The Gaming Persona

Send us Fan Mail Ready for an adventure through the digital realms of video games with a psychological twist? Join us as we unveil the concept of the Shadow Self lurking in our favorite games, and we promise it won't be your typical podcast episode. We're bringing our personal experiences to the table, with Jenny sharing how she navigated the terrors of Dead by Daylight and Final Fantasy...

Send us Fan Mail Strap on your headsets and grab your controllers, we're venturing into the fascinating realm of gamer sleep cycles! Have you ever wondered why we gamers are stereotypically associated with late-night marathons? Or how that impacts our brain's reward system? This week, we're turning off our screens and delving into this intriguing subject, sharing personal gaming upd...

Send us Fan Mail Uncover the extraordinary influence of video games on our lives, relationships, and even our culture with Stanley Pierre-Louis, CEO and President of the Entertainment Software Association. Stanley brings us exclusive insights from the ESA’s 2023 report, revealing fascinating data on video gaming trends and their impact on business and entertainment. With a staggering 65% of people...

Send us Fan Mail Can your gaming experience be affected by your personal insecurities? Have you ever pondered the psychological implications behind your in-game choices? This episode addresses the impact of perfectionism and imposter syndrome on gamers, probing deep psychological layers of personal quests, from the gallant worlds of Magic the Gathering to the intricate narratives of Final Fantasy...

Send us Fan Mail Brace yourselves for another thrilling journey into the world of gaming as Jenny, Gene, and Dr. Gameology make a grand return to The Gaming Persona! We spill the beans on our latest escapades - Jenny's transition to a new home, exhilarating gaming sessions, mastering Lord of the Rings, Magic the Gathering, and the Alien board game. Not to mention the gripping gameplay of Fina...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how our gaming memories can influence our lifespan? Tune in as we take you on a journey through the riveting world of video games. We discuss our recent encounters like Overwatch 2, Legends of Runeterra, Darkest Dungeon 2, and Diablo 4, and ponder the crucial factors of a successful game experience. Reflecting on our gaming memories, we share how nostalgia can signif...

Send us Fan Mail Why don't games work when we're most excited to play them, and how do gaming communities recover from this disappointment? Those are the burning questions we tackle in this week's Gaming Persona podcast, where we share our experiences with the latest Lord of the Rings game, Gollum, and reminisce about the nostalgic 90's X-Wings from the book series and Nintendo...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're discussing the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. We'll be taking a deep dive into Hyrule and what we expect for this new edition of the BotW formula.  Plus, we'll hear from Dr. Gameology about what it was like to restart playing both BotW and FFXIV games at the same time. Join us this week as we discuss the worlds of Hyrule versu...

Send us Fan Mail The latest episode of The Gaming Persona will discuss the positive mental health experience of playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. We'll be talking about how this game encourages players to explore a wide-open world full of surprises and secrets, to take time away from the pressure of a linear narrative, and to appreciate the beauty and tranquility found in natur...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we talk about the basic concepts which form Self-Determination Theory and apply them to video games. Motivation, competence, belonging, autonomy, mastery. What do video games do for you? Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional possibilities for future episodes and projects, this can now be done through Patreon ! You can watch...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Dr. Gameology and crew return to the recording studio to talk about any random thing that comes to their mind.  They go everywhere from Star Wars to Resident Evil, and end up some how on Space Mountain. Come listen to the chaos and support the show! Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional possibilities for future episodes and...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we dive into the fascinating topic of guilds in gaming and how they can help create an engaging play experience. Important concepts like forming groups, conquering bigger challenges, or connecting with the social opportunities of endless virtual worlds, guilds can add something to the experience of any gamer and motivation style. Support the show If you would like...

Send us Fan Mail We have made it to Episode 100 of The Gaming Persona podcast! Join us while we celebrate the show's past success and future potential.  The three hosts - Dr. Gameology / Dr. Daniel Kaufmann, Jenny Lebron, and Gene Wong - reflect on where the show started and where it is headed in the future. It’s a special edition of The Gaming Persona podcast that you don't want to miss...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we’re talking about the three types of video game players: Casual, Mid-Core, and Hardcore. We explore the differences between these types of gamers, how it impacts their experience and more.   Join Doc and Gene while they dive into the exciting world of video gaming!  Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional possibilities for...

Send us Fan Mail Come join us on The Gaming Persona podcast as we interview Ricardo Williams, the leader of Orlando Nerd Nite. We'll discuss what it takes to put on a show every month and get his take on some of the latest superhero movies. Ricardo will share his insider perspective on what goes into putting together an event like Nerd Nite, from organizing volunteers to coming up with the th...

Send us Fan Mail The Gaming Persona podcast dives deep into the many ways players beat video games, with an in-depth look at the three main paths to success – Winning, Finishing, and Prolonging. We'll discuss how players can achieve victory in a game by winning; what it takes to complete a game, from initial steps to finishing touches; and how prolonging a player's time in the game world...

Send us Fan Mail Join us this week on The Gaming Persona podcast as we dive deep into a new research study on solo gaming and the various psychological effects of game playing. We are joined by doc student from Mount Mary University, Tyler Secor, to review the most important gaming experiences in his journey to starting as a counselor educator and games researcher. This chat also carries a signifi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Gaming Persona, we discuss how music is used in video games. We take a look at some classic titles and explore how the music helped to define the game's atmosphere and narrative. We also dive into the role of licensed soundtracks, composers, and sound designers in creating unique audio experiences that leave an impact on gamers. Join us as we explore th...

Send us Fan Mail The horror survival game Dead Space has been a fan favorite since its release in 2008. Players take on the role of engineer Isaac Clarke, who must survive an intergalactic mining ship infested with alien creatures known as Necromorphs. This third-person shooter combines gore and jump scares with intense psychological elements, creating a thrilling experience for any horror fan loo...

Send us Fan Mail The Persona franchise has released on the current console generation, and now everyone can play Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal with greater access than ever before! This week, the podcast explores what these different games have to say about life, relationships, and growing up. What does Persona get really right, but also what are some problematic areas...

Send us Fan Mail The Last of Us has debuted on HBO, and it was an AMAZING adaptation for one of the greatest gaming stories of all time. The Gaming Persona shares their thoughts and talks about the importance of adaptation in helping new audiences understand exactly what the playing of video games is all about. Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional po...

Send us Fan Mail The Gaming Persona explores the question of whether or not video games are art.  Many have argued that video games are nothing more than time-wasting entertainment, however, when it comes to their artistic value the evidence proves otherwise. Video games offer so much more than mindless distraction; they can be powerful tools for self-expression and growth. From the stunning graph...

Send us Fan Mail The Gaming Persona welcomes Dr. Lennart Nacke to talk about his work in UX Research and how it continues to help shape the design of games millions of players enjoy playing. Support our guest HERE . Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional possibilities for future episodes and projects, this can now be done through Patreon ! You can watc...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Gameology is joined by both cohosts to talk about memorable experiences from playing roleplaying games (RPG's). Topics involve some of the greatest hits from our time as players, game structure, research findings, and exploring the impact of diagesis.  Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional possibilities for future episodes an...

Send us Fan Mail God of War: Ragnarök  has been released! The Gaming Persona takes time to review the franchise, what it has meant to each of them, and the unique approach it takes at blending mythology with video game innovation for action and storytelling. Support the show If you would like to support the show and help us unlock additional possibilities for future episodes and projects, this can...