Extra Credits

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2011
2011x1
Mailbag #2
Episode overview
This week, we answer some more of the popular questions from our inbox.
2011x2
Non-Combat Gaming
Episode overview
This week, we consider the neglected potential for game experiences that aren't combat based.
2011x3
Piracy
Episode overview
This week, we dive headfirst into the controversies of video game piracy.
2011x4
Amnesia and Story Structure
Episode overview
This week, we talk a bit about Three Act Structure, In Medias Res and amnesia as a plot device.
2011x5
Playing Like a Designer Part 1
Episode overview
This week, we talk about how to play games like a game designer. At least, we start to.
2011x6
Playing Like a Designer Part 2
Episode overview
This week, we finish talking about how to play games like a game designer, from which games to play to what you should watch for.
2011x7
Achievements
Episode overview
This week, by special request, we finally get around to talking about achievements.
2011x8
An Open Letter to EA Marketing
Episode overview
This week, we turn a critical eye to some of EA's worst recent marketing campaigns.
2011x9
Ludus Florentis
Episode overview
This week, we try our best to describe a big upcoming change in the world of video games, as well as what's causing it.
2011x10
True Female Characters
Episode overview
This week, we look at what it takes to write a great female game character.
2011x11
Tutorials 101
Episode overview
This week, as promised, we take a closer look at how to build a good tutorial.
2011x12
Tangential Learning
Episode overview
This week, we talk about one of the ways games can teach us new things (without being boring about it).
2011x13
Gamification
Episode overview
This week, we talk about the ways game systems are starting to be applied to real life, and what this means for the future. Also, we are joined by our first guest artist!
2011x14
Metrics
Episode overview
This week, we talk about the increasing focus on Metrics in the game industry, and the possible results this trend might have (both good and bad).
2011x15
Consoles are the New Coin-Op
Episode overview
This week, we speculate that game consoles might soon be going the way of the arcade (and why that doesn't have to be a scary thing).
2011x16
Games You Might Not Have Tried (...or Heard Of)
Episode overview
This week, we list a bunch of our favorite "under-the-radar" games.
2011x17
Learning From Other M
Episode overview
This week, we discuss some of Metroid: Other M's failings, and how similar games might avoid them in the future.
2011x18
Gamifying Education
Episode overview
This week, we offer some general examples for ways to improve education using game design techniques.
2011x19
Graphics vs Aesthetics
Episode overview
This week, we define the difference between a games "graphics" and a game's "aesthetic", and why that distinction matters.
2011x20
The Myth of the Gun
Episode overview
This week, we try to figure out why the U.S. has always produced more First Person Shooters than Japan.
2011x21
NOT a Security Episode
Episode overview
Now that the whole PSN mess is (mostly) wrapped up, we discuss the changing relationship between corporation and consumer, and the trust that relationship is going to require.
2011x22
Anonymous
Episode overview
This week, we take a quick break from all the games talk to discuss Anonymous, and whether or not they were actually behind the PSN outage.
2011x23
Our Oscars
Episode overview
This week, we talk about the need for video games to have their own "Oscars", and what that show might look like.
2011x24
The Role of the Player
Episode overview
This week, we get into a little bit of video game theory, discussing the creative contribution of the player to a game.
2011x25
Game Reviews
Episode overview
This week, we talk about reviewing games, how to pursue a game reviewing career, and how game reviewing might be improved overall.
2011x26
Race in Games
Episode overview
This week, we finally get around to talking about race in games, thanks mostly to the release of L.A. Noire.
2011x27
Sharing Our Medium
Episode overview
Video games can actually be pretty intimidating to newcomers. This week, we offer some tips for how to introduce others to our medium.
2011x28
Microtransactions
Episode overview
This week, we talk about microtransactions, and how they COULD be a pretty great thing if we'd just start doing them right.
2011x29
S.978 and Operation Rainfall
Episode overview
This week, we share some of our thoughts on two current(ish) events: the dreaded S.978 bill and Operation Rainfall.
2011x30
The Pre-Production Problem
Episode overview
This week, we kick off the Guest Art Marathon with a discussion on why games really need to start making time for pre-production.
2011x31
"Art" Is Not the Opposite of "Fun"
Episode overview
This week, we address the common claim that advancing games as an art means making them less fun.
2011x32
The MMORTS
Episode overview
This week, we address the potential for the MMORTS genre, as well as the reasons why making one seems to be such a difficult challenge.
2011x33
Game Addiction part 1
Episode overview
This week, we begin a two-part series on the much-debated topic of "Game Addiction."
2011x34
Game Addiction part 2
Episode overview
This week, we conclude our two-part series on the much-debated topic of "Game Addiction" (in a very, VERY unusual way).
2011x35
Let's Talk About Publishing
Episode overview
This week, we get everyone up to speed on the Rockethub details. After that, we share our plans for the EC Indie Fund! Link to the EC Indie Fund rockethub page!
2011x36
Pacing
Episode overview
This week, we discuss proper pacing and it's influence on game design.
2011x37
Cutscenes
Episode overview
This week, we discuss the role (and frequent misuse) of cutscenes in video games.
2011x38
Pro Gaming
Episode overview
This week, we consider the reasons why professional gaming hasn't really caught on in the West (yet).
2011x39
Games You Might Not Have Tried #2
Episode overview
This week, we list off some more interesting games you might never have heard of (or gotten around to trying).
2011x40
So You Want To Be a Producer
Episode overview
This week, we take a close look at one of the game industry's less-appreciated roles: the Producer. This week's guest art by LeeLee Scaldaferri! Check out her weekly webcomic, Name Game!
2011x41
Propaganda Games
Episode overview
This week, we consider the unfortunate potential games have as tools for propaganda.
2011x42
Call of Juarez: The Cartel
Episode overview
This week, we further examine the "lazy design" we discussed last week by picking apart a specific title: Call of Juarez: The Cartel.
2011x43
Zombies
Episode overview
This week (for some Halloween fun), we decided to talk about zombies.
2011x44
Working Conditions
Episode overview
This week, we take a hard look at just how miserable it can be to work in the game industry, and the causes behind these terrible conditions.
2011x45
The Uncanny Valley
Episode overview
This week, we explain the theory behind the Uncanny Valley, and how best to avoid tumbling into it.
2011x46
The Diablo III Marketplace
Episode overview
This week, we consider the intended goal (and possible results) of Blizzard's plan for a "real money" marketplace in Diablo III.
2011x47
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Episode overview
This week, we try to figure out exactly what it was about the new Deus Ex game we liked so much.
2011x48
The Singularity
Episode overview
This week, we begin our two weeks of "science distraction" by looking at what role games might play in man achieving technology singularity.
2011x49
Technobabble
Episode overview
This week, we examine that classic staple of mediocre science fiction: technobabble.
2011x50
Playtesting
Episode overview
This week, we explain the value of playtesting your game, and offer some tips on how to get the best data possible.
2011x51
Puzzle Games
Episode overview
This week, we dissect a popular puzzle game to show just how complex and elegantly-designed even a simple game can be.