Gaming The System - The Feminist Gaming Podcast

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📢 Support the Podcast! Let us know on B lueSky (@gamingthesystem.bsky.social), Instagram (@gamingthesystempodcast) or in the comments on YouTube! If you love Gaming The System , consider supporting us: 🔹 Patreon: patreon.com/gamingthesystem – get exclusive content! 🔹 PayPal Donations: gamingthesystem@gmail.com 🔹 Subscribe & Review: Share the podcast with fellow gamers! 🎙 Gaming The System...

As the year moves toward the winter solstice, this episode of Gaming the System explores how light and darkness function as both technical tools and emotional languages in games. Jem, Alex and Matt reflect on how lighting shapes atmosphere, tension and meaning, and how the darker months influence how we play. Games including Alan Wake 2 , Little Nightmares 3 , Abzu, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 , G...

In the final part of our series on death in games, we shift from mechanics to meaning. We explore how modern games use grief, memory, and emotional pacing to create more honest depictions of loss than many linear stories can manage. From Spiritfarer and Edith Finch to Journey , Hellblade , and God of War , we look at how interactive storytelling allows players to pause, avoid, or confront difficul...

In this second episode of our three-part series on Death in Games , Jem, Alex, and Matt dig deeper into how death is portrayed across gaming, and what that means for how we understand grief, resilience, and the human condition. We explore whether repeated, low-stakes death in games desensitises players, or whether the real issue lies in hyperreal shooters that mirror real-world conflicts. We also...

In this episode, hosted by Jem, the GTS team explores how games use death as a storytelling tool, a gameplay mechanic, or a cheap shot. From emotional companion deaths to endless respawn loops, we dig into what death actually means in games, and why some deaths hit hard while others barely register. Death throws We discuss the difference between narrative deaths and mechanical deaths and how respa...

Gaming Industry Crunch Culture: Deadlines, Management, and Misogyny In this episode of 'Gaming the System,' Alex, Gem, and Matt dive deep into the challenges of the gaming industry, addressing the pressure of deadlines, the impact of poor management, and the pervasive issue of toxic masculinity. The discussion also touches on larger systemic problems such as patriarchal capitalism and in...

Examining Crunch Culture in the Gaming Industry | Gaming the System Podcast In this episode of Gaming the System, hosts Alex, Gem, and Matt delve into the pervasive issue of crunch culture in the gaming industry, sparked by a recent controversy surrounding the game 'Mind's Eye' by Build a Rocket Boy studio. They explore the detrimental working conditions that led to an open letter f...

Join us for part three of our artificial intelligence in gaming series as we explore the fascinating world of companion characters in video games. In this episode, we delve into various types of AI companions, including both human and animal characters, and discuss their roles, functions, and impact on gameplay. We share our earliest memories of AI companions, talk about the evolution of their com...

In the second half of our AI in gaming discussion, we turn to the rise of intelligent NPCs – and what happens when they start to think for themselves. Could AI make game worlds richer and more believable, or would it destroy the structure and chaos we love? The team explore how realism can both enhance and break immersion, from the comedic unpredictability of NPCs in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to th...

In this first of two episodes exploring AI and gaming, Jem, Matt, and Alex discuss the arrival of AI co-pilots — new tools from Microsoft and Google designed to sit within your game and offer real-time hints, walkthroughs, and quest support. The team examine whether these helpers could make games more accessible and inclusive, or if they risk taking over and removing the joy (and sometimes frustra...

In this episode, we explore a more positive topic by listing our top favorite gaming franchises of all time. Each of us shares three of our most beloved game series, highlighting what makes them special and impactful. We discuss the classic Spyro trilogy, the groundbreaking Call of Duty series, the iconic Resident Evil games, the exploratory Assassin's Creed adventures, the timeless Sims, the...

In this episode, we create a round-robin list of our top 9 most disappointing games. Each of us shares three games that failed to meet our expectations for various reasons, from clunky gameplay and poor expansions to soulless sequels and childhood heartbreaks. Join us as Gem, Matt, and Alex recount their frustrating experiences with games like 'The Sims Medieval', 'Dragon Age: Veil...

