So Many Bits: Recent Episodes
Bill Nielsen
In "So Many Bits", Bill Nielsen chats with game developers across the world in order to find out more about their craft. They talk about the technical and business side of the gaming business, but have a bit of fun along the way. Each episode also features Bill and a friend reviewing different scenes about video games from TV and film during their "Screenwatching", along with periodic check-ins on games we're playing.
After year off E3 has returned, and after a few months off Brandon Shockney and Di Billick join Bill to talk about what was shown! They cover the major conferences and offer up a few of the games they're most looking forward to in 2021 and beyond!
It's a game about mechs fighting aliens... right? Technically yes, but there's way more to the story of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Bill, Joe Canalin, and Luis Badillo break it down for you! Favorite characters, favorite twists, and our best effort at explaining what actually happened!
Wrapping up 2020, Bill gets together with Brandon Shockney to discuss their favorite games from the past year! They also, perhaps unwisely, take a glimpse at Spaceballs: The Animated Series during Screenwatching!
The PlayStation 5 and X-Box Series X are all up in our business now, so Bill has chatted with Brandon Shockney and Justine Krueger to get their early impressions!
Shelby Mongan is on this week's episode to break down the mysterious new online phenomenon Blaseball for Bill! We also chat about Among Us, Super Mario 35, Hades, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order!
The classic days of racing games live on! This week have some of team VHR - Rob KTA, Colonel, Aidan, and Ian - to discuss super scaling, drifting, and just going like, really fast.
Meanwhile, Cliff Murphy and I discuss the surprisingly in-depth gaming discussion from network sitcom The Goldbergs!
Screenwatching - The Goldbergs (4:47)
Interview - Team VHR (39:47)
More games have been played and Cliff Murphy and I are here to discuss them! We chat Hades, Among Us, Until Dawn, the Pokemon TCG, and MTG Arena!
Back to chatting games we've been playing this week with guest Brandon Shockney! We cover Resident Evil 3 (2020), Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, Super Mario Galaxy, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore Edition, Starcraft II, and Risk of Rain 2!
Cook, Serve, Delicious! is ready for its 3rd (?!) entry to hit 1.0, and Bill is joined by Vertigo Gaming's Ryan Matejka to discuss! We chart Ryan's progression from fan of series creator David Galindo to veteran writer, new characters debuting, and the series lore even diehard players may not have noticed!
Meanwhile, Brandon Shockney has lots to say about the venerable cartoon Muppet Babies in this week's Screenwatching!
Screenwatching - Muppet Babies (2:29)
Interview - Ryan Matejka (27:33)
Dani, Kevin, and Lisa from Veritable Joy Studios are this week's guests to discuss ValiDate! While I remain distressingly in the dark on what Homestuck is, I do learn a lot about writing rich stories for a diverse cast, where sometimes it can be just as much fun writing about people breaking up as coming together!
Meanwhile, Di Billick gives expert NES analysis from a couple scenes of the long-running show Family Guy in Screenwatching!
Screenwatching - Family Guy (3:21)
Interview -Dani, Kevin, and Lisa (22:14)
Got us some games to be discussing! We lead off with an extensive breakdown of the FF XVI reveal, then talk about Paper Mario: The Origami King, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, and more!
For the first time, Bill is reporting on a 100% online event! Pixel Pop Festival is a diverse showcase for indie titles and discussing the game industry, and this week features interviews with many of this year's speakers!
- Michelle (Homing - 2:27
- Mars Ashton (Flux) - 11:22
- Xelavier Nelson (An Airport for Aliens Run Entirely By Dogs) - 21:12
- Sarah Speiers (Mindfulness in the Worplace) - 31:25
- Derrick Fields (Onsen Master) - 39:57
- Wrapup with Carol Mertz and Mary McKelly - 47:15
Back again to discuss games we've been playing with Shelby! We talk Song of Bloom, Fall Guys, We Love Katamari, Space Channel 5, and Starcraft II!
Even decades later, the legacy of the NES draws developers to making new games for it. In this week's interview Bill talks with one such person Donny Phillips regarding the game Project Blue, the varying eras of retro gaming, and the feeling of creating a physical cartridge!
Meanwhile, Shelby Mongan is on again to discuss more retro gaming fun on Screenwatching with Craig of the Creek!
Screenwatching - Craig of the Creek (2:35)
Interview - Donny Phillips (31:57)
Cliff is here again to talk about the games he and Bill have been playing! They cover Raft, The Outer Wilds, Satisfactory, The Misadventures of Tron Bonne, Kuukiyomi: Consider It, and Death Come True!
From the mind of Channel 101 alum and Sinfeld Chronicles creator Austin Stock, we have a game about New York from someone who has never visited! Bill and Austin talk baked hard drives, working for Nickelodeon, and the unexpected directions development has taken.
Meanwhile, Cliff Murphy and I take a look at a 2007 episode of the Simpsons, which unexpectedly took place 13 years ago!
Screenwatching - The Simpsons (4:05)
Interview - Austin Stock (37:38)
This week Brandon has been playing the latest hits with Ghost of Tsushima and Paper Mario: The Origami King, plus checking out the classic Warioware Inc.! Meanwhile Bill has picked out some older titles in Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight and Tales from the Borderlands, plus the "old new" game Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2!
After completing the futuristic racer Desert Child, Oscar Brittain has mulliganed into Kardboard Kings, a trading card store management simulator! Bill calls on his Magic: the Gathering experience to ask the hard questions about this extremely unique game scenario.
Meanwhile, Brandon Shockney is a friend to me in reviewing the opening scene of Toy Story 2 for Screenwatching!
Screenwatching - Toy Story 2 (1:53)
Interview - Oscar Brittain (23:16)
Di is back to talk about the games we've been playing! Final Fantasy XV (there's a new book!), The Haunted Island a Frog Detective game, Later Alligator, Her Story, and Roundabout!
With Panzer Paladin's official launch tomorrow, I checked back in with Tribute Games to talk with game / level designer Fred Gemus! We discuss the game's sophisticated weapon system, how to pace an action game, and his 3 (3!) complete system libraries he's collected.
Meanwhile, Bill might have been mistaken about how much video games appear in this episode, but that doesn't stop him and Di Billick from checking out Neon Genesis Evangelion for Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Neon Genesis Evangelion (2:48)
Interview: Fred Gemus (16:34)
Time for a check-in on what games Bill and Shelby have been playing lately! You'll hear about the Isle of Armor expansion to Pokemon Sword / Shield, Waltz of the Wizard, Vice Project Doom, Wild Arms, Steamworld Heist, and Rock Band 4!
Sometimes a game is a cartridge. Sometimes a game is a disc. Sometimes a game is a paper shredder, or five people with buttons on their chest. For the latter two, I've spoken with Alistair Aitcheson about his work on The Book Ritual, his multiple live theater shows that integrate video games, and more!
Meanwhlie, Shelby Mongan returns to chat the mid-00's tween Nickelodeon show iCarly!
Screenwatching: iCarly (2:05)
Interview: Alistair Aitcheson (39:55)
The recent release of the Turbo-Grafx 16 Mini has rekindled Bill and Cliff's nostalgia for their childhood gaming system! They talk through their early gaming memories, some games to try out (even if they're not in English!), and some games to avoid. Johnny Turbo would be proud!
