Indie By Design Podcast

This week we are talking about implicit and explicit narrative forms in video games.How are the two related, how are they separate and how, in particular, can the implicit side of a game's narrative cause within us some of the most powerful and memorable reactions?Games discussed include The Last of Us 2, the Uncharted series, The Legend of Zelda series, The Witcher series, APEX Legends, Fortnite, Rust, Valhiem and Shadow of the Colossus. Be warned that there are spoilers for some of these games.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Resident Evil was first released on 22 March 1996. In honour of Resident Evil's 25th Anniversary we present you the final of our three episodes focused on the game's legacy, influence and design. We've already covered the game's Spencer Mansion location and its design and implementation of 'safe rooms', and in this episode we take a step back and look at the game as a whole - discussing how and why it has stood the test of time to become one of the most iconic games ever made.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're delving into the belly of the beast on this week's gaming the podcast as Stace Harman and myself, John Robertson, discuss and explore Resident Evil 1's mansion.What makes it so revered? How has it stood the test of time so well and how does its design impact everything that occurs in the game?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sports games are diverse and numerous, but do you have to like the sport in question to enjoy the game? Join John Robertson and Stace Harman on this week's Gaming: The Podcast as they delve into the question by exploring their own relationships with sports and sports games and how they interact and inform one another. Perhaps the ultimate question: Is 'sports game' am meaningful genre classification for a family of games that is diverse and different from one another?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Safe Rooms are the topic of this week's Gaming: The Podcast, those things with the typewriters in in Resident Evil games.Specifically we're talking about how and why they work and how they are designed to inform and enhance those things that take place not only inside of their walls, but outside of them. One thing to note on this episode is that we suffered a microphone issue on Stace's end which we weren't able to fix in time for release - such are the dangers of recording remotely in a lockdown. Rest assured that this issue has now been fixed and will not impact future episodes, just as it hasn't impacted previous ones.Indie By Design is John Robertson and Stace Harman, videogame design and narrative consultants and creators of books that celebrate the art, history and culture of gaming.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to g

Catherine (Atlus, 2011) celebrates its 10th anniversary this week, so what better time to revisit it and explore just what makes it such a memorable and great game?You play as Vincent, a guy in his 30s trying to navigate a path through his relationships and into his future. On the surface of it the game seems to be about the nature of commitment versus temptation, as communicated through Katherine and Catherine.Is that really what it's about, though? Is there more to Vincent's story than there initially seems and how does this extra depth play into Catherine's value as a videogame and a piece of social commentary?Join Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman as they discuss and explore the game a decade after its release.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video v

What is it about some games that makes you never want to stop playing them? In this episode of Gaming: The Podcast, Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman discuss the experience, gameplay and rewards of Supergiant Games' Hades after 400 hours of play.How much new and unseen content still remains after so many gameplay hours? What is so rewarding as to make you want to keep coming back? Does the game still offer a challenge? How has mastery of over the tool-set changed how you see and think about the game?---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dungeons & Dragons and videogames are both 'games' goes the general understanding, but how are they inherently different to one another and what is it about their designs that cause us to interpret them in wildly disparate ways?Join Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman as they discuss the fundamental approaches to design that lead to videogames and Dungeons & Dragons being viewed, by their players, as very different entities to one another.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hitman III is game about the environment and level design more than it is about the characters, it's a game about freedom of expression as well as repetitive trial and error.Indie By Design's John Robertson and Stace Harman explore the nature of this freedom/repetition dichotomy, how it informs and results in the experience offered by Hitman III.---Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hideo Kojima is a designer that has pushed boundaries, provided us with new genres and creates games under the mantra that it is possible to bring the impossible to players.In this episode of Gaming: The Podcast we talk about his impact on the video game medium, the importance of strong themes in his writing and direction and how it is that he has come to be such an important and unique voice. Conversation is primarily centered around Death Stranding and the Metal Gear Solid series and there are some minor spoilers for these included. Enjoy!Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat

