Episodes
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This week we are joined by NYMG and Mixer community member Nicole Kirchoff (@NKirc) as we talk about gaming, building community around games, and slaying monsters with friends. We had a great conversation and the salt flowed freely. For you Breath of the Wild fans you might say there was lots of Salt Grilled Fish!
What We’re Playing:
Monster Hunter: WorldMinecraftKingdom Come: DeliveranceMy Time at PortiaRock Band RivalsSlay the SpireThe Long Dark
What We're Reading
Just Mercy by Bryan StevensonSnow Crash by Neal Stephenson
What We’re Drinking
2 Towns Bright CiderVodka and SeltzerHomemade Cranberry MalbecFever-Tree Ginger Ale and Jack Daniels
Links of Note:
Sam's Mixer Channel"Me at 3 am" video (YouTube)
*posts may contain Amazon affiliate links to games and books mentioned on the show -
This week Alisha and Sam answer questions submitted to the show and throw in one (each) of their own. It was a shorter episode, but it was a blast. Send us more questions to answer!
What We’re Playing:
Monster Hunter: WorldStaxelThe Mind’s Eclipse
What We’re Drinking
Coffee (and lots of it)Old Fashioned -
Missing episodes?
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This week we chat about our favorite games from last year and the games that we are most excited to play in 2018. We’re joined by two new voices as two of our current guest writers, Amanda and Jordyn, chime in!
What We’re Playing:
BeholderLegend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES Classic)Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)OrwellMafia
What We're Reading
All of the children's books about female astronauts and computer programmers
What We’re Drinking
Pineapple HulaRed Wine (for everyone except Sam) -
This week we had an amazing conversation with the fabulous Elizabeth Lapensee, Indigenous scholar, artist, and game designer who talks with us about (among other things) her latest game, Thunderbird Strike. She shares with us her experience making the game and the political upheaval surrounding it.
What We’re Playing:
Thunderbird StrikeSmiteSomaYour ToyXenoblade Chronicles 2PUBGFallout 4
What We’re Reading
EligibleBaldur’s Gate 2Hoarders, Doomsday Preppers, and the Culture of the Apocalypse
What We’re Drinking
MoscatoOld Fashioned
Links of Note
Elizabeth’s SiteLinks to download Thunderbird Strike (free)Vice Articles on Thunderbird Strike (Destroy Oil Pipelines as a Thunderbird in this New Video Game and Oil Lobbyists: Thunderbird Strike Video Game ‘Promotes Ecoterrorism’
Image Credit: Elizabeth Lapensee, Thunderbirds -
This week we talk to games journalist motion designer, Yussef Cole (@youmeyou) about his lastest research and article in Unwinnable, “Cuphead and the Racist Spectre of Fleischer Animation“, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, Super Mario Odyssey, and much more!
What We’re Playing:
Assassin’s Creed: Origins (or Oranges)Rain WorldSuper Mario OdysseyBioshock CollectionMinecraftAnimal Crossing: Pocket CampGame Dev TycoonDishonored: Death of the Outsider
What We’re Reading
Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman
What We’re Drinking
Ace Pineapple CiderEgg NogOld Fashioned
Links of Note
Video Game Hour Podcast“Cuphead and the Racist Spectre of Fleischer Animation““Pickaninnies and Pixels: On Race, Racism, and Cuphead at E3”“Critical Video Analysis: Cuphead, Fleish & Cherry, and the Influence and Impact of Classic Animation”Character Creator Episode: Cuphead's Racist Grandparents (with Sam and Yusef)
N.B. Going back to look for old images from White Christmas I could not find images of the black face scenes (unedited?) so the burning question is have they been so effectively erased that they are forever lost or was the racism inherent in the practices used in the show so pervasive that my friends and I internalized the blackface images. -
This week we talk about Supermassive Games' Hidden Agenda for Playstation 4. This is a true spoilercast. If you don't want to know key parts of the game you may want to save this episode for after you play the game. We talk about story, writing, acting, and what the game all means. We have some very specific opinions about the game and some of the issues that we see as being deal breakers.
What We’re Playing:
Hidden AgendaFarming Simulator 17Fortnite: Battle RoyaleStardew Valley
What We're Reading
Lumberjanes
What We're Drinking
Sweet Red WineCelebrationHot Tea with lemon and honey (for the sick and infirmed) -
This week Alisha wanted to title the episode "That Tenure Money", but we really talked about Jen and Trea's new edited collection Gaming Representation and the ways that we see (or want to see) our scholarship as activist work. The title actually comes from a great story from TreaAndrea that deals with identity, authenticity, and explaining our work as "serious" scholarship.
