Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are beginning a new series on 1992's immersive sim classic Ultima Underworld . As usual, we situate the game in time a bit and in the Ultima series as a whole, before delving into the first few hours of the game. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Level 1 Podcast breakdown: 0:40 Underworld 54:54 Break 55:22 Feedback Issues covered: Brett gets hooked, first person game a...
Feb 21, 2018•1 hr 25 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are are just finishing our series on 1998's Japanese stealth classic Metal Gear Solid . We talk about the end of the game and some narrative choices there that we like and then discuss our pillars for the game. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: To the end! Podcast breakdown: 0:41 End of MGS 1:00:48 Break 1:01:22 Pillars and feedback Issues covered: 100 episodes, Tim mo...
Feb 14, 2018•1 hr 33 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in our third episode of our series on 1998's Japanese stealth classic Metal Gear Solid . We talk about a big choice in the game and the things you're not taught, particularly considering how fourth wall breaking it can be, as well as topics like UI choices. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: To Vulcan Raven (II) Podcast breakdown: 0:41 Metal Gear Solid 58:54 Break 5...
Feb 07, 2018•1 hr 33 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are midway through our series on 1998's Japanese stealth classic Metal Gear Solid . We talk about frustration, the various bosses, and a bit about one-offs. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up through the torture scene Podcast breakdown: 0:40 MGS 1:03:10 Break 1:03:45 Feedback Issues covered: the history of "snake style," sources of frustration, Brett's psychological ...
Jan 31, 2018•1 hr 34 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are beginning our new series on 1998's Japanese stealth classic Metal Gear Solid . We first situate the game in its time, including some personal reminiscences of how we first came to the title, before turning to the stealth gameplay, the cutscenes, and other topics. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up through Revolver Ocelot Podcast breakdown: 0:48 Segment 1: MGS in ...
Jan 24, 2018•1 hr 19 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we present our interview with Tom Hall, Project Lead of 2001's quirky Western-built Japanese-style RPG Anachronox . We talk about the team, the labor of love, what got left on the cutting floor, and various other bits and bobs. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Podcast breakdown: 0:35 Interview segment 55:28 Break 56:00 Mail/outro Issues covered: the game's science fiction underpinnings, ...
Jan 17, 2018•1 hr 19 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are having our fourth and final discussion about 2001's quirky Western-built Japanese-style RPG Anachronox . We talk quite a bit about the specifics of the end of the game, with a diversion into ION Storm, and then talk about our takeaways. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Through to the end! Podcast breakdown: 0:42 Anachronox ! Issues covered: that final battle, spli...
Jan 10, 2018•1 hr 9 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are having our third discussion about 2001's quirky Western-built Japanese-style RPG Anachronox . We talk quite a bit about the specifics of this section of the game, including the combat elements and leveling, before turning to feedback. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: To the surface of Democratus! Podcast breakdown: 0:43 Anachronox pt III 1:05:15 Break 1:05:47 Feed...
Jan 03, 2018•1 hr 21 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we have a very special, year-end blast where we talk about some top take-aways and interview moments from the past year. And it's been a busy one, with six interviews and ten games discussed. Thanks for joining us this year. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Issues covered: defeating Darth Vader, the complexity of the world and reflecting that in TIE Fighter , taking a twist on the Chosen...
Dec 27, 2017•52 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in the midst of our discussion about 2001's quirky Western-built Japanese-style RPG Anachronox . We talk about the writing and humor, how those may have developed, and also discuss the characters and their characterization, among other topics. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Through Votowne Podcast breakdown: 0:45 Segment 1: Anachronox 50:23 Break 50:52 Segment 2...
Dec 20, 2017•1 hr 17 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are beginning our new series on 2001's quirky Western-built Japanese-style RPG Anachronox . We set it in its time, and discuss how we decided to play it and then spend a lot of time on its world-building. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Through Bricks Podcast breakdown: 0:40 Anachronox in time, Initial discussion 38:36 Break 39:04 Thanks and feedback Issues covered: ...
Dec 13, 2017•1 hr 11 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are closing our series on 1996 3D platforming sensation Super Mario 64 . We start at the end, discuss Koji Kondo's iconic music and finally, our takeaways, before turning to listener feedback. SM64 Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Finished the game! Podcast breakdown: 0:42 Segment 1: Discussion and Pillars 44:35 Break 45:08 Segment 2: Feedback/next time Issues covered...
Dec 06, 2017•1 hr 30 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in the midst of our series on 1996 3D platforming sensation Super Mario 64 . Tim intros the 'cast for the first time and we discuss both macro and micro design. SM64 Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up to 50 stars! Podcast breakdown: 0:44 SM64 Segment 42:02 Break 42:33 Feedback segment Issues covered: likening Brett to a car, increasing difficulty of stars within ...
Nov 29, 2017•1 hr 15 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in the midst of our series on 1996 3D platforming sensation Super Mario 64 . We talk about level design, what permits its density, and then fall into a long chat about Nintendo's innovations in controls. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: To the second Key! Podcast breakdown: 0:33 Segment 1: SM64 Talk 43:46 Break 44:14 Segment 2: Feedback Issues covered: whether or ...
Nov 22, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are just beginning a new series on 1996 3D platforming sensation Super Mario 64 . We set the game in its time and then discuss the big up-front issues, particularly the camera and how new elements and mechanics sometimes require fictional underpinnings before turning to other issues, including listener feedback. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up through the first ke...
