The Insert Credit Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 209 - Blopper Goes Knobby, with K Thor Jensen Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

Artist, writer, cartoonist and game designer K Thor Jensen joins the panel to cover being Mr. Google-Ass, having to go fast and slightly worse, and episode titles.

Questions this week:

Frank Cifaldi asks: Is the Intellivision Amico “physical game” scam the future of physical games? (06:12)
How can video games adapt the comic book format better than Comix Zone? (13:08)
What has been the worst video game music of the last generation? (18:21)
How would you design a Dune game like never before? (23:43)
Design a video game t-shirt that, even given prominent advertising, exactly zero people would buy. (29:27)
Dirtbag Spencer asks: Does Nintendo actually have something that makes them the best game developer, or is that just fans projecting? (36:07)
What are the best video game lists you’ve seen? (42:12)
Violence Island (47:03)
What is the The Simpsons of video games? (56:19)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Game Name Combo Breaking (01:01:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:14:41)

You’re the best there is at what you do, but what you do is discuss this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Guardians of the Galaxy

Brandon: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987), Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland (1993)

K Thor: Tears of the Black Tiger (2000) on Tubi, find something you can chew on

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 208 - How To Correctly Pronounce Ocarina, with Jackie Cole Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

Community Manager for Singularity 6 Jackie Cole joins the panel to cover the dark truth behind convention booths, not letting the gacha getcha, and Call of Looney.

Questions this week:

Can games be used as tools for mental health? (03:00)
Why does every MMO feel so bad to play, and can that be fixed? (07:04)
Are emulation hobbyists saving or destroying video games? (11:26)
Who are the nicest, most well-adjusted people in video games? (15:53)
What do most people not know about running a convention booth? (20:06)
Dirtbag Spencer asks: How can we make gamers care less about brands and more about the people who make video games? (23:57)
Has a video game ever satisfactorily addressed a complaint you had with it while you were playing it? (29:08)
Where would be the point in a documentary series about game companies where a still flips to a photo negative and the voiceover goes “And that’s where it all went wrong?” (33:15)
Is there any way for Call of Duty to redeem itself ethically? (37:29)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Celebrity Gamer Tags (41:57)

Recommendations and Outro (49:18)

Quickly, discuss this episode in the forums, before they get you!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Insert Credit Recommends: ACTION BUTTON Reviews Cyberpunk 2077, the 1-6 Route

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 207 - Specdracular 2021, with Ian Ferguson Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

Video game documentarian and podcaster Ian Ferguson joins the panel to assist in the slaying of that vile creature that haunts this very night, Gamer Dracula. Original music by Kurt Feldman. Mashtlevania by Max Hully.

Castle Gamer Dracula:

What’s the best way to orient a video game player in a space and provide direction? (02:46)
What’s the worst NPC in a video game? (07:49)
How do you create good interior design for locations in video games? (13:10)
What are the worst attempted comebacks in video games? (18:29)
Improv Zone: Monster Mash (23:50)
Dirtbag Triple Dive - Dusty: DeLorean of Video Games? Spencer: Do you watch the credits? MoxBagel: Shareware boom today? (28:38)
Which two unrelated video games would you Frankenstein together? (34:25)
How do video games evoke horror in a way other media cannot? (39:24)
What competitive game could you beat Death at? (44:32)
What are the greatest boss battles in video games? (48:00)

FRIGHTENING ROUND: 13 Spooky Game Names (53:26)

Recommendations and Outro (57:35)

If you don’t discuss this episode in the forums, it’ll haunt you for all your days!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: The Void (2016), Demon Wind (1990), Death Spa (1988), Arhoolie Records 40th Anniversary Collection

Frank: Watch kids get excited when picking out pumpkins from a pumpkin patch, buy some Halloween stuff for your house

Ian: Empire of Ants by Susan Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson, Extra Napkins, Completely Unnecessary Podcast, Mon Amour

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. Mashtlevania by Max Hully.

Ep. 206 - Bmups, with Christine Love Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

Developer of Get in the Car, Loser! Christine Love joins the panel to cover Alf, tactical romance action, and the crushing economic realities of indie games.