What We’re Playing:
NBA2K18PS VR GamesSuper Mario OdysseyAssassin's Creed: OriginsHorizon Zero DawnFortniteHidden AgendaStardew Valley
What We're Reading
Gaming Representation: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Video GamesEsperanza RisingThe White AlbumThe Emperor of Ocean ParkFeminist Activism and Digital Networks: Between Empowerment and VulnerabilityPlayer and Avatar
What We're Drinking
PortHot Apple Cider and Knob CreekBourbon and GingerSierra NevadaAce Pineapple Cider -
This week we talk about doing podcasts (and other non-traditional work) as a form of scholarship and what that means for us as academics and members of the communities that we write and podcast about using Hannah McGregor's Chronicle of Higher Education article, "Podcasting in Plain Sight" as a jumping off point. The salt flows freely as we critique the things we love.
What We’re Playing:
OverwatchFortnite: Battle RoyaleStardew Valley
What We're Reading
Esperanza Rising
What We're Drinking
Bourbon and SourSweetwater Triple Tail IPAVodka and Fruit Juice -
This week we talk our favorite horror games and films as well as other gaming experiences that scared us (even if they weren’t supposed to be scary). It’s a great conversation to get you ready for Halloween. Kick back with a pumpkin ale or a pumpkin spice latte and give it a listen. By the way, don’t really write to Alisha and tell her why she’s wrong. Maybe we can get her to do the dramatic reading anyway.
What We’re Playing:
Dishonored 2: Death of the OutsiderFortniteDestiny 2PankapuStardew ValleyLimbo
What We’re Reading
Paper Girls and Monstress comic tradesReady Player Two: Shira Chess
What We’re Drinking
New Glarus Spotted CowKnob CreekMenage a Trois Pinot NoirWhiskey Ginger/Old Fashioned -
This week we talk with Hazel Monforton about her work as a writer on Dishonored 2: Death of the Outsider (Arkane Studios). Hazel is also a PhD candidate at the University of Durham finishing her degree in English Literature. We talk about the process of writing for games, how she came to work with the folks at Arkane, and most importantly lore and the amazing story of Billie Lurk. We keep it spoiler free as possible with the promise of a spoilercast to come!
What We’re Playing:
Dishonored 2: Death of the OutsiderFortniteMaizeStardew Valley
What We're Reading
Crash Override: Zoe QuinnNights of the Circus: Angela CarterReady Player Two: Shira Chess
What We're Drinking
P&G Tips teaSweetwater TripleTail SeasonalCoffee and Red Grapefruit sparkling water
Artist's Note: Our featured image was created in-game by Brittany Adesso (@brittanyadesso). A beautiful tableau created in Dishonored 2. -
This week we chat about the perils and pitfalls of having a particular history of a the field of game studies laid out in a journal special issue when there is an apparent lack of diversity, disciplinary representation, and more. The title “The Two Jaakko Problem” does not come from the fact that we have a problem with Finnish dudes named Jaakko, but rather that we see the limitations of having a number of scholars with similar demographics while having none that represent others.
Links of Note:
NYMG Call for Submissions
What We’re Playing:
Conan ExilesMario + RabbidsOverwatchFortniteMake Hexa
What We’re Reading
Getting Gamers by Jamie MadiganThe Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
What We’re Drinking
Bourbon and SourGrapefruit vodka and La CroixVodka and Crystal Light -
This week we chat about always online games that don't offer a single player experience. We talk about the positives and negatives (and the in-betweens) of this newly (?) popular experience. We also talk about Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and how representation matters. Finally we talk about Mike Meginnis' short story "Navigators" and task you all with reading/listening to it and tweeting at us about it (@nymgamer).
Links of Note:
Sam's (nymgamer_saffista) Mixer channel http://mixer.com/nymgamer_saffistaAlisha's (nymgamer_alisha) Mixer channel http://mixer.com/nymgamer_alisha"Navigators" as read by LeVar Burton (on LeVar Burton Reads podcast)Mike Meginnis' "Navigators" is also available in The Best American Short Stories 2012
What We’re Playing:
OverwatchFortniteDiablo 3Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildUncharted: The Lost Legacy
What We're Reading
Gaming Representation: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Video Games
What We're Drinking
Bourbon and CokeCiderboys Pineapple Hula CiderAngry Orchard Cider -
Episode 156 Pizza Party is the Best Party...Oh, and Our Video Game Summer Run Down
This week we chat about what we've been playing this summer and what we are going to be playing to close the summer out before school starts back in a few weeks. We also talk about representation through character body types in Overwatch and Fortnite (aka thick thighs and lies?) , streaming as a gamer, and community building.