Starting back in 2012, the Indie MEGABOOTH has given a diverse group of indie game devs a platform to show off their work until recently going on hiatus. This week Bill talks with the founder Kelly Wallick about the early days of the booth, curating hundreds of applicants, and the challenges of setting up shop all around the world!
Meanwhile, Brandon Shockney is back on to talk about the classic Batman: The Animated Series for Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Batman: The Animated Series (1:47)
Interview: Kelly Wallick (31:43)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:07:13)
We're back to talk about more games we've been playing! Brandon Shockney and Bill discuss Persona 5 Royal, Splatoon 2, Monster Prom, Rocket League, Skribbl.io, and Final Fantasy VI!
This week Bill welcomes Bennett Tyler of Bomb Shelter games to talk about his team's upcoming game Depths of Sanity. They talk about innovating within the Metroidvania genre, how to set a game 8,000 feet underwater, and the bond he and his teammates share through online gaming.
Meanwhile, Cliff Murphy stops by to explore the obscure animated sitcom Mission Hill for this week's Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Mission Hill (2:27)
Interview: Bennett Tyler (33:25)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:12:35)
Stopping by with more games we've been playing! Cliff Murphy and I talk about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Ratchet and Clank (2016), Call of Duty Modern Warfare Warzone, and Resident Evil 3.
If it really is the "final" fantasy, is there really need for a remake? Di Billick, Eric Garneau, and Bill have decided the answer is "yes", and they've gone and talked about everything they love about this recent release. We're talking about everything to do with both the original and the new hotness, so spoilers abound!
No, I didn't leave off a letter. This week Di and I will be talking one game only: Final Fantasy VII Remake. Check out our NON-SPOILER discussion of the game and what we like / don't like about it, and keep an eye out for a SPOILER discussion coming next week!
We Should Talk is perhaps the most sophisticated and granular look at dialogue in gaming out there, and this week Bill, Carol Mertz, and Jordan Jones-Brewster, discuss the game, their work on the Pixel Pop Festival, and their go-to duet karaoke song!
Meanwhile, Di Billick is back and allows Bill to shoehorn one of his favorite shows into Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Cowboy Bebop (1:12)
Interview: Carol Mertz + Jordan Jones Brewster (30:22)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:02:04)
Shelby returns to the podcast to talk about the games we've been playing! We cover Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Human Fall Flat, Beat Saber, Ringfit Adventure DLC, Murder By Numbers, Persona 3 / 5 Dancing by ___light, and Super Mario RPG!
Reconnecting the isolated fruits of a a village (or an orchard?), Garden Story's charm is embodied in Rose City Game's Community Manager Jenny Windom. In this week's interview we discuss the Portland indie gaming scene, working from home, and the inimitable Broccowilli Broccolewis.
Meanwhile, Shelby Mongan returns to bang the gavel in Screenwatching to discuss Law and Order: SVU! (Content warning for description of sexually oriented crimes.)
Screenwatching: Law and Order SVU (5:09)
Interview: Jenny Windom (50:05)
Brandon returns this week to talk about his time with Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Afterparty, while Bill talks Bury Me, My Love and Return of the Obra Dinn. Plus they've both been playing the Final Fantasy VII Remake demo and Man of Medan and are comparing notes!
Flying power disc action returns! The Neo Geo cult classic will finally receive a well-deserved sequel soon, and DotEmu Game Designer Jordi Ascensio is on this week to discuss the game's history, new additions, and improving on what he considers a perfect game!
Meanwhile, Brandon Shockney is back on to discuss the brand new Apple TV show Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet on Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Mythic Quest Raven's Banquet (1:57)
Interview: Jordi Ascencio (23:08)
Due to a technical hiccup we're skipping a week of So Many Bits, but I wanted to offer some real quick tips for gaming on the cheap, so give a quick listen. Be back next Monday for a new interview!
Back with Part 2 of my trip to PAX: demos, Magic, GDQ, and more interviews!
David and Sophie of Fishing Cactus (Nanotale) - 4:07
Rita Lebedeva of Hypetrain Digital (Tunche) - 10:35
Michael Hermann of Retrosoft Studios (Retromania Wrestling) - 15:28
Mark Laframboise of Lightning Rod Games (A Fold Apart) - 23:31
Emi Spicer of Casa Rara Studio (Mini Maker Good Enough!) - 28:26
Frederic Gemus of Tribute Games (Panzer Paladin) - 41:18
Andrew Shouldice (Tunic) - 48:05
So they're finally here, interviewing for you
Bill says the words, and the guests do too
Put your hands together, if you want to clap
As we take you through this PAX recap!
Part 1
Part 1's here
Part 2
Part 2 next Monday
Erik Johnson of Vertigo Gaming (Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!) - 2:30
Hugo Vaz of Behold Studios (Out of Space) - 11:14
Andrew Brophy (Knuckle Sandwich) - 16:03
Jaycee Salinas of Ask An Enemy Studios (A Duel Hand Disaster: Tracker) - 24:07
Bennett Tyler of Bomb Shelter Games (Depths of Sanity) - 30:41
Jorge Garcia of Mecha Studios (Neon City Riders) - 35:01
Francesca Carletto-Leon of Contigo Games (StarCrossed) - 43:10
Taylor Miller of Team D-13 (Monolith) - 51:03
A few new games to play this week: Di is grinding on slimes in Dragon Quest XI, while Bill explores group dynamics and mysteries with Zanki Zero: Last Beginning and The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan!
In the same vein as installation art, Seemingly Pointless - the team of James and Joe Cox - work on installation games that are experienced at festivals nationwide. Bill talks with them about their current project eCheese Zone, the unique challenges their work faces, and more!
Plus, Di Billick returns so we can watch James Bond play a deadly video game in Never Say Never Again!
Screenwatching: Never Say Never Again (2:15)
Interview: James and Joe Cox (25:41)
Another check-in on the games being played, this week with Bliff and Cill, I mean Bill and Cliff! We're chatting Disco Elysium, the new character in Slay the Spire, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
The scope of retro has fully expanded to include the Game Boy Color, and Ashley's new action puzzler Petal Crash is a novel puzzler set in that style! Her fundraising included the addition of 3 characters to the game; hear her explain that process plus much more!
Plus, Cliff Murphy and I revisit the lovely series Steven Universe during Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Steven Universe (4:37)
Interview: Ashley (27:15)
The ancient world of Fodlan is full of mysteries; sometimes, one 80 hour playthrough of Fire Emblem: Three Houses isn't enough! Luckily, Bill is joined by Cliff Murphy and Alex Richmond to get into their favorite moments plus answer a few burning questions, like how does Byleth find room for 9 lunches in a day?
Shelby is welcomed back to the show that never ends! We talked about Pokemon Sword / Shield, Baba is You, Control, and Metro Exodus!
Frequent podcast guest Ian Beckman returns for an extended interview this week! Bill has chatted with Ian previously about his team Big Sir Games and their work on Cosmo's Quick Stop, but here they get into the games previous iterations, the challenges of marketing, and more!
Meanwhile, frequent podcast Shelby Mongan subjects her and Bill to the craptacular wonders of Bibleman for this week's Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Bibleman (4:03)
Interview: Ian Beckman (54:41)
A new week and some new games what we've been playing! Di and I discuss Dragon Quest XI, Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, and more!
