Core Elements

Lorne Lanning, creator of Oddworld, steps into our laboratory to discuss his work with us. In addition to talking about Lorne's transition from film to games, we talk about breadcrumbs in MMOs, the imbecilic trolling of the gaming internet, and Spencer's New Year's insanity pact.[MP3 AUDIO]Lorne on TwitterOddworld.Com[LINK] Trolling group using virtually unheard of NTP attack to grind popular online games to a halt.[LINK] Creative Assembly announces Alien: Isolation[LINK] PlayStation Now will offer Netflix-like subscription options[LINK] GDC Developers Choice Award Nominees[LINK] Independent Games Festival awards finalists revealedFor a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjXqvMh6pys

This week Steve Gaynor of Fullbright joins us in the volcano to talk about his incredibly successful indie game, Gone Home. As part of his initiation, we discuss the latest YouTube shenanigans, The cinematic value of a cinematic let's play, and the strategy of price drops.[MP3 AUDIO]Steve on TwitterGone Home[LINK] Eldritch[VID] YouTube goes crazy with the new content-id system[LINK] No Man's Sky[LINK] Telltale's Game of Thrones[LINK] Elder Scroll Online release date set at April 4thFor a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3AlzZS91iM

This week we welcome Alex and Vitoli into the laboratory to talk about their new game, Pixel Piracy. In addition to discussing how they've offered their own game up as a torrent, we talk about the rights of streamers to play what they want, the relative indie-ness of gaming studios, and the true meaning of the poop deck. [MP3 AUDIO]Alex on TwitterPixel Piracy[LINK] Riot Games tries to limit games their streamers can play[LINK] Microsoft tries to scavenge together good Xbox One numbers[LINK] Is Crytek an indie developer?[LINK] Top 10 indie games of 2013For a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQqAK2SJmWo

We experiment this week with Dean Tate, creator of Captain Bubblenaut. We ponder the massive response turnout to buy the PS4, whether space combat can save a dying space game, and what can be considered "pay to win" in "Epic Loot". [MP3 AUDIO]Dean on TwitterCaptain Bubblenaut[LINK] 10 Reasons Why the PS4 is Better Than the Xbox One[LINK] Valve to release virtual reality prototype[LINK] Galactic Starfighter bringing space combat to Star Wars: The Old RepublicFor a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK7z-oy24TQ

Tim Lindsey of Xaviant joins us in the laboratory to discuss project development on Lichdom. In addition to talking about his game, we discuss whether Warlords of Draenor will revive the fanbase, how lasers and smoke machines can help playtesting, and the usefulness of dancing and horseriding in keeping a princess alive... [MP3 AUDIO]Tim on TwitterXaviantSHOW SPONSORS:PsychoChickenz: Did you have a wellspent youth? Join me as I replay the games I grew up with, as well as Minecraft, Terraria and more. http://youtube.com/PsychoChickenz[LINK] The Humble Store is now open[LINK] SSteam rises to 65 million active users[LINK] Everything you need to know about Warlords of DraenorFor a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5JrMNf53I

This week we are joined by one of the creators of The Stanley Parable, Davey Wreden of Galactic Cafe! In addition to discussing his amazing new game, we address the arcane nature of Pokemon, whether fair use of video content finally has a champion, and the challenges of picking a price for a priceless experience. [MP3 AUDIO]Davey on TwitterGalactic Cafe[LINK] Studio accused of blocking Youtube criticism[LINK] SimCity may get an offline mode after all[LINK] Steam Machine prototype specsFor a video of this episode go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVoYL6y-4Pg

