Jorge Albor - Podcast Details

Shows

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #759: 2024 Game of the YearWe've made it around the sun once more and we have a handful of great games to prove it. But which games will be our favorite of year? And will Jorge and I maintain our drift compatibility and choose the same game as our GOTY? All this, along with more Balatro pro tips, in this week's show.2024-12-2841 min

Vidjagame ApocalypseOur Top 10 Games of 2024 (Part 2) It's time for our last show of 2024 - and the end of our Games of Year countdown! This week, we'll get into our top 5 favorites with a roster of guests including Trone Dowd, Steve Guntli, Brendan Hesse, Kevin Erhard and Phil Keeling of Pixel Lit, Emmett Watkins, Jorge Albor, and TL Foster! Did your favorite game(s) make the cut? Listen and find out! Question of the Week: What's your personal Game of the Year for 2024? Vidjagame Apocalypse theme by Matthew Joseph Payne. There's a lot of chat this week, so he...2024-12-272h 25

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #733: 2024 Journey DebriefIt's finally Spring again around these parts, which means it's time for one of our favorite annual rituals: the yearly Journey playthrough! For whatever reason, Jorge and I both had cautionary tales of resource scarcity and environmental collapse on the brain (I blame Barrett and the rest of Avalanche) and it just goes to show that you can still get something new out of a game every time you play it. Twelve years on and we're still finding new treasures in the desert.2024-03-2336 min

Vidjagame ApocalypseOur Top 10 Games of 2023 (Part 2) The wait is over! We continue with the second half of the GOTY countdown we started last week, and reveal our Top 5 Games of 2023! We've once again invited a rotating panel of guests to help out, including Jesse Cox, TL Foster, Tony Wilson, Brendan Hesse, Ryan Harig, Steve Guntli, and Jorge Albor. Did your favorite game make the cut? Listen and find out! Question of the Week (Month?): What's your personal Game of the Year for 2023? There's a lot of chat this week, so here's a quick timestamp cheat sheet if you'd like...2023-12-222h 35

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #715: Switch 2 ScuttlebuttRumors abound this week as we all collectively start to piece together clues about the Switch's successor. I'm going to out on a limb and say that there will be a Mario game and a convoluted friend request system - maybe together?! On top of that, Jorge and I do some strategizing about how to introduce turn-based RPGs to the next generation. Suffice to say it's a high pressure situation.2023-10-0539 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #711: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom DebriefAfter several months of traversing the gloom, scarfing down endura carrots, and harvesting dragon scales, both Jorge and I have seen credits in Tears of the Kingdom. I won't even pretend to say we've "finished" it, as there are more korok seeds in this game than there are grains of sand of beach. Regardless, we do a deep dive on both the late game mechanics as well as the time-bending plot.2023-08-2653 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #707: Tears of the Kingdom and Nintendo News CatchupHello! Remove that gloom effect, because we're back from the depths after a few weeks. Well it's not really the depths, it's just that Jorge and his family acquired a new little korok and were doing some much needed bonding. We ease back in by catching up on what's been going on in Hyrule and what's been going on over at Nintendo. Apparently Mario is getting bigger than ever. And I truly mean elephant-sized.2023-07-1532 min $#22 El Taller del Maestro \$ #22 El Taller del Maestro "Levantate"#132El mejor Taller para reparar tu Sistema EspiritualCreo, que el que mas o menos se ha familiarizado en cualquier lugar del mundo con lo que es un taller, es como decir un local de 4 paredes techo ventanas y puertas pero con una sola diferencia las herramientas que ocupan la albor de ese taller ya sea de chapistería pintura aire acondicionado mecánica y muchos más que nos llevaríamos todo el espacio el nombrarlo; claro, la esencia es la misma lo único que cambia es la escritura del nombre según el idioma donde lo estas escuchando: ahora bien, El Taller del Maestro a pesar...2023-07-1424 min

Charlas JurídiKASEpisodio 2 - El albor de un nuevo constitucionalismo: entrevista a Jorge RoaEn el episodio con Jorge Roa, quien es profesor de la facultad de derecho de la Universidad Externado de Colombia, conversaremos sobre “El albor de un nuevo constitucionalismo” que inicia desde la concepción del constitucionalismo europeo, el nacimiento del constitucionalismo latinoamericano y como el constitucionalismo transformador que entrega visiones para la defensa y garantía de derechos fundamentales en América Latina.2022-07-1429 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #657: Journey - 10th Anniversary DebriefEvery year, Jorge and I play Journey on the anniversary of its release. We don't always talk about it since, honestly, if you took a drink every time we mentioned Journey on any randomly-selected show you'd probably be rushed to the hospital before the episode ended. However, this year is special: we are celebrating a decade of Journey! We're ten years in and still finding new things to appreciate about one of the medium's truly outstanding works. We hope you can join us in continuing the discussion and perhaps even go with us on next year's trip through the...2022-03-1745 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #643: Eastward to Jurassic World Evolution 2If there are two things Jorge and I are comforted by, it's dinosaurs and pixel art. This week, we get to partake in both as we share some initial impressions on Jurassic World Evolution 2 and Eastward. The seem different on the surface, but I'd argue that if both of them put us in the same happy frame of mind, then there must be some shared DNA. Dino DNA as Mr. DNA might say.2021-11-1832 min

