The Experience Points Podcast

Scott and have once again ventured into the frigid north - Canada. This time we return with Chris Lepine of The Artful Gamer , who brings with him some marvelous insight into "mastery" as an aspect of fun. Continuing last week's discussion about the "fun factor," we delve deeper into one particular notion of enjoyment. Along the way we chat about poetic play, the dangerous of neurotic mastery, mul...

While we weren’t able to make it to PAX this year, the magic of the Internet allowed us to vicariously experience one of gaming’s best conventions.  This week we’re taking advantage of the still-present PAX afterglow by talking about some of our favorite news from the show.  We touch on the importance of expectations and nostalgia, the quiet innovation of some of the smaller games, and the general...

There is a grand project being conducted right now - an effort to catalog why we love the games we love. After propositioning a broad array of players to describe what makes particular games fun, Michael Abbot of The Brainy Gamer has put together a catalog of descriptions for us to peruse. Join us this week while Scott and I discuss wonder and possibility, exploration, special snowflakes, luck, Br...

What happens when a renowned filmmaker gets involved with video games?  It doesn’t happen often and the results are usually less than spectacular, but THQ and Guillermo del Toro are looking to buck this trend.  This week, we use this development as a starting point to discuss the what happens when established directors try their hand at game making.  We cover everything from artistic philosophies...

We say it so often, it’s almost a cliche: video games allow us to explore virtual “worlds.”  The medium is replete with strange locations that players learn to navigate as naturally as they do their own neighborhoods.  Whether it is the Mushroom Kingdom, Rapture, or Liberty City, a convincing world can yield an immersive experience.  But what exactly makes for a good game world, and how do we desc...

My name is Jorge, and sometimes Shen, and other times Arkania. I have also been a variety of strangely named characters in everything from JRPGs to First-Person Shooters. According to Andrew Lynes, whose piece inspired this week's podcast, character name changes may subtly affect our gaming experiences. Join Scott and I while we discuss Link, Pseudonyms, Uno etiquette, and ways to improve the name...

We are back on the saddle, this time to talk about all the spoiler-laden story elements of Red Dead Redemption . Such an ambitious and expansive game requires quite a bit of wrangling, so this week's podcast is extra long to compensate. This week, we delve into Red Dead as it relates to other Western mythologies, the ups and downs of open world story telling, and the meaning of redemption in a bar...

Saddle up, amigos.  It’s time to ride into one of the year’s most high-profile games: Red Dead Redemption.  Published by Rockstar, Red Dead Redemption attempts to convey the feel of the Mythic West by dropping the player into an expansive, beautiful, and dangerous world.  It is a highly ambitious game whose plot and game systems both deserve in-depth analysis.  Because of this, we have split up ou...

The perils of internet anonymity have long stirred up conflict within gaming communities. Blizzards attempt to fight back against forum trolls resulted in a loud outcry from those eager to protect their privacy. While Blizzard's Real ID plans were eventually canceled, they opened up an interesting discussion about anonymity and the role of developers in maintaining a healthy community. Join us thi...

Aperture Science was a meme factory.  Years after Portal’s release, we are still quoting the jokes and phrases that helped give the game its unique personality.  With the forthcoming release of Portal 2, writer Erik Wolpaw is grappling with the memes spawned by the original.  Making cake references might be an easy way to wink at fans, but there is a danger of the game collapsing under the weight...

Every year E3 is all about surprises. Some take the art of the surprise very seriously. At this year's event, Designer David Jaffe shocked fans when he announced the new Twisted Metal . Why were some so taken aback? Because Jaffe explicitly denied the existence of such a title. Without a shred of doubt, he completely lied to journalists and readers. Branching off a post from Kyle Orland on the sub...

“Alright Browncoats: we break atmo in five minutes and we’ve got a whole mess of ruttin’ hostiles lining up to meet us.  Get your fancy pants and grab your guns, we don’t want to disappoint our hosts.  Stick together, make your shots count and everything will be shiny...” Oh, sorry everybody.  I think I’m getting my sci-fi universes mixed up.  But if you’ve played Halo 3: ODST, you probably unders...

