Nice Games Club - a gamedev podcast!

#176Gamedev in the PhilippinesInterview2020.05.26Your nice hosts interview Ryan Sumo, Art Director and CEO of Squeaky Wheel Studio, an independent developer and publisher based in the Philippines. Topics include community building, conferences, becoming a publisher through serendipity, and the benefits of being transparent with your development practices. Plus jokes!Gamedev in the PhilippinesMisc.The Top 50 mobile games of 2006 - Stuart Dredge, Pocket GamerSpacechem - SteamGDAP (Game Developers Association of the Philippines)IGDA Philippines ManilaESGS conference on InstagramBit Summit conference (Japan)Level Up conference (Kuala Lumpur)Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder  - SteamRyan's posts on Gamasutra - Ryan Sumo, Game Developer

#180Dark StarNice Games Jam2020.06.30No, your nice hosts aren't pitching an adaptation of the 1974 film of the same name, but returning guest host Sarah Seember Huisken counts it as an inspiration for the solo-play tabletop RPG we workshopped in this episode. Immerse yourself a galaxy of corporate factions, fluid allegiances, and space pirates!Scum and VillainyThe 5 best solo board games - Rafael Cordero, PC GamerPromptWorkshop existing solo-play TTRPG concept.Game typeTabletop gamePlayer count1 -?MaterialsPlayer dossier (player character/ship sheet, notes)Dice (how many? which type? we didn't figure that out!)Module booklet (includes blank pages for journaling/recordkeeping)SetupSarah's draft ship systems sheet:RulesEach adventure module is an "assignment," which consists of a multi-page booklet.Page 1 - Summary: Provides the “goal” for the player as defined by “quest-giver.”  Page 2 - Assignment parameters:Player reward (and possible advance payment)Assignment type (Cargo, Escort, Espionage, Assassination, etc.)Constraints (time budget, stealth requirement, equipment restrictions, etc)Supplies (mission-specific resources such as maps, documentation, etc)Risks and Opportunities: These are facts about the assignment's setting and characters that will impact the player differently depending on their alignment, ship condition, and other stats.  Pages 3+ - Story ActsGenerally, each act should fit on one booklet page, providing all the narrative and mechanical information required to play though it. Acts may have alternate versions, each with its own page.Act I: A introduction/setup to the story, giving the player hints they can use to make preparations for the assignment. The player can spend actions in this act to tune their ship / Equip thier character / recruit NPC pals/crew, etc. Story events may include NPC conversations, skill checks, or other light gameplay. This act may be wholly different depending on which "class" the player is aligned with.Act II: A conflict or mechanical gameplay sequence, usually related to ship functions. Examples include ship battles, navigational challenges, serious malfunctions, etc. The outcome of the sequence changes the narrative ending of this act, expanding or limiting the player's options. The outcome of this act will also frequently alter ship stats, player inventory, etc.Act IIIa, Act IIIb (c, d?): The player character must make a choice in the narrative, which determines which scene will end the story. The outcome of Act II may inform or limit this choice. Each scene plays differently, one might be a daring escape, while the other might be a diplomatic resolution.  Final Page - "To Be Continued In...": A list of other modules/assignments for the player to choose from in order to continue their character's story. Options may be limited depending on the version of Act III selected, the player's stats, Act II outcomes, class alignment, or other factors.Example Assignment: “The Asset”Summary: Email from corporation: “Take this large crate from planet Kittytail to planet Puppydog in time for the big corporate gala. Don't be late, and don't look in the crate!"  ParametersReward: Standard rate, no advance!Assignment type: CargoConstraints Time limit: Must reach destination without taking too many actions. NDA: can't run with other players or NPCs, can't stop for supplies.Supplies “Papers” needed to pass planetary customs. Fuel stipend (whatever you don’t use, you can keep)Risks: Planet Puppydog is not friendly to scruffy types. Certain player stats might cause issues/delays at customs.Opportunities: Access to future assignments on planet Puppydog (only available to “good dogs”).  Act I: "Pick up the cargo" Learn a bit, experience some glitches, spend/waste some timeSome random events, die roll checks  Act II: "Oh no, it's pirates!" Battle type: targeted attack, pirates intend to board your ship, not destroy itPirates attack random(?) stat, over a certain number of turns (5?). Player can react with actions, depending on stats and prep actions. Actions spend the player's time budget. Can attack, evade, etc.Can call for help, but if your comm stat is low, your general distress call might violate your NDA.On battle failure (some stat threshold): Pirates board your ship Player can choose to hide, reveal, or protect cargo, costing actions.If pirates discover the cargo, they open the box!If they are fended off, player can get curious, and open the box!The cargo: “It’s clearly important…” but you don’t have any idea. It’s some kind of mysterious artifact maybe?  Act III-A: "Deliver the cargo" Did you arrive on time? No? Corp docks your payGotta get though customs. Conversation/diplomacy mechanic. Audited for inspection? If you don’t have a lot of time, you can make risky moves to speed things along.Once you get though, you deliver the cargo to secret folks in bio-suits. Oooo, mystery vibes that will pay off in a future module, no doubt!Story ends at the gala! Enjoy a cocktail at the expense of the corp!  Act III-B: "Steal the cargo!" Escape the system with the mysterious cargo! Stealth check!Get caught? It's time for a second battle!Make it out of the system? Story ends with a tease: what is this thing and what do I do with it?Get caught by the corp? Go to corporate jail. Do not pass GO.  Possible "To Be Continued" modules:Check out the Puppydog job board!Investigate the artifact by following your mysterious client to a hidden lab on planet Puppydog.Escape with the artifact and take it to this crackpot scientist you met once.Corporate jail break!