Empresarios que InspiranEmpresarios que Inspiran Temp. 2 Cap. 9 Ft. Jorge "Yorsh de Polanco" GómezJorge nos cuenta su experiencia en el mundo del marketing , las buenas y malas rachas , como y de donde saca valor para levantarse de cada caída. los proyectos nuevos y el regreso de YORSH DE POLANCO 2021-08-1358 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #616: In Search of the Y2K AestheticIt's time to travel back to the far flung past to analyze a pseudo-future that never came to pass. But don't worry, you have expert guides at your disposal: Jorge and I came of age in this world of virtual insanity. Ah, yes: Y2K (and the adjacent years). Inspired by a recent article from Fanbyte, we don our cyber goggles and strap on our fish-eye lenses to examine the Y2K aesthetic, its legacy, and its rediscovery.2021-04-0138 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #608: A Night at the Video Game MuseumJorge and I have apparently planned out our retirement: we're going to find a museum, set up shop with a little "artifacts you can touch" cart, and lure people in to talk about video games. We still have a ways to go before living that docent life, but we can at least imagine it. Thanks to Nicole Carpenter's recent article about the links between video games and museums, we had the chance to go through some of our favorite virtual exhibits.2021-02-0432 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #600: Demon's Souls DebriefThis week we open we bridge a temporal rift and debrief on Demon's Souls. With Jorge's knowledge of the 2020 incarnation and Scott's knowledge of the 2009 incarnation, we manage to assemble just enough knowledge to understand that some of Demon's Souls' mysteries will be forever shrouded in arcane lore and obscure flavor text. But seriously, if anyone tells you they understand World Tendency they're lying to you.2020-12-0245 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #598: Playstation 5 First ImpressionsThis week, we (well, Jorge at least) put our money where are mouth is and talk about hands-on PS5 first impressions. Yes, it's big. Yes, it looks like a modernist art nightmare. But it's also the only place to play the Demon's Souls remake, so how could anyone resist?2020-11-1938 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #590: Spiritfarer and The Last Campfire First ImpressionsLook, let's be real: Jorge and I recorded this before Spelunky 2 came out because we knew we'd be doing nothing but playing Spelunky 2 by this point in the week. Furthermore, I'm highly confident that you, dear listener, are playing Spelunky 2 as well. In fact, at this point I just assume that everyone is playing it, so the best I can hope is that this show serves as a nice Spelunky 2 soundtrack. List closely though: if you need a Spelunky 2 break, we give some positive recommendations on Spiritfarer and The Last Campfire. Both games are quite charming and might be...2020-09-1634 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #586: George Orwell's 6 Rules for Video GamesYou know what's hard? Writing something about George Orwell. There's so much pressure to do justice to the talent you're describing. He'd probably advise getting straight to the point, so here it is: this week, we review Orwell's famous style rules put forth in his essay, "Politics and the English Language," and try to apply them to video games. I'm pretty happy with the results, so feel free to scroll down if you want a recap of where we landed. Orwell's rules for writing: Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of spe...2020-08-1940 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #558: Frame that GameHow do show appreciation for your favorite games from years past? Well, if you're Jorge and me, you dedicate dozens of hours talking about them on the Internet (shout out to my boy, Crono). But what if you want to make a grander gesture? Whether it is hoarding cartridges, dumping ROMs, or nailing stuff to the wall, there's a variety of ways to preserve the games you love. This week, we use Andrew Liszewski's article to talk about how we honor great games, ideally without running afoul of copyright law or losing our security deposits.2020-02-0535 min

Vidjagame ApocalypseOur Top 10 Games of 2019It's time for our seventh annual end-of-year show, in which we invite a rotating panel of guests to help us count down our top 10 games of the year! This year's show clocks in at just under 4 hours(!), and features appearances from Chris "Cbake" Baker, Carolyn Petit, Greg Moore, Steve Guntli, TL Foster, Leif Johnson, Kayla Zumbaum, and Jorge Albor! Join us, why don't you? Here's a quick cheat sheet with timestamps, if you want to jump around and hear which games made the list: 0:04:10: #10 (w/ Leif Johnson, Jorge Albor)0:18:51: #9 (Kayla Zumbaum, TL Foster0:39:32: #8...2019-12-273h 56

