Core Elements: Recent Episodes

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Core Elements welcomes Danny Day of QCF Design into the laboratory. In this episode, we discuss gaming in education, the future of independant MMOs, and the proper way to get into the video game industry. Additionally, we raise Rogue from the dead, and give it a thorough once over.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Danny Day's Twitter
• Desktop Dungeons
• QCF Design
• Listen to audiobooks while you play Desktop Dungeons!
• [GAME] Sweatshop. (Link no longer active, see this Guardian article.)
• [LINK] Gamers as loners
• [LINK] Over 900 voices in SW: TOR
• [GAME] Realm of the Mad God
• [GAME] Reanimator: Rogue at the DOS Games Archive
• [GAME] Spelunky
• [LINK] Global Game Jam

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This week we are joined by Justin Korthof of Robot Entertainment. We discuss the job of a community manager, how Gabe Newell is experimenting on us, and how Spencer is WRONG! Since we're covering Robot's new game, Orcs Must Die!, we use our reanimator to dissect tower defense and find out what makes the genre tick. Then we kill Justin. The End.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Robot Entertainment
• Justin Korthof on Twitter
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Spencer is WRONG about Iron Brigade
• [LINK] Merchant of Venus and Merchant of Venus
• [LINK] An Open Letter to Notch
• [LINK] Gabe Newell is experimenting on us
• [LINK] CCP lays off 20% of its staff
• [LINK] The Four Tenets of the Community Manager
• [MUSIC] Reanimator Music: Orc March by Basematic

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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 billion in revenue.

• [LINK] Why 2016 will be the year of esports
• [VIDEO] Smite releases a new cinematic trailer
• [LINK] Undertale is tearing Gamefaqs apart

For a video of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/WpPvhb6un4c

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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
• Denius-Sams Gaming Academy
• Joel on Twitter

• MinecraftEDU

• Please help support my Patreon!

• Try out Loot Crate and support the show!

• My latest Unboxing video

• [LINK] The Psychonauts 2 funding campaign.

• [LINK] Winners of the 2015 Game Awards
• [LINK] System Shock 3 revealed

For a video of this episode go to: https://youtu.be/fWbXyy0A5Ng

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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 didn't get about making video games (until I did).

• [LINK] Activision to announce new Guitar Hero game
• [LINK] Homeworld Remastered is released
• [VID] Smosh Bros Claps with Realistic Audio
• [LINK] The Art Of Elite: Dangerous' Space Photographers
• [LINK] A Total War Game that isn't broken

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/BeA_zi560IE

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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] Activision cracking down on exploit videos
• [LINK] Rock Band 3 releases two new tracks!
• [LINK] The Unbalanced Design of Super Smash Brothers
• [LINK] Notch talks about the sale of Minecraft to Microsoft

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/ImAArNuxwEc

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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] Press X to mourn.
• [LINK] Why I don't finish most video games
• [LINK] Internet Arcade adds 900 classic games to your browser

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/B4NNeFFIZlo

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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 Citizen funding now up to $59 million.
• [LINK] Microsoft plans to uphold Minecraft community standards.
• [LINK] Twitch changes its Terms of Conduct to exclude shirtlessness.
• [VIDS] People freaking out over MewTwo in Smash Brothers.
• [VID] Spelunky beaten with a dance pad controller.

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/RLFqqgPj28A

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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 gets his game pulled from Steam.

• [LINK] Custom game miniatures soon to be a thing.
• [LINK] Study finds Portal 2 is better for you than "Brain Training" software.
• [LINK] Human Resources kickstarter cancelled

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/2jHxOzdBlv8

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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 Titan.

• [LINK] Ingress gets player-defined quests
• [LINK] X-box One sales are tanking in Japan
• [LINK] Female Game Developers talk about #GamerGate

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/4qVDpneTVFA

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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 comments, the keys to ensuring a successful business lives through its own growth, and whether Pokemon should have been a Facebook game.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Ryan on Twitter

• Pathfinder Online

• Try out Loot Crate and support the show!

• My latest Unboxing video

• [LINK] Mojang bought by Microsoft for $2.5 billion.

• [VID] This is Phil Fish
• [LINK] "One of the most radical things you can do is to actually believe women when they talk about their experiences"
• [LINK] Pewdiepie turns off YouTube comments
• [LINK] In Defense of Specific Definitions

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/HKstBtgvt6o

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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!

