Filament Games Podcast

In episode nine of the Filament Games Podcast, co-hosts Dan Norton and Brandon Pittser dive into the concept of in-game narrative. We also learn one of Brandon's darkest secrets, what happens when nuclear materials are missing in action, and how to handle griefing in an MMO.

This week the very talented Alexander S. Cooney joins us in the studio to talk about his circuitous path to Filament Games and the impact art has on gameplay. We also discuss growing potatoes indoors to protect yourself from zombies, how game designers can get into the heads of their target audience, and The Three Stooges.

Fresh off the conference circuit, Dan and Brandon share industry trends from ISTE, IVOH, and Games for Change in addition to discussing augmented reality mobile games such as Ingress and Pokémon Go. This week we also learn which movies make our co-hosts cry, what Winstoning is, and the difference between jokes and slander.

Join us on an adventure to the Games for Change festival where we sat down with CEO and Founder of Classcraft Shawn Young. We chat with Shawn about how he developed Classcraft and the future of game-based learning and gamification in the classroom.

This week we get a glimpse into Dan Norton’s bad lifestyle decisions and learn why Brandon calls Dan a cool futuristic cyberpunk warrior. We also dive into a riveting discussion about game structures hidden in daily life, intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, and the pros and cons of casual games.

The charming Miranda Salguero joins us in the studio to talk about how she uses games in the classroom and the changes she has seen in her students as a result. We also learn about Brandon's greatest ignorance and Dan suffers the consequences of betraying his gut.

Journey west with us as we take a look at retro learning game Oregon Trail. Find out which members of Brandon's party survive the expedition and what we would do differently if we were to make the game in 2016. Don't forget to check out our bonus video featuring gameplay and additional commentary about the game. View the gameplay video here: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog-category/filament-gam...

Co-hosts Dan Norton and Brandon Pittser travel through time to bring you this exciting conversation with game-based learning expert Kurt Squire. In this episode we talk pirates, family Minecraft strategies, and the future of game-based learning. Check out more information on our blog! https://www.filamentgames.com/blog-category/filament-games-podcast

Season two is here! In our season opener, Dan Norton The Infirm provides tips on how to play games when your arms are tired and Brandon employs mind tricks to deceive and disappoint Dan. We also dive into the different design challenges presented by VR technology and give you the inside scoop on our new game, Diffission. For additional resources, check out our blog! https://www.filamentgames.com/b...

Welcome to the season one finale! This week we recap what we've learned recording season one, forecast what we'll do in season two, and leave you with recommendations for games to play before we air our next season. We also bid a fond farewell to our beloved contronym corner.

This week we bring you a very special episode of the podcast. We invite game designers Abby Friesen and Matt Haselton into the studio for a game design contest. Hear what happens when we ask two designers to design and pitch a game in under 40 minutes.

In FGP 16 we ask the important question, "What do you think is the largest number of bananas you can eat in a day?" We also chat with special guest Carrie Ray-Hill from iCivics about Win The White House and the importance of teaching in a non-partisan, safe environment around the elections.

Join us on the Filament Games Podcast for a behind-the-scenes look at how Abigail Rindo, Lead Producer, and Stephen Calendar, Game Engineer, decided to create learning games and what drew them to Filament.

Basketball fans rejoice! This week we chat with learning games researcher, Rich Halverson, about digital technology in the classroom and why he thinks basketball players are the best athletes in the world.

In FGP 13 our biggest fan, Dan White, joins us in the studio and shares his love of flanking games. We also discuss why we make learning games, how to make terrible things that are still good, and what it's like to make games that improve people's lives.

This week we arrive at the end of our quest for a good mobile game! We also discuss why Filament hasn't made more mobile games, why Brandon is a stock photographer, and what lead us to design a game about chickens on planes. For more information on this episode, please visit: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/fgp-12-mobile-games

In FGP 11, Brandon and Dan weigh in on the changes to Hearthstone and explore Amazon's new game engine, Lumberyard. We also discuss unity vs. HTML 5, Brandon puts down his pitchfork, and we learn some super boring tidbits about Dan. For more information on this episode, please visit: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/fgp-11-game-engines

Welcome to episode 10! In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of virtual reality and explore how VR could impact the classroom. For more information on this episode, please visit: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/fgp-10-virtual-reality

This week's podcast covers exciting topics such as game-based learning trends from FETC & BETT and the differences between games, game-based learning, and gamification. You'll also learn what snerfing is, what Dan would make with a 3D printer, and what it takes to earn points at Filament Games. For more information on this episode, please visit: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/fgp-9-games-game-...

In FGP 8, we invite quality assurance professional, Peter Rambo, into the studio to discuss how QA impacts game design. We also learn what Dan purchased with his first paycheck, which games the team has been playing, and what game design bug is Peter's favorite. For more information on this episode, please visit: https://www.filamentgames.com/blog/fgp-8-quality-assurance

This week on the Filament Games Podcast, co-hosts Dan Norton and Brandon Pittser discuss the "realness" of games and what factors determine a game's scope. We also explore exciting subjects such as what to do when you're wrong even though there's no right answer and what would happen if Sisyphus was a game designer.

In FGP 6, Brandon opens up about his terrible typing technique, the team discusses how games can make you dumber, and we explore the impact games have on building 21st century skills.

Co-hosts Dan Norton and Brandon Pittser share their secrets to managing creative teams and introduce you to Josh Bartels, Filament Games' Sound Designer, because he's kind of a neat guy. We also dive into riveting topics like how you create emotions with music and what digestion should sound like.

In FGP 4 we answer questions from educators submitted to us by former Teacher Fellow Marianne Malmstrom. Tune in to hear how games can transform the classroom experience and provide students with a new way of thinking.

This week, Dan continues his quest for a good mobile game and the team gets crushed in Hearthstone. Plus, we discuss the benefits of games in the classroom (aside from engagement) and reveal the six tenets of basketball.