Instant messages and social media: Kyle Seeley's Emily is Away series is a whole different kind of "online gaming". He joins Bill to talk about maintaining the historical accuracy of Facebook, working as a solo developer, and other games that use online communication to tell their story!
Meanwhile, Bill and Di Billick get a crash course in early-00's teenage sitcoms when they take on Drake and Josh for Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Drake and Josh (2:06)
Interview: Kyle Seeley (24:12)
Bill's Magic Minute (44:30)
Toss a coin to Brandon Shockney as he joins Bill this week to talk about their favorite games from 2019! Plus a special Screenwatching segment looking at the hot new Netflix series The Witcher!
Some games we've been playing! Happy Holidays! Games played: Borderlands 3, One Night Stand, Gato Roboto, Ringfit Adventure
The maturation of the video game industry includes the growth of game design education; this week, Bill is joined by Columbia College Chicago's David Antognoli to discuss it! We look at David's industry experience, his transition into the education field, and how he teaches such a rapidly developing field.
Did you know there was a Beetlejuice TV show? Did you know it had 100 episodes? Shelby Mongan is on this week to educate Bill on this early-90's marvel for Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Beetlejuice (1:20)
Interview: David Antognoli (38:38)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:11:30)
Once again it's time for games games games video games! Cliff and Bill discuss Terraforming Mars, accessibility options in Mario Kart, Titanfall 2, and Ringfit Adventure!
A potential standout in the Metroidvania genre, Starsoft's Savior is being made by an eclectic mix of people, and Weston Tracy explains to me the projects origins, his hopes for its story and message, and the scrapped (?) dancing mechanic!
In Screenwatching, Cliff Murphy and Bill go over an Emmy winner in the South Park episode Make Love Not Warcraft!
Screenwatching: South Park (3:45)
Interview: Weston Tracy (29:15)
Bill's Magic Minute (55:44)
For the 3rd year in a row Chicago's Logan Theatre held their Community Playtest Night, where local game makers are able to demo their work for indy game fans and theatre-goers alike. Listen in to this live event recording of several presenters on their amazingly unique work!
Sashimi Slammers (1:39)
Cold Calling (9:55)
TP (19:40)
Domesticate Hell (24:40)
We're back with Brandon to talk about the games we've been playing! We chat The Outer Worlds, Untitled Goose Game, Undertale, What the Golf?, Pinball Wizard, and Assemble with Care.
Chris Bashen has been a guest on So Many Bits several times to talk about video games, but did you know he makes them too? He's the guy behind the (digital) guy: he's been The Joker, Firestorm Shang Tsung, and more as a motion-capture actor with Netherrealm! We took a very cool look at the behind the scenes of the cutscenes in some of the past decade's most cinematically ambitious games.
The Amazing World of Gumball had their own ambitious take on Final Fantasy VII, and Brandon Shockney and Bill talk about it in this episode's Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: The Amazing World of Gumball (1:55)
Interview: Chris Bashen (25:05)
Bill's Magic Minute (59:16)
Di Billick is here to chat about some games! Games played: Habitica, Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Persona Q2, Trauma Team, Dicey Dungeons
Games were played and bits were made with Dan Schiffmacher! We talked about Gato Roboto, Box-Boy and Box-Girl, Resident Evil 0, and Fatal Frame.
Not one, not two, but six(!) unique movement mechanics are at the core of Zero Percent Juice's Worldline. The team's lead designer Trevor takes Bill through the team's formation, the plans for the game, and the challenges of a Kickstarter campaign.
Given the podcast's motto of Have a Great Summer, Di Billick's choice of Phineas and Ferb for Screenwatching is perfect!
Screenwatching: Phineas and Ferb (1:30)
Interview: Trevor (16:08)
Bill's Magic Minute (37:20)
Lucy Morris and Calliope Ryder are on this week to talk about the upcoming game Best Friend Forever from their studio Starcolt! Hear about the game design aspects of a relationship simulator, what it's like to be emailed by CNN at 3:30 in the morning, and the ethical consumption of Pokemon.
Plus, Dan Schiffmacher helps Bill grunt through an episode of Home Improvement for Screenwataching!
Screenwatching: Home Improvement (1:32)
Interview: Lucy + Calliope (19:48)
Bill's Magic Minute: (52:55)
Back home now, Shelby Mongan joins me on this episode to get into the video game portions of my trip. What games did I play on the 25 hours of airline travel? What was Akihabara like? Did I pick up any interesting swag? That plus some tips for planning your own trip to Japan right here!
I was very privileged to take a one week vacation to Japan recently and am back to share some stories from my travels! This week in Part 1 I'll run down the various sights I saw, while next week we'll get into some travel tips and the games I played!
Bit Bash was bigger and better than ever this year, and Luis Badillo and I tell you about the event straight from MSI in Chicago! Many of these games can't be experienced anywhere else so listen here for our impressions!
Dogs. Puppers. Bork Factories. Everyone* loves them, and their care is critical work often handled through shelters across the US and beyond. Little Rock Games is working on a game that goes into the challenges of such an operation right now, and Olivia Dunlap joins me this week to chat about To the Rescue! We also crown the greatest fictional dog of all time after rigorous scientific analysis.
Plus, Chris Arneson helps me tackle a classic Simpsons episode during Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: The Simpsons (1:10)
Interview: Olivia Dunlap (27:12)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:02:55)
*Cats are not part of everyone
This week Shelby gave me my regular dose of Overwatch news plus we got in deep on a recent release! Games played: Borderlands 2 - Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary DLC, Overwatch, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Aarne Hunziker a.k.a. Meka Skull is my guest on this week's podcast! Aarne's upcoming game Cyber Shadow is inspired by his passion for 8-bit games, and we talk about the process from animation to zdifficulty!
Shelby Mongan also stops by for the Screenwatching mouthful The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya episode The Day of Sagittarius!
Screenwatching: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (5:25)
Interview: Aarne Hunziker / Meka Skull (34:10)
Bill's Magic Minute (49:22)
Cliff Murphy joins me once again to talk about a few games that have been taking up quite a bit of his time! Games played: Slay the Spire, Crypt of the Necrodancer, Starbound, Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus.
200! 200 episodes of So Many Bits, and to celebrate we have two returning guests. Harris Foster of Finji is back to the show to discuss the expanding landscape for indy games, what makes a game "Finji", and the subculture of the gamer performance arts!
Meanwhile, my original co-host Cliff Murphy chats with me about the surreal horror of Black Mirror in Screenwatching. It's just like Super Mario Bros.!
Screenwatching: Black Mirror (4:21)
Interview: Harris Foster (38:50)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:24:47)
Brandon Shockney returns on this week's episode to talk about the games we've been playing! Games played: Cuphead, Arms, Final Fantasy VII, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty.
Hype! How do you build it, where does it come from? This week we talk to Sandrine Bédard-Brisson, Community Manger over at Tribute Games about building an audience for your indy title, plus some chat on the Overwatch League!
Meanwhile, Brandon Shockney tells us what happens when you do the time warp again.. no not that one... when we chat about Back to the Future Part II!
Screenwatching: Back to the Future Part II (1:07)
Interview: Sandrine Bédard-Brisson (19:45)
Bill's Magic Minute (47:35)
Chris and Bill beat the heat and talk about some games!