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #542: Hangin' on the HolodeckDear listeners, Jorge has reached a critical point in his continuing mission, his trek through the stars if you will: the holodeck. This seminal piece of science fiction tech was inspired by and in turn has inspired the types of video games we play and how we even conceive of a virtual world. This week we dig into the concept of the holodeck, something that is simultaneously a blueprint and an source of aspiration for many of the games we play. Also: Jorge correctly and impressively predicts the holodeck-related plots of many Star Trek episodes that he has yet...2019-09-2639 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #526: Data Deep DiveYour favorite game is more than likely watching and reporting on everything you do, but is that a problem? I guess it depends on how much of a pro you are when it comes to pulling off 360 no-scopes and how strongly you feel about being identified as someone who likes to "do the Dew." This week we explore the murky world of data mining and in-game telemetry. It's a largely invisible part of our games that has quietly become ubiquitous, so Jorge and I try to confuse our algorithm overlords by shining a light on them.2019-05-1637 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #466: Fighting Father TimeYou can save it and you can waste it. You can spend it and you can save it. You can kill it and you can cherish it. Once it's gone though, there's no getting it back. That's right, this episode is about the time! Stinging after a particularly brutal time-related defeat in Monster Hunter World, Scott takes stock of his life choices while Jorge yearns for the cheesy early days of Destiny.2018-02-2835 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #445: Destiny 2 and Pyre check inJorge and I have been hard at work. Jorge has been fulfilling his destiny to become the best-dressed guardian in the universe while I've been practicing my 360 tomahawk jams. This week we do a check in on two of our most anticipated games of 2017: Destiny 2 and Pyre.2017-09-1343 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #437 - Star Wars LARPingStrap on your bowcaster and fire up your T-16s folks: it's time to get immersed in the world of Star Wars. Disney is looking to bring a "100 percent immersive" Star Wars experience to us Earthlings, so Jorge and I decided it would be a good idea to brainstorm what the future has in store for us. Video games have dealt with the challenging concept of immersion for a long time, so we discuss some of the potential benefits and challenges of trying to stage an entire Star Wars live-action experience.2017-07-1933 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #431: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Debrief, Part 4Our march through Hyrule continues. In this penultimate debrief, we find some mysterious glowing animals, play a round of golf, and visit the Rito and and Gorons. Jorge laments the cruel blood moon and Scott pours one out for Andre, the giant horse. Next up: Calamity Ganon and beyond!2017-06-0855 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #428: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Debrief, Part 3The further adventure of Scott and Jorge in Hyrule continues! This week on the podcast, we take on cursed dragons, question the logic of putting children into seats of power, and discuss the social habits of the bad-ass Gerudo warriors. 2017-05-1856 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #425: Embarrassing GamesYou won't find more stalwart defenders of video games as an artistic medium than Jorge and me, but even we have our moments of feeling self conscious. How does one describe the plot of Metal Gear Solid or talk about the hour the spent trying to shape a virtual brow line without feeling just a tad embarrassed? This week we revisit the concept of game shame, recount sick burns from loved ones, and try to rationally justify our relationship with Tom Nook.2017-04-2734 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #403: Professional OverwatchersAs consummate professionals, Jorge and I are always on the lookout for others striving to be the best in their fields. That's why we are fascinated by the upcoming esports estorm that is professional Overwatch. Blizzard seems intent on fostering regional rivalries and after watching the World Cup exhibition and learning about the forthcoming location-based Overwatch teams, we are hooked. I want to believe that if Winston from Overwatch had a choice, he'd play for the Bay Area Brawlers. We're very progressive when it comes to animal rights.2016-11-1739 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #401: Report from Worlds 2016Hey, I don't want to alarm anyone, but this esports thing is getting wild. So wild in fact, that Jorge ventured into the belly of the beast to bring us a report. This week, we talk about the League of Legends 2016 World Championship. Enjoy stories about the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the sweet smell of stadium chicken tenders.2016-11-0332 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #399: Red Dead Redemption 2 RumorsConsider this an old west time capsule, amigos. It was buried under the digital soil during a simpler time; a time before we knew about Red Dead Redemption 2. Essentially, Jorge and I got super excited and we recorded this the day after Rockstar began tweeting cryptic pictures of Red Dead Redemption 2. Since we still don't know too much about it, feel free to partake in our child-like hope and whimsical speculation.2016-10-1933 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #370: Dabbling with The DivisionIt's true: Jorge and I have been sleeper agents of a para-military organization all this time. We've been