Famicom Dojo Video Game Podcast

Latest Episodes:

42: Development Hell Mar 09, 2012

Show notes

There's something to be said for a game missing its release to make it more awesome, but after a while there's the law of diminishing returns. Then there's also the trap of trying to make everything SO MUCH MORE awesome than anything else out there, you keep changing things -- even things that have or should be long since settled -- that you enter the inferno known as "development hell" where ideas both good and bad go to eternally torment fans and developers alike.
Sean and Vinnk discuss Duke Nukem, the fate of Silicon Knights and their dedication to Too Human that took them under, and how Rare going to Microsoft Studios changed the company forever.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

41: Video Game Babies Feb 24, 2012

Show notes

Kids get a bad rap in video games. Sometimes they're beat up to pull emotional heartstrings, but mostly they're just annoying. Is there a way for kids to be used or portrayed in games that isn't exploitative or make you want to cause yourself bodily harm?
Vinnk and Sean run down the appearances of children in games, from the NES all the way to the upcoming Mass Effect 3, across consoles and the PC. We also run down the history of unlicensed NES publisher Color Dreams, and what their originally shocking games turned into.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

40: Romance In Video Games Feb 17, 2012

Show notes

There are a lot of couples in video games, but is there romance? Mario and Peach, Luigi and Daisy, Link and Zelda, The Brooding Loner and the Star-crossed Japanese Flower Girl Who Loves Him, and -- of course -- Samus and the baby Metroid. Do any of these games do romance well, or is it just assumed? And how far is too far with player-to-NPC romance?
Sean and Vinnk wonder if video games can truly ever be your Valentine as they discuss these problems, the likelihood of your characters ever finding true digital love, and the potentially unfortunate state of Princess Zelda's armpit hair.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

39: Games of the Mundane Feb 10, 2012

Show notes

Video games aren't just about blowing up bad guys, pretending to be a secret agent, or saving galactic civilization from moon-sized cuttlefish. Sometimes they're about everyday, ordinary things, like stock brokering! Or newspaper delivery! Or making dinner!
Vinnk and Sean discuss these more "mundane" titles, and how surprisingly fun they can actually be. Haven't you ever wanted to be a lawyer? Or start your own football league? With the power of video games, this could be you!
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

38: Rampant Speculation Feb 03, 2012

Show notes

The Wii U is set to launch by the end of 2012... but is it really? We've been seeing the same tech demo since E3 2011, but no actual titles running on Wii U hardware. Will Nintendo make the projected launch date, or is it all smoke and mirrors?
Sean and Vinnk disagree about what this means, encourage Sony to get out of the hardware market since the PS3 has never gotten above third place in North America, the PS Vita's launch has been a larger thud than the one for 3DS, and rumors that the Next Xbox from Microsoft will somehow ban used games. RAMPANT SPECULATION!
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

37: HudsonSoft 16-Shot Salute Jan 27, 2012

Show notes

What is the amazing truth behind the Bungeling Empire, Sim City, Bomberman, and Choplifter? You'll be surprised! No, really! It's pretty surprising! But you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out. Hint: they're all connected by HudsonSoft, makers of the TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine, countless awesome 8-bit peripherals, and home of the honeybee -- may they rest in peace.
Vinnk and Sean reminisce about the company that they thought they knew, but clearly didn't, and now will miss more than they thought possible.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

36: Played to Death Jan 20, 2012

Show notes

Gaming can be deadly. Oh, we're not preaching about violence in games becoming violence in real life. More about self-inflicted injury -- like playing Starcraft in an internet cafe for 36 hours straight until your heart gives out.
Sean and Vinnk discuss their narrow brushes with that big game pad in the sky by way of a variety of titles mobile, PC, and console.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

35: User-generated Content Jan 13, 2012

Show notes

Does allowing gamers to create their own worlds within a game make that game better, or does it just excuse the developers from having to create any content themselves?
Vinnk and Sean discuss their first experiences with user-generated content (on the NES!), the wonders of the Famicom Data Recorder, and which games they thought were helped or hampered by being able to draw dongs on the sides of racecars.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

34: We Can't Breathe Jan 06, 2012

Show notes

It seems like it's getting harder to play video games all the time: an especially embarrassing realization when you've gone halfway across the country to attend the tenth annual Music and Gaming Festival aka "MAGFest"
Sean is joined by guest panelists Justin "JewWario" Carmichael (@JewWario), Brenna "Sindra" Wilkes (@TastesLikeSin), and Powet.TV founder Zac Shipley (@ZacShipley) discuss the potentials and pitfalls of the Wii U, the events of the first day of MAGFest, ruminations on the seeming necessity of the waiver policy in light of ninja refrigerator attacks, and the importance of personal hygiene -- even if in Pikachu form. Also, Vinnk (unable to attend due to living on the other side of the planet) regales is with HIS version of a fun convention!
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

33: Can't Wait for 2012 Dec 30, 2011

Show notes

What a year! 2011 brought its share of good games, bad weather (including a tsunami that devastated parts of Japan), and lots of changes for Famicom Dojo.
Sean and Vinnk discuss what games they're looking forward to in 2012, if the PS Vita is already a failure before it's even been released in the US, and if the Wii U will be making its appearance before the end of the year.
"RPG" theme song by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net
This podcast is brought to you by the Famicom Dojo Video Series. Train Your Game at https://youtube.com/famicomdojo.

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