What is environmental storytelling and what is it good for?In this week's Gaming: The Podcast we discuss, dissect and deliberate on the concept of environmental storytelling, talk through some interesting examples and how it can work to change how we respond to games.Good environmental storytelling can deeply impact our emotional response, how we see our own player characters and cause us to question our initial responses to our experiences. As such, it's an incredibly important element of game and world design.Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What makes Portal so great? Valve's 2007 masterpiece of a puzzle, Portal, is centre of our attentions as we break down why we believe it to be such a wonderful entry into the pantheon of gaming history and culture.We talk its narrative, its presentation, its mechanics, its ability to beautifully connect its interactions and its plot into a stunning whole that stands equal - possibly above - anything else that Valve has provided us.Enjoy!Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is the best game of 2020? We've got our answers and we're sticking with them.The year has been very different for the majority of us, but there have been some fantastic games to help us through a difficult period. From JRPGS and Western adventures, roguelikes to murder-everyone-without-getting-caught-em-ups and racing games to flying games, there's been a lot vying for our collective attention this year.Sit back, relax and join us as we rattle on about our favourite releases and why they have stood out for us in 2020.Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This time of year will be very different for many, but we sincerely hope that you have a great holiday and are able to create memories that you'll look back on fondly.Normal podcast service will resume on Thursday December 31st with our New Year's Eve episode. 2021 will us releasing more podcasts for you to enjoy and it will also host the launch of 20 Double Fine Years, our enormous hardcover book covering all things Double Fine - taking you through their entire history, from Psychonauts to Psychonauts 2, Brutal Legend to Broken Age, Costume Quest to Grim Fandango Remastered and everything in between.Get you copy at DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com.Once again, we hope you have a great Christmas and New Year!All the best!Follow us on Twitter @IndieByDesignMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are the best Christmas videogames? What are your favourite Christmas videogames? These are unlikely to be questions you've ever asked, let alone answered, because 'Christmas videogame' isn't really a genre that exists. However, there are Christmas movies, albums, TV shows and more. So why not Christmas videogames?In this episode of Gaming: The Podcast we discuss the lack of Christmas games and how, for example, a new Home Alone game could potentially be one of the best games of all time. Maybe?A video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is it always best to give players the chance to define the backstory for their characters?Inspired by Cyberpunk 2077's 'lifepaths', John Robertson and Stace Harman dissect and discuss the design implications of giving players choices as to their characters' backgrounds. Is this attempt at providing player agency always a good thing and does it always work as intended?Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to the first of our 'What makes it great?' episodes, which kicks off with a focus on Final Fantasy VII. John Robertson and Stace Harman dissect the elements that have made Final Fantasy VII such a legendary and revered part of gaming history, look at how its design has influenced so much that came after it and recount their experiences playing it upon release in 1997.Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.Find us on Twitter @IndieByDesignA video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Character death is one of the most common elements across videogames and most treat it in the same way: you lose a life or you lose some progress and are sent back to a checkpoint. This rings true for everything from Mario to the Last of Us, Gears of War to Resident Evil.Death can be so much more, however, as the recent PS5 release of Demon's Souls has again reminded us. It can be a source of contemplation and re-imagining, a new beginning and a means of real narrative intrigue. It can change the very way we perceive and the experience a game in ways that are valuable and rewarding, as opposed to acting solely as a punishment.In this episode we look at the ways that death in games can be, and are, made interesting and why it's important that something so ubiquitous be given a little extra focus.Come chat to us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and tell us your thoughts on death in games and which games have impressed you when it comes to how dying works.A video version of this podcast is available at h

This week we sit down with Double Fine founder and industry legend Tim Schafer to talk everything from how Covid-19 restrictions have impacted work at Double Fine to what he's been playing and how he works to foster a creative approach across his studio.We're very grateful to Tim to have made the time for us, not only for this interview but across our partnership with Double Fine in creating 20 Double Fine Years. 20 Double Fine Years explores the people, culture, events and inspiration that has thus far given us the likes of Psychonauts, Stacking, Brutal Legend and Broken Age - and is soon to give us Psychonauts 2.We hope we enjoy the interview! Come chat to us on Twitter @IndieByDesign to give us feedback on this episode and let us know who you'd like us to interview next. Visit our website https://www.indiebydesign.net to check out our books! If you're looking for 20 Double Fine Years, our big book of all things Double Fine, then head straight to DOUBLEFINEBOOK.com to get your copy.A video version of t

With the arrival of the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5, all eyes are on the next-generation of games and, right now, what the new hardware is offering in terms of day one gaming. Naturally, then, we're thinking about the general quality of launch games and whether or not they are indicative of the potential quality offered by new consoles or whether they are placeholder titles designed to quench our thirst before the real deals arrive.So, this week we're asking: What is the best console launch game of all time?Come chat to us on Twitter @IndieByDesign and tell us which launch games you consider the best of all time and why.A video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/c/indiebydesignhttps://www.indiebydesign.net/podcastMusic by Ben Prunty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.