activated and have taken our posts in The Division. However, our role is limited exclusively to playing video games and making videos and podcasts about them. Hey, someone has to keep everyone occupied while roving bands of pyromaniacs fight with spec ops teams right? This week we head into the dark zone and talk about the The Division.2016-03-2441 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #351: The Microtransaction MamboHey, I'm not saying that I'd pay for the ability to do the Carlton dance. What I am saying is that maybe the fact that other people can pay for the ability to do the Carlton dance isn't all bad. After all, it brings me enjoyment. There's been lots of talk about microtransactions recently and not all of them have been as seemingly-benign as silly dances. In fact, by the end of the show, things escalate to the point where Jorge and I start talking about nuclear proliferation. Will we ever reach micro-transaction disarmament? Listen in to find out. 2015-10-2133 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #338: The Shoutcast CastEVO has come and gone, but the ringing in my ears from the fanatical shouts from the commentators continues. Who are these people and how did they get this job? What makes a good shoutcaster? More importantly, who will shoutcast the Scott vs. Jorge cage match we have scheduled later this year! Join us this week on the EXP Podcast while we commentate the commentators.2015-07-2331 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #333: Splatoon DebriefJorge haven't had too much luck with eSports, but maybe we'll have a shot at seaSports? Anyone? Whatever. You'll all come around when we win the Splatoon world championships. We've had some time to get our tentacles around Splatoon and have surfaced from the briny deep just long enough for a debrief.2015-06-1740 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #331: The Witcher 3 First ImpressionsSlaying ghouls, drowners, and nightwraiths: a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. However, are Jorge and I truly cut out for a life of witching? Only time will tell. This week we talk about the early hours of The Witcher 3 and end up wandering down a path full of type faces, open world game design, and griffin heads.2015-06-0336 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #329: Myst, Kickstarter Money, and GhostsEvery so often Jorge and I dive into the virtual newspaper and see if video game news is still weird and scary. Good news: it is! This week we talk about potential game to TV crossovers, the strange swamp of well-funded nostalgia is Kickstarter, and our dearly departed P.T. Jump into the comments with your ideal animal adventure duo. How about a badger and a fish?2015-05-2036 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #325: The Guitar Hero Live Reunion TourMy my, hey hey. Rhythm games are here to stay. It's better to burn out than to gather dust...if you're a plastic guitar that is. Yes, after years in hibernation, Guitar Hero and Rock Band are back on stage. Will that lead Jorge and me back to the altar of rock? Have our dreams of virtual superstardom faded away like so many missed notes scrolling into infinity? Fire up the virtual record player and find out.2015-04-2239 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #321: Pixels, Snakes, and Nintendo NewsClassic arcade characters are on the rampage, Kojima has disappeared, and Nintendo has acknowledged the existence of smart phones: what the heck is happening out there? This week, Jorge and I do a quick news roundup in an attempt to make sense of the chaos. If we try to predict the box office, the fate of Kojima productions, and Nintendo's 5-year strategy, we have to get at least one. I believe that's how statistics works.2015-03-2536 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #313: Big Small GamesThis week on the podcast, our very own Jorge Albor creates a new genre: "big small games." Don't worry, it actually makes sense. We've been laboring under the majestic weight of sprawling epics like Dragon Age: Inquisition and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, so we decided to take a break with some games that have a smaller scope. We talk about Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Infamous: First Light, Monument Valley and the overall concept of going for design depth rather than breadth. Have any favorite games that fit somewhere between free indie and blockbuster status? Let us know in the c...2015-01-2841 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #289: Podcast Simulator 2014 If you look closely, you can see the ghost drivers. Video games are often considered a form of escapism, but what about the games that attempt to painstakingly model the small intricacies of the real world? Jorge and I aren’t very experienced when it comes to conducting virtual trains, piloting virtual planes, or growing virtual grains, but we are very much fascinated by the strong interest in simulation games. Inspired by a truly magnificent and terrifying trailer for Farm Simulator 15, we dive deep into the mindset and appeal of games about the real world. - Sub...2014-08-1437 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #281: E3 2014 ExtravaganzaThe summer doesn't truly start until pounding music, flashing lights, and the collective funk of thousands of sweaty video game enthusiasts assault your senses. That is, unless you're like me, who watched E3 2014 from the safety and comfort of the cyberspace. Jorge went down to Los Angeles while I held down the fort back home. Now that the booths have been dismantled and the food court cuisine are distant memories, it's time to reconvene and try to make sense of what we saw. We chat about our highs and lows from the show and probably start a feud with...2014-06-181h 00