Games played: Firewach, Celeste, Sea of Thieves, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Shantae Half-Genie Hero: Ultimate Edition, Timespinner
The team at Umaiki Games are hard at work on their upcoming game Skellboy, but they threw me Bill a bone and sat down for a chat about their group's formation, Skellboy's origins, and as per usual, their Pokemon picks.
Meanwhile, Chris Arneson rejoins the podcast to cover the film The 40 Year Old Virgin during Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: The 40 Year Old Virgin (00:49) Interview: Chris + Sabbi (22:02) Bill's Magic Minute (42:33)
Di Billick and Bill catch up on their recent playtime! Games discussed: New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Lords of Thunder, Ninja Spirit, Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction
Oh what a beautiful morning! Maggie Herskowitz joins me in our little town of Anatevka to talk about writing on the game Monster Prom, the lovely fanbase that has sprouted around the game, and her upcoming project Witch of the Wilderness, a game that's sure to be Wicked!
Meanwhile, Di Billick and Bill look at the sitcom classic(?) Friends for this week's Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Friends (1:09)
Interview: Maggie Herskowitz (19:54)
Bill's Magic Minute (53:45)
Di Billick and I talk about some of our favorite upcoming titles and news from E3 2019!
Luis is back again this week to check in games we've been playing! We cover Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, BattleTech, Elite: Dangerous, and Final Fantasy XIV.
Tom Sharpe of Gossamer Games is this week's guest on So Many Bits! His team's game Sole has progressed from classwork at Drexel University to a full-fledged release and he's here with the trials and tribulations!
Plus, Luis Badillo tackles perhaps our most ambitious Screenwatching to date, the Second Life themed episode of CSI: NY!
Screenwatching: CSI: NY (1:10)
Interview: Tom Sharpe (37:55)
Bill's Magic Minute (1:08:50)
Brandon returns this week to talk about Octopath Traveler, Pokemon Let's Go: Eevee, and Steven Universe: Tap Together, while Bill runs down a bunch of mobile games: Pixel Puzzle Collection, Photographs, Knights of the Card Table, and more!
Fellow Chicagoan William Chyr is on this week's So Many Bits to discuss his team's game Manifold Garden. We talk about solo development, streaming progress on Twitch, and the shared metamorphoses of our given names!
Brandon Shockney also helps out Screenwatching Regular Show for the first time!
Screenwatching: Regular Show (2:15)
Interview: William Chyr (19:00)
Bill's Magic Minute (43:05)
A special bonus! I recently had the chance to review Dangerous Driving, a recently released PC racing game. Give a quick listen to hear what I think!
Shelby is back to chat Overwatch and the OWL, Subnautica, and Bill tries League of Legends for the first time!
We're back to one on one interviews catching up with Mark Laframboise of Lightning Rod Games! Along with his studio's game A Fold Apart, we chat about running a studio, the role of narrative in games, and a few questions about the Modern format of Magic: the Gathering! Meanwhile, Shelby Mongan is back on to discuss another video game episode of Gravity Falls, plus Bill's Magic Minute! Screenwatching: Gravity Falls (1:55) Interview: Mark Laframboise (27:04) Bill's Magic Minute (54:31)
Part two of my PAX East interviews! I talk about the back half of my convention along with seven more great chats with game makers! Christine Love (Get in the Car, Loser!) - 1:06 Bjoern, Chris, and Sabbi (Skellboy) - 5:13 Marlowe Dobbe (Dicey Dungeons) - 10:42 Tom Sharpe (Sole) - 17:29 Howard Tsao (Hamsterdam) - 24:28 Sandrine Bedard-Beeson (Panzer Paladin) - 33:22 Ian Beckman (Cosmo's Quick Stop) - 39:20
For the third year in a row we're doing a special PAX East edition of So Many Bits! This time, there are simply too many interviews for one episode so we've split it into two! Check out this week for half - plus some of the more interesting moments of my own trip - then check back next week for the rest! Morten (What the Golf?) - 5:23 Jacqueline Joy (Star Renegades) - 9:09 Thomas Huang (Subscribe My Adventure) - 12:47 Ian (Dungeon Munchies) - 16:50 Kyle Seeley (Emily is Away) - 22:19 Laurent Mercure (Aftercharge) - 30:34 Mark Laframboise (A Fold Apart) - 35:35
NOTE: YOU SHOULD PROBABLY ONLY LISTEN TO THIS WHILE WATCHING THE WIZARD. Still getting my feet back under me from PAX, so in the meantime here's a bonus thingy! When Di and I recently did a Screenwatching segment featuring The Wizard, we did a live recording of our thoughts in real time as the film progressed. So you can listen to this episode side by side with the film and learn along with me that Jenny Lewis was always cool!
Dan's last episode (for now)! We're talking Pokemon Let's Go: Eevee, Apex Legends, and a one of a kind multiplayer VR game! Best of luck in New Hampshire Dan!
Derrick Fields is my guest on this week's So Many Bits to talk about Waking Oni's Onsen Master. We get into building an alpha version and the focus on Japanese culture in the game. Plus, Dan Schiffmacher is on so we can both watch The Sopranos for the first time on Screenwatching! Screenwatching: The Sopranos (3:18) Interview: Derrick Fields (14:00) Bill's Magic Minute (37:06)
Di is on again so we can talk about games we've been playing! We cover Tetris 99, Zuma, Super Mario Bros. 3, Videoball, Nidhogg, and Ace Attorney Investigations 2.
Kakette Koi Yo! may be a title I can't pronounce, but it's an intriguing game coming from young developers in Chicago. Bill talks with Joshua Whittom and Will Rossi about both personal and technical development as they prepare to enter the video game industry. Plus, Di Billick is on for an extra special Screenwatching segment examining the seminal video game film The Wizard! Screenwatching: The Wizard (00:51) Interview: Will Rossi & Joshua Whittom (23:23) Bill's Magic Minute (50:18)
No longer able to be contained within a single minute, Bill has spun his interest in Magic: the Gathering out into a separate podcast. Check out Episode 1 going over his attempts to play professional Magic, then subscribe to A Year in 20 Life for future episodes!
Brandon Shockney and I talk about the games we've been playing this week! We talk Anthem, Kingdom Hearts 3, Resident Evil 2, and Tetris 99.
A game about organizing your inventory? Shoutscion's Jack and Casie was intriguing enough for Bill to back on Kickstarter, and now they're talking about the game on this week's podcast. Meanwhile, Brandon Shockney returns for a slight variation of Screenwatching when we discuss Parks and Recreation and the board game Cones of Dunshire! Screenwatching: Parks and Recreation (1:25) Interview: Shoutscion (13:52) Bill's Magic Minute (37:30)
Chris Arneson is back for part two of our chat! Games discussed: Red Dead Redemption 2 (spoilers 2:00-7:00), Sea of Thieves, Overwatch, Iconoclasts, Night in the Woods, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Resident Evil 2
Indie scene veteran Ryan Wiemeyer is this week's guest on So Many Bits! We cover his newest game Max Gentlemen Sexy Business!, the popularity of dating sims, and how to navigate the rough waters of Kickstarter; meanwhile, we keep the interjection train rolling with Freakazoid! on Screenwatching courtesy of guest Chris Arneson! Screenwatching: Freakazoid! (1:55) Interview: Ryan Wiemeyer (15:42) Bill's Magic Minute (40:08)
Dan and Bill continue their conversation from last week to go over the games they've been playing! Dan is all-in on Switch with Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, while Bill is catching up on a couple recent classics with Fallout 4 and Horizon Zero Dawn!
