Furidashi Game Design Academy

Ze and Nim from Square Weasel join Nicholas to talk about the interplay between visual style and narrative in game design. Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

The best combo-breaker in the gamedev podcast scene, Lauryn and Nicholas, discuss that interplay of mechanics we all the "action economy" and ask the most important question: do you even read, bro? Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twit...

Lauryn and Nicholas continue their discussion of "management" style mechanics and how gameplay normally associated with strategy games can enhance more "adventure" oriented ones, with specific refence to the recent indie game Backpack Hero. Episode where we critique ludonarrative harmony/dissonance Our behind-the-scenes Patreon episode Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://tw...

Lauryn and Nicholas discuss the fundamental appeal of so-called 4X games (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) and the pleasures of gameplay focused on control and management. Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academic...

We do a deep dive into 2021's Loop Hero to talk about what games look like when they're less focused on combat and action and more on planning and control. What kinds of narratives emerge when you're not being force fed a story? Chillrant 11: A Critique of the Core Gameplay Loop The Core Game Design Loop Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: h...

Pour yourself a drink and strap in for some real talk about our stellar production values, the joy of doing things out of spite, and the oddly mercenary nature of working in gamedev or teaching in the academy. Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas:...

In our ongoing series on tabletop game design, we delve into the social aspects of gaming in meatspace and the fundamental differences between it and gaming online. Also: Tabletop Simulator PUGs? Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

We delve into what it means to make a game that is more about expression and evoking a mood than about making a finely tuned product. Also: four introverts walk into a podcast... Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Square Weasel Studio: https://twitter.com/remaindervn Twitter: https://twitter.com/furi...

This week we sat down with Ze and Nim, the devs behind Square Weasel Studio, to talk about their new game, Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder, visual novels, and their unusual path to indie dev. Also: MANY CATS!!! Chronicles of Tal'dun: The Remainder on Itch.io Square Weasel: https://twitter.com/remaindervn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Laur...

We discuss three primary tabletop games times--board games, pen and paper, and card games--as well as the major design distinctions between the three. Also: capitalism is... good? Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academical...

Lauryn and Nicholas begin a series of discussions concerning tabletop game design by delving into the ethical implications of one of the oldest systems in the millennia-long history of playing games: taking turns. Also on the docket: new haircuts? Our Patreon episode on turns and games mechanics Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://tw...

We consider what makes game systems distinct from game mechanics and how the two interact with each other to form the basis of a game's ruleset. Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Lauryn and Nicholas discuss how randomness and procedural generation are used in game design to elicit excitement and, at times, anxiety. Also: don't do drugs? Our episode on Disco Elysium Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Lauryn and Nicholas deconstruct the arbitrary distinction between mechanics and gameplay to examine what a player centric conception of mechanics would look like. Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Lauryn bought Nicholas a copy of Disco Elysium, and a heated discussion of narrative integration into mechanics and rulesets ensued! Also: Don't. F**k. With. Kim. Kitsuragi. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

Lauryn's choice matrix returns for an in depth discussion of how gamedev's make choices about what affordances to give to players and how. Also: JUMP! Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality

In this episode, we begin our course on character and identity with an exploration of the "paper doll" concept in roleplaying games and its relevance for how games construe player choice as a means to flesh out who our avatars are in game. Unlock the full set of lessons for $15 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.c...

Lauryn and Nicholas talk class struggle and how [not] to represent it in gameplay, with reference to the Dead Domain video on Dishonored's communist subtext. Also: Bioshock dethroned?! Dishonored's Communist Subtext - Of Rats And Royalty Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academ...

Lauryn and Nicholas discuss a recent Game Maker's Toolkit video on "invisible choices" and try to analyze the many axes of how choices are implemented in video game design. Also: Furidashi After Dark. GMTK episode on "invisible choices" Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter....

We discuss the recently announced deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, the ramifications of that deal for the expanded platform economy it will create, and Lauryn maybe roasts Nicholas for being a class traitor? Previous episode on the Epic/Apple lawsuit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas...

We look at Oshii Mamoru's approach to understanding the distinctions between live action and animated film and how that might help inform the question of how game designers manage the balance of control between the player and the software they play. Also: The Matrix is pretentious fun. Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https:/...

Lauryn and Nicholas look at the evolution of Unreal Engine from an ordinary development kit to the basis for a wide range of media production as well as the broader ramifications of film and video game production bleeding into each other. Also on the docket: The Matrix Awakens and the uncanny valley. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https...

Find out who will win this year's Furidashi Prize (spoilers: there is no prize), what games pleasantly surprised us this year, and which ones we felt missed the mark, even where we didn't necessarily dislike them. What's Your Gender? playthrough Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.co...

The first of hopefully many more episodes on tabletop games, with a special emphasis on sociality and how to use board games to get along with all the people we're forced to hang out with. Also: Fantasy Flight, please sponsor us! Unlock the full episode (and more!) for $5 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/the...

Our holiday episode! Lauryn and Nicholas talk about what makes a game warm and cozy, so that you can avoid dealing with your family this holiday season! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/furidashi Twitter: https://twitter.com/furidashipod Lauryn: https://twitter.com/thelaurynash Nicholas: https://twitter.com/academicality