Jaroslav Švelch discusses 'Player vs Monster' in a lively chat about video game monstrosities, literary comparisons, D&D creatures, and the evolution of monster designs in games. The hosts explore Christeva and Douglas's views on monstrosity in literature, Gary Gygax's legacy in D&D, and the future of monsters in gaming.

We talk about Carlos Gabriel Kelly González’s Ready Player Juan. Buy the shirt! Support this show on Patreon! Buy books from our Bookshop.org page! Follow Ranged Touch on Twitter. Follow CMRN on Twitter. Follow Michael on Twitter. Chris Hunt created the theme song for this show.

Amanda Cote discusses gaming sexism in the podcast. They explore gender dynamics in gaming, unpack sexism in gaming culture, and discuss strategies for combating sexism. The conversation also touches on misogyny in gaming culture, code names and cosplay controversy at PAX East, and research limitations in gender studies.

Mizuko Ito, author of Engineering Play, discusses the cultural history of children's software. Topics include the evolution of educational software, the intersection of education and entertainment in gaming, and the use of fun as resistance in educational settings. The conversation also touches on gender dynamics in gaming, construction software tools, and the influence of technology on play styles.

Josef Nguyen, an author exploring creative labor in a precarious economy, dives into the themes from his book, 'The Digital Is Kid Stuff.' He shares insights on the importance of children's perspectives in gaming and critiques societal perceptions of youth creativity. The conversation highlights how platforms like Minecraft foster innovation while addressing the pressures of neoliberalism that shape these creative spaces. Nguyen also reflects on the nostalgic impact of classic educational games, revealing how they influenced early learning experiences.

Marsha Kinder, author of 'Playing With Power,' discusses predicting digital media impact, children's language development, Nintendo's marketing, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gender divisions in an insightful analysis.

We talk about Marie-Laure Ryan’s 2001 book Narrative As Virtual Reality. Buy the shirt! Support this show on Patreon! Buy books from our Bookshop.org page! Follow Ranged Touch on Twitter. Follow CMRN on Twitter. Follow Michael on Twitter. Chris Hunt created the theme song for this show.

Adrian Hon, an author and expert on the impact of gamification, discusses his book 'You've Been Played'. He critiques how institutions manipulate games to control behavior and productivity. The conversation dives into the realities of gamification in the workplace, particularly in the gig economy, and the tension between surveillance and autonomy in trucking. Hon also explores the ethical implications of game design and the impact of narrative on conspiracy theories. This thought-provoking dialogue invites reflection on the interplay between technology, control, and individual agency.

C. Thi Nguyen discusses games and agency as art with hosts, exploring philosophical analysis of agency in games, different gameplay types like striving play, agency in immersion, agential layers, autonomy in games, humanism influence, unconventional gameplay, agential distance in design, value capture in gamification, agential fluidity in engagement, and exploitation of gamers in the industry.

Bettina Bódi, a notable contributor to the discourse on video games and agency, dives into both the philosophy and practical aspects of player empowerment in gaming. She discusses her book 'Videogames and Agency', sharing insights on methodologies and the significance of the 'Summer of Agency' initiative. Topics include the interplay between design and player experience, the evolution of Naughty Dog's game mechanics, and a comparative analysis of titles like Astroneer and No Man's Sky, emphasizing how design choices impact player engagement and narrative.