This week we welcome Dan Teasedale of No Goblin into the laboratory! In addition to discussing his rock star days with Harmonix, we consider the recent bevy of Valve announcements, the future of Super Drake Tracker, and the potential evil of social game IPOs.[MP3 AUDIO]Dan on TwitterNo GoblinSHOW SPONSORS:PsychoChickenz: I replay old school games as well some new ones.[LINK] Three big announcements from Valve this week[LINK] PS Vita TV offering PS4 streaming in other rooms[LINK] Ten Indie PC Games You Must Keep An Eye On[LINK] King, makers of Candy Crush Saga, offering IPOFor a video of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON1ENQ0qAS4

This week we welcome Joe Mirabello, creator of Tower of Guns into the laboratory! In this episode, we discuss the success of TellTale adventure games, Origin's return policy, and what we would do to fix Civ 5.[MP3 AUDIO] Joe on Twitter The Tower of Guns Greenlight page[LINK]  Telltale Games hoping to follow up The Walking Dead with a game based on Fables[LINK]  Origin now offers full refundsFor video of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsdgdg-TtY4

This week we welcome Kent Hudson, creator of The Novelist into the laboratory! In this episode, we discuss the true point of the X-Bone, the balance between fun and art, and the idea of giving games we don't like any of our time.[MP3 AUDIO]Kent on TwitterThe Novelist[LINK] Xbox One will work without Kinect hooked up.[LINK] Card Hunter is the next great board gameFor video of this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDg72_7Rnbk

Welcome back to the laboratory! This week we're joined by Teddy Lee of Cellar Door Games, makers of Rogue Legacy. In addition to discussing how hard it is to work with his brother, we discuss the concept of cinematic games, we cover the apparent inevitability of Ouya failure, and we show each other on this doll where the Steam sale touched us.[MP3 AUDIO]Cellar Door Games on TwitterCellar Door Games[LINK] Nintendo claims a majority of gamers can't finish SMB 1-1[LINK] Ouya has no hit games so far[LINK] The harsh reality if indie game success

This week, music fills the laboratory as we welcome Ben Prunty, composer of the music of FTL and Gravity Ghost. In this episode we discuss the ubiquity of in-game stores, the mindset of the gaming DDoS, and the relative overhype of Naughty Dog. [MP3 AUDIO]Ben Prunty on TwitterBen Prunty Music[LINK] Blizzard confirm in-game store for World of Warcraft[LINK] Hackers deserve some of the blame for costly gaming industry[LINK] Six games that put insane detail into stuff you didn't notice[LINK] WiiU's ZombieU was not profitable[LINK] Microsoft allegedly tried to acquire Zynga

This week, Brad Muir, our guest from episode #1 of Core Elements, returns to the show! In addition to discussing his recently crowd-funded game, Massive Chalice, we discuss the legal destruction of digital property, the omnipresent fear of a digital store's collapse, and the deep, deep rabbit hole of Xcom.[MP3 AUDIO]Brad Muir on TwitterMassive Chalice[LINK] Eve Players destroy $19k worth of items in-game[LINK] Darkspore DRM issues prevent people from playing[LINK] Head of Xbox moves to Zynga[VID] Minecon 2013 officially announced

After an extended absence, we return to laboratory with Joe McDonagh, founder of Blue Manchu. In addition to discussing his game project, Card Hunter, we look into the slaughter of Microsoft at E3, the curious case of Peggle's popularity, and the stressful steps into indie game development.[MP3 AUDIO]Joe on TwitterCard HunterGet $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkersGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] Microsoft does a 180 after the E3 massacre[LINK] Pulling up the ladder: how indie developers are losing the ability to help each other[LINK] These Patents Video Game Publishers Own May Surprise You. Plus More...[LINK] The Sorry Sage of Skulls of the Shogun on & Windows 8[VID] When Difficult is Fun[LINK] The Massive Chalice Kickstarter

