The Insert Credit Show

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**The Insert Credit Show**

A relentlessly on topic smorgasbord of hard hitting video game questions as addressed by a panel of experts. Featuring Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and a rotating group of special guests. Hosted by Alex Jaffe. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original music by Kurt Feldman.

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 181 - All Six Of Them, with Ash Parrish Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Game journalist and friend of the show Ash Parrish returns to cover Amiga AI, alien boyfriends, and pynball.

Questions this week:

From Heather Alexandra: What game has the tastiest potions? (03:53)
What’s something you never want to see in a video game again? (08:27)
What are the best achievements in video game AI development? (12:56)
Which officially released video games are most transparently fanfiction of other games? (17:37)
Design the perfect romancable alien RPG NPC, but make them distinctly nonhuman. (22:27)
Dirtbag MoxBagel asks: How would you re-design pinball to be more of a 30 minute game instead of a 3 minute game? (28:40)
Have you ever wished a game challenged you a little more? (34:53)
What are the best liminal spaces in a video game? (39:41)
Has your opinion of a game ever changed after speaking with the developer? (43:53)
What is the Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” of video games? (49:52)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Alphanumerous Characters (55:26)

Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums.

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Ash: Kotaku Splitscreen, twitter.com/adashtra

Brandon: Fourth Dimension, Melinda’s Hot Sauce

Frank: Shaquanda’s Hot Pepper Sauce

Jaffe: The Unknown (1927)

This Week’s Insert Credit Art Jam Topic: Cheating

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 180 - Insert Credit 20th Anniversary Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

Twenty years of insertcredit.com, as remembered by past and present contributors. Featuring Vincent Diamante, Chris Woodard, Azurelore Korrigan, Patrick Miller, and more.

Questions this week:

What do you remember about the GP32, and how does obscure hardware fit in Insert Credit’s taste? (07:20)
What are the best video game comeback stories? (11:42)
If Insert Credit could secure the film rights to any video game, what would it be? (16:09)
What gets changed when porting a video game? (19:19)
What Insert Credit-type games influence Vincent’s music composition? (23:06)
What is Tose up to now, and what other important game companies don’t we know about? (31:51)
Insert Credit declared the death of print video game media on April 16th, 2008. Is that about right? (36:38)
In 2009, there was some pontification on Insert Credit on what constituted “good” or “bad” video game journalism. Where do you stand on that now? (41:03)
What are some of the most striking video game convention displays you’ve seen? (44:43)
How did the cottage industry of new games for old consoles happen, and which ones are worth discussing? (49:50)
How did the forums and community shape Insert Credit’s identity? (59:03)
How can one still find obscurity on the internet? (01:09:03)
What are the biggest differences between video game culture in 2004-2006 and now? (01:14:00)
After all these years, how would you define your relationship to video games? (01:20:35)
What the hell is wrong with video games? (01:24:54)
How has Insert Credit changed since the start of the podcast? (01:44:53)
How did you all go from writing about to developing and preserving video games? (01:49:24)
Are video game blogs dead? (02:00:09)
What are the best things to come out of Insert Credit? (02:04:40)
Finish this sentence: Insert Credit is the _____ of video games. (02:09:15)

Discuss these questions and obscure video game hardware in the Insert Credit forum thread for this episode.

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 179 - Dirtbag Deep Dive, with Tyriq Plummer Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

The panel opens the Dirtbag, joined by game developer and composer Tyriq Plummer. Also covered: petty attract modes, the steamy details of Wario’s parentage, and Bleomard Nimoy.

Questions this week:

David asks: What are your favorite home console attract modes? (01:33)
Big Steve Lasanga asks: is the pursuit of “legitimacy” by prestige games a creative dead end? (04:46)
Sam asks: Why aren’t there more genre mash-ups in video games? (09:22)
Shun asks: what would a Quadruple A video game be like? (12:10)
Thundercricket asks: What is the most practical dungeon in a video game? (14:49)
MoxBagel asks: How would video games be different if Sega was the dominant console manufacturer today? (18:36)
Graphite asks: What are the most notable video game misreadings? (21:58)
Aldo Leopold asks: is cranking the resolution in a PS2 emulator playing “the real game”? (25:32)
Daniel R asks: What are the selling points of quadruple-A game Steampunk 1877? (29:00)
TheFragranceOfDarkCoffee asks: How do you recommend a competent and enjoyable but not remarkable game? (32:27)
Kiko asks: Is it possible to reboot Seaman? (35:41)
Anders M asks: What countries besides the US, Japan, and UK put out the best games? (38:23)
GigaSlime asks: What celebrities would you cast in your expensive vanity project? (41:58)
George Rohac asks: What about video games still gives you hope for the medium? (45:30)
Eric Eaton asks: What is the Bob Dylan of video games? (49:45)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Spilling the Dirtbag (52:47)

Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums.

