Violence in Games (with Dev Jana)

This week's interview episode features Dev Jana, one half of the team behind Newt One, a non-violent music-infused 3D platformer.

We talk with Dev about how Newt One transformed (through continuous iteration) from a "Mario 64" clone into a game where "there are no bad guys" and nothing you do can hurt anything.

We also discuss the purpose and use of violence in video games, including the games we're all working on. When can violence be utilized effectively though mechanics and story? And when is it simply an lazy way to build tension and create challenge for the player?