This week we're joined in the Laboratory by Hi-Rez co-founder and COO, Todd Harris. In this episode we discuss Smite, Tribes, the difficult communities they appeal to, and the nature of designing free-to-play games. We also learn how to monetize griefing and discuss the usefulness of Steam Greenlight.[MP3 AUDIO]Todd on TwitterHi-Rez StudiosGet $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkersGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] Peter Molyneux may have just monetized trolling[LINK] Is Steam Greenlight working?[LINK] Game Developer Tychoon uses irony on software pirates[LINK] The SimCity 3.0 update[LINK] Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat creators sue 'Scribblenauts' studio for using their memes

Andy Schatz joins us again from the whirlwind of his upcoming Monaco: What's Yours is Mine release! For the episode (that answers the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything), we discuss slices of gum, the curious violence of Bioshock Infinite, and question the death of the personal twitter account.[MP3 AUDIO]Andy on TwitterPocketwatch GamesGet $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkersGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] The AMAZING Polygon interview with Andy Schatz[LINK] The personal twitter account is dead[LINK] The SimCity debacle[LINK] Hitbox discusses their Dustforce sales figures[LINK] NPR discusses the changing console market[LINK] We need better video game publishers

Alan Wilson, Vice-President of Tripwire Interactive, joins us this week in the laboratory. In addition to discussing Killing Floor and Red Orchestra, we talk about the value of community input into game design, the balance between the ESRB and regulation, and how we are all going to be MLG-pro[MP3 AUDIO]Tripwire InteractiveGet $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkersGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] Gamers need to 'quiet down' says CA senator[LINK] MLG-produced game inevitable[LINK] Optimize 'Far Cry 3,' 'Hawken,' and other PC games with Nvidia's cloud-based settings tweaker

Xaviant CEO, Michael McMain joins us this week on the show. In addition to discussing their work in progress, Lichdom, we discuss the place of consoles in the gaming universe, the inescapable siren call of Skyrim, and the big gay planet of The Old Republic. Skype was particularly cruel to the audio quality this week, so please pardon the hiss.[MP3 AUDIO]XaviantLichdomLichdom Play Tester Sign-upGet $3 off today at Loot Crate w/ code "DEAD". Lootcrate.com/deadworkersGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] Say hello to The Old Republic's gay planet[LINK] Are console sales numbers calling for the next generation?[LINK] PSN offering great deals on some digital titles

For our first episode of the new year, Erin Robinson is our guest in the Laboratory! In addition to talking about Gravity Ghost, we ask her about her technological influence, her path to indie development, and whether Spencer should make a game about words or insects.[MP3 AUDIO]Erin on TwitterGravity GhostGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] Does calling it a “beta” justify selling an unfinished game?[LINK] Gabe Newell talks about the Steam Box[LINK] Nvidia's Project Shield[LINK] Fargo Reveals The Future Of Torment[LINK] Dragon Age’s lead writer on fandom and the “increasingly toxic” Bioware forums

Robert Moran, of URealms fame, joins us this week in the laboratory! Here off his whirlwind Kickstarter tour, Robert shares his gaming wit and wisdom with us. In this episode we discuss the dubious connection between popularity and income, the ramifications of Warcraft questing, and the untimely undeath of the $15 subscription model.[MP3 AUDIO]Robert on TwitterThe Unforgotten Quest KickstarterGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] Top MMORPGs to look forward to in 2013[LINK] THQ’s stock rises nearly 40% thanks to Humble Bundle[LINK] Hitman Absolution introduces and the pulls sexist Facebook campaign

This week we are joined by Eric Zimmerman, founder of GameLab and author of Rules of Play. In this episode we discuss how games are becoming integral to our entire life experience, the reason behind our lack of female game developers, and why sex in video games feels so dirty, dirty, and wrong.[MP3 AUDIO]Eric on TwitterEricZimmerman.comGet a 30-day free trial of NetflixTry a free audiobook and support the show![LINK] #1ReasonWhy hashtag shares reasons the game industry has such a low percentage of women in it.[LINK] 750,000 XBox 360s sell over one weekend, while only 400,000 WiiU units sold for their entire opening week[LINK] Molyneux puts forward a kickstarter