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: On-Gaku: Our Sound (2019), Night of the Kings (2020), Katedralen by Mork, The Insert Credit Art Jam

Tyriq: Catacomb Kids, twitch.tv/fourbitfriday, Mid-Air Thief, Crumb, Frror

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 178 - Top 20 Xbox 36Tacular, with Kris Graft and Mathew Kumar Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

Special guests Kris Graft of Gamasutra and Mathew Kumar of Future Club join the show to rank the top 20.17 Xbox 360 games of all time, as well as discuss unconventional promotion techniques, vanilla cake, and living to see yourself as a robot.

THE INSERT CREDIT XBOX 360 TOP 20.17:

Deadly Premonition
Left 4 Dead
NieR Gestalt
Dead Rising
Bloody Checkers
Halo: Reach
Gears of War
Mamotte Knight
Pac-Man Championship Edition
Rock Band
Lost Planet 2
Lost Odyssey
Bullet Witch
Ridge Racer 6
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Trials HD
Iron Brigade
Crackdown
Vidiot Game
Castle Crashers

20.17. Earth Defense Force 2017

Got a different list, or think we missed something big? Come politely discuss the list in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 177 - Yakuza the Musical, with Heather Alexandra Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Double Fine’s Heather Alexandra joins the panel to cover Jerry Lewis, beating coins out of people, and The Ultimate MacGuffin.

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit 20: You encounter someone who, quote, “plays video games for the story.” What games can you assume they own? (7:12)
What does it mean to be a community manager for a game studio that mostly makes single player games? (12:35)
What are the most video gamey things you’ve seen in real life? (18:04)
It’s been one year since we all went into a global quarantine. How would video games be different right now if that never happened? (23:06)
The Adaptation Game: Yakuza movie (27:49)
Dirtbag Kory asks: What is the most underappreciated button on a controller? (32:20)
What is the best MacGuffin in a video game? (37:25)
Frank’s question: How would you design a video game museum? (40:48)
What tea blends would you match with games? (48:37)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Blue Rogue’s Code (52:59)

Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Skies of Arcadia
Danganronpa
Firewatch
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
Jerry Lewis
Gallagher
Gallagher’s Gallery
Double Fine’s Discord
Insert Credit Forums
Everwild
Fig
Supergiant
Grim Fandango
Austin Walker
Brent Porter
They Live
Intellivision Amico
Gunsport By Necrosoft Games Available Now On Google Play Pass
Yakuza 0
Baka Mitai
Turbografx controller
VMU buttons
Dreamcast controller
Jaguar controller
GameCube controller
The Duke
MacGuffin
Chaos Emeralds
Big Whoop
The Empty Lot
Ankaran Sarcophagus
Amulet of Kings
Piece of Eden
Rain Room
David Crane
Cyber Doll
Blue Rogues
Sakura Taisen
Bryce Boltzmann

Recommendations:

Heather: To The Horizon, Psychonauts 2, Lapsang tea, Kukicha tea

Frank: DG Voodoo 2

Brandon: Ploho, Morwan, D’LaVance, Moondog, Peppermint Bark tea, Turmeric Three Root tea, Unicorn Grass tea

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 176 - Gin & Sonic, with Ash Parrish Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

Ash Parrish rejoins the panel to cover Final Fantasy XIV’s superiority, the Screaming Idea, and G4M3R5.

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit 86: What games not originally designed for arcades would best make the transition to arcades? (01:58)
What specifically makes Final Fantasy XIV the best MMO game? (05:17)
Which games have benefitted the most from changing course during development? (10:37)
What game features the greatest distance of quality between how good the music is and how bad the game itself is? (15:42)
The pandemic is over, and each of you is opening up a barcade. What do you name it? (20:44)
Patreon Supporter THX Deep Note’s #1 Fan asks: If you could design a startup jingle for a video game console, what would it sound like? (28:28)
What are some things that video game fans THINK they want, but won’t actually enjoy? (33:36)
What is the longest you’ve ever struggled with a particular challenge in a video game? (38:44)
Topher “Docfuture” Florence gives this challenge: Design a singular controller to be put into a time capsule that will be the only controller to play all console games. It can have any button or stick configuration, but is arbitrarily limited to only 3 “gimmicks.” (44:07)
Who is the Meghan Markle of video games? (49:31)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Guess That Fanfic (54:29)

Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar (2021), Frankie Rose’s Cage Tropical, Crazy Samurai 400 vs 1

Ash: Kotaku Splitscreen

Jaffe: The Tobolowsky Files

Frank: The Video Game History Hour

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 175 - Just Wanna Murder Kids Again , with Topher "Docfuture" Florence Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Topher “Docfuture” Florence joins the panel to cover holographic divorce, appeasement of the Froot Brute contingent, and Lammypedia.

