Josh and Luke talk about designing games for people with sensory disabilities. Can games really demonstrate the experience of living without sight or hearing? Can games be made better for people with those problems. Then, in a controversial Mouthwash, they discuss visual novels. Are they worth playing? Should people be offended by them? Why IS […]
Josh and Luke discuss the Steam platform, and their frustrations with where it’s gone over its lifespans. Is Early Access a no-win situation for both gamers and developers? Has DLC finally jumped the shEArk? Are Steam Reviews actually helpful, or do they just make Josh mad (yes to both). Do the guys actually like ANYTHING? […]
Spitball Sessions #20: Road not Taken, and Cataclysm DDA
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This time Luke and Josh get lost in the woods while discussing Road Not Taken and how to make a game that teaches you how to play as you play it, without it feeling heavy-handed. Then in a raucous Mouthwash, they talk about the coming of Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead – a roguelikr survival game, […]
Spitball Sessions #19 - A Couple of Rogues Getting Down With the Quickness.
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Quick step into the podcast with real moxie, where the boys discuss the past, present, and possible future of the fan-beloved convention ofquicktime events. Dragon’s Lair, Shenmue, Resident Evil 4. Three games enter… FOUR leaves. Then, the boys dive deep on roguelikes. Where to start, where to go… What is a roguelike anyway? Josh has […]
Spitball Sessions # 18 - In which Luke, in a Fit of Contrarianism, Declares his Hatred for Other M
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In this episode, inspired by an interview wih Peter Olotka, Josh and Luke discuss contra-design (not to be confused with Contra design): creating designs by intentionally going in the opposite direction. Then, in the Mouthwash, they talk about the misnomer that is Metroivanias. Josh hates the term. Luke wonders whether there’s room for growth or […]
Spitball Sessions #17 - Playing the species card, and Dwarf Fortress-Alikes
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In this Episode, Josh and Luke cover the different aspects of multi species gameplay, including playing as non sentient beings, like slime mold, or giant worms with monosylabic names. Then, in The Mouthwash, the guys discuss Dwarf Fortress and its descendants – including Gnomora, Rimworld, Oxygen not Included, and more. To read some of the […]
In this episode, Josh and Luke discuss the multiple ways developers can hold their players’ hands. First, taking inspiration from Ico, they cook up some game ideas that require extended platonic contact. Then, in the Mouthwash, they discuss developer handholding of a more allegorical nature – player assistance such as loot glint, route signs, and […]
Spitball Sessions #15 - Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?
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In this action-packed episode of Spitball Sessions, Josh and Luke discuss the merits of adding bees to Halo. Or rather they don’t, they discuss the misuse of the term Epic, what it stands for, and how it can be properly used. In the mouthwash, our intrepid duo discussed a particular favorite, The Witness, and spoil […]
It’s a disaster! Josh is sick, and Luke is left holding the mic! He does the only thing he can in the situation, he mutters into it for a few minutes, then wanders off. We will have an updated podcast soon, I promise.