The Experience Points Podcast

Two-headed trolls?  JRPG characters from the 90s?  10-second clips that spawn hours of speculation?  It's all pretty standard business for Blizzard and Nintendo.  The two companies recently announced some new and upcoming games (and in one case, a movie), so we're taking the opportunity to weigh in.

The state of RPGs, Western and  Japanese, ebbs and flows. It might just be the copy of Persona 4 Golden  in my Vita, but right now I feel inundated with RPG options. From new spirit-trapping colletion games to the much anticipated Fallout 4 , we have plenty of options for games that offer dozens and dozens of hours of gameplay in rich worlds. This week on the EXP Podcast, we discuss some of these...

I recently returned from the Magic Kingdom and I bring with me tales of whimsy, churros, and missed opportunities for gamification.  Disneyland is all about fostering the illusion of fantastical, yet grounded environments.  Because of this, I couldn't stop drawing parallels between world building in video games.  So here it is: the definitive Disneyland review.  For your safety, please keep your h...

Halo 5: Guardians  just release, and for the first time since the series began, the latest entry in the franchise does not feature split screen co-op. I only just learned of this travesty moments before recordings, so feast your eyes this week on some shock and anger as it happens. Of course we also discuss ways to bring the benefits of couch co-op to the online space, so maybe there's hope yet!  ...

Hey, I'm not saying that I'd pay for the ability to do the Carlton dance .  What I am saying is that maybe the fact that other people can pay for the ability to do the Carlton dance isn't all bad.  After all, it brings me enjoyment.  There's been lots of talk about microtransactions recently and not all of them have been as seemingly-benign as silly dances.  In fact, by the end of the show, things...

Console exclusive games are increasingly rare in our current console habitat, but this hasn't always been the case. How have our hardware limitations shaped our playing habitats and how we see entire genres? Will the future of VR look like older console generations? Most importantly, what does Mr. Businessman think of the console wars of yore? All this and more on the latest EXP Podcast! Show Note...

They say no news is good news and this week we can't really argue with that.  It's been a little rough out there, but we can't use that as an excuse to turn a blind eye.  Instead we wade into the mess and actually manage to find a few glimmers of hope here and there.  In fact, you might say that we are the heroes Tony Hawk, Deus Ex, Batman all deserve.

The latest Destiny ads are using Led Zeppelin songs , but based on all the events of Destiny's first year, I think Katy Perry might fit better .  The Taken King is out and with it come a slew of big changes.  This week, we talk about what's new.  Sick helmets, strange coins, and social faux pas: you can find it all in this big ol' universe.

brings Hideo Kojima parachuting in from the skies to wreak havoc on sheep and the like. This week on the EXP Podcast, knowing we have a massive game in front of us, Scott and I discuss our first impressions of The Phantom Pain , from the tutorial to the effect of horse poop on moving vehicles.   Show Notes:   - Runtime: 45 mins 11 sec - Music by  Brad Sucks

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I bust out our huge collection of authentic Cool Spot merchandise and try to make our way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Did you know Mario was originally called Jumpman (of course you did), Skylanders is the best-selling videogame toyline (you could've guessed)? More importantly, can you figure out why anyone would still care about world records? ...

This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I bust out our huge collection of authentic Cool Spot merchandise and try to make our way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Did you know Mario was originally called Jumpman (of course you did), Skylanders is the best-selling videogame toyline (you could've guessed)? More importantly, can you figure out why anyone would still care about world records? ...

Remember this day everyone: today is the beginning of what will almost certainly be our decades-long feud with Jimmy Kimmel.  Inspired by  his spat with let's play fans , we're diving into how and why seemingly-random people on YouTube have more watchers than major network talk show hosts.  We don't pretend to completely understand it, but we're happy that when we put stuff on YouTube there are at...

