Tag: Podcast

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Looks at the Scenic Vistas and Human Drama of ‘Firewatch’

This week on the Moving Pixels Podcast we talk about the out in nature First Person Walker, Firewatch. Despite Firewatch essentially being a mystery game, we spend most of our time discussing how the game divorces itself from that genre, or fails to do so, depending on which one of … (This post is lost beyond this point.) The Moving Pixels Podcast Looks at the Scenic Vistas and Human Drama of 'Firewatch' » PopMatters "You came out to put your memories behind you and they're still right there, in front of you. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Critical Distance Confab – Camp’s Signal

With this interview we are entering the more modern conception of video based criticism. The video essayist. First on the docket is Chris Franklin aka Campster. It’s a good interview and not surprisingly, in many ways, sets up future discussions of video as evolving form of criticism. Thanks to Chris … (This post is lost beyond this point.) Episode 35 – Camp’s Signal – Critical Distance | more

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Takes a Trip to ‘Pony Island’

This time on the Moving Pixels Podcast we discuss Daniel Mullins’s game Pony Island. This is a weird little game that I think I kind of love almost solely for its weirdness. It’s always throwing something new at the player and never allows itself to become complacent or stale. And it ends in the most pitch perfect way possible of an uber triumph of bombastic proportion within its own stylistic confines. I also like that there may be more underneath the surface that we just weren’t able to tease out. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Plumbs The Depths of the ‘Darkest Dungeon’

On this episode we delve into the Darkest Dungeon, the horror RPG that hates you. I find whenever we do one of these roguelike games that’s light on authored content, you have to hope the description of how it plays leads to some sort of metaphor. Thankfully, Darkest Dungeon is one of those that does. The game hammers hard on the “grind up those cogs in the corporate machine” message. But beyond that base message and a few shades of specifics in the behavior that is rewarded by the system, there doesn’t seem much. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Hinduism and Buddhism Meet Science Fiction in ‘Cradle’

This week’s episode of the Moving Pixels Podcast is on the indie game Cradle. I was on this podcast, but it was quickly apparent to me that I had nothing to say on this game. I was near catatonic I was so bored with this game. So, I’m introduced, make some comments at the beginning and then am pretty much silent for the rest of the running time. Which is a pity given all the fascinating things Chris and Nick were able to get out of this game. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Critical Distance Confab – Minisode 10 – Abstract Aesthetics

I’ve heard from former Critical Distance editor-in-chief, Kris Ligman, that people like these minisodes as a shorter format discussion. Well, sorry for this month. Sometimes there’s such a good rapport with a guest that controlling the time gets away from me. Heather Alexandra and I had such a rapport. Of course, what do I know. I’m just throwing stuff into the void. Wish I could figure out the download figures for each episode. Find out if anyone is listening. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Learning about Love from ‘Cibele’

Just in time to miss Valentine’s Day we look at the confessional, autobiographical love story by Nina Freeman, Cibele. Cibele is an important game in the video game landscape right now. You wont find too many games as personal and as open as it. It’s short, yet dense in its drive to reach for that singular emotion of that event. I am positive towards it on the podcast, but that was recorded weeks ago after playing it. Now, I’m having trouble remembering that emotional resonance. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Critical Distance Confab – Game OverThinker

I will admit, I continue to be a little surprised by who I am able to get for Critical Distance podcast interviews by simply asking. This month I had on Bob Chipman, aka moviebob, to talk about his Game OverThinker YouTube show. Ok, neither he nor James Portnow are exactly huge, but compared to me, wow. I was told to focus on the historical side of things as what Mr. Chipman does isn’t really criticism, per se. But he is undeniably a big early voice in the now exploding YouTube scene. | more