#186Mental HealthInterview2020.08.06Your nice hosts are joined by nice guest Alanna Linayre, founder of the indie studio Team Toadhouse. Alanna (rhymes with "banana") guides the gaming world towards healthier work practices and personal habits. We asked her a lot of questions about best practices in mental health, and about Team Toadhouse's upcoming game Call Me Cera.Also, Mark has a mission for artists, Ellen names a canary, and Stephen learns about "hustle culture."Mental HealthIRLProductionAlanna’s guidelines on depicting mental illness in games:Ask yourself why you’re putting mental health issues in your game.Make sure to have correct definitions, and not promote stigmas.Try not to use triggering content for the audience you’re serving.Avoid harmful tropes.Mental Illness: The Bio-Psycho-Social Spheres of Influence - Allan Schwartz, MentalHelp.NetI’m a “Spoonie.” Here’s What I Wish More People Knew About Chronic Illness - Kirsten Schultz, HealthlineStoicism - WikiwandRadio calisthenics - WikiwandDaylio mood tracker and micro-diaryYou can get an hourglass similar to Alanna's

#179Anarchitects!Nice Games Jam2020.06.16Two architects of wildly different philosophies share an office space and compete to influence the design of their client's latest project. It's an excellent sitcom premise, but it's also the subject of our latest Nice Games Jam!Photo Credit: Ian Samkov on PexelsNewsItch.io Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality ends with a stunning $8.1m raise… - Wesley Yin-Poole, EurogamerFor a major Star Trek fan like Mark, this episode is a rather special, if unusual, milestone. When Star Trek: The Next Generation's episode count surpassed the original Star Trek in its 80th episode, it paid homage by including a subtle reference to the 79th (and final) episode of that series. As Star Trek: The Next Generation itself ran for 178 episodes, it felt fitting to make reference to that bit of TV trivia in this episode, our 179th.MURAL - Online CollaborationList of architectural styles - WikipediaBlack Lives MatterBlack Game Developers directoryThe #drawingwhileblack directory - Abelle HayfordJustice for Breonna Taylor - gofundmePrompt"Make a 2D fighter with no combat."Game typeDesign documentPlayer count2Rules

#182"I will not threaten you with a noogie."Roundtable2020.07.10Guest host Charles McGregor starts the episode by getting REVENGE. The group talks a bit about the state of the growing "serious games" industry and what it's like to work alongside family members. Also, Stephen does a good transition, and... no one mentions Star Trek?!In his intro speech, Charles references episode #37:"Ugly and hard to use."The last days of Mixer - Mikhail Klimentov, The Washington PostTwitch Reckons with Sexual Assault as it Begins Permanently Suspending Streamers - Jacob Kastrenakes, The VergeTwitch bans popular streamer Dr Disrespect - Michael McWhertor, PolygonTwitch temporarily bans President Trump - Jacob Kastrenakes, The VergeSerious Play Conference 20200:16:00Ellen Burns-JohnsonEventsSerious Play Conference Home PageSerious Play Conference ScheduleNew Metaari Forecast for Worldwide 2020-2025 Game-Based Learning Market Shows N… - Serious Play WireStop & Think: Teaching Players About Media Manipulation in Headliner - GDC, YouTubeMDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research (PDF) - Robin Hunicke, Marc LeBlanc, Robert Zubek, Northwestern UniversityMDA Framework  - Wikipedia5 Reasons Why Game-Based Learning Should Matter to Organizations - Karl Kapp, Allen InteractionsGamification vs Games-Based Learning: What’s the Difference? - Halden Ingwersen, Capterra BlogWorking with Family0:42:09Stephen McGregorIRLMark mentioned the Nice Games Jam episode that started Reravel (#157):Reravel: A Backwards Storytelling GameEllen and Eric took blacksmithing at the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

#155Agile DevelopmentInterview2019.11.05This week's episode was edited by our social media manager (and Mark's wife) Dale LaCroix. Big thanks to her for stepping in while Mark was busy being crushed under the weight of prepping Widget Satchel for release later this month!With Mark still away, Ellen returns to in the clubhouse for another episode! This week, she invited her husband, strategy consultant / Agile coach / Scrum Master Eric Johnson, to discuss Agile Development and iterative workflows.Agile DevelopmentProductionWhy people still believe in the Waterfall model - Tarmo ToikkanenAn Agile Approach to Launching the Nordstrom Sunglass Application - Nicoli Sinclair, Temple University

