"fun" And Games Podcast

So many classic games start with a "Name Entry" screen. Whether it's just the file name, the main character, the whole party or beyond; Seeing the names we choose weaved into the game is part of the fun. Matt & Geoff discuss what place custom names have in games today and some of their favorites from the past.

Matt and Geoff are both big fans of the Netflix Castlevania series. In this episode they discuss why it works as a video game adaptation, what they enjoy about it, and what they hope for its future. Spoiler warnings for the first three seasons.

In the latter half of the 20th century, no matter the medium, if you wanted to set your fiction in a distinctly "Future" time, setting it in the 21st century did the trick. But now, we're twenty years into this so-called future and we're past when a lot of our favorite games are set. Matt & Geoff see what they got right, if anything.

It's probably been at least twenty years since video games were seen only as violent and gory. But it's amazing how many different games, genres and experiences can be had and shared without any violent or aggressive action. Matt and Geoff discuss why they work and some of their favorites

James Johnston, director and designer of the upcoming "Pixel Puzzle Makeout League" (PC/Switch), joins Matt & Geoff to discuss the game, the process, being an indie developer, and his history with gaming. Find out more about PPML at picross.love

Video games can tell a wide variety of narratives and immerse us in deep experiences. Let's not ruin this with a lot of talk, all right? Matt and Geoff discuss the silent protagonist; and how they allow us to connect with a game's world without saying a word.

Not every great game is built from scratch. Mods on an existing game can create a whole new property, or even game experience. Matt & Geoff discuss some notable mods that became their own thing, and the benefits of publicly accessible game engines and dev tools.

What separates a fan creator from a professional? Probably profit.  Matt and Geoff discuss some of the fan creators that have gone on to various professional careers in games.

Welcome to 2020! Well, it's been three weeks and an episode since the year started, but Matt and Geoff are here to share their gaming resolutions for the year.

Special Guest Host: Case Aiken! Geoff & Case discuss their experiences at this year's MagFest in National Harbor, MD.

With both 2019 and the 2010s coming to a close, Matt and Geoff look back on a few trends in gaming they noticed over the last decade. They also try to narrow down their choices for Game of the Year and Game of the Decade.

Video Games would be much shorter if there wasn't so much... stuff to do. Side quests can provide a diversion in tone, a deeper understanding of a game's world, an upgrade to the main play experience and so much more. Matt and Geoff share their thoughts on side quests and some of their favorite diversions from the main storyline.

Happy Holiday Shopping Season! Matt & Geoff share some of what they're thankful for in the medium of gaming. Whether little items, big experiences, great memories or just what they love about the community, there's a lot. Neither were able to mention every last thing, but Thank YOU for listening. First part of the episode is our quick Pokémon Sword review. Found 3:46 - 19:29

Pokémon was first released in February 1996. Since then, It has become a series, a franchise, and a trans-media phenomenon. With the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield today (as of episode release) Matt & Geoff discuss the main series' staying power and some of their favorites from over twenty years of catching and battling.

A big part of immersion in video games that can often be taken for granted is the controls. Not just a matter of the physical buttons and joysticks (or lack thereof) but the immediacy and feedback we receive when we use them. As we look to future innovations in player/controller relations, Matt & Geoff talk about some of their favorite control tweaks; some ubiquitous, some obscure.

Chances are, at some point, you've had to watch someone else play video games. Usually because you're waiting for your turn. However, thanks to streaming platforms, there's so many ways to voluntarily watch a game being played. Why do we choose to enjoy playing vicariously? Matt & Geoff share their thoughts and favorite watching experiences.

What starts as a discussion about "Untitled Goose Game" and shorter game experiences becomes a larger conversation. One about the joys in simple aspects of interacting with gameplay or narrative that can be combined to make the complete experience. Whether it's the exhilaration in jumping, or the payoff of honking at just the right moment.

Our first ever live episode recording! Matt & Geoff discuss the community aspect of video game collections. Whether it's keeping up with throwback consoles and compilations, procuring and preserving original hardware, or keeping everything digital only; A key part of preserving gaming history is gamers and their collections.

Not every game is chosen to have a sequel, but video game franchises aren't made by one game alone. It's the second release that can really establish an identity for what defines the future of the series. Or it can veer off wildly and (maybe) come back around later. Matt & Geoff discuss some of their favorite second games in franchises. They also run into difficulty with defining a "second" game in long-running franchises that don't seem to keep track of their numbered releases.

Putting a recognizable and marketable face on your company can do wonders. Game consoles, developers and franchises have had countless mascots help build brand identity and sell product. Sometimes they're catch on and sometimes they're Bubsy. Matt & Geoff discuss some of their memories of the faces that have selling us video games since the early days of Pac-Man.