Links of Note:
Sam's (nymgamer_saffista) Mixer channel http://mixer.com/nymgamer_saffista
What We’re Playing:
OverwatchHearthstonePerceptionBoard Games (7 Wonders, Splendor)FortnitePath of Exile betaDead Rising 4
What We're Reading
Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena ValentinoThe Expanse by James S. A. CoreyVermillion by Molly TanzerComics (Paper Girls, Vision)The Gendered Society by Michael KimmellThe Proteus Paradox by Nick Yee
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This week we have a conversation with Carly Kocurek, author of Coin-Operated Americans: Rebooting Boyhood at the Video Game Arcade (2015) and Brenda Laurel: Pioneering Games for Girls (2017) and developer of games like Choice Texas. We chat about Al Capone and money laundering, Disney and film preservation, video games (of course), and much more.
What We’re Playing:
-Overwatch
-Ever Oasis
-Perception
-Lego Dimensions
What We’re Reading
-Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer
-Mort (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett
-Technofeminism by Judy Wajcman -
As a follow up to episode 153, this week we talk about what we saw and played at E3 as well as talking about the things that we are most (and least) excited to get our hands on.
What We’re Playing:
Super Lucky’s TaleAshenRefunctOverwatch
What We’re Drinking
Varied Cranberry Peach mock/cocktails -
This week in the podcast we talk what we want to see (or not) at E3. A good conversation between Sam and Alisha about upcoming games and what the future holds for gaming hardware with the concept of things being called Elite.
What We’re Playing:
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildPokemon MoonSara is MissingHearthstone
What We’re Drinking
Cider Boys Peach CountryBourbon, pineapple, and ginger ale -
This week in the podcast we talk about nostalgia in and around video games. We also talk a lot about playing games with our kids because we do that sometimes.
What We’re Playing:
Crusader Kings IIFlockLegend of Zelda: Breath of the WildPreyPokemon MoonThe WitnessSara is MissingHearthstone
What We’re Reading
Both of us are getting ready to go to a conference
What We’re Drinking
Abita AndygatorOld Bardstown Bourbon SourBourbon, pineapple, and ginger ale -
This week in the podcast we are joined by Twitch streamer Justin Clark (Twitch & Twitter: TrueZeldaFan) as we talk about the culture of streaming, why he streams, and lots of things in between.
What We’re Playing:
Persona 5Nier: AutomataLegend of Zelda: Breath of the WildCities: SkylinesMario Kart 8 DeluxeHearthstoneMass Effect: Andromeda
What We’re Reading
City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp by Ben RawlenceWhen She Woke by Hillary Jordan
What We’re Drinking
H2OKona Brewing Co. Coco BrownOld Bardstown Bourbon Sour -
This week in the podcast we had an amazing conversation with TreaAndrea Russworm (@ProfessorTMR) is an associate professor at UMass Amhearst, author of Blackness is Burning: Civil Rights, Popular Culture, and the Problem of Recognition and co-editor of From Madea to Media Mogul: Theorizing Tyler Perry and the forthcoming Gaming Representation: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Video Games. Check out our conversations that span everything from film to fiction to comics to video games.
What We’re Playing:
VirginiaNBA 2K17The Sims 3 Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildHearthstoneOvercookedMarvel Guardians of the Galaxy Ep. 1
What We’re Reading
Black (comic) by Kwanza OsajyefoThe Heatstroke Line by Edward L. RubinUberfication of the University by Gary HallBlackness is Burning by TreaAndrea Russworm
What We’re Drinking
port3 Floyds Space Station Middle Finger & Deep Eddy’s Grapefruit vodka and tonicSome abomination of Angry Orchard cider, bourbon, honey, and cinnamon -
This week in the podcast that was cursed (aka the cursedcast) we talk about streaming, streamers, and representation as an part of our ongoing series of podcasts talking to streamers from marginalized populations. We lost our original podcast but the guest we had scheduled will be back soon.
What We’re Playing:
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildMass Effect: AndromedaHearthstoneBlackwood CrossingThe Sexy Brutale
What We’re Reading
Between the World and MeThe Homesick Phone Book
What We’re Drinking
Ace Perry Hard Cider3 Floyds Gumball HeadNew Glarus Spotted Cow - Show more