• My latest Unboxing video

• [LINK] Mike's tweets regarding Feminist Frequency

• [LINK] Equality is the worst thing that could happen
• [LINK] Passing off Anti-Feminist Nonsense as Critique
• [LINK] Jim Sterling: Social Justice Warriors and Ganondorf
• [LINK] League of Legends critics are trying to sell themselves, not fix the game
• [LINK] The Note 4 VR Rig
• [LINK] Explore Destiny with Google Street View
• [LINK] What happens if you op everyone on a server

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/iZpRNPDbP6Q

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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 Galaxy to offer DRM-free alternative to Steam

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/dL1B2hfhSGM

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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 joins Oculus VR

• [LINK] Watch Dogs sells 4 million copies its first week.
• [LINK] The inside story on the World of Darkness MMO and CCP.
• [LINK] Video Game Preorders are out of control
• [VIDS] The Best Luigi Death Stare videos
• [GAME] Pixel: ru² is on sale this week at IndieGameStand! 75% off! They'll be guests on the show next week!

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/Cp-y2sfKKq8

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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] Titanfall companion app lauches
• [LINK] EVE Online 3 year manhunt
• [LINK] Xbox live offering refunds for Netflix subscribers
• [LINK] Notch's tiny despair simulator

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/3KLDkPvSQrM

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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] DOTA 2 players outnumber World of Warcraft subscribers
• [LINK] Earth 2066 removed from Steam store for false advertising.
• [LINK] Developers abandon unfinished game on Steam after selling 200,000 copies

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/xLJXtt9_Rxs

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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, PewDiePie, and Pasta Sauce
• [VID] Extra Credits: What is a Game?

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/e3boaKaP5lk

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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
• [LINK] Sony reveals its vr system for PS4 and The new Occulus Rift is very cool
• [LINK] SimCity finally gets an offline mode

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/Dc6womK94q4

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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 a Failure
• [LINK] We're Buying More PC Games Than We Can Play
• [LINK] Comcast isn't letting customers watch HBO Go on Playstation

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/qdP8QrWHmUQ

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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 Pokemon nearly beats the game
• [IMG] The Evolution of Religion in Twitch Plays Pokemon
• [LINK] Ken Levine announce he is "winding down" Irrational Games

For a video of this episode go to: http://youtu.be/n80z1u_LyOo

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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 will offer Netflix-like subscription options
• [LINK] GDC Developers Choice Award Nominees
• [LINK] Independent Games Festival awards finalists revealed

For a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjXqvMh6pys

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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

For a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3AlzZS91iM

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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
• [LINK] Is Crytek an indie developer?
• [LINK] Top 10 indie games of 2013

For a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQqAK2SJmWo

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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 to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK7z-oy24TQ

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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, Terraria and more. http://youtube.com/PsychoChickenz

• [LINK] The Humble Store is now open
• [LINK] SSteam rises to 65 million active users
• [LINK] Everything you need to know about Warlords of Draenor

For a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5JrMNf53I

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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] SimCity may get an offline mode after all
• [LINK] Steam Machine prototype specs

For a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVoYL6y-4Pg

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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 Indie PC Games You Must Keep An Eye On
• [LINK] King, makers of Candy Crush Saga, offering IPO

For a video of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON1ENQ0qAS4

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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

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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

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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 so far
• [LINK] The harsh reality if indie game success

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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] WiiU's ZombieU was not profitable
• [LINK] Microsoft allegedly tried to acquire Zynga

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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 Zynga
• [VID] Minecon 2013 officially announced

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After an extended absence, we return to laboratory with Joe McDonagh, founder of Blue Manchu. In addition to discussing his game project, Card Hunter, we look into the slaughter of Microsoft at E3, the curious case of Peggle's popularity, and the stressful steps into indie game development.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Joe on Twitter
• Card Hunter
• Get $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkers
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Microsoft does a 180 after the E3 massacre
• [LINK] Pulling up the ladder: how indie developers are losing the ability to help each other
• [LINK] These Patents Video Game Publishers Own May Surprise You. Plus More...
• [LINK] The Sorry Sage of Skulls of the Shogun on & Windows 8
• [VID] When Difficult is Fun
• [LINK] The Massive Chalice Kickstarter