Nov 15, 2017•1 hr 31 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we have made our way to that hotel in Silent Hill 2 and then wended our way homeward. We discuss the climactic events of the game, our theories on who represents what, the multiple endings, and a host of other issues including takeaways and listener feedback. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: To the end of the game Podcast breakdown: 0:43 Segment 1: Discussion of final th...
Nov 08, 2017•1 hr 46 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in the middle of our three-episode series on Silent Hill 2 . We spend a lot of time talking about the section in the hospital and the potential meaning or personification of Pyramid Head. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up until the Labyrinth Podcast breakdown: 0:34 Single segment this week! Issues covered: Tim's Halloween costume, picking favorite moments, Pyram...
Nov 01, 2017•1 hr 31 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are just beginning a new and shorter series on Silent Hill 2 . We set the game in its time period, and dive in quickly to the madness that brings us to that quaint little town, Silent Hill. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up through the end of the apartments Podcast breakdown: 0:37 Silent Hill 2 51:15 Break 51:45 Feedback Issues covered: revisiting our interview with...
Oct 25, 2017•1 hr 29 min
Welcome to this special bonus interview episode of Dev Game Club, where we welcome Julian Gollop into X-COM Base Provolone for a chat. We delve into the genesis of the game, how a publisher saved the game and itself, and many other topics surrounding the development of the game. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Podcast breakdown: 0:41 Gollop Interview 1:05:20 Break 1:05:50 Next time Issues covered: Julian's ludography,...
Oct 18, 2017•1 hr 19 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are quickly going over the beginning of X-COM: Enemy Unknown . Surprisingly, although we both liked it, we preferred the original. Stockholm Syndrome? Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: The first couple hours Podcast breakdown: 0:39 Discussion of Enemy Unknown 35:53 Break 36:24 Feedback and reviews Issues covered: Firaxis's recent history, preferring the original, inves...
Oct 11, 2017•55 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in our third in a series of episodes about 1994's X-COM: UFO Defense . We wrap up our discussion of the game, covering save-scumming and difficulty, and talk about some pillars and takeaways. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Just as much as we could fit in Podcast breakdown: 0:39 Segment 1: X-Com finale 41:51 Break 42:24 Segment 2: Pillars and feedback Issues cove...
Oct 04, 2017•1 hr 26 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in our third in a series of episodes about 1994's X-COM: UFO Defense . We talk about our plans of attack for the game, whether the game is reacting to our plans, and how sim games make an argument. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Who even knows anymore? Podcast breakdown: 0:31 Game discussion 39:19 Break 39:45 Feedback/email Issues covered: Tim's death of dysente...
Sep 27, 2017•1 hr 24 min
That week, the Dev Game Club podcast welcomes special guest Ken Levine, founder of Irrational Games and designer/writer of System Shock 2! Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Podcast breakdown: 0:33 Intro 1:50 Early days of SS2 and Irrational 31:33 Break 1 31:57 SS2 World-building, design, future 1:17:16 Break 2 1:17:29 Quick note about next episode Issues covered: "Shock" prototype, Looking Glass relationship and Ken's e...
Sep 20, 2017•1 hr 18 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are in our third in a series of episodes about 1994's X-COM: UFO Defense . We talk about the ways in which procedural generation and written generation interact a bit, as well as detailing our playthrought a bit. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: In theory, 6 months Podcast breakdown: 0:38 X-COM segment 35:05 Break 35:35 Feedback segment Issues covered: opportunity fir...
Sep 13, 2017•1 hr 9 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are beginning a series of episodes about 1994's X-COM: UFO Defense . This week, we talk about terror attacks, game tension, gratification, and a bit of base management. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: A few hours past the first ground mission Podcast breakdown: 0:38 Segment 1 41:18 Break 41:47 Feedback Issues covered: managing the clock speed, difficulty of the game ...
Sep 06, 2017•1 hr 5 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are beginning a series of episodes about 1994's X-COM: UFO Defense . This week, we set the game in its historical context and discuss the beginning of the game. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Up through first ground mission Podcast breakdown: 0:38 X-Com Segment 1:06:28 Break 1:06:51 Feedback segment Issues covered: business model of early Wizardry , DOS Box, perils ...
Aug 30, 2017•1 hr 41 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we currently playing 1991's Super Mario World . This week, we finish Super Mario World and talk about our takeaways, including some deep dives into modern design sensibilities and constraints. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: To End of Super Mario World ! Podcast breakdown: 0:37 SMW Discussion 44:19 Break 44:57 Feedback/Next time Issues covered: Bowser's Castle, introduc...
Aug 23, 2017•1 hr 22 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we currently playing 1991's Super Mario World . This week, we talk about how the difficulty of the game more and how it interacts with the exploration of the space. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Through the Forest of Illusion Podcast breakdown: 0:33 Segment 1 (SMW Discussion) 34:35 Break 35:11 Feedback Issues covered: finding a key, picking things up mechanic, directi...
Aug 16, 2017•1 hr 14 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we are taking a quick break from our Super Mario World series. This week, we talk in person about the first couple of hours of Breath of the Wild . Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: First couple of hours of Breath of the Wild Podcast breakdown: 0:39 Seg1: BotW 34:10 Break 34:42 Seg2: Feedback Issues covered: setting up mics, how Zelda is it?, influence from other games, S...
Aug 09, 2017•1 hr 10 min
Welcome to Dev Game Club, where we currently playing 1991's Super Mario World . This week, we talk in more depth about the level design and the ways in which its open nature influences difficulty. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Through Vanilla Dome Podcast breakdown: 0:29 Game discussion 48:10 Break 48:50 Feedback Issues covered: In-depth discussion of saxophones, respecting the game as a work of art...
Aug 02, 2017•1 hr 6 min