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit 31: Design a game for the Star Trek holodeck. (06:36)
Which games in genres with traditionally minimal or completely absent narratives have the most compelling stories? (12:05)
What would Animal Crossing be like if Tom Nook were as villainous as internet memes say he is? (17:38)
Which corporate mascot has the most potential as the star of a great video game? (22:43)
If there was a Friends video game, what would the strats be to speedrun it? (28:59)
Patreon Supporter MoxBagel asks: In an alternate reality your favorite game that deserved a sequel but never got one just had its 10th game. What is it like? (33:31)
What are the good Twitch streams and Let’s Plays for the discerning Insert Crediter? (38:10)
Which video game characters should guest star in the next season of Scooby-Doo, and what should their episodes be about? (43:18)
From Liz Ryerson: What would a DocFuture prestige TV show look like? (48:53)
What is the Police Dogs of video games? (54:05)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Death by Degrees (57:08)

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Phantasy Star IV: Ludonarrative and the Artistic Value of Classic Games

Brandon: The Baddest by Toshinobu Kubota, The Changin’ Times of Ike White (2019), THE ALL NEW insertcredit.com !!!

Topher: Lunatic Obscurity

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 174 - Sega Macarena, with Liz “Lids” Ryerson Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

Liz Ryerson joins your favorite 7/10 podcast to cover the secret origins of CapyGames, the true name of the Saturn, and misunderstanding pixel art.

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit #12: Which video game soundtracks are notable for their use of uncommonly heard instruments? (05:07)
What musicians would you have chosen to celebrate Pokemon’s 25th anniversary? (10:06)
Which video games are the best at inducing claustrophobia? (15:28)
Which is better: games about upward movement, or games about downward movement? (21:09)
Improv Zone: Salty Bet Commentary (27:17)
Patreon Supporter Malcove asks: What is the best 3-player game? (34:42)
What’s with Sony shuttering Japan Studio? (39:45)
Is it time to retire pixel art in video games? (48:48)
Frank’s Question: What do we think of modern pixel art emerging as a misunderstanding of classic pixel art? (53:58)
What is the forgetting to defrost your ingredients until right before it’s time to make dinner of video games? (59:47)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Tennessee Williams Plays (01:01:28)

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 173 - We Don't Usually Swear, with Lotte May Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

Content warning: Brandon says a swear at 53:03, but it’s justified. Special guest Lotte May joins a Tim-less panel to have a chill hangout. This episode is a Chill Version features three new lofi tracks from Kurt Feldman!

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit #14: If you could send 3 portable games to everybody in the world, what would they be? Game Boy Color edition (04:26)
How will strategy guides in the Library of Congress benefit future Americans? (09:37)
Why are some games so much better when played on smaller, portable screens? (15:44)
What are your favorite pieces of bespoke, custom made video game hardware? (20:47)
It’s 1995. What games would you design to enhance the launch library for the Casio Loopy? (26:06)
Patreon Supporter MoxBagel asks: What game would you give a young Brandon Sheffield to change his destiny as an inveterate Nintendo hater? (30:50)
When and how is the color pink best utilized in a video game’s color palette? (36:27)
It has now been 24 hours since the February 17th Nintendo Direct aired. What can you still remember about it? (40:13)
What is the worst advice you’ve ever gotten about your video game industry job? (46:14)
What’s a game that would be worth making for an old system? (50:57)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Blank of Video Games: Coffee (57:44)

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 172 - Dithligonal Heckahedron Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

Permanent tracheal damage, Geoff Keigh3, and Dr. Wowy’s Pee Factory.

Questions this week:

Previously on Insert Credit #10: What can we expect from the upcoming Metal Gear Solid movie? (4:56)
Frank’s question: What do you say to someone who wants your career in video games? (10:17)
Remember E3? It’s back, in streaming digital presentation form! Is there no turning back now? (16:44)
If we define a perfect game as one which exhausts every satisfactory application of its core concept, which games fit that definition? (22:25)
The Adaptation Game: Saturday Night Live (28:43)
Patreon Supporter Meghan Murphy asks: what game has the best post-game? (35:27)
What’s the right amount of random chance to use in a video game? (42:20)
What are the greatest lengths to which you have ever gone to play a particular video game? (48:06)
What are the best bombs in video games? (53:40)
What is the finding a long, crispy french fry in your order of onion rings of video games? (59:16)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Playing Flavorites: Mega Man Robot Masters (01:05:13)

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

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