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This week we're joined in the Laboratory by Hi-Rez co-founder and COO, Todd Harris. In this episode we discuss Smite, Tribes, the difficult communities they appeal to, and the nature of designing free-to-play games. We also learn how to monetize griefing and discuss the usefulness of Steam Greenlight.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Todd on Twitter
• Hi-Rez Studios
• Get $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkers
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Peter Molyneux may have just monetized trolling
• [LINK] Is Steam Greenlight working?
• [LINK] Game Developer Tychoon uses irony on software pirates
• [LINK] The SimCity 3.0 update
• [LINK] Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat creators sue 'Scribblenauts' studio for using their memes

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Andy Schatz joins us again from the whirlwind of his upcoming Monaco: What's Yours is Mine release! For the episode (that answers the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything), we discuss slices of gum, the curious violence of Bioshock Infinite, and question the death of the personal twitter account.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Andy on Twitter
• Pocketwatch Games
• Get $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkers
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] The AMAZING Polygon interview with Andy Schatz
• [LINK] The personal twitter account is dead
• [LINK] The SimCity debacle
• [LINK] Hitbox discusses their Dustforce sales figures
• [LINK] NPR discusses the changing console market
• [LINK] We need better video game publishers

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Alan Wilson, Vice-President of Tripwire Interactive, joins us this week in the laboratory. In addition to discussing Killing Floor and Red Orchestra, we talk about the value of community input into game design, the balance between the ESRB and regulation, and how we are all going to be MLG-pro

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Tripwire Interactive
• Get $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkers
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Gamers need to 'quiet down' says CA senator
• [LINK] MLG-produced game inevitable
• [LINK] Optimize 'Far Cry 3,' 'Hawken,' and other PC games with Nvidia's cloud-based settings tweaker

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Xaviant CEO, Michael McMain joins us this week on the show. In addition to discussing their work in progress, Lichdom, we discuss the place of consoles in the gaming universe, the inescapable siren call of Skyrim, and the big gay planet of The Old Republic. Skype was particularly cruel to the audio quality this week, so please pardon the hiss.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Xaviant
• Lichdom
• Lichdom Play Tester Sign-up
• Get $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkers
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Say hello to The Old Republic's gay planet
• [LINK] Are console sales numbers calling for the next generation?
• [LINK] PSN offering great deals on some digital titles

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For our first episode of the new year, Erin Robinson is our guest in the Laboratory! In addition to talking about Gravity Ghost, we ask her about her technological influence, her path to indie development, and whether Spencer should make a game about words or insects.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Erin on Twitter
• Gravity Ghost
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Does calling it a “beta” justify selling an unfinished game?
• [LINK] Gabe Newell talks about the Steam Box
• [LINK] Nvidia's Project Shield
• [LINK] Fargo Reveals The Future Of Torment
• [LINK] Dragon Age’s lead writer on fandom and the “increasingly toxic” Bioware forums

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Robert Moran, of URealms fame, joins us this week in the laboratory! Here off his whirlwind Kickstarter tour, Robert shares his gaming wit and wisdom with us. In this episode we discuss the dubious connection between popularity and income, the ramifications of Warcraft questing, and the untimely undeath of the $15 subscription model.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Robert on Twitter
• The Unforgotten Quest Kickstarter
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Top MMORPGs to look forward to in 2013
• [LINK] THQ’s stock rises nearly 40% thanks to Humble Bundle
• [LINK] Hitman Absolution introduces and the pulls sexist Facebook campaign

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This week we are joined by Eric Zimmerman, founder of GameLab and author of Rules of Play. In this episode we discuss how games are becoming integral to our entire life experience, the reason behind our lack of female game developers, and why sex in video games feels so dirty, dirty, and wrong.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Eric on Twitter
• EricZimmerman.com
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] #1ReasonWhy hashtag shares reasons the game industry has such a low percentage of women in it.
• [LINK] 750,000 XBox 360s sell over one weekend, while only 400,000 WiiU units sold for their entire opening week
• [LINK] Molyneux puts forward a kickstarter

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This week we are once again sans Spencer, but we have with us Ziba Scott, the independant game designer behind Girls Like Robots. In this episode we discuss PS3 hostility towards hackers, the siren song of MMOs, and the curious nostalgia of gaming manuals.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Ziba on Twitter
• PopCannibal
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Playstation to terminate all accounts that use have hacked PS3 content
• [LINK] Are Game Manuals just outdated pieces of paper
• [LINK] When did gamers become bullies?
• [LINK] Guild Wars 2: New Random Dungeon

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This week we are joined by Mike Rugnetta of PBS Idea Channel! Sharing with us his unique intellectual angle on media, we cover topics about myopic gaming choices, the value of open-sourced hardware, and experiencing the unexperiencable.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Mike Rugnetta on Twitter
• PBS Idea Channel
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Microsoft Glass for Android is released
• [LINKS] Guild Wars 2: Power vs. Precision, and Vitality vs. Toughness
• [LINK] A Slower Speed of Light: Relativistic Gaming

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This week we bring Josh Tsui into the laboratory! President of Robomodo, makers of the newest games in the Tony Hawk series, Josh joins us in a lively discussion of monetized videos, mobile gaming vs. desktop gaming, and the tough line to talk between nostalgia and innovation!