What's it take to enter (and win) a game jam? CGE Games made their idea into a reality in one weekend then took it to the Logan Theatre Playtest Night, winning top honors both times. Hear their story, along with a look at the old Nicktoons show Doug during Screenwatching! Screenwatching: Doug (1:56) Interview: CGE Games (13:56) Bill's Magic Minute (49:13)
Bill was lucky enough to attend PAX Unplugged back in December and has a full report in this week's podcast! Plus, there's a full interview with Misha Favorov of Studio Wumpus about Sumer, a game he recently helped to complete that straddles the line between board and video games! We're also checking out Bob's Burgers during our Screenwatching segment and check on games we played! Screenwatching: Bob's Burgers (1:42) Interview: Misha Favorov (21:37) Games Played (37:40)
It's the time of year for reflection, so rather than stand in front of a mirror Bill and Brandon Shockney are discussing their favorite games from 2018! Plus, an extra-special Screenwatching to discuss Seasons 1 and 2 of the Netflix series Castlevania! Screenwatching: Castlevania (1:25) GOTY 2018 (21:10)
Gabriel Santos is this week's guest on So Many Bits! We discuss Stone Story RPG, a beautiful upcoming game animated entirely in the style of ASCII art. We also cover modern classic Gravity Falls with Shelby Mongan in our Screenwatching segment, the underrated Asura's Wrath, and Bill's Magic Minute!
Screenwatching: Gravity Falls (1:20)
Interview: Gabriel Santos (26:58)
Games Played (47:55)
Spencer Ham from Jackbox joins Bill this week to chat about his comedic background, the ups and downs of Jackbox Games, and some trivia you may not know about their Party Pack series. Brandon Shockney is also here to chat some games plus a look at the classic cartoon Robotech!
Screenwatching: Robotech (1:20)
Interview: Spencer Ham (16:13)
Games Played (48:52)
Both a developer and a publisher, Finji not only makes their own games but helps others to navigate a difficult industry. I got to chat with Community Manager Harris Foster and lead designer Adam Saltsman about the company's unique position and their in-progress title, Overland! Di Billick and I also talk about the games we played and dissect a a scene from Reign Over Me!
Screenwatching: Reign Over Me (00:52)
Interview: Finji (19:25)
Games Played (53:26)
The team at Liquid Bit Games is on So Many Bits this week to talk Killer Queen Black! Mike Chorak, Matt Tesch, and Adam Walters chat about their sequel to a popular arcade game coming to consoles for the first time. Brandon Shockney is also here to chat about recent smash hit Spiderman and take another look at the TV series Community during Screenwatching!
Screenwatching: Community (00:48)
Interview: Liquid Bit Games (22:26)
Games Played (57:31)
Another mainstay of the Chicago independent gaming scene, Bobby Lockhart is on this week to discuss both his interactive arcade game Hi-5 Heroes and his educational coding game Codemancer. Di Billick also returns to deconstruct a scene from the classic film Swingers, plus Bill gives a thorough breakdown of MTG Arena!
Co-Artistic Director of the New Colony Theatre Fin Coe is our guest on this week's episode. His play Fun Harmless Warmachine was written in 2015 but is extremely relevant to the current gaming culture landscape, so check it out this month! He also reassures me that the Buffalo Sabres might not be bad this year, but we'll see.
We also have Shelby Mongan to keep us up to speed on Overwatch (Watchpoint: Chicago?), recent games we've played, and of course Bill's Magic Minute!.
For the past several years Bit Bash has offered a platform for indy game makers to show their projects in the Chicago area. This week Bill chats with Rob Lach, who curates the games seen at the events to get an idea of how they do it! Plus, Chris Bashen of the Nerd Outcast Podcast joins Bill to chat Star Trek: The Next Generation for Screenwatching along with the games he's played!
Screenwatching Star Trek: TNG "The Game": (00:37)
Interview w/ Rob Lach (20:36)
Games Played (31:23)
Oscar Brittain, developer of the upcoming Desert Child, is on this week's So Many Bits. Who is the best Australian character in video games? What PS1 title had a big role in development? Plus Brandon Shockney of At the Trailers helps discuss The Office on Screenwatching, and Bill gives his thoughts on Dead Cells!
00:40: Screenwatching (The Office)
13:17: Desert Child Oscar Brittain Interview
51:53: Games Played
Chris Wade of Luckshot Games is my guest for this week's So Many Bits! His recent release Sausage Sports Club is out on Nintendo Switch and Steam, and we discuss his design process along with his experience making games. Shelby Mongan is also here to chat Degrassi: Next Class in our Screenwatching segment, and of course we talk about the games we've played!
Part duck and part boxer, Samir Duran of Bromio joins Bill to discuss the mysterious Pato Box now out on PC and Switch! Plus, Di Billick stops by to talk The Wrestler and games we've played.
Netherlands native Martino Wullens has recently released SpiritSphere DX for the Nintendo Switch. Find out his development history and the path of an idea to final product!
Is running a barcade in Japan technically illegal? Guest Chris Arneson and Bill are not 100% sure, but they're looking into it, plus games played and more E3 thoughts!
Screenwatching with a look at King of the Hill, plus the usual games played and news, with guest Brandon Shockney from At the Trailers!
In the brand new world of professional e-sports, what is being on a team like? Shelby Mongan and Bill take a look, plus the games they'e played and Bill's Magic Minute!
EA, Microsoft, Bethesda, Square, UbiSoft, Sony, and Nintendo. Luis Badillo and Bill cover them all in this week's jumbo sized episode! Find out everything you wanted to know about E3 2018!
What are the ethical implications of running a digital games platform like Steam? Chris Bashen is on this week's episode to discuss the matter with Bill, plus some game and E3 discussion!
Another week and another guest has moved! Di Billick has been a bit busy but she's still here to talk about Adventure Time, Lego games, and Nintendo games at E3!
Brandon Shockney has played some new games, has some new news, and a new apartment! He and Bill cover it all in this week's episode.
E3 is here a little early this year, so Dan Schiffmacher stops by to look at the rumors, Futurama, games, and more!
In 2018, you can have an internet feud between two popular streamers over an emote. Luis Badillo helps Bill get into the hows and whys, plus the usual segments and games we've played!
What games joined the Video Game Hall of Fame this year, and which ones are the most essential? Shelby Mongan is here to help, as well as cover Steven Universe and the games we've been playing!
Our Nintendo 64 conversation continues as we talk about the highs and lows of the game library!
We got N to the Nintendo 64 in part 1 of our look back at this classic system! Dan Schiffmacher, Luis Badillo, and Mike Gospel help Bill relive their memories of playing it back in the day!
Another year, another PAX! I've had the chance to talk the developers behind some great independent games and share the chat with you! See below for titles and times:
Spiritsphere DX (00:53)
Runner 3 (04:55)
Overland (09:19)
Monster Prom (17:04)
Dunk Lords (27:03)
The Messenger (32:32)
Brave Earth: Prologue (38:50)
Cosmo's Quickstop (48:42)
The Moon Fields (53:08)
Cool local Melissa Patterson talks South Park, Ni No Kuni II, Data, and Nindies on this week's episode!
Have we crossed the Uncanny Valley? Brandon Shockney talks the recent demo's of the Unreal Engine, plus a glimpse at Rick and Morty and some talk about 2 well-known PS4 horror games!
