Co-op Mood: Announcement (2/2/2021)
An important announcement about the future of Co-op Mood. It doesn't involve GameStop, but it does involve work and family.
Feb 03, 2021•2 min•Ep. 20
Co-op Mood
Co-op Mood is a podcast about video games and why we play them. Every other week, co-hosts Sally Tamarkin (@sallyt) and Shane Vaiskauskas (@mundangerous) talk about video games, exploring topics and themes as well as the stories they tell, the worlds they create, the characters who live in those worlds and the gameplay mechanics and story structures that make it all possible.
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Episodes
Co-op Mood 20: A Modern Ancient Epic
On this episode Shane and Sally talk about the announcement that Ubisoft is working on an open world Star Wars game and what the marriage of Ubi and a beloved franchise could look like. Then they dive into part one of their discussion on the action-adventure platformer, Raji: An Ancient Epic, the debut game from Nodding Heads Games, based in Pune, India, from the beauty of the hand-painted textures to the joy of hacking and slashing your way through beautiful environments with the blessings of t...
Jan 20, 2021•48 min•Ep. 20
Co-op Mood 19: Welcome to the Murder Sandbox (Hitman 2)
On this episode Shane and Sally talk about their New Year’s gaming resolutions, and how they plan (hope?) to play games in 2021. Then they jump into part two of their discussion of io Interactive’s Hitman 2. They discuss being on rails in an open world, lateral thinking (murder) puzzles, and the agony and the ecstasy of mission stories. Of course, they also talk about what they’re playing right now, which includes League, Spider-Man Miles Morales, Breath of the Wild, and Night’s Black Agents: So...
Jan 05, 2021•59 min•Ep. 19
Co-op Mood: Codename 18
On this episode Shane and Sally kick things off by talking about the clusterfuck that is CD Projekt’s release of Cyberpunk 2077. Then they dive into part one of their two-part conversation about io Interactive’s Hitman 2. They discuss the gameplay loop, level design, and the pleasure of snappy gunplay and Jason Bourne-ing your way through the world. They also talked about games they’re playing right now, including League, Breath of the Wild, and Immortals Fenyx Rising. Things we talked about: - ...
Dec 22, 2020•49 min•Ep. 18
Co-op Mood 17: God Mode
On this episode Shane and Sally discussed a recent WaPo story about how video game developers are creatively approaching difficulty settings in their games and the exciting things that are possible when devs think intentionally about playability and accessibility. Then they dove deep into their final impressions of the horny roguelike dungeon-crawler Hades, including what they liked and didn’t like, and when roguelikes should just be JPRGs or visual novels. They also talked about the games they’...
Dec 08, 2020•54 min•Ep. 17
Co-op Mood 16: Hades, Thee Bisexual Thirst Trap
On this episode Shane and Sally talk “Project 007,” the upcoming James Bond video game by IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman games. Then they talk about about the gameplay and aesthetic of the horny roguelike dungeon-crawler, Hades. They also talk about games they’re playing right now, including League (season 11 patch), Breath of the Wild, and Watch Dogs: Legion. Things we talked about: - Hitman developer IO Interactive is making a James Bond game - Hades: The Team from Supergiant Gam...
Nov 24, 2020•50 min•Ep. 16
Co-op Mood 15: There’s No Crying in Blaseball
On this episode Shane and Sally make an official correction about the upcoming Uncharted movie. Then they talk once again about the design/appearance of the PS5. Then Shane is joined by Jon ( @gurglespasm ), co-host of One Shot network’s System Mastery podcast, to talk about the weird and wonderful world of Blaseball, including its best lore, and advice for Blaseball n00bs to get involved in the upcoming new season. They also talk about the games they’re playing right now, including Hades, Leagu...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 15
Co-op Mood Unlucky 13: Rise From Your Grave
On this episode, Shane and Sally discuss exactly why Tom Holland is the wrong hunk to play daddy next door Nathan Drake in the upcoming Uncharted movie, and who they’d cast instead. Then they talk about participating in One Shot Network’s Among Us stream and the zaniness that ensued. Finally, in tribute to Halloween week they, as two people of scaredy-cat experience, talk about the times video games have scared them silly. Things we talked about: - Video Game Daddy Nathan Drake Will Be Played By...
Oct 27, 2020•49 min•Ep. 14
Co-op Mood 14: That's How It Could've Happened...But How About This?
On this episode, Shane and Sally talk about the PS5’s absolutely massive dimensions and whether it’ll fit in a typical entertainment center (jury’s still out). Then they talk all about multiple endings in video games, what functions they serve, when they work, and when they kinda ruin your fun. And they talk about the games they’re playing right now, Star Wars: Squadrons and Prey. -What Shane’s excited about: Schitt’s Creek (on Netflix) -What Sally’s excited about: The Expanse (on Amazon Prime V...
Oct 14, 2020•58 min•Ep. 13
Co-op Mood 12: The Most Influential Consoles of All Time You Won’t Believe What Happens Next
With all the talk and excitement about next gen consoles, Shane and Sally decided to take a stroll down memory lane and talk all about their own experiences with consoles over the years, from ColecoVision and Atari 7800 to Sega Game Gear and N64, all the way up to current gen consoles. They also talk about the recent announcement that the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival will include a category for video games. Of course they also talk about the games they’re playing: League of Legends and Batman: Ark...