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Josh Tsui on Twitter
• Robomodo Games
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Project Eternity is on a roll!
• [LINK] Zynga 2nd worst performing stock of 2012
• [LINK] Kickstarter Nostalgia Peril
• [LINK] Simon Pegg tweet bringing Shaun of the Dead Mod back to life
• [LINK] Microsoft removes monetization of their games from Youtube
• [LINK] Talisman finally coming to PC

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This week, Scott Macmillan of MacGuffin Games joins Core Elements to talk about his studio, it's death, and subsequent resurrection. In addition to discussing our Warcraft problems, we'll cover the magic of Hero Academy, the balance between art and money in gaming, and the curious desire to escape gaming.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Scott Macmillan on Twitter
• MacGuffin Games
• "Death of an Indie Studio" slides
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Bioware co-founders leaving the studio
• [LINK] Borderlands 2 DLC Season Pass

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This week we are joined by Brendon Chung of Blendo Games. Brendon has made such fantastic titles as Atom Zombie Smasher, Gravity Bone, and Flotilla. In this episode, we discuss the use of descriptive adjectives in game titles, the dubious merit of new console hardware, the worth of sex in gaming, and the quality of Spencer's internet connection.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Brendon Chung on Twitter
• Blendo Games
• Thirty Flights of Loving on Steam
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Microsoft could delay 720 till 2014
• [LINK] Gamestop pulling PS2 games in preparation for next-gen consoles
• [LINK] Sex game pulled from Steam Greenlight

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Dan Silvers returns to the Laboratory for a new round of experiments! In this episode, we discuss the waning Blizzard love, Microsoft's fear of Steam, and the unawesomeness of Awesomenauts. The audio this week was not recorded locally and had to be recovered from Twitch... so please forgive the poor quality.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Dan Silvers on Twitter
• Lantana Games
• Children of Liberty on Steam Greenlight
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Double Fine's next game
• [LINK] Diablo adding 100 more levels
• [LINK] Come watch the DWP when they stream!

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This summer has seen a terrible drought for booking guests, but it appears the fall has graced us with more open schedules! This week, we welcome Roger Craig Smith, voice actor supreme! On top of doing the voices of Ezio from Assassin's Creed, he's know as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog, Chris Redfield, and a host of other characters in animation and gaming. In this episode, we discuss the creation of social networks, how to figure out if your stand-up career is doomed, and why we want to slap Nolan North.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Roger Craig Smith's Website
• Roger on IMDB
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Nintendo wants to make a gamer social network
• [LINK] Microsoft's Election 2012 hub on Xbox Live
• [LINK] Psychonauts coming to PSN
• [LINK] 16 bit Borderlands

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Double Fine graces the laboratory with more of it's excellent game creators! This week we welcome the dubiously ubiquitous Ron Gilbert, of Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island fame, and Chad Dawson, lead programmer on The Cave and AI developer for over a decade. Additionally, although Spencer was getting his face operated on (thank god!), Eric Fullerton offered to fill in! In this episode, we discuss the chick-magnet capabilities of classic computers, the ever-present question of why anyone makes an MMO, and whether SCUMM can leave a mark.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Kevin on Twitter
• The Cave
• Double Fine Productions
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Zombies Run: a running game and audio adventure
• [LINK] Rich Vogel leaving Bioware amid layoff rumors.
• [LINK] Left 4 Dead 2 to be first Valve game on Linux
• [LINK] Ouya kickstarter
• [LINK] Sony missed Limbo exclusivity by asking for ip rights
• We will be giving away Steam codes for the The Double Fine Bundle. To enter, send us an e-mail and let us know who you would most like to see as a guest on Core Elements!

