80-Bit Podsmash

Penguin & Termite welcome our Pathfinder Game Master (GM) Nick Taylor to discuss table top RPGs. We analyze what they are, how they're played and how they've influenced video games and vice versa. @OzzedNet has a new Album, Friendship Adventure, which the intro and outro of this episode came from. Be sure to check him out.   Music: Ozzed - Seaside Town *New* Album - Friendship Adventure http://ozz...

Penguin & Termite kick off a new series of topics analyzing the different decades in gaming history. This time we visit the 90s, one of the most diverse and definitive decades in gaming history. We discuss why this is the case as well as analyze the culture of the time and talk about or favorites in this decade. https://blackshellmedia.com/2017/06/02/what-you-can-learn-from-nintendos-90s-marketing...

Penguin & Termite finally talk about religion! We've lived up to our description by discussing the ideas of theology and philosophy that are present in video games. What ways do storytellers use their world view to build the plots? Do you think video games are a good medium to express theological and/or philosophical ideas? https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/3/5/2845407/video-games-are-a-good-fit...

Penguin & Termite continue the series of Developer Deep Dives. We take an in depth look at a specific developer. This time it's Insomniac Games. The studio behind Spyro the Dragon as well as Ratchet & Clank. They just took over the gaming world with Spider-Man! We discuss where they came from, what defines them and where they're headed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gameskinny.com/google-amp/in...

Penguin & Termite discuss the next generation of gaming consoles and the direction of the gaming industry. Join us in exploring how video game generations are defined by both hardware and software as well as make predictions about the future. Resources: https://www.quora.com/How-are-video-game-console-generations-defined-Who-defines-them https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_home_video_game_consol...

Penguin & Termite have been doing 80 Bit Podsmash for a whole year! We haven't missed a week. However, we've learned a lot. Come join us as we reflect on our passed year, hear our favorite things we've done and our criticisms. We also address some interesting Xbox related news. Music: Ozzed - All for Me NES http://ozzed.net

Brizzle McFizzle, as previously known as a Hot Dog Twitch streamer, has graciously allowed us to interview her about Community Management with the mobile game, Wagers of War! We get a little real at the end with a good discussion about being a woman involved in the gaming industry. Brizzle McFizzle Twitter: @BrizzleMcFizzle Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/brizzlemcfizzle   Wagers of War Twitter: @Wa...

Penguin & Termite discuss linear and open world games. We hash out which ones we like better and why as well discuss their prevalence in the gaming industry. Are there more open worlds games now than ever? Footnotes: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2017/4/18/15324366/mass-effect-andromeda-open-world-bioware http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/god-of-war-director-calls-out...

Penguin & Termite take a deep dive into the wonderful world of Japanese culture by way of Japanese Role Playing Games. We discuss what differentiates them from their Western counterparts, their relationship to anime, and weigh some pros and cons. What do you like about JRPGs? Footnotes: https://www.reddit.com/r/JRPG/comments/3avnun/discussion_what_is_the_genredifference_between/csgekb2/ https://pr...

Penguin & Termite kick off a new series of Developer Deep Dives. We take an in depth look at a specific developer. This time it's Naughty Dog. This studio has greatly matured from the days of Crash Bandicoot through the Last of Us Part 2. We discuss where they came from, what defines them and where they're headed. Music: Ozzed - Line Dash http://ozzed.net http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-...

Penguin & Termite take a deep dive into the world of VR. That is, Virtual Reality. What is the history of VR? Where is it going? What does it look like in the industry now? Are there implications outside of gaming in our culture? Come join us and find out! Music: Ozzed - Indiscriminate http://ozzed.net http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/  

Inspired by Polygon's Backlog Week, Penguin & Termite discuss backlogs! Those sometimes shameful things are brought out of hiding and put front and center. We discuss what they are and a myriad of ways in which they're both built and reduced! Music: Ozzed - Super Secret Tune http://ozzed.net http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/   https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/31/17631664/backlog-w...

Penguin & Termite discuss the process of making a video game. We define the roles and walk you through the process. Revealing the characteristics of game design will helped us appreciate video games even more and we hope the same for you! Footnotes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_development https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/xddlp/describe_what_developing_for_each_console_youve/c...

Penguin & Termite discuss everything Mario. Since it's almost as iconic as Mickey Mouse, we feel it's very important to talk about. We discuss what Mario games are, their history and the impact it has had on our culture. Wahoo! Music: Ozzed - Transient Response ozzed.net http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/  

Penguin and Termite invite a well experienced MOBA player, CoopatitionMatt, to discuss what a MOBA is. We attempt to define it, as well as discuss its impact on the gaming industry and culture at large. Music: Those of Us Who Fight - Halcyonic Falcon X http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/  

Penguin & Termite discuss video game genres. We look at where video games genres originated and we ask if they are still relevant. What does it take for a video game be a "clone"? Is that a bad thing? Music: http://ozzed.net Ozzed -  Boogiewoah http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/  

Penguin & Termite take you on a journey through to time on an outlook on the fundamentals of video games; the arcades! We discuss the history and relevancy of the arcade, our favorite memories and we look at what arcades mean today. Music: Ozzed - Going Down Tune http://ozzed.net http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Penguin & Termite flesh out the ideas of Player vs Player and Player vs Environment. We discuss the origins of each type with the epitome of each. We'll analyze what game design decisions have to be made in order for these types to work. We end our discussion with games that merge the two and look to the future. Let us know what you think at: http://www.80bitpodsmash.com http:// www.reddit.com/r/8...

Penguin & Termite return to deep dive another video game genre! This time it's the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, MMORPG. We analyze the history, innovation, subscription models, pros and cons as well as relevancy in today's industry. Music: Daydream Anatomy - Dragon Slayer http://daydreamanatomy.bandcamp.com http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Penguin & Termite unleash all the information from every major conference during E3 2018! This is our single longest piece of content, clocked over three hours. We talk about our favorite games, favorite conference as well as our biggest disappointments. We deep dive into EA, Microsoft, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Sony and Nintendo's conferences. We discuss all the big game announcements and surprises....

Penguin & Termite discuss toxicity within the circles of our culture. We discuss our own experiences both positive and negative. We ask why people are like this and ask hard questions about what we can do about it. https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-are-nerds-so-goddamned-angry-1773604560   Music: H-Pizzle Ghosts of a Fallen Empire http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Penguin & Termite go through the big kahunas of E3, analyzing, discussing, speculating and getting pumped for all the announcements and trailers. It's the plays-offs of video games! Music: Daydream Anatomy - Nin10day: 8-Bit Heroes http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Penguin & Termite discuss the morality and legality of emulating video games. We ask about game preservation in a digital age as well as other reasons for emulating games. Is it ok to just get a Raspberry Pi instead of a Nintendo Classics brand system? What do you guys think about it? https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/more-info.html https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/18/11265988/emulation-isnt-a-dirt...

Penguin & Termite extend our DLC to an entire topic! We take a journey through time and talk to our 10 year old selves. With today's video game climate, what games would you suggest or dissuade? Music: 8-bit Hell All Hallows Eve - Ghosts of a Fallen Empire https://archive.org/details/AllHallowsEveIn8bitHellCompilation http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/  

Penguin & Termite examine the Casual vs Hardcore nature of our beloved gaming culture. We discover where it came from and explore its evolution over the years. Are you a casual gamer or hardcore? Footnotes: http://plusmana.com/casual-and-hardcore-players-history-of-hatred/ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/turnstyle/gamings-other-great-schis_b_4387661.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pyuFfKPCvY...