Questions this week:

How has video game art and design been impacted by Christian iconography? (03:40)
What are the worst ports of the best games? (09:00)
Has the Metroidvania outgrown Metroid? (13:01)
What is the weirdest advice you’ve gotten for playing a video game? (17:22)
What is and is not a visual novel? (21:11)
Dirtbag Spencer asks: What Mortal Kombat character should get the next Mythologies game? (27:13)
Are video games capable of evoking Britcom-style secondhand embarrassment? (32:37)
Should games with a customizable protagonist and multiple love interests assume bisexuality? (36:59)
From Brandon Sheffield: Christine, how can you justify giving away your game for free? (41:57)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design: Meme Girls (50:17)

Get over here! So you can discuss this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Dead & Buried (1981), Miho Fujiwara’s tracks on the California Crisis OST

Frank: Can-Am Modular Metal Cabinetry, reach out to frank@gamehistory.org if you’re interested in donation matching for the upcoming winter fundraiser

Christine: Get in the Car, Loser! and the Battle on the Big Boardwalk DLC

Jaffe: Kurt Feldman’s Insert Credit Show Soundtrack

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 205 - A Richness of Embarrassments, with Kelsey Lewin Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Co-Director of the Video Game History Foundation and Co-Owner of Pink Gorilla Games Kelsey Lewin rejoins the panel to cover twitch leaks, EVE Oncrime, and the most difficult boss fight in the Braid franchise.

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit: Does the intended commercial reach of a game have any meaningful impact on it as a creative product? (03:37)
How would the game industry change if everyone’s salaries were completely transparent? (08:15)
From Ash Parrish: What would be the most interesting reveal if your gaming information leaked? (12:46)
What is the most excited you have been by a video game as an adult? (19:21)
Who would be the worst video character to sit next to on an international flight? (24:46)
Dirtbag Larry Bang asks: Which video games surprised you with the feeling of inhabiting a specific character? (30:58)
What are the most exciting crimes in video game history? (37:39)
Is there any way the Gamergate TV show could be even remotely a good idea? (45:02)
Violence Island (50:05)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Who Is This For? (01:06:09)

If you’re looking for a sign, here it is: discuss this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Kanopy, Les Archives by Jun Chikuma

Frank: hoopla, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch

Kelsey: The Life & Times of Video Games Ep. 33 - MobyGames

Jaffe: Libby, Squid Game, Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 204 - Hoodie Bones, with Mathew Kumar and Ash Parrish Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Leading game industry professionals and Insert Credit Show regulars Mathew Kumar and Ash Parrish rejoin the panel for Mario voice cast announcements, Bayon3tta, and esports.

Questions this week:

From Brandon Sheffield: What games have been helped or hindered by having a tertiary gameplay system? (3:00)
Was the Mario movie voice cast announcement really that bad? (09:17)
In a side scrolling game, how large should the player character be? (15:13)
Where does Bayonetta go from here? (20:22)
What is the greatest unsolvable problem in game design? (24:45)
Dirtbag Tiger Tiger asks three questions and for some reason Jaffe allows it (29:45)
How do you report on mods and fan projects, knowing that more attention might get them shut down? (35:02)
What’s going on in the Overwatch League lately? (39:10)
How concerned should we be about video game censorship in China? (48:34)
For real though, what is the Mamma Mia! of video games? (54:49)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Mash-up Merch (59:25)

Wait a minute, were you really not gonna discuss this episode in the forums?!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Mathew: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Commission Reports, Native-Land.ca

Brandon: Shuumi Land Tax, Mntu by Ushangvagush

Ash: Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day Oct. 11th, Sable

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 203 - Tomb of the Unknown Gamer, with Mathew Kumar and Liz Ryerson Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

Leading game industry professionals and Insert Credit Show regulars Mathew Kumar and Liz Ryerson rejoin the panel for cryptid talk, Nintendo Direct, and pissing on gentrifiers.

Questions this week:

Vincent Diamante asks: What’s the best money you’ve spent on a free-to-play game? (04:33)
How do you make blocking in a game feel as good as attacking? (10:40)
What ideas does Quantic Dream have for Star Wars? (14:37)
Which games were most interesting to you prior to their release? (21:04)
Improv Zone: Nintendo Direct (25:15)
Dirtbag PrivatelyAttack asks: What cryptids show up in an Altus JRPG set in the American midwest? (31:44)
Who are the heroes and role models in the video game industry today? (40:01)
Make a video game about Passion Orange Guava juice without making it entirely about POGs. (45:58)
What is the I Love Lucy of video games? (50:54)
Would the world be better off if there weren’t video games? (54:13)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design: Old Cursewords (from Dirtbag Yeso) (01:00:14)

Don’t even act like you don’t wanna discuss this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Jack Frost (1997), Pig (2021)

Liz: Cruelty Squad, Salad Fields

Jaffe: Batman the Audio Adventures

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Bonus Credit - The Winds of Ganoria Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

A rare confluence of Jewish high holidays and immovable project deadlines results in a Patreon content unlock for the week! We celebrate the return of Frank with a few excellent stories about what he’s up to lately, Mathew Kumar has an incredible impromptu interview with Chris Remo about the design considerations of crosswords, and Ash Parrish talks about the shift from Kotaku to The Verge. Find over a year’s worth of excellent bonus content just like this at the Insert Credit Patreon!

