Lore Party

Conner, Jaden, and Kevin explore the complicated and messy history of human biotics in the Mass Effect universe. They unpack Kaiden and Jack's experiences with their biotic abilities and discuss the mistakes humanity made in trying to understand these incredible powers. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expec...

Conner, Jaden, and Kevin go over everything you need to know about the Banished, a faction within the Covenant that became disillusioned with the Prophets' beliefs. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the games. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Halo episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2J02hrTarP...

Bruce and Maya try to unpack one of the most confusing parts of the Pokémon universe: why in the world are kids as young as ten years old out here surviving on their own? They discuss the many roles children take on in Pokémon society and explore how incredibly independent they are. This is an EASY level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the...

The Lore Party team is participating in Extra Life 2021 and raising money for children's hospitals alongside gamers and content creators across the internet. We'll be streaming all day on November 6, 2021, so come hang out with us and help raise money for a great cause! Tune in: https://www.twitch.tv/lore_party Donate: https://www.extra-life.org/team/59383 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Conner, Jaden, and Kevin unpack the origins of Cerberus and try to understand how the history of humanity's first contact with aliens shaped this radical group's idealogy and goals. They also explore what makes Cerberus attractive to its members and why it was always doomed to fail. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played th...

Join host and producer Lawerence Kelly on Those Who Play Create!, a monthly podcast that explores the inspirations for some of the gaming industry's best. In each episode, Lawerence will interview video game artists, designers, developers, and writers about their motivations, influences, and creative processes to unpack the true stories behind making the video games we love. Listen and subscribe t...

This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. From the sci-fi soundtrack of Mass Effect inspired by films from the 60s and 70s to the bombastic score of Assassin's Creed, he'll unpack the many ways music can tell stories in our favorite games. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-s...

Bruce and Caleb make the case for why Cynthia, the champion of the Sinnoh region in Pokêmon Diamond and Pearl, is the greatest of all champions in the entire franchise. Yes, even better than Lance and Leon. This is an EASY level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the game. Expect spoilers. Listen to all of our Pokémon episodes here: https://op...

Conner and Jaden unpack the discourse around Ashley Williams' seemingly xenophobic views in Mass Effect. They explore humanity's rocky relationship with other races and dig into the fraught history of galactic race relations. It turns out, Ashley's views are not so uncommon in this universe. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve...

Bruce, Lawerence, and Maya explore the life and philosophies of Team Plasma's iconic puppet leader Natural Harmonia Gropius. Known simply as N, his dream was to create separate worlds for Pokémon and humans after witnessing the atrocities committed by humanity. Maybe he had a point... This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played...

Anna and Marnie are joined by Petrana Radulovic, entertainment reporter at Polygon, to dish out the spiciest takes on the hottest romanceable characters in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. How do their picks stack up against yours? This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Fire...

Bruce and Conner unpack the incredibly dense lore of religions in Elder Scrolls, from the history of the Aedra and Daedra to the various pantheons found across the cultures of the continent. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Elder Scrolls episodes here: https://op...

Bruce and Kevin explore how Aya and Bayek were responsible for creating the doctrine that the Assassins follow, and how that creed has been maintained and obeyed for thousands of years. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Assassin's Creed episodes here: https://open...

With the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, many players are revisiting some of the greatest sci-fi RPGs in video game history. In this episode, Michael shares his journey with the iconic trilogy and reveals how it's become synonymous with change in his life. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ide...

Anna, Caleb, and Marnie sit down with Joe Zieja, voice actor, author, and Twitch streamer, to discuss the challenges and joys of bringing a fan-favorite character like Claude von Riegan to life. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Fire Emblem episodes here: https://...

Conner and Kevin are joined by Orchid and Ellimist from the Guardians of Lore podcast to explore the time-hopping Darkness-driven life of The Exo Stranger. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Destiny episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SoaCn7wYcRLaIzsD...

Lawerence and Leo explore the many ways Abby and Joel's lives intertwine and parallel each other's. They're both stuck in an endless cycle of violence and pain because of very similar life paths. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our The Last of Us episodes here: http...

Lawerence sits down with Neil Jones, creator of the upcoming indie game Aerial Knight's Never Yield, to discuss how the game came to life, the challenges indie titles face, and what it means to be a black video game developer. Listen to all of our Indie Games episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4vcUJfhiYyUnUqtj4DK5DE?si=3ac284a30d7740bf Aerial Knight's Never Yield releases on May 19....

A lot has been said about Cyberpunk 2077's technical shortcomings and overhyped release, but what about its merits as a cyberpunk game? In this episode, Michael explores how the game doesn't even live up to the genre in its title. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minut...

Bruce and Conner compare two competitive mercenary groups in Cyrodil: The Fighters Guild and The Blackwood Company. One follows a strict code of honor while the other chases the highest bidder, but at the end of the day, they're both only loyal to one thing: coin. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots...

Abu and Caleb unpack the hidden darkness behind Elysium and Theseus in Supergiant Games' hit rouge-lite Hades. Turns out, paradise isn't all it's cracked up to be, and being a hero in Greek myth comes with a lot of baggage. This is an EXPERT level episode, which means some parts of the discussion may not make sense unless you’ve played the game. Expect lots of spoilers. Listen to all of our Indie...

Bruce and Conner explore what happens to a soul when it's trapped in a soul gem and discuss the questionable ethics of powering magical items with the souls of living beings. This is an EASY level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the game. Expect spoilers. Listen to all of our Elder Scrolls episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4C...

Bruce, Lawerence, and Maya explore the legend of the all-powerful deity Arceus, a mythical creature said to have created the entire Pokémon universe. But it's not the only one responsible for creating Pokémon and reshaping reality... This is an EASY level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the game. Expect spoilers. Listen to all of our Pokémo...

Every game is political. Simulation games like The Sims and Rollercoaster Tycoon are clear examples: there is no way to "win" these games, but there are definitely "right" and "wrong" ways to play. Michael explores how the perspectives and worldviews of its creators seep into every game, no matter how apolitical it may seem. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris....

Bruce and Lawerence explore how Miles Morales' multicultural identity makes him a different (and maybe "better") Spider-Man than Peter Parker. Miles and Peter approach being superheroes in very different ways because of their race, communities, and origin stories. This is an EASY level episode, which means you will be able to follow the discussion even if you haven’t played the game. Expect spoile...