Once again, the link between video games and violence is being explored and Di Billick is here to help Bill talk about it! Plus a look at Bojack Horseman and the games we've been playing!
Chris Arneson returns to the podcast where we continue our new Screenwatching feature with Breaking Bad, then get into our games played, Bill's Magic Minute, and the recent Nintendo Direct!
Over the past few years there's been a surge in popularity in streaming or podcasting D&D sessions, in some cases with elaborate production values and experienced professional actors. Shelby Mongan returns to discuss the phenomenon, plus a brand new feature!
Luis Badillo is back on So Many Bits to help nail down what makes a game niche. How do people find them, and howdo they stay "small"? That plus games played, Bill's Magic Minute, and more!
Why are we getting so many HD remakes of games, and are they necessary? Brandon Shockney is here to discuss the recent trend, along with some of his and Bill's latest games played!
Back in action, Melissa Patterson brings the hot goss to this week's So Many Bits. We're talking arcade game high scores, how Nintendo succeeds in spite of itself, and some of the best games to play right now.
Di Billick has returned to So Many Bits, so we're going to be talking Final Fantasy! Final Fantasy XV DLC, a Cup Noodles side quest in XV, Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition... we're covering it all!
We're back with Dan Schiffmacher once again to the soon to come (Dragon Ball FIghterZ), the coming soon (Nintendo Labo), and the maybe not coming for a while (Bioware's Anthem)!
This week's special guests are the At the Trailers crew of Brandon Shockey and Jon Pernisek! In addition to discussing our games played, we check out the trailers for movies where playing video games is a central plot point. We determine if there are actually any worth watching!
A new year means new guests, so please welcome Shelby Mongan on the show for the first time! We're talking about Zelda, Danganronpa, last week's Nintendo Direct and the good and bad of the debuting Overwatch League!
Machinima is popular way for independent filmmakers, animators, and other creators to bring their ideas to life. Luis Badillo helps Bill review some of the medium's history, as well as a few of their favorite picks!
At last! 2017 is dead, and the So Many Bits crew can reflect on their favorite games they played this year. In order you can hear:
0:43 - Brandon Shockney
6:10 - Melissa Patterson
7:45 - Luis Badillo
11:50 - Di Billick
14:46 - Dan Schiffmacher
21:13 - Bill Nielsen
Thanks for listening and we're looking forward to 2018!
In the spirit of the holidays, Bill is paying visits to podcast guests at their homes to give good tidings. While there, he also takes in a few of their favorite video game films!
On this week's So Many Bits, Melissa Patterson covers some unique new independent titles that came out of PlayStation Experience 2017! Plus, discussion of Life is Strange: Before the Storm and Xenoblade Chronicles 2!
It's getting cold but the So Many Bits episodes are heating up! Dan Schiffmacher is here to talk Switch games and the 2017 edition of The Game Awards!
A little bit of a heavier episode of So Many Bits this week, as Di Billick discusses the presence of child abuse in Detroit: Become Human while Bill tackles the topic of harassment in the Magic: the Gathering community. In lighter news, they also review the recent releases Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Cuphead, and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus!
The holiday season is upon us, and Brandon Shockney is here to help sort through some of the best new releases! Plus, we continue to discuss the developing stories of Star Wars Battlefront II, plus the decline of Telltale Games!
Chicago is teeming with local developers, and last Friday I had the chance to speak with many of them about their work. Give a listen to find out more about the Chicago independent gaming scene!
Chris Arneson rejoins the podcast as we are on the cusp of the holiday season! Super Mario Odyssey has captured both of our attentions, but we have plenty more to talk about!
A shorter episode this week, as I ask guests from our Extra Life stream about their most memorable gaming marathons. Check out the archive over on Twitch!
Luis Badillo returns to So Many Bits to revisit the modern classic Meta Gear Solid V, the SNES Classic, Gamecube games on the Switch, and the demise of NeoGAF! And make sure to check Sat 11/4 for Extra Life on Twitch!
Di Billick is on this week's So Many Bits to catch up on some brand new releases, while we also delve into unfamiliar topics such as Markiplier and Mario's nipples...
If you're curious about one of the surprise hit games of this year, this week's episode of So Many Bits has you covered! Melissa Patterson and Bill cover the story, their favorite characters, moving moments, and whether existence is merely pain.
After a short break Brandon Shockney is back! He's here to talk Destiny 2, tactics games, review bombing, and the prospects of a Sonic the Hedgehog film!
Live from the Chris Farley Cabaret Theater at iO Chicago, Bill and guest Zheryk Badugu look at some of the most unusal wrestling video games ever made! For links to the videos mentioned in this episode, visit the Second Wind Collective website, and don't forget to donate to Connor's Cure!
We are lucky to have Tom Eastman of Trinket Studios on for this week's So Many Bits. He and his team are finishing up Battle Chef Brigade: hear about Tom's background as a game developer, the game's creation, and check it out this holiday season!
Our discussion of the Playstation 1 continues this week with a look at our personal favorites! How many of these have you played?
We hope you're ready for another deep dive into retro gaming, as this time Bill, Dan Schiffmacher, Chris Bashen, and new guest Jeremy Kanne talk their memories of the original Playstation!
Our discussion of Final Fantasy Tactics continues! Chris Bashen is back to cover game mechanics, the toughest moments in the game, and the legacy of the series!
Chris Bashen returns to talk about the classic game Final Fantasy Tactics. A personal favorite, the first half of their discussion centers on game mechanics, series history, and how they discovered the game!
An all time classic, Metal Gear Solid 2 eerily forecasted the rise of fake news, data manipulation, and even memes. Fellow series fan Michael Delaney returns to help sort through the game's legacy!
Another year, another Bit Bash! Special thanks to the teams behind Victor the Loser, Light Pong, and the 1000 Button Project, as well as the staff of Bit Bash and guest Chris Arneson!
Brandon Shockney returns to So Many Bits to discuss the shrinking innovation in the video game industry, along with the newest Persona spinoffs and the games we're playing!
So Many Bits welcomes Jon Pernisek to the show for the first time! We discuss new internet darling Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, 3DS games, and the somewhat sad history of movies based on video games!
Luis Badillo is here this week to recap his recent trip to Mexico, including playing on the go and what the hobby is like in another country!
We've got the past (Limbo, FEZ, the SNES Classic), the present (Nier: Automata), and the future (Oculus Rift) with Melissa Patterson!
Gotta go fast, but thankfully Di Billick is back to help discuss speedrunning with Bill, along with Nier and of course, Final Fantasy!
We're proud to have Surena Marie on So Many Bits for the very first time! We discuss, Zelda, Pokemon, and the current challenges in making indy games!
You may be tired, but don't go to sleep just yet! Bill and Brandon have finished Persona 5 after many hours, and they're here to talk the highs and lows, their favorite Confidants, Palaces, music... everything! Spoilers for basically the entire game in this episode!
We cover the major trends (and a few of our favorite games) from this year's E3 conference! Chris Bashen of the Nerd Out podcast helps Bill and Dan sort through the hits and misses.
Dan, Di, and Luis are back to discuss their personal favorite games from the Super Nintendo, plus help Bill draft a dream list of games for the SNES Classic!