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We finally get Kevin Dent into the lab to dissect his opinions on a wide array of industry subjects! This week we discuss Rekoil, 38 Studios and Radical games, the excesses and failures of E3, and the real reason Cliff Bleszinski won't reply to your clever tweets.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Kevin on Twitter
• Rekoil
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] The call to ban booth babes at E3
• [LINK] Warren Spector: "The ultraviolence has to stop"
• [LINK] Thatgamecompany raises $5.5 million (with an M) towards its independence
• [LINK] Wii U titles with dual GamePad support won't be available at launch

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This week, Andy Gavin, co-founder of Naughty Dog and all-around renaissance-geek, joins us in the lab. We talk about the schism between writing and gaming, the horrible reality of incubi and succubi, the curious case of 38 Studios, Diablo, Diablo, Diablo, and Diablo.

SPECIAL NOTE: Despite what is stated in this episode, Kevin Dent will not be a guest next week due to E3. He is joining us the following week.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Andy on Twitter
• All Things Andy Gavin
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Curt Schilling's Big Huge 38 Studios Debacle
• [LINK] Diablo patches incoming...
• [LINK] Korean Blizzard office raided

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This week we welcome Jeff Vogel of Spiderweb Software, makers of a wide catalog of indie RPG games. In addition to learning how much Jeff loves money, we revisit Spencers love of Bioware, we discover how disgusted Wes is with Venetian canals, and we find out how all three despise one common question.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Spiderweb Software
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Blizzard and Valve come to an agreement over DOTA trademark
• [LINK] NVidia announces cloud GPU services
• [LINK] Gamestop sells Steam wallet cards
• [LINK] Subsidized X-box 360 deal bad for customers
• [VID] Avadon: The Black Fortress: An Indie Test Drive created by Paul Soares Jr.

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Welcome back to the laboratory! We've spent weeks in the lab cooking up a new experiment, and this week we bring you Luke Peterschmidt of Fun to 11. Luke is a prolific board game designer, and we had the privilege of meeting him at Minecon. In this episode we discuss naked vomitous piles of exploding zombies, Spencer's hatred of Kickstarter, and we ask Luke what it's like at the bottom of the barrel.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Fun to 11
• Luke's underused Twitter
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] PS4 for Free?
• [LINK] Diablo 3 launch day preparation guide
• [LINK] 230,000 people attend the Smithsonian video game exhibit
• [LINK] Binding of Isaac expansion to release on May 28th
• [LINK] Beyond Good and Evil 2 may... or may not be cancelled.

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This week we feature Zach Barth of Zachtronics Industries, maker of Space Chem! In addition to discussing how his game has become a truly terrifying behemoth of awesomeness, we talk about whether one can steal his way into Mordor, the relative success of Infiniminer, and how Japanese games are sucky... or not sucky... depending on who you are listening to.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Zachtronic Industries
• Get a 30-day free trial of Netflix
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Phil Fish says people have gotten his Japanese games suck comment all wrong
• [LINK] Four free mods that will bring you back to old games
• [LINK] Witcher developers abandon DRM forever
• [LINK] Notch: “If someone copies your game a trillion times, you won’t have lost a single cent”

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My fanboy fascination with Triple Town has finally struck gold! This week we welcome Daniel Cook of Spryfox! Although he can't really talk about the ongoing lawsuit, he can talk to us about the other pressing matters of today... the meritocracy of flash portals, the validity of Guild Wars 2 reporting, and the changing paradigm of ever-updating games.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Daniel Cook on Twitter
• Spryfox Website
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Skyrim beta patch removes 50 mod limit
• [LINK] Skyrim and Guild Wars 2: Changing the Face of Gaming
• [LINK] Fake Pokemon Yellow removed from App Store
• [LINK] Vita to launch with 2nd most games of any platform
• [LINK] A Global Ratings Initiative

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This week we welcome Michael Pachter, game industry analyst extraordinaire with Wedbush Securities. Michael is known for his insight into the business of games and currently hosts a show on Game Trailers called Pach Attack. In this episode, we discuss the way THQ has done the right thing all the way to the poor house, how MMO subscription models may take over your FPS, and what we can expect from the unholy union between Notch and Tim Schafer.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Michael Pachter on Twitter
• Pach Attack
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Double Fine Kickstarter Asks Big Questions
• [LINK] L.A. Noire: Four Main Reasons There Should Be a Sequel
• [LINK] Ace Attorney is the Best Video Game Movie Ever
• [LINK] Minimalist superhero posters