In this Gaming the System breaking news episode, Jem, Alex, and Matt dive into the shocking $55 billion sale of Electronic Arts (EA) — the publisher behind The Sims , Battlefield , and Dragon Age — to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Silver Lake Partners and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. The team unpacks what this means for the gaming world, from conc...

In this episode of Gaming the System , we continue our exploration of community gaming, focusing on the world of board game cafés. What makes these spaces so appealing, and what role can they play in bringing people together? Jem, Alex, and Matt share their personal experiences of cafés such as Dice Box and Wayfarers Rest and the Herefordshire Board Gamers tent at Fantasy Forest. We consider the s...

In this episode, we dive into the joys and challenges of gaming in person. From the thrill of collaborative board games like Pandemic Legacy to the immersive world of Warhammer 40K and the rise of welcoming board game cafés, we explore how playing together face-to-face builds connections, sparks conversation, and helps us find community. What We Talk About Pandemic Legacy Season 2: how it transfor...

Split Fiction Story and Character Analysis | Deep Dive with Spoilers Join us for another episode as we continue our deep dive into the game 'Split Fiction'. This episode is heavily focused on the story and character development of protagonists Zoe and Mio. Expect spoilers ahead as we discuss the game's narrative themes, including mental health, trauma, and grief. We also break down...

Exploring Co-op Gaming with Split Fiction: Mechanics, Genres, and More! Join us in the first part of our Split Fiction series, where we dive into the latest release by Haylight Games. In this episode, we explore the co-op game mechanics, discuss the evolution of co-op as a genre, and share our firsthand experiences with Split Fiction. Discover why this game stands out, what makes co-op games speci...

August’s gaming news gave us plenty to dig into, from serious questions around Roblox to a milestone celebration for Baldur’s Gate 3. In this episode of Gaming the System, we start with Roblox, where over 120,000 people have signed a petition calling for the removal of its CEO. Jem takes us inside the strange contradictions of the platform — from heavy-handed moderation and unexplained bans to the...

We took a month off over the summer, so thought we'd catch up with each other and see what we've been playing! From epic samurai adventures in Ghost of Tsushima and the fluid, meditative landscapes of Sword of the Sea , to the punishing but rewarding battles of Expedition 33 (Clair Obscur) .  Jem headed to the beach with Dave the Diver and Coral Island , and enjoyed some quality family t...

In this second half of our adventure into open-world games, Jem, Alex, and Matt pick up the conversation with a focus on accessibility, open worlds done wrong, and how to define that "Je ne sais quoi" when it works. We dig into overwhelm, especially for neurodiverse or time-poor gamers. Time to remember that good accessibility features aren’t about “dumbing down” but enhancing play for e...

In this Side Quest episode of Gaming The System , Jem and Matt dive into their first impressions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — the surprise hit that’s quickly becoming one of the year’s most talked-about games. From the moment-to-moment combat to the sweeping, surreal story, Jem and Matt share where they’re at in the game (up to the Forgotten Battlefield) and what’s drawn them in so far. Expect...

In this episode, Jem, Alex, and Matt take a deep dive into the sprawling landscapes of open-world games. From their first taste of exploration to the joys and pitfalls of the genre today. What makes a game “open world”? Are they genuinely free-roaming experiences or just clever marketing? An opportunity to lose ourselves for hundreds of hours, or a cause of overwhelm? We share personal memories, f...

Show Notes – Gaming the System Podcast: Day of the Devs – Part 2 In the second part of our deep dive into Day of the Devs, Alex, Jem, and Matt explore the imaginative and diverse world of indie gaming showcased at this vibrant event. The team reflects on the distinct charm and creativity that sets indie games apart from mainstream offerings, highlighting the passion and authenticity driving these...

Dive into a refreshing exploration of indie gaming as hosts Alex, Jem, and Matt take a look at Day of the Devs—an indie-focused showcase brimming with creativity and community spirit. Moving beyond mainstream gaming events, this episode offers a thoughtful and enthusiastic look at unique games that push creative boundaries and foster genuine connections. Key Highlights from the Episode: Fresh Air:...