This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo has come and gone, leaving in its wake rumors, exciting announcements, technical innovations, and underpaid "booth babes." I was fortunate enough to attend the three day event, getting to see some unreleased creations a few months early and bask in corporate self-aggrandizement. This week on the podcast, Scott and I discuss the ins-and-outs of E3, from mot...

While they may not always do so in the most graceful fashion, even even the most mainstream games address complex issues like sex and violence.  Religion, however, remains a relatively understudied topic.  This week, we draw inspiration from Richard Clark and Jason Killingsworth , two authors who examine the ways religion is manifested in games and how theology impacts our relationship with them....

In an effort to explore the depths of choice and human ethics, morality systems have become commonly used tool in game design. Morality can be a deeply complicated and heated topic of discussion, so how do games successfully tackle this subject with players? Recently J. Matthew Zoss asked this question of some influential game designers in his piece on Gamasutra. Fittingly, GameSetWatch's (and Gam...

It was a long holiday weekend here in the U.S., but don't think that Jorge and I were taking a break.  On the contrary, we engaged in some some field research by trekking to the local movie theater to see the latest video game-to-film adaptation: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.  As long time admirers of the franchise, we proceeded hopefully, yet cautiously.  Would the Sands of Time live up to...

Sometimes games are just too hard or too large. Is this a common problem and is it hurting the industry? John Davison of GamePro thinks so . Maybe this explains why so many people never finish their own games. Guest host David Carlton of Malvasia Bianca joins us this week to offer his insights on lengthy games, the joys and pains of difficulty, adult gaming habits, and cyclical gaming trends. You...

As you may remember , Jorge and I are playing through the Halo series and making podcasts along the way.  Released in 2007, Halo 3 was one of the biggest gaming events of the decade and I was quite excited to see how the game has aged.  Having wrapped up the Master Chief trilogy, we spend the podcast discussing Halo's plot and extended universe, the game's influential design choices, and what the...

The cub scouts, the younger sect of Boy Scouts of America, have recently added a new honorable achievement for children to attain: the videogame merit badge. Technically, it is a belt loop or an academic pin. Regardless, to claim the glory of such a trophy, kids have to accomplish a few tasks. Join us this week as Scott and I discuss the ESRB, consumer education, math with Marcus Fenix, and what i...

Have recent video games left you feeling a little flat?  Fear not: as we speak, companies are getting ready to venture in to your living room via the third dimension.  This week, we use Gus Mastrapa's article about the current 3-D gaming scene to discuss what may be the next big visual leap in games.  Topics include everything from the practical costs of the technology to its implications for game...

We have reached the lands of the Gods, gazed upon their infinite knowledge, and returned with another enlightening podcast. This week, Scott and I eagerly delve into God of War III , the final installment (maybe) in the epic Kratos trilogy. Join us this week to discuss the game's new features, the design of Olympus, fun with fleeces, over-the-top aesthetics, and the brilliance of thematic consiste...

When playing games with others, the already-challenging task of learning the systems and rules is compounded by having to learn about the other players.  Differences in techniques, skills, and expectations definitely keeps things lively, but what happens when problems arise?  This week, inspired by Alex Martinez's article about how cute little Sackboy precipitated a big ugly fight between him and...

The digital wilderness can be a confusing place.  Thankfully, when we need a guide or a helping hand, we have the luxury of being able to turn to the gaming equivalent of CliffsNotes: FAQs.  Whether they are called walkthroughs, guides or cheats, it's likely that every gamer out there has at some some point consulted them for clues on how to get the most out of a game.  This week, inspired by Robe...

There are, occasionally, titles that seem to herald a new day in videogames. Some have claimed Quantic Dream's latest creation as one such experience, marking the future of interactive fiction. We hope you brought your umbrella, because this week Scott and I venture into Heavy Rain to discuss whether or not this theory holds water. As usual, we will avoid spoilers until absolutely necessary. For t...

For a medium designed to entertain and even calm , videogames can be surprisingly frustrating. Intense hostility can be elicited by games, be they single-player or multiplayer. This can result in high blood pressure, loud swearing, or even the destruction of property. Chris Lepine of The Artful Gamer inspires the podcast this week with his post on angry gamers and a shattered six-axis. Join us thi...