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This week we are joined by Lexie and Terence of Hitbox Team, makers of the stylistic platformer, Dustforce. In this episode, we discuss the audacity of cloning, the evil alliance of Tim Schafer and Notch on Psychonauts 2, and the curious case of old game sales. We had some pretty serious Skype issues this week, so please forgive our audio difficulties.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Hitbox Team on Twitter
• Hitbox Team Website
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Rift going free to play
• [LINK] LOTRO adding mounted combat
• [LINK] Notch to Tim Schafer, let's make Psychonauts 2 happen
• [LINK] Spryfox suing 6waves LOLapps
• [LINK] The problem with buying old games
• [LINK] Take a moment to fill out this gaming survey
• [LINK] The Curse of Cow Clicker

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This week we are joined by Kellee Santiago, co-founder of That Game Company... makers of Flower, Flow, and Journey. In this episode, we discuss whether Lineage is too old to be relevant, cognitive dissonance as it applies to saving the world, ethical considerations of game cloning, and how much Space Chem sandbox mode terrifies us.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Kellee Santiago on Twitter
• That Game Company
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] NCSoft seeks to prevent US release of Tera
• [LINK] Dear Zynga
• [LINK] Dear Nimblebit
• [LINK] Tim Schafer celebrates 20 years in the industry
• [LINK] Ibb and Obb

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This week's guest is Isaac and Meat Boy creator, Edmund McMillen! We discuss the ideological dipoles of Bioshock and Stalker, the philosophical merit of Zynga games, the inevitable decay of Mario Cart, and the stigmatic childhood of Wes and Spencer.

We experienced some technical difficulties on the recording of this week's episode, so pardon the audio quality and the delayed release.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Edmund McMillen on Twitter
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Irrational announces 1999 mode for Bioshock Infinite
• [LINK] Zynga losing $150 per new customer?
• [LINK] Dungeons and Dragons Online announces first expansion pack

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This week's guest is Jeff Roberts of RAD Game Tools. Jeff gives us a unique look into developing for developers, as well as sharing with us multiple decades worth of experience in the business of games. Topics include the mysterious alien artifacts one finds on flagpoles, the social ramifications of repulsive logos, and the bizarre world of Everquest fiction.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Jeff Roberts on Twitter
• RAD Game Tools
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Sony's 16 in-house development studios
• [LINK] Kuma/War dev faces execution in Iran
• [LINK] Everquest 2 reports "amazing growth" following switch to free-to-play
• [LINK] World of Warcraft testing 64 bit client

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Jonathan Blow of Braid fame joins us for our first episode of 2012. Taking time out from his latest project, The Witness, Jonathan talks with us about how cheating is not really cheating, what all these MMOs are trying to pull off, and whether we should ever use the word pretentious again. We are ringing in the new year with a spectacular new episode. Join us!

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Jonathan Blow on Twitter
• The Witness
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Steam hits 5 million concurrent players
• [LINK] The 2012 Year in Games
• [LINK] What's wrong with exploiting design flaws in online games?
• [LINK] Vox Media hires big names for a new gaming web site
• [LINK] Braid papercraft

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This week we're joined by Andrew Greenberg, probably one of the most prolific game designers we've gotten to interview. Andrew was one of the original White Wolf developers of Vampire: The Masquerade, worked on video games that span from Emperor of the Fading Suns to Mall Tycoon, and is a director of SIEGE, a southern game development conference. In this episode, we discuss the pitfalls of the ESRB, the lethality of latex pleasure devices, and the relative worth of game developers in comparison to lawyers.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Haunted House Tycoon
• SIEGE:Southern Interactive Entertainment & Game Expo
• Do all your Amazon shopping via the DWP storefront, and help support our shows!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Skyrim mods to be available in Steam Workshop
• [LINK] Bioshock Infinite trailer did not remove religious lyrics
• [LINK] 2 million deaths by dildo in Saints Row the Third
• [LINK] Humble Bundle
• [LINK] X-mas Indie Royale Bundle
• [LINK] Little Big Bunch
• [LINK] The 99% Bundle

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This week we're joined by Benjie Freund, sound designer for Tribes Ascend at Hi-Rez Studios. In this episode, we discuss Spencer's Game of the Year, how blacksmithing and saving the world are not mutually exclusive, and what sounds drive the sound guys batty.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Hi-Rez Studios
• Write in this week to get a Tribes Ascend beta key!
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Why Bundles and Steam Sales Aren't Good for Most Indies
• [LINK] Ghost Recon: Future Soldier won't be released on PC
• [LINK] Why Modern Warfare 3 Remains an Un-Game
• [LINK] SWTOR to Convert 500k WoW Players