A SMALL DESCRIPTION OF EPISODES PULLED FROM:

(Ep. 196, the weed episode) Pre-show. The panel describes what they’re doing to alter their perceptions of reality. Frank is so successful he’s gotta start turning people away.
(Ep. 196, the weed episode) Extended break. Brandon shares the details of his dad’s weed, and an excellent spoonerism. Frank thinks Special Guest Patrick sounds gorgeous, and high. Jaffe is rotating a letter in his mind right now and explains the details of Doctor Who.
(Ep. 197) Pre-show. Jaffe has been waiting for someone to take the easy joke, and Brandon does. Special guest Mathew Kumar writes down a new title in his Fantasy Book Idea Journal. Finally, you’ll understand Jaffe’s intro line for this episode!
(Ep. 197) Post-show. Extended in-depth crossword puzzle discussion with Special Guests Mathew Kumar and Chris Remo. Genuinely fascinating stuff. big thank you to mathew for hosting this impromptu interview!
(Ep. 198) Post-show. Special Guest Ash Parrish goes into some detail regarding her move from Kotaku to the Verge, and the current state of game journalism is discussed. Also, accents. (Note: from 36:35 to 38:53, there’s some compelling but also terrifying climate climate discussion. feel free to skip to 38:53 if you need a break from that)
(Ep. 199) Extended intro. Frank, Brandon and Jaffe talk comic books.
(Ep. 199) Special Guest Chris Kohler is playing Star Ocean. Frank likes that Final Fantasy I remake.
(Ep. 199) Post-show. Brandon recommends F1: Drive to Survive. Frank and Special Guest Chris Kohler discuss moving from one office to another. Frank has an incredible story of busting bootlegs. All names censored.

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 202 - Sincerely Sony Imagesoft, with Vincent Diamante Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

Insert Credit Co-Founder and legendary video game music composer Vincent Diamante joins the panel to cover the Playstation conference, Frank Cifaldi’s necromancy of Clippy, and Daft Williams.

Questions this week:

Since we’re recording on Dreamcast Day, what are your favorite Dreamcast memories? (03:23)
What are the coolest ways to use specific instruments in a video game soundtrack? (09:12)
What are the most interesting risk/reward mechanics in video games? (13:06)
Which video game character would give the best deep tissue massage? (18:22)
Improv Zone: Sony Keynote (22:33)
Dirtbag Dilson asks: What is the most out of touch with reality game design idea you’ve ever heard? (28:09)
Design a video game about the Nintendo 64 kid. (33:46)
What is the most hellish assignment you can imagine for a video game composer? (36:54)
Which video game set pieces would make the best Lego sets? (41:17)
Who is the John Williams of video games? (46:26)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name That Game Tune (51:01)

This is the line of the episode description where I recommend discussing this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Specifically Not A Recommendation:

Brandon: Documental

Recommendations:

Frank: Kate Willaert, acriticalhit.com, Video Dames #0, Wild Gunman ‘74: Nintendo’s Forgotten First FMV Game

Vince: Kate Willaert, acriticalhit.com, Video Dames #0, The True First Easter Egg: Ready Player One Was Wrong

Jaffe: Congratulations Kelsey Lewin, The Sculptor

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 201 - Lovely Ball Kicking, with Kris Graft Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

Questions this week:

Let’s talk about the rebranding of Gamasutra to Game Developer. (03:43)
What are the best video game postmortems? (10:41)
What are the most common mistakes when someone first gets into video games? (15:24)
Which video game characters have the most complicated morning routines? (20:46)
What video game or game adjacent companies should be renamed? (25:54)
Dirtbag MoxBagel asks: Is it possible to have fans take games less seriously as an identity and more seriously as creative endeavors? (31:42)
Why don’t you design a new item for Mario Kart? (38:26)
Violence Island: forums.insertcredit.com Submissions (43:25)
From Frank Cifaldi: Here’s whats up with that video about game price collusion (52:45)
Who is the Mike Richards of video games? (59:08)