Sep 29, 2020•56 min•Ep. 12
Co-op Mood 11: David Cage Remastered
Sally and Shane played the game that put David Cage’s name on the video game map: 2005’s Fahrenheit (or, as it was known in North America, Indigo Prophecy) and they’re here to talk all about it. They describe the game’s story and gameplay before diving into a discussion about the legacy of this very uneven game when it comes to today’s point and click and adventure games. They also talk about games they’re playing right now, including League of Legends and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. -What ...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 11
Co-op Mood 10: Detroit: Become Tabletop
In this episode Sally and Shane talk about Sony’s weird lottery system for preordering a PS5. Then they talk about the video games they’d like to play as tabletop RPGs and share their thoughts and ideas for just how to do that, from adapting lore and worldbuilding to implementing gameplay and mechanics. They also talk about games they’re playing right now, including Among Us, Eliza, and Night Call. -What Shane’s excited about: The TV series Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet available on Apple+. -Wha...
Sep 01, 2020•49 min•Ep. 10
Co-op Mood 9: You Will Be Deceived
In this episode Sally and Shane talk about a few different news items (including Stardew Valley update 1.5 and a certain big company suing a certain giant company). Then they discuss the 2019 game Interrogation: You Will Be Deceived, from the noir mood and rotoscoped aesthetic to the mechanics and themes, as well as what worked and what didn’t. They also talk about games they’re playing right now (League of Legends and Borderlands 3) and buying skins that don’t do anything mechanically but are e...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 9
Co-op Mood 8: Tabletop Roleplaying Video Games
In this episode Sally and Shane talk about the Nintendo gigaleak, why it matters, and ask the question “Does anyone care about the plumber’s brother?” Then they talk about the tabletop roleplaying games they’d like to see adapted in video games and how those concepts would be executed. They also talk about the games they’re playing right now, which include League of Legends and The Witness. -What Shane’s excited about: The finale of Discovery’s Naked and Afraid XL -What Sally’s excited about: Le...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 8
Co-op Mood 7: You Have My Divided Attention
In this episode, Sally and Shane talk about casual co-op games, when they work, when they don’t, why they’re great during the pandemic, and more. Then they discuss their all time favorites of the genre and also kind of change their definition of the genre. They also talk about speedrunning and Games Done Quick 2020 as well the games they’re playing right now (Overwatch, Minecraft Dungeons, LA Noire, A Mortician’s Tale, ACNH). Things we talked about: - Games Done Quick 2020 Schedule - Mike Tyson'...
Jul 21, 2020•55 min•Ep. 7
Co-op Mood 6: Myers–Briggs, But Video Games
Sally and Shane talk about Quantic Foundry’s gamer motivation profile survey and how it attempts to distill gamers’ personalities and playstyles and recommend games. They talk about the benefits and the limits of the survey model and then discuss their own results. They also discuss Amazon’s new recent released (and more recently un-released) game Crucible, as well as the grand strategy game Stellaris and the short indie game A Short Hike. Links from this episode: -Quantic Foundry’s Gamer Motiva...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 6
Co-op Mood 5: The Best of Us
Sally and Shane talk mostly about Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part 2. Although they skipped big story spoilers, there is plenty of discussion of how the game feels to play, the richness of the environments, and the exquisite storytelling. They also discuss whether video games have any place in high school curricula, the simple but deep joys of Minecraft Dungeons, and kicking a villager off your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island. Here are links to some of things we discussed this episode: - T...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 5
Co-op Mood 4: Jones in the Fast Lane
Shane and Sally open by talking about the Madden player who won the Madden bowl without having a QB or even throwing a single pass. Then they dive into the genre of games that includes Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing—known as “tend and befriend”—that are all about doing a job once your IRL workday is over. Read More: On anti-blackness and police violence: 5 Ways White People Can Be Helpful Right Now 31 Resources That Will Help You Become a Better White Ally Movement for Black Lives Official G...
Jun 09, 2020•56 min•Ep. 4
Co-op Mood 3: Enter the Dungeon(s and Dragons)
Shane and Sally open the episode by talking about the billion dollar (billion! Dollar!) video game coaching industry. Then they talk about the video games that provide a damn good simulacrum of sitting around a table playing D&D with buddies. Read More: Bloomberg : Billion Video-Game Coaching Business Ramps Up During Lockdown Contact Us: Sally on Twitter: @sallyt Shane on Twitter: @mundangerous Co-op Mood on Twitter: @coopmoodpod Co-op Mood Email: coopmoodpod[at]gmail.com...
May 26, 2020•49 min•Ep. 3
Co-op Mood 2: War is Hell (of a Good Time)
After discussing the Nintendo PlayStation and how weird and (apparently) valuable it is, Shane and Sally talk about how video games explore and portray war, from the jingoistic gun porn options to the games that are grounded in the brutal reality of combat trauma. Read More: Engadget : Bidding for the 'Nintendo PlayStation' prototype is already over $200k Contact Us: Sally on Twitter: @sallyt Shane on Twitter: @mundangerous Co-op Mood on Twitter: @coopmoodpod Co-op Mood Email: coopmoodpod[at]gma...
May 18, 2020•58 min•Ep. 2
Co-op Mood 1: Social Distancing Together
In the premiere episode of Co-op Mood, Shane and Sally talk about gaming in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. From game delays and Switch scarcity to the games that are bringing us comfort, joy, and immersion and all the co-oping we’re doing while sheltering in place. Contact Us: Sally on Twitter: @sallyt Shane on Twitter: @mundangerous Co-op Mood on Twitter: @coopmoodpod Co-op Mood Email: coopmoodpod[at]gmail.com...
May 15, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 1
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