Our reviews of classic consoles continue! Di Billick, Luis Badillo, and Dan Schiffmacher are here to help Bill with a history of perhaps the greatest system ever made!
What are the top 100 RPGs of all time? Brandon Shockney is here to help Bill sort through the picks, plus report in on the upcoming Destiny 2!
Bill chats this week with Dan Schiffmacher about game fundraising, the state of the Switch, and receives a brief explanation of "idle clickers".
Lots of JRPG talk this week with Di Billick, centered on Persona and Final Fantasy. Plus the history of the Nintendo Playstation! Koko approves.
Video games and gaming are bigger and more accessible than ever before. This week, Luis Badillo (@agent_eli) helps Bill pick out some titles for people just getting introduced to the hobby!
100 episodes! Pete Byrne is here to talk more Breath of the Wild, Persona 5, and Bill's list of favorite games from every year he's been alive. Thank you to everyone who has downloaded and supported the show!
Michael Delaney (@CormacMichael) has returned to help Bill the excessive need for continuity in media, and more!
Bill hurt himself falling down, but luckily Brandon Shockney (@Beeshock) is here to share in the love of Persona 5, plus talk about some games to look forward to in 2017!
Was there ever really a time before Persona 5 came out? Bill talks about some crazy choices made by the publisher, while Melissa Patterson (@hamster_mom) is back to talk horror, existential horror, and product tie-ins.
Di Billick is on, so naturally Final Fantasy was discussed. But her and Bill also get into Terraria, The Walking Dead, and the Video Game Hall of Fame!
The hype train for the new Legend of Zelda rolls on. This stop: Luis Badillo. Meanwhile, Bill ponders alternative futures with Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward.
Bill attended PAX East last week, and he's come back with interviews with many indie developers!
Is the Nintendo Switch here to make all of our lives meaningful again? Brandon Shockney (@beeshock) and Dan Schiffmacher (@aintgotnotweets) are here to help make that judgment.
Melissa Patterson (@hamstermom) is back on to discuss television spinoffs, card games, and Pewdiepie!
Dan (@aintgotnotweets) and Di (@dibillick) are back to continue our discussion of the NES discussing emulation, Virtual Console, and beyond!
Now you're playing with power! Di Billick and Dan Schiffmacher relive the history, the games, and their own memories of the Nintendo Entertainment System!
Luis Badillo is back on to help recap the Zenimax vs. Facebook lawsuit, the reality of video game reviews, and free-to-play economics!
Bill is a hypocrite and can't stop referring to videos you can't see. Pete Byrne is here to help you, the listener, cope.
How do we address violence in video games? (1/14) Di Billick (@dibillick) helps Bill discuss the issue (2/14). And their mutual love of Chipotle (3/14)
Justine Krueger (@justineface) is back on this week to talk choice in games, Nintendo's new online program and more, while Bill hopes to avoid a lawsuit.
After watching Nintendo's live presentation from Japan, Dan Schiffmacher (@aintgotnotweets) and Di Billick (@dibillick) talk their feelings on the Switch!
Too many games! Bill and Brandon Shockney (@beeshock) own a lot, and sometimes need motivation to get back to the ones they already own. Discussing why they collect, they also offer a few tips on how to avoid spending too much unnecessary money.
Big thanks to Dan, Luis, Pete, Di, and Brandon for helping me figure out our favorite games from the previous year!
A special holiday episode of So Many Bits this week, with stories from Christmases past featuring Brandon Shockney (@beeshock), Di Billick (@dibillick), and Pete Byrne!
Melissa Patterson (@bagaskittles) is back with Bill to talk Portal 2, FF XV, and... Trump. It had to happen.
Between the Playstation Experience and the Game Awards, Bill and Luis (@agent_eli) run down the game news of December!
Final Fantasy XV has finally arrived, and no one, not even Di Billick (@DiBillick), will ever be the same
The NES Classic, Sega Genesis in Brazil, Playstation Now... Pete Byrne and Bill discuss the various ways games are resold to you.
Justine Krueger is back to talk with Bill about her experiences playing D&D on the One Shot podcast network!
Bill and Luis wrap up their Game Center CX discussion, including their favorite episodes!
The cast and crew of the New Colony's Merge joins Bill to talk their play, chronicling the rise and fall of Atari!
The NX is dead, long live Nintendo Switch! Dan Schiffmacher (@aintgotnotweets) is here to help Bill discuss the news.
Let's do it again! Game Center CX is one of both Bill and Luis (@Agent_Eli)'s favorite shows, and they're here to break it down in detail!
For when you can't quite remember something. Vocal co-credits to Brandon Shockney (@Beeshock).
A full party embarks on the quest today: Bill, Di Billick (DiBillick), Di's friend Joe, and Di's dog Lucy. Fight/Item/Run?
Are we in a simulation! Or we doing the simulating? Either way, Melissa Patterson (@hamster_mom) joins Bill to again discuss military training tools!
It's a brave new frontier with Mario on the iPhone, and Dan Schiffmacher (@aintgotnotweets) helps Bill break it down.
Bros Pete Byrne and Edie join Bill this week to discuss the hype, expectations, and negativity surrounding new technology!
Bill and Brandon (@beeshock) lament the disappointment of No Man's Sky this week, while holding out hope for the NX and FF XV!
Bill spent last weekend in Las Vegas, but naturally is here to talk video games. Meanwhile, Luis Badillo (@agent_eli) is talking the ethics of journalism in a video game (not to be confused with the ethics of gaming journalism).
Bill and Justine Krueger (@justineface) talk about their favorite experiences from Bit Bash, an indy video game festival! Bill is also joined by Jamie Sanchez (@spacedragon) and Brice Puls (@bricepuls) from the Indy City Collective, who are responsible for running the event!
Nintendo giveth (Pokemon Go) and taketh away (takedown notices). Di Billick (@DiBillick) helps Bill sift through the carnage.
What is a game? After this week's episode, Pete Byrne (@MrPeteByrne) are no closer to knowing.
So Many Bits welcomes back Brandon Shockney (@Beeshock) is on this week to discuss Sonic latest quick game, while Bill wants to talk about people playing games quickly. Hopefully they can find a middle ground...
We're having a hot Chicago summer, but have you ever felt like you're on fire? Melissa Patterson (@hamster_mom) tells us about some of her military duties using video game engines, and much more!
Luis Badillo (@AgentEli) joins Bill this week to explain the recent CS: GO gambling scandal and Valve lawsuit. Fittingly, they also argue semantics.
Brandon Shockney is on this week! In the battle of who's stronger, Overwatch heroes of Marvel superheroes, the true winner is our wallets during the Steam Sale.
Pete Byrne and Dan Schiffmacher are back on to go over some of their favorite upcoming games form E3, but before that, Pete and Bill discuss a surprise favorite for this year, Doom.
Just in time for the start of E3, Luis Badillo is back to help Bill with some predictions, as well as compare the two different versions of Magic the Gathering Online.
Melissa Patterson and Bill relay their disappointment with the latest Uncharted game while remaining cautiously optimistic about our VR future. Assuming they are not already inside the machine.
Di Billick is back again to talk the Nintendo 3DS, cosplay issues, and Dragon Age. Because of course Dragon Age.
Brandon Shockney is back on So Many Bits to help Bill talk their shared love of the Phoenix Wright games! No objections here.