#175"Kapow?"Roundtable2020.05.19Your nice hosts talk big picture and get deep into the weeds this week. Mark runs Flash at 60fps on the Switch, Ellen makes a Star Trek reference, and Stephen wants more games that aren't fun.Hey you! If you're porting a project, whether it's just to a new Unity build target, or to a whole new codebase, we want to hear about it! contact@noblerobot.com or @NiceGamesClub.GDC’s summer event will be digital only - Megan Farokhmanesh, The VergeNeat things that Star Trek Online did with Star Trek lore - Eliot Lefebvre, Massively OverpoweredFun in Games0:11:09Ellen Burns-JohnsonGame DesignAssassin’s Creed Valhalla Is Bringing Back The Instakill Hidden Blade, In A Sig… - Stephen Totilo, KotakuAssassin’s Creed Odyssey Developers Say Breaking Series Traditions Made For A B… - Stephen Totilo, Kotaku15 things you can do to make Breath of the Wild feel new again - Patricia Hernandez, PolygonRaph Koster's Theory of Fun, ten years on - Leigh Alexander, Game DeveloperSolaris (1972) - trailerPorting Your Game0:44:11Mark LaCroixHardwareProgrammingYour Indie Game on Console: A Practical Guide to Porting - Thomas O'Connor, GDCOUYA works with Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers - Rik Henderson, Pocket-lintMicrosoft Windows Astoria bridge for Android is dead - Jan Vermeulen, MyBroadbandHaxe (programming langauge) - WikipediaPost-Mortem on Transitioning from Flash to Haxe - Doug Pearson, GameDaily ConnectC-- (programming language) - WikipediaIntroduction to OpenFL - HaxeFlixel documentationEpic Games' Unreal Engine Heads To Flash - Kris Graft, Game DeveloperAdobe Flash Player Export in Unity 4.0 - Ralph Hauwert, UnitySunsetting Flash - David Helgason, UnityDevelopment of Duke Nukem Forever - Wikipedia

This wasn't a normal year, so in addition to your nice hosts' annual tradition of celebrating the year's "Nicest," and looking forward to the games and the gamedev in the coming year, we do another pandemic check-in, and reflect on the how the show has been one of the stabilizing forces in our lives. PLUS: We reveal this year's hiatus project!0:20:56Local Releases (2020)HyperDotElemetalsWidget Satchel (in Japan)Color Jumper (on Switch)Death Drives a BusAstral Gunners (in Early Access)Flailure0:32:46Nicest (2020)Ellen:Ellen played 2019's Baba Is You on Switch this year.Ellen played 2019's Borderlands 3 at the beginning on the pandemic.Ellen is staring down the HUGE pile of games from 2020's Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality.Mark:One of Mark's Nicest was "new consoles," which we talked about in:"Not like Beauty and the Beast."Paper Mario: The Origami King is a laugh-out-loud funny RPG on the SwitchAndrew WebsterPolygonStephen:Civilization VI didn't come out in 2020, but with all the new content, it sometimes feels like it!Nioh 20:48:39Most Anticipated (for 2021) Ellen:EndlingThe MediumBoyfriend Dungeon Mark:Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartAway: The Survival SeriesStephen:Baldur’s Gate 3Deathloop1:01:29Gamedev Resolutions (for 2021)1:12:17What We're Working On (in 2021)

Everybody's favorite nice host emeritus, Martha Megarry, returns once again to the program to talk with Stephen about 4X games, Ellen delivers a book report, and Mark is disadvantaged as a player.0:05:084X GamesWhat Makes a 4X Game"Micah ""Marlowe"" Dutro"ExplorminateWelcome to CivAnon2KYouTubeThe Best Scenarios in Civilization 6Sam WoodrickGameRant'Civilization' and Strategy Games' Progress DelusionGabriel SoaresViceColonialism is Fun? Sid Meier’s Civilization and the Gamification of ImperialismNick PullenImperial & Global Forum0:40:44Actionable Gamification by Yu-kai ChouYu-kai Chou: Gamification & Behavioral DesignOur evil counterparts went deep on Gamer Motivation Profiles in thier first takeover of the show:Evil Games Club! Bartle’s Player Types for Gamification"Janaki Mythily Kumar, Mario Herger, and Rikke Friis Dam "Interaction Design FoundationThe 4 Keys to FunNicole LazzaroXEODesignDid eBay Just Prove That Paid Search Ads Don’t Work?Ray FismanHarvard Business Review

We have some familiar guests this week! The Korth family (Andy, Beth, and Gabe) join us in the clubhouse to talk about the ways they play games together. Are there games that adults and four-year-olds alike can play together and enjoy? Sure! We talk about flexibility, rules, consent, "PBP," and what gamedevs should think about if they want to "toot around in the kid zone." Also, have you heard of a game called Minecraft? Families in GamesGamingThe first time the Korths were on the show was Episode #2!Steam GreenlightThe second time the Korths were on the show was about a hundred episodes ago.Code Comment: "Verdant Skies"And the most recent appearance from the Korths was Episode #132.Narrative Design HermitCraft (Minecraft streamer)RobloxSpelunxInto the BreachRobotronEarly Childhood Family Education (ECFE) for Minnesota