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Get Played with Roman Mars and Ben Brock Johnson

12 snips
Oct 3, 2025
Roman Mars, a public-radio veteran known for exploring design, and Ben Brock Johnson, a host focused on gaming culture, delve into the fascinating connections between video games and real-world impacts. They discuss the evolution of gaming controllers, share insights on design and accessibility, and reminisce about gaming history. The duo reflects on VR fitness games and how modern titles guide player experience. They also ponder the societal effects of gaming, weighing creativity and accessibility against potential pitfalls.
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INSIGHT

Games Shaping Real-World Culture

  • Video games have moved beyond arcades to reshape everyday culture and language.
  • Roman Mars and Ben Brock Johnson made Hidden Levels to trace how games influence the built world.
INSIGHT

Interconnected Game Design Stories

  • The series links separate stories because game design and hardware influence each other across contexts.
  • Episodes are standalone but ordered to highlight how controllers, sound, and design interconnect.
ANECDOTE

Joystick Origins Include Planes

  • Episode two traces the joystick's evolution and links aviation and war games to controller design.
  • Roman teases that the plane and war games play key roles in that hardware story.
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