Justine Krueger returns to the podcast, having switched from her video game sketch show to breeding pinatas. There's also a discussion about game preservation, both with Rock Band and the upcoming NX!
Pete Byrne is on this week to talk with Bill about changes. To Doom, to Hearthstone, to Sonic the Hedgehog. Together with Dan they're dust in the wind.
Melissa Patterson joins Bill this week on So Many Bits, and no man, woman, or Metroid is safe!
Bill and Luis Badillo (@AgentEli) discuss our bleak free to play future, vaping in the Capitol, and farming. So much farming.
Di Billick joins Bill once again to talk RPGs, playing Divinity: Original Sin and looking forward to Final Fantasy XV!
After a brief hiatus, we're back with a live episode! Dan Schiffmacher joins Bill to offer his living room, as well as his knowledge of the Legend of Zelda franchise!
One of the best games of the 90's, does Grim Fandango hold up after over 18 years? Bill and Cliff take a look.
Brandon Shockney and Justine Krueger join Bill to talk about their video game themed sketch show! Check it out the next two weeks at iO Chicago!
Accountability buddies! Bill and Cliff check their progress on the games they pledged to complete this year, Half-Life 2 and Batman: Arkham Asylum!
Perhaps the first game to deconstruct game development, The Magic Circle is biting satire about the process of making a game.
Bill and Cliff get together to telll the tale of the Shepherd. Featuring clips of their favorite funny scenes!
Bill, with the help of returning guest Pete Byrne and first timer Mike Gospel, fondly reminisce about the Sega Genesis. There's other stuff besides Sonic the Hedgehog to talk about, but why would you?
Last heard talking Final Fantasy, Di Billick has returned to talk Dragon Age, who's hot, and who's not!
Let's talk Youtubers and streamers! Bill edited out most of the coughing from this episode. Most.
They've climbed to the top of the mountain. They've walked through the valley of the shadow of death. They finished Earthbound.
Bill and Cliff are sick and hungover from the holidays, so unfortunately just a brief check-in this week. Thanks for your patience!
It's the So Many Bits office party, and Bill and Cliff get together to discuss hors d'oeuvres, as well as some new years resolutions.
The guys press on, tackling 2 more dungeons in quick succession! And they get to say poo a lot.
Metal Gear Solid V, Super Mario Maker... Undertale? That's right, this indy darling is weird, funny, sincerely charming, and maybe the best game released in 2015. Bill and Cliff cannot shut up about it, so they're sharing the love with you.
Guest host Di Billick (Dandy Boy, Unlikely Company) helps Bill recap the Final Fantasy series, sharing their first memories of the games, as well as a few of their favorite strange moments.
This week, Bill is joined by Kate Hardiman, Bilal Dardai, and Trevor Dawkins to discuss The Neocade, a video game fundraiser for the Neo-Futurists coming up on Thursday November 12th. Along with showings from Bit Bash and the Video Game Art Gallery, they are producing a video game themed edition of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind titled Game Positive. The 3 talk to Bill about their personal game interests, the event, and the growing cultural weight of video games.
Metal... Gear? Yes, the stealth action / adventure game is serious, but the story and action usually turn into camp. Michael Delaney joins Bill this week to see how these nanomachines are made.
From humble beginnings Penny Arcade has gone from a webcomic to a multimedia force, including their own webseries, podcasts, video games, and a convention series that draws hundreds of thousands of fans annually. Their work makes games you've never played funny, varying from crude, juvenile humor to tender stories about parenthood. Bill and Cliff pick a few of their favorite strips, plus a bonus section of favorite Simpsons episodes to follow up on last week.
The Simpsons has been around seemingly forever, but they remain one of the few sitcoms to have incorporated video games into their storylines. Check out some of the many, many references made over the years, plus a little bonus discussion of The Simpsons numerous video game releases.
This week, we discuss Jackbox Party Pack and other "template games" that require user input. If this goes well, our next episode will be about Marky Mark's Make My Music Video.
Stephen Hanthorn joins us this week to help discuss the Ratchet and Clank franchise. With both a movie and a remake of the original game coming in early 2016, Cliff and Stephen (with a little help from Bill) reflect on their favorite moments.
Pete Byrne and Dan Schiffmacher guest host this week to help Bill discuss games they’re looking forward to this holiday season. Coming in the extended cut of this episode, deleted discussion of Pete making dinner.
Summary: The stars have been destroyed by your father, and you must atone. A classic narrative hook, which reminds us of The Naked Gun. And “very special episodes”. And Kesha.
In this episode, Bill and Cliff remember their last old memories of the TG-16 - and a few new ones - while getting a little philosophical about retro games.
A multi-topic episode, Bill reports back on Bit Bash 2015, then he and Cliff discuss Hot Date and Sonic Dreams Collection
Adam Sandler will never leave us alone. This is known. His latest film, Pixels, has hurt us deeply, so we must deal with the pain the only way we know how: podcasting.
A comic about video games. A movie about a comic about video games. A video game about a movie about a comic about video games. That's Scott Pilgrim.
Summer blockbuster seasons means the guys are taking a look at some movies based on video games. Most are awful cash-ins or just awful, but Wreck-It Ralph has its charms. Can it assume the title of "All-Time Best Video Game Movie" from The Last Starfighter?
A cult classic, Psychonauts flopped upon its original release, but has only grown in popularity due to its strange, surreal world. Bill and Cliff take a look at what details have allowed the game to earn new respect from gamers in spite of its age.
Slapstick is perhaps the oldest form of humor, so it’s no surprise some video games have used it to their advantage. Super Meat Boy is the foremost advantage taker though, and is the topic for this week’s episode.
Bill sits down with Kallie Rolison, Steve Schumacher, and Seth Wanta to discuss the video game edition of their sketch show Drink! They discuss the challenges of making video game humor accessible, favorite games, and finding audio samples from Burger Time. It's harder than it sounds.
Falling further down the rabbit hole that is Earthbound, the boys talk about blue cults, zombies, and wilderness survival.
E3 2015 has come and gone, and Bill and Cliff weigh in with the games they're looking forward to for the rest of this year and beyond. 2 voices aren't enough though, so Bill invited fellow comedians Dan Schiffmacher (Donner Party, WTMI News) and Pete Byrne (Small Town Doctor, Polar Pig) to help!
Bill and Cliff share the unique privilege of both having owned a Turbo-Grafx 16 growing up. This week, they talk about the games they've played that you probably have never heard of!
Earthbound is both an irreverent take on traditional RPGs and American culture. A cult classic for the Super Nintendo, the game is so sprawling we needed multiple episodes for discussion. For now, here’s part 1.
The original Let's Play series, Game Center CX has been on the air over 10 years in Japan with a game having somehow made it over to the US. We take a look at both the game and it's loving attention to detail.
Locally developed Octodad: Dadliest Catch gets some love this week. Perhaps the first game we've played intended to have terrible controls, Octodad plays like a twisted 50's sitcom.
More of an interactive story than a game, The Stanley Parable is a rare glimpse at post-modernism from the medium.
Darkly humorous, the Portal franchise takes bleak and makes it BLEAK. The two games also happen to be some of the greatest ever made.
Good games don't always mean good humor. The Borderlands franchise has good reviews and is well-loved, but is it actually funny?
You didn't ask, and we delivered! In the first episode, Bill and Cliff discuss their gaming cred, the history of South Park video games, and the importance of commitment.