach publishers, what you should have prepared when you’re asking for funding, and some tips for running a successful Kickstarter. We also get a surprise game industry announcement near the end of the panel.

From the panel description:

Are you thinking about making a game in the next year? Have you already made a game and simply don’t know what to do next? Crowdfunding and [p]ublishing can be a great [way] to get your game out there, but the process does not begin when you launch a campaign or approach a publisher. There is work to be done before, during, and after to ensure you give your creation what it deserves! Join industry professionals to discuss their thoughts, experiences, and ask the burning questions you have.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

We deploy a parachute full of pants to land squarely in the Bobcat Theatre to celebrate the tenth Hidden Gems panel! Joining Dylan for this momentous occasion is producer Felix Kramer, community developer Jenny Windom, and League of Heels announcer Pat Baer. Listen in as we uncover the secrets and surprises from PAX East 2020, and follow along with the panel slides here.

From the panel description:

As the cold winter winds blow outside, you venture indoors to warm yourself at PAX’s hearth. Inside, you find a treasure trove of games ready to be played, but there are so many to see, where do you start? That’s where we step in: if you’re looking for secrets and surprises from the show floor, there’s no better place to hear about them than at Hidden Gems! Join us as we gather folks from across the games industry to showcase games and experiences that you won’t want to miss.

Games include Sludge Life, Kana Quest, Ambition: A Minuet of Power, Mini Maker, Chicory: A Colorful Tale, Floppy Knights, Overpass, She Dreams Elsewhere, Knights and Bikes, Skate Story, Welcome to Elk, Minute of Islands, and Phogs!

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

For our third year at PAX South, we’ve brought together some Hidden Gems veterans to retake the stage at the Cactus Theatre. Joining Dylan Ilvento are compatriots Harris Foster, Rami Ismail, Anya Combs, and Victoria Caña. Follow along with the panel slides here.

From the panel description:

Welcome to PAX, a virtual cornucopia of games and wonderment! If you’re looking for secrets and surprises from the show floor, there’s no better place to hear about them than at Hidden Gems! Join us as we explore all PAX has to offer and select for you a handful of curated pieces that you’ll want to check out while you’re here.

Games include Garden Story, Bill Hates Video Games, Calico, The Artful Escape, Infernax, Speaking Simulator, All Hams on Deck, From Rust, Fire Tower, Foregone, Magequit, Boyfriend Dungeon, and Just Shapes and Beats.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!

As part of MAGFest’s Music and Gaming Education Symposium, Dylan invited Anya Combs and Sam Eng for a discussion about the trials and tribulations of working in the game industry. We talk about how we got started in the industry, difficult patches we’ve hit, and how we’ve grown from those experiences. Feel free to follow along with the panel slides.

From the panel description:

Discussions about ‘breaking into’ the games industry are well worn territory. There’s plenty of information out there already about networking, upskilling, and other common topics. But let’s say you’re already doing all of that and you’re still finding it hard getting your big break. What do you do when the going gets tough? Join us for a roundtable discussion with members from the games industry to talk about how they tackled personal challenges on their journeys to get where they are today.

Got a question for the show? Join us on Discord at ward-games.com/discord or email us at [email protected]!