This week, our experiment focuses on Nina Freeman, lead designer of Cibele. In addition to exploring the nature of intimacy in video games, we learn how to hate ourselves for playing MMOs, that we're too old for Undertale, and that if I ever want to make Spencer quit caring, I should just bring up sales reports. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Nina on Twitter Cibele Please help support my Patreon! Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] Steam estimated to have brought in $4 billio...
Jan 08, 2016
This week we return to the laboratory with Warren Spector, creator of some of the most iconic experiences in gaming history. In addition to discussing his illustrious career making games like Ultima Underworld, Wing Commander, Deus Ex, and Epic Mickey, we learn about his work with the Denius-Sams Gaming Academy, the myriad of games he's playing but would never design, and why he'll never get a job in this industry again. Guest Co-Host: Joel Levin of MinecraftEDU. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Warren on Twitter ...
Dec 10, 2015
This week we experiment on Soren Johnson, founder of Mohawk Games, makers of Offworld Trading Company. In addition to talking about his early access release, we discuss his history with Firaxis and EA, the eventual return of rhythm games, the frustration of unlimited turn strategy games, and the methods by which we will hobble Skynet's AI. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Soren on Twitter Offworld Trading Company Early Access Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] Five things I di...
Feb 27, 2015
From deep within the Maguma Jungle, we are joined by Kristen Bornemann of ArenaNet! Kristen talks to us about the upcoming expansion for Guild Wars 2, as well as her deep and confusing love for DOTA 2. We also discuss the release of the new 3DS, the slavery inherent in Ingress, and the cost to make Core Elements sell out. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Kristen on Twitter Guild Wars 2 Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] Smaller new 3DS will not be sold in the U.S. [LINK] Activ...
Feb 20, 2015
This week, Gabriel Mughelli, Promotions Mastermind at Hi-Rez Studios, joins us in the laboratory. In addition to discussing the upcoming Smite championships and Global Agenda 2, we discover why our brains like random lewtz, baffle Spencer with the popularity of e-sports, and dig into the worth of the CoD Riot Shield. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Gabriel on Twitter Hi-Rez Studios Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] Your brain loves rewards - whether you like it or not [LINK]...
Nov 07, 2014
This week, John Comes of Uber Entertainment joins us in the Laboratory! In addition to discussing Planetary Annihilation and the Human Resources kickstarter, we discuss the nature of Wes's MMO addictions, ponder the space flight sim vacancy, and definitively define which Civilization game is superior. [ MP3 AUDIO ] John on Twitter Uber Entertainment Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] X-Wing and Tie Fighter fingally getting digital release. [LINK] Star Citize...
Oct 31, 2014
Will Overgard, of The Creative Assembly, joins us in the laboratory this week! In addition to discussing Total War and Alien: Isolation, we ponder the results of internet death threads, dissect the fall of the Human Resources kickstarter, and help Spencer decide whether he should finish FFXIII or squeeze every bit of game he can from it. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Will on Twitter The Creative Assembly Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] Game Dev threatens Gabe Newell and ...
Oct 24, 2014
This week we're joined by Gregory MacMartin of iDGi, makers of Consortium. In addition to discussing their futuristic murder mystery, we contemplate the value of cancelled Blizzard games, assess the standards for debate and discourse, evaluate the concept that Mass Effect 2 is the best pc game, and statistically analyze how much programming indie game devs can do. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Gregory on Twitter Consortium Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My latest Unboxing video [LINK] Blizzard cancels...
Sep 27, 2014
Our guest scientist this week is Ryan S Dancey of Goblinworks, makers of Pathfinder Online. His illustrious gaming career includes product development on Legend of the Five Rings, brokering the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast, leading the development of 3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons, and marketing Eve and the World of Darkness MMO for three years with CCP. In edition to discussing these amazing gaming milestones, we discuss the acquisition of Mojang by Microsoft, the toxicity of online co...
Sep 19, 2014
After a long dormant period inside the volcano, Mike Rugnetta from PBS Idea Channel returns for a reasoned discussion about the nature of games and our media. In addition to talking about his work with PBS and podcasting, we look into the obtuse nature of non-DS Zelda, the corruption that nostalgia can throw on your game replays, and the persistent ear-plugging of the angry gamer bros. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Mike on Twitter PBS Idea Channel Reasonably Sound Podcast Try out Loot Crate and support the show...
Sep 05, 2014
This week we're joined by Charlotte and Jesse, creators of Pixel: ru2. In addition to talking about their game, we discuss the expectations that are coming from E3, the future of GoG Galaxy, and the nature of taking an indie game to PAX. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Charlotte on Twitter Pixel: ru2 Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My first Unboxing video [LINK] Ubisoft and Rockstar's huge oversight [LINK] Five video game trends coming out of E3 2014 [LINK] Playing Occulus Rift games at E3 [LINK] GoG Gal...
