Leveller

In this very special final episode of the first season of Leveller, we look back on our year and discuss which games we think deserve some extra attention in our Alternative Political Game Awards. Join us to hear which game got us most thinking about the threat posed to nature by big corporations, which made us think about engagement, our overall best game of the year, and many many more. Game Lis...

Why do the Tories choose bad leaders? Why are they so divided? And what role does ideology play?  In this episode, we are joined by Oliver Booth, fellow PGR at the University of Leeds and researcher of the Conservative Party and British Politics. We talk to Oli about Crusader Kings 3 (vaguely) to discuss the path to power, party instability, factionalism, and much more! Works mentioned: ...

In this episode, we discuss Ustwo’s 2020  Alba: A Wildlife Adventure , a heartwarming exploration game in which you play a young girl who documents wildlife and strives to save the local nature reserve from being replaced by a luxury hotel while visiting her grandparents. Join us as we explore what Alba has to say about the trade-offs between economic growth and environmentalism, the power of...

What role does social media play in our lives? Is there life after data? And what does the future look like in a world where privacy is a luxury?  In this episode, we welcome Paul Geyer, PGR at the University of Leeds, political theorist and five-a-side football star. We talk to Paul about Watchdogs 2 to discuss what happens to social media after data, neofeudalism and the challenges of...

In this podcast episode, we delve into "Papers, Please," the 2013 simulation game which immerses players in the role of an immigration officer in the fictional country of Arstotzka. Through its gameplay mechanics and narrative, we examine the moral dilemmas faced by bureaucrats tasked with enforcing strict border control policies. Join us as we explore whether bureaucratic systems can uphold moral...

What is legitimate violence for women? How does emotion guide gendered violence? And who gets to tell women's stories? In this episode, we welcome our friend and scholar Emily Gee, PGR at the University of Leeds. She uses The Last of Us Part II to explore her powerful research on peacekeeper sexual violence, touching on themes of agency, conflict and insecurity. Works mentioned: Beyond Mothers, Mo...

What does Stardew Valley have to say about corporations? How does it encourage us to think about and interact with the environment? And is community romanticised in Stardew Valley ? In this episode, we discuss Eric Barone's 'cosy game' Stardew Valley , a farming simulator which grapples with how to live well in a difficult world. Join us as we explore these themes and ask ourselves how well Starde...

What role does employment play in rebuilding after conflict? Can you do peace without justice? And what gets in the way of reintegration ? In this episode, we welcome our friend and colleague Ged Hiscoke, PGR at the University of Leeds. He explores Deus Ex: Mankind Divided through the lens of his fascinating research on the role of employment in preventing conflict. Write to us! - levellerpodcast@...

What role does resentment play in shaping our political choices? Why might the left behind be nostalgic, even for a past that never existed? And why might someone turn to sacrificing the young to a demonic Black Goat in order to save a dying town? Join us as we discuss Night in the Woods in an attempt to try to answer these questions and more! Write to us! - levellerpodcast@gmail.com Avatars by Mo...