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This week's show features Brian Green of Namaste Entertainment. In this episode, we discuss the past, present and future of MMOs, Brian's change of heart regarding user generated content, and repeat the word Skyrim a preposterous number of times. Spencer is sick as a dog, so Eric Fullerton joins us as a guest host.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Namaste Entertainment
• Brian on Google+
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Dungeon Defender releases dev kit
• [LINK] Steam dominates Witcher 2 sales
• [LINK] Wayne Brady as Steve

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This week's show features Jason Wishnov of Iridium Entertainment, developers of Sequence. In this episode, we discuss the relative complexity of checkers, the horrors of not getting acting credits, and the hidden secrets of the game journalist IRC channel. Additionally, we reanimate FreQuency and discuss the past, present and future of rhythm gaming.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Iridium Entertainment
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] The Voxatron Bundle
• [VID] Paul Soares Jr. does a Indie Test Drive of Voxatron
• [REANIMATOR] FreQuency

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After a two week break for vacation and the DWPP, we're BACK! This week we're joined by Markus Beutel, the designer of the Civilization NiGHTS mod for Civ 5. In this episode, we discuss linear RPGs, the atmospheric uncanny valley, and our universal distaste for stacked military units.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Civilization NiGHTS on Civ Fantatics
• Rasmussen College offers an online degree in Game and Simulation Programming
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [GAME] Orcs Must Die! on Steam
• [GAME] Costume Quest comes to Steam
• [LINK] Square Enix experiments with proprietary game engine
• [LINK] THQ not sure there's a place for a Space Marine sequel
• [LINK] Battlefield 3 predicted to generate a billion dollars in PC hardware sales
• [LINK] Opinion: Journalistic Rage
• [LINK] Mojang can use "Scrolls"... for now

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Andy Schatz of Pocketwatch Games joins us for our longest show to date! In this episode we discuss the potential for a console RTS, the social contribution of game reselling, and the target market for casual sim games. We also dig into Andy about his upcoming game, Monaco, and get stonewalled for a release date.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Andy on Twitter
• Pocketwatch Games
• Monaco on Facebook
• Rasmussen College offers an online degree in Game and Simulation Programming
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Where are all the minecraft clones?
• [LINK] Consoles have just become crappy PCs
• [LINK] PC games poised to dominate the market... wait, what?
• [LINK] League of Legends releases new game mode
• [LINK] Why I love buying used games
• [LINK] Games saved my life
• [VID] Indirect lighting through raytracing

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This week we're joined by Lisa Brown, part of the Insomniac team that worked on Resistance! In this episodes we discuss what we'd like to be when we grow up, the value of class action lawsuits, and the upcoming "gay patch" in SW:TOR.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Lisa Brown on Google +
• Rasmussen College offers an online degree in Game and Simulation Programming
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [GAME] Toys vs Nightmares
• [LINK] Sony puts out new PSN terms of service
• [LINK] Nintendo's new horrific peripheral
• [LINK] Dead Island and Gamification
• [LINK] World of Darkness MMO features nudity, gore, insanity, and permanent death
• [LINK] WoW introduces Raid Finder
• [LINK] Same sex relations will be in SW:TOR post-release patch

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This week we are joined by Brian Weissman of Grinding Gear Games, creators of Path of Exile. In this episode, we delve into the minutiae of Magic, the rage against resellers, and the take a look at games from another angle. Oh, and we reanimate an arcade classic... Zaxxon.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Path of Exile
• Rasmussen College offers an online degree in Game and Simulation Programming
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [MOD] Civilization 5 NiGHTS
• [GAMES] Online board games at Yucata.de
• [LINK] Ars Technica on ownership in large game houses
• [LINK] Planetside 2 will be free to play
• [VID] Video game in a box
• [LINK] Quantum Dream CEO denounces game resellers
• [LINK] History of used video games
• [LINK] Owning the Stack: The legal war for control of the smartphone platform
• Reanimator: Zaxxon
• [LINK] The Badass Hussars
• [LINK] Big Block Games builds a game for Child's Play
• [CONTEST] Send in a question for the show to have a chance to win a Path of Exile beta invite