Jun 13, 2014
Wildstar was released this week, and we celebrate by having Matt Mocarski and Mike Donatelli of Carbine Studios join us in the laboratory. In addition to discussing the making of their game, we also explore the expectations on Facebook's Occulus project, the extraordinary challenges of MMO development, and the nature of in-game comedy. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Mike on Twitter Matt on Twitter Wildstar Try out Loot Crate and support the show! My first Unboxing video [LINK] Former Steam boss Jason Holtman joi...
Jun 06, 2014
Michael Stanley, of Dragon Army, joins us in the laboratory this week to talk about Robots Love Ice Cream. In addition to discussing what constitutes a "Core Gamer", we analyze the nature of the fixated Eve assassin, contemplate the lethality of weaponized ice cream, and debate whether all of Notch's work has become autobiographical. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Michael on Twitter DragonArmy on Twitter Robots Love Ice Cream Try out Loot Crate and support the show! [LINK] NNPD Reports on "Core Gamers" [LINK] Ti...
May 20, 2014
This week we're joined by Falco and Tyler, developers of the game Elysian Shadows. In addition to talking about their 2d/3d RPG, we ponder virtues of old game styles, contemplate the value of being grandfathered on Steam, and continue to allow Wes to talk about how he's MMO'd out. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Elysian Shadows on Twitter Falco on Twitter Tyler on Twitter Try out Loot Crate and support the show! [LINK] Nintendo Earnings negative for the third year in a row [LINK] Blizard profits fall 35% [LINK] D...
May 10, 2014
This week Spencer makes a new best friend as Phil Tibitoski joins us in the volcano. In addition to talking about Octodad, we discuss YouTubers owning the games they play, the dollar per hour cost in games, and the need for variability in enemy camps. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Phil on Twitter Octodad Try out Loot Crate and support the show! [LINK] One Explanation Behind EA 'Destroying' Bullfrong [LINK] YouTubers ask for a piece of game dev's profits to play their games [VID] Game Theory: Flabby Bird, PewDie...
May 02, 2014
This week we're joined by Dana Massey of Rocket City Studios. In addition to discussing their game, Second Chance Heroes, we explore the world of 2048, we ponder the masochism of MMO development, and we pontificate on how Titanfall turns losers into winners and winners into losers. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Dana on Twitter Second Chance Heroes [LINK] How Razer is reinventing the gaming PC, one insane project at a time [LINK] Unreal Engine unveils new pricing structure [LINK] 2048 , Doge2048 , Flappy 2048 [L...
Mar 21, 2014
This week, Ziba Scott returns to the volcano to discuss his work with Dejobaan games, makers of Drunken Robot Pornography and the upcoming Elegy for a Dead World. In addition to discussing the YOLO naming of DRP, we ponder whether we really want smart AI, what we're doing with our PC games, and whether crowd-sourced content is exploitative. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Ziba on Twitter Elegy for a Dead World Dejobaan Games [LINK] Maybe We Can't Handle Smart Enemies in Our Games [LINK] When a Successful Game is ...
Mar 14, 2014
After a long absence, we are joined in the laboratory this week by Raphael van Lierop of Hinterland Studios. In addition to discussing his game, The Long Dark, we discuss the meaning of Flappy Bird, ponder the success of Games Workshop titles, and wonder at the emerging religions in Twitch Plays Pokemon. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Raphael on Twitter The Long Dark Hinterland Games [LINK] Flappy Bird creator pulls his game offline [LINK] Nintendo terminating Wi-Fi service for DS and Wii [LINK] Twitch Plays Pok...
Feb 28, 2014
Lorne Lanning, creator of Oddworld, steps into our laboratory to discuss his work with us. In addition to talking about Lorne's transition from film to games, we talk about breadcrumbs in MMOs, the imbecilic trolling of the gaming internet, and Spencer's New Year's insanity pact. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Lorne on Twitter Oddworld.Com [LINK] Trolling group using virtually unheard of NTP attack to grind popular online games to a halt. [LINK] Creative Assembly announces Alien: Isolation [LINK] PlayStation Now...
Jan 13, 2014
This week Steve Gaynor of Fullbright joins us in the volcano to talk about his incredibly successful indie game, Gone Home. As part of his initiation, we discuss the latest YouTube shenanigans, The cinematic value of a cinematic let's play, and the strategy of price drops. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Steve on Twitter Gone Home [LINK] Eldritch [VID] YouTube goes crazy with the new content-id system [LINK] No Man's Sky [LINK] Telltale's Game of Thrones [LINK] Elder Scroll Online release date set at April 4th Fo...