Everyone has been sucked up into the big glowing pattern in the sky. This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I go with them. What do we find there? Why some balls of light, a pastoral British village, and some serious problems with alien life forms of course!  This is a lengthy podcast this week about an interesting and potentially divisive game, so of course we want to hear your thoughts. If you'...

What keeps us out on the field?  Is it sweet taste of victory?  Is it the salty tears of our vanquished foes?  Is it the idea that if we stop we will instantly become a sad has-been, unable to compete in all but the most casual public matches?  This week we discuss what has been keeping us playing some of our current favorite competitive games.  Rocket League, League of Legends, Splatoon, and Smas...

Far across the Atlantic ocean, in a land known but some as Germany, in a little village named Cologne, the games industry hold a convention so big it threatens to swallow us all. I have passed through this endless labyrinth of games, trekked through legions of gamers, and returned to the land of freedom alive. This week on the podcast, Scott and I explore the highlights of Gamescom, including surv...

A stiff drink is in your hip flask.  Your gun sits in your pocket, cold but comforting.  Your mindset is one that doesn't just accept trouble; you seek it.  You have everything you need to solve a murder.  Actually what you really need is a mid-90s era PC and the endurance to face not only the harsh fluorescent lights but also the long hours sitting in front of a screen.  Don't worry though,  Her...

Scott and I have spent weeks on a boat crossing the narrow sea to bring you our latest Debrief. This week on the podcast, we once again join House Forrester and drag ourselves through the painful, violent, wretched existence that is  Game of Thrones.  Who comes out alive!? Listen to find out!   Show Notes Time: 55 mins 37 secs Music by Brad Sucks

Gas up your tank folks, it's time to take a little joy ride around Gotham!  This week, we soar over the city streets and dive head first into  Batman: Arkham Knight .  As with any debrief, we spend the first part of the show talking about the game's systems and then we dive into spoiler territory to talk about the plot.  What is the true nature of fear?  How does Batman balance vigilantism and jus...

EVO has come and gone, but the ringing in my ears from the fanatical shouts from the commentators continues. Who are these people and how did they get this job? What makes a good shoutcaster? More importantly, who will shoutcast the Scott vs. Jorge cage match we have scheduled later this year! Join us this week on the EXP Podcast while we commentate the commentators.

We had some sad news this past week: long-time game developer and Nintendo CEO, Satoru Iwata, died.  This week, we pay tribute to him by talking about his incredible career and accomplishments.  He leaves us with a huge legacy of outstanding games, so please jump into the comments with your memories.

That's it. We've had enough! Not of podcasting, but of some video games that just overstay their welcome. We can pinpoint why we play certain games, but why do we stop? When do we know when to quit? And what game elements make is reach that tipping point sooner than others? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I explore the outer limits of our patience, bite into UI frustrations, and make some...

We've finally reached the end of Earthbound.  There's nothing to do now but recap the final challenges and do what we always do when we finish a game: discuss the nature of human fear and love, meditate on the line between spirituality and organized religion, etc.  You know: normal stuff.  We really enjoyed doing these in-depth talks on a classic game and hopefully you liked them too!  We're looki...

Shenmue, The Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, and Xbox backwards compatibility: These are the four horsemen of the apocalypse that herald the end times... Welcome to the E3 extravaganza! This week on the podcast, we discuss some of the show's biggest reveals and all its E3-weirdness.  Show Notes: - Runtime: 1 hour 17 mins - Music by Brad Sucks

Jorge haven't had too much luck with eSports, but maybe we'll have a shot at  seaSports ?  Anyone?  Whatever.  You'll all come around when we win the Splatoon world championships.  We've had some time to get our tentacles around Splatoon and have surfaced from the briny deep just long enough for a debrief.

The Game of Thrones television show is coming to and end, but the battle for House Forrestor is still well underway! This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I head north to battle some children, do some barrel rolls in King's Landing, and toss some axes about like professional jugglers. This is a hefty episode, so thanks ahead of time for listening. As always, let us know what decisions you've mad...