Game Studies Study Buddies

We talk about Cyan’s Myst. Note: Riven did eventually come out for the Sega Saturn. 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.

Dan Pinchbeck, a key figure behind Doom: Scarydarkfast, joins to discuss the evolution of the iconic game and its design principles. They humorously explore the concept of 'monster closets' in modern tech and how fears have changed over time. The conversation delves into the technical innovations of Binary Space Partitioning that revolutionized graphics, along with the balance of speed and quality in gaming design. Pinchbeck also reflects on the lasting impact of Doom on the industry and its cultural significance, showcasing his unique insights into game studies.

We talk about Bernard De Koven’s The Well-Played Game. 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.

Lindsay Brandon Hunter discusses mimesis, media, and mischief in Playing Real. They explore Shakespearean performances, authenticity in media, and the intersection of ARGs and conspiracy theories. The episode delves into the challenges of replicating live theatre essence on film and the concept of acting authenticity.

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.