Dec 17, 2013
This week we welcome Alex and Vitoli into the laboratory to talk about their new game, Pixel Piracy. In addition to discussing how they've offered their own game up as a torrent, we talk about the rights of streamers to play what they want, the relative indie-ness of gaming studios, and the true meaning of the poop deck. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Alex on Twitter Pixel Piracy [LINK] Riot Games tries to limit games their streamers can play [LINK] Microsoft tries to scavenge together good Xbox One numbers [LIN...
Dec 10, 2013
We experiment this week with Dean Tate, creator of Captain Bubblenaut. We ponder the massive response turnout to buy the PS4, whether space combat can save a dying space game, and what can be considered "pay to win" in "Epic Loot". [ MP3 AUDIO ] Dean on Twitter Captain Bubblenaut [LINK] 10 Reasons Why the PS4 is Better Than the Xbox One [LINK] Valve to release virtual reality prototype [LINK] Galactic Starfighter bringing space combat to Star Wars: The Old Republic For a video of this episode go...
Dec 06, 2013
Tim Lindsey of Xaviant joins us in the laboratory to discuss project development on Lichdom. In addition to talking about his game, we discuss whether Warlords of Draenor will revive the fanbase, how lasers and smoke machines can help playtesting, and the usefulness of dancing and horseriding in keeping a princess alive... [ MP3 AUDIO ] Tim on Twitter Xaviant SHOW SPONSORS: PsychoChickenz : Did you have a wellspent youth? Join me as I replay the games I grew up with, as well as Minecraft, Terrar...
Nov 15, 2013
This week we are joined by one of the creators of The Stanley Parable, Davey Wreden of Galactic Cafe! In addition to discussing his amazing new game, we address the arcane nature of Pokemon, whether fair use of video content finally has a champion, and the challenges of picking a price for a priceless experience. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Davey on Twitter Galactic Cafe [LINK] Studio accused of blocking Youtube criticism [LINK] S imCity may get an offline mode after all [LINK] Steam Machine prototype specs F...
Oct 25, 2013
This week we welcome Dan Teasedale of No Goblin into the laboratory! In addition to discussing his rock star days with Harmonix, we consider the recent bevy of Valve announcements, the future of Super Drake Tracker, and the potential evil of social game IPOs. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Dan on Twitter No Goblin SHOW SPONSORS: PsychoChickenz : I replay old school games as well some new ones. [LINK] Three big announcements from Valve this week [LINK] PS Vita TV offering PS4 streaming in other rooms [LINK] Ten I...
Oct 03, 2013
This week we welcome Joe Mirabello, creator of Tower of Guns into the laboratory! In this episode, we discuss the success of TellTale adventure games, Origin's return policy, and what we would do to fix Civ 5. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Joe on Twitter The Tower of Guns Greenlight page [LINK] Telltale Games hoping to follow up The Walking Dead with a game based on Fables [LINK] Origin now offers full refunds For video of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsdgdg-TtY4...
Aug 23, 2013
This week we welcome Kent Hudson, creator of The Novelist into the laboratory! In this episode, we discuss the true point of the X-Bone, the balance between fun and art, and the idea of giving games we don't like any of our time. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Kent on Twitter The Novelist [LINK] Xbox One will work without Kinect hooked up. [LINK] Card Hunter is the next great board game For video of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDg72_7Rnbk...
Aug 16, 2013
Welcome back to the laboratory! This week we're joined by Teddy Lee of Cellar Door Games, makers of Rogue Legacy. In addition to discussing how hard it is to work with his brother, we discuss the concept of cinematic games, we cover the apparent inevitability of Ouya failure, and we show each other on this doll where the Steam sale touched us. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Cellar Door Games on Twitter Cellar Door Games [LINK] Nintendo claims a majority of gamers can't finish SMB 1-1 [LINK] Ouya has no hit games...
Jul 26, 2013
This week, music fills the laboratory as we welcome Ben Prunty, composer of the music of FTL and Gravity Ghost. In this episode we discuss the ubiquity of in-game stores, the mindset of the gaming DDoS, and the relative overhype of Naughty Dog. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Ben Prunty on Twitter Ben Prunty Music [LINK] Blizzard confirm in-game store for World of Warcraft [LINK] Hackers deserve some of the blame for costly gaming industry [LINK] Six games that put insane detail into stuff you didn't notice [LINK...
Jul 12, 2013
This week, Brad Muir, our guest from episode #1 of Core Elements, returns to the show! In addition to discussing his recently crowd-funded game, Massive Chalice, we discuss the legal destruction of digital property, the omnipresent fear of a digital store's collapse, and the deep, deep rabbit hole of Xcom. [ MP3 AUDIO ] Brad Muir on Twitter Massive Chalice [LINK] Eve Players destroy $19k worth of items in-game [LINK] Darkspore DRM issues prevent people from playing [LINK] Head of Xbox moves to Z...
Jul 08, 2013