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Greg Kasavin of Supergiant Games join us this week. Their first game, Bastion, has been a favorite of critics and fans alike. We discuss the difficulty portraying story in games, the faustian specifications for good press, and the inspirations behind Bastion. Parappa the Rapper also joins us from beyond the grave.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Supergiant Games
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Portal sells better on PC than on consoles
• [VID] Serious Sam 3:BFE has 16 player co-op
• [LINK] Star Trek Online moving to Free to Play
• [LINK] How to save adventure games
• [LINK] Dead Island developer code released instead of release code
• Reanimator: PaRappa the Rapper

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This week we welcome Joey Betz from Armor Games! We discuss flash game development, the worth of gamification, and the value of elephants in games. Additionally, we reanimate Space Quest for a quick trip out the airlock.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Armor Games
• Joey's profile on Armor Games
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [LINK] Gamification is here to stay
• [LINK] Gabe Newell likes ARTS
• [LINK] Ubi apologizes for From Dust
• [LINK] Super Monday Night Combat announced
• [LINK] Firefall beta begins
• Reanimator: Space Quest
• Space Quest is available on GoG
• [LINK] Indie Test Drive from Paul Soares Jr.

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Ben Vance and Borut Pfeiffer of Haunted Temple Games join us to talk about their upcoming XBLA release, Skull of the Shogun. In this episode we discuss gaming company kerfuffles, the foreign language that is WoW, and we reanimate a Troika classic, Vampire: the Masquerade - Bloodlines.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Skulls of the Shogun
• Borut Pfeiffer: The Plush Apocalypse
• Ben Vance: Buffalo Vision Games
• Try a free audiobook and support the show!
• [GAME] Kingdom Rush
• [LINK] WoW Armor Transmogrification
• [LINK] From Dust DRM
• [LINK] Blizzard and Valve conflict over DOTA
• [LINK] EA vs Activision: FIGHT!
• [LINK] Razer's mysterious pro-pc gaming campaign
• Reanimator: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
• Music for this week's Reanimator segment: Miami Theme A

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Dan Silvers joins us from Lantana Games, where they are working diligently on "Children of Liberty". In this episode, we discuss the controlversy of used game sales, the ups & downs of kickstarters, and the demise of the space flight combat sim.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Dan's Twitter Feed
• Lantana Games
• The "Children of Liberty" kickstarter
• Get a free Audiobook and support the show!
• [GAME] The End
• [GAME] Smuggle Truck
• [LINK] Study finds spoilers increase enjoyment
• [LINK] Locked out Rage single-player
• [VID] VGW Scribble: Customer Abuse
• [LINK] November = No Money
• [LINK] Pathfinder outsells D&D
• [LINK] Reanimator: TIE Fighter

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This week we talk to Chandana Ekanayake of Uber Entertainment, but he just goes by Eka. For this episode, we're celebrating the birthday of Monday Night Combat! It's one year old, and well worthy of getting a nice present for.

Maybe you should buy it a nice game... like an RTS...

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Eka's Twitter
• Uber Entertainment
• Listen to audiobooks while you play Desktop Dungeons!
• [GAME] The Stanley Parable
• [GAME] Tiny Tower
• [GAME] Bastion
• [LINK] Healbot App
• [LINK] Diablo 3 always online, mods outlawed, cash transactions
• [LINK] Superman in GTA IV
• [GAME] Reanimator: Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty

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Today we experiment on Brad Muir of Double Fine Productions, the Lead Developer on Trenched! We get to talk about sexy cooking, the wisdom of bad-mouthing publishers, and the value of robot smoking arms.

[MP3 AUDIO]

• Brad Muir on Twitter
• Trenched
• Trenched on YouTube
• Listen to audiobooks while you play Minecraft!
• Supreme Court rules games are protected speech.
• Epic's Mike Gamble discusses studio closures.
• How Zynga's value stacks up against other companies.
• Reanimator: Star Control 2.
• The Ur-Quan Masters
• Music for the Reanimator segment remixed by The Precursors. Go check out more of their Star Control 2 remixed game music.

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Here it is! The introductory episode of Core Elements! If you have any questions about what this show is going to be, this should answer them. If it doesn't, listen to Episode 1!

[MP3 AUDIO]

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The next few weeks are going to be very trying for Wes, with the imminent birth of his latest and upcoming PAX East trip. Spencer has been a bit out of commission due to some family developments. With these in mind, it's highly unlikely that any new episodes will be released in the next few weeks. That COULD change, but it's quite difficult to book guests when your baby could be born at any minute. Please keep tuned, this podcast is not dead... and we do have some open invitations to some amazing guests in the future!

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I cannot describe how incredible it is when people "get" your show. Thank you, folks!