Side Story

36: Two Meters of Black and White Polka Dot Linen Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Have you heard? The Duke died. Yeah. Yeah. Well that's the thing. The funeral's going to be a whole to-do. Everyone is going to be there, even that little pigeon who just landed in town, Marie. You haven't met her? Well you will. She plays at being grounded but have you seen how she dresses? I just know she'll be trying to get everyone to look her way. That's why I came to you: Because they should be looking my way instead. Yes. The funeral. That's right. No, not "something black." Hm. Disappointing. I thought you had more imagination than that.

Show Notes

Janine's Dress Crime

Featuring Janine Hawkins and Jack de Quidt

Produced by Austin Walker

35: Oh, I'm Also The Doomed Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

What was that sound in the other room? Who is gathering in the Kitchen? Wait, whose body is it we found again? And what the hell is up with the butler? Answer these questions and you'll... well, you'll be on your first step towards solving the mystery of the Incident at Galley House.

This show wouldn't be possible without your support. Please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/friends_table.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 04:46 No Spoilers: The Incident at Galley House 13:32 No Spoilers: Impressions 26:26 No Spoilers: Comparisons to Type Help and The Roottrees Are Dead 34:00 Spoiler Discussion 01:01:34 DEEPER Spoiler Discussion

Featuring Austin Walker, Keith Carberry, and Sylvi Bullet

Produced by Ali Acampora

Listen to Jack's segment on WCBN on September 8th at 9PM EST

34: It's Important That We Explain What Chex Mix Is Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

After telling us for months that we needed to play and talk about Kingdoms of Amalur, Jack has made good on the threat. But is it a threat? Isn't Kingdom's of Amalur a classic 'better than you think it is' game of the early 2010s? Once you look past all the legal hoopla (and the politics of 38 Studios' founder), doesn't it have a pretty unique setting and a combat system that lets you pull off, frankly, sick maneuvers?

Well. Opinions differ.

This show wouldn't be possible without your support. Please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/friends_table.

Show Notes

Watch Janine play some Kingdom's of Amalur

Assassin's Creed Animation Change

Featuring Austin Walker, Keith Carberry, and Jack de Quidt,

Produced by Austin Walker

33: Developing Relationships With Marbles Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Today, Janine and Ali go to a little world of catboy couriers and witches with high standards: Go-Go Town!, a frenetic city builder that splits the difference between Animal Crossing and Anno. They discuss its myriad tasks (both hands-on and delgated), its numerous vehicles (subway, truck, skateboard, and horse), and its many, many marble-like residents.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 03:41 Go-Go Town!: A Game About Building Up a Little Town 12:11 Wait, What Is Go-Go Town! 19:47 The Courier System 26:28 Does It Have Longevity? 39:29 Early Game vs Late Game 52:31 Final Thoughts and Feelings

Featuring Janine Hawkins and Ali Acampora

Produced by Austin Walker

Yamaha MU80 - Performance Demo

32: The Gnome Is Going Into the Shredder Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

It's music week on Side Story! Keith, Jack, and Sylvi kick off a conversation around music creation game Offbeat, a game about using a toy keyboard and a bunch of input cables as a sequencer to create little jingles as a freelance musician. But of course, this is Side Story, so their conversation quickly ranges to the act of music-making writ large.

Show Notes

The Gen Alpha Melody

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 02:00 Every Company Only Makes One Good Thing 09:51 What is 'Offbeat' 17:44 Wait, what is a "Sequencer" 31:27 Permission to Make Busted Work 40:46 How Tools Shape Music 01:08:02 Keith Reccomendation 01:14:09 Secret Bonus Track (Deluxe Edition)

Go check out the Special Edition 10th Anniverary Marielda Vinyl Album!

Featuring Jack de Quidt, Keith Carberry, and Sylvi Bullet

Produced by Ali Acampora

31: Putting the Player in the Kiln Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

We talk about friction a lot here on Side Story. Friction as difficulty. Friction as texture. Friction as erotics. But today, as the gem slides onto the lathe, as the clay spins around the wheel, as the brush strokes across the long arm, we talk about friction-as-friction, literally. But I mean, yes, we also talk about it as all that other stuff. Of course. Who do you think we are?

Show Notes

Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:17 Lapidary 31:43 Master of Pottery 58:29 Meccha Chameleon

30: A Game About Shitheads Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Gather up your ore nuggets, bind quicksave to an easy to reach button, and prepare to be killed in one hit by a level 1 mole creature because this week, Jack and Austin descend into the Khorinis mines and the magically-sealed penal colony within, delving for the first time into the renowned Gothic series via the newly released Gothic 1 Remake.

The Lost Art of Collectivist RPGs by Crocodile Gambit

Show Notes

Sin Vega's Gothic 1 Remake Review

https://xetoxyc.github.io/gothic-remake-lockpicker/

Go check out the Special Edition 10th Anniverary Marielda Vinyl Album!

Featuring Jack de Quidt and Austin Walker

Produced by Ali Acampora

Go check out the Special Edition 10th Anniverary Marielda Vinyl Album!

29: The Ship Is Like a Piano to Me Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Begin. Motion. D4. Nav 3 R4; gather all. D4. D3. Nav 1 R3; Motion. D5. Nav 3 R5. Interface. Scan. Defense. D6. Nav 3 R6; Gather All. Fuck. Defense. Nav 1 D6; Tow. Nav all R1. Exit.

Chapters

00:00 Marielda Vinyl Announcemnet 01:33 Intro 05:09 Today's Topic: Duskers 18:43 Introversion's Uplink 22:35 Duskers: When Things Go Bad 43:18 For All Mankind 46:28 Space Horror 51:10 Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator 53:01 Duskers Final Thoughts

Featuring Sylvi Bullet and Jack de Quidt

Produced by Austin Walker