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #273: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes DebriefBlame it on the war economy, blame it on the nanomachines, or blame it on our secret admiration of mullets; the bottom line is that Jorge and I found ourselves sneaking through Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes. It's a fascinating game in both positive and negative ways and we take the opportunity to think about Ground Zeroes and what it says about the series as a whole. Topics discussed include bullet time, the harlem globetrotters, and foot textures; all things that Hideo Kojima undoubtedly has strong opinions about. As always, we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the commen...2014-04-2446 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #267: The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 2 debriefSpring may be on the horizon for us, but things continue to get colder and darker in for Clementine and the rest of The Walking Dead crew. The weather is getting worse, too. As usual, we spend some time discussing the overall story arc and gameplay systems before launching into plot details. Jorge and I had a few notable differences in our playthroughs, so we’re eager to hear about the consequences of your decisions in the comments! - Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes - Find the show on Stitcher - Here...2014-03-1348 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #262: Dark Souls and Status Symbol GamesI have not finished Dark Souls. Can I still sit at the big kids table? This week on the EXP Podcast, Scott and I join in on the AV Club's discussion about Dark Souls and status symbol games. How did this brutally difficult game become not only popular, but a video game rite of passage? And how will it be remembered in ten years? Let us know in the comments below! Show notes: - Runtime: 33 min 04 sec - "Why do games like Dark Souls become geek status symbols?," by Matt Gerardi & Drew...2014-02-0633 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #251: Grand Theft Auto V DebriefIt took two months, but we finally did it: Jorge and I both finished Grand Theft Auto V. It was a massive game by any measure: its development time, the scope of its open world, it's sales numbers, etc. This week we devote an entire episode to GTA V's sprawling pseudo-Californian world. We cover everything from targeting mechanics to the game's unrelentingly degenerate cast and throw in some classic open-world stories for good measure. GTA V sparked some strong opinions from us, so we're interested to hear what you thought. Feel free to jump into the comments with your...2013-11-2154 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #243: Rogue Legacy DebriefWe've wandered through these castle ever-shifting castle walls for so long, but we've finally escaped. Actually, both Jorge and I are still fighting our way through Rogue Legacy, but after dozens of generations of fallen heroes, we decided it was time to share our experiences. Gather round for tales of martyrdom, mining, and magic. - Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes - Find the show on Stitcher - Here's the show's stand-alone feed 2013-09-2634 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #239: 'Gone Home' DebriefHot off the heels of our "Homage to Homes," Jorge and I have made our way through Gone Home, a game whose entire point is to explore a house and its inhabitants. It's dedication to portraying everyday environments and ordinary people actually makes it unique amongst a landscape of fantasy and super powers. The care that The Fullbright Company gives to the game's environments and characters helped spark a wide ranging discussion. We cover topics ranging from teenage romance, punk music, and the folly of trying to become a Street Fighter champion, while leaving plenty of time to discuss...2013-08-2944 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #235: Love, Hate, and Peculiar Pet PeevesEnclosed, please find one ticket to the Player Haters' Ball. After last week's podcast about the potential benefits of having a strong personality and being outspoken about your opinion (even if it's unpopular), Jorge and I decided to jump up on our soapboxes. We try to keep things pretty positive around here, but sometimes you just have air your grievances. This week, we talk about the things that annoy us, especially those things that everyone else seems to like. Don't worry: things get pretty silly and it's all in good spirit. Sometimes it feels good to talk about what grind...2013-08-0135 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #233: Of EVO and eSportsAs Tuesday's video demonstrated, Jorge and I had a great time watching EVO 2013 last weekend. It was a pleasure seeing players at the top of their games, but it was also a great opportunity to check in on the state of fighting games and eSports (from an amateur's perspective, of course). What does the increasingly digital future have in store for fighting games? Can a balance between decentralized, DIY tournaments and corporate-organized, high-budget shows exist? What's the fighting game equivalent of the NBA's slam dunk contest? We tackle all these questions and more. As always, don't hesitate to step...2013-07-1844 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #231: The Last of Us DebriefNothing says "summer fun" like a bleak journey through a ruined society whose inhabitants are more deadly than the monsters that caused their original downfall! This week, Jorge and I talk about The Last of Us. There's a lot to talk about: stealth mechanics, family dynamics, and doomsday preppers all make appearances. As always, we'll give a spoiler warning when we dive into specific plot points. For those of you who have faced the fungal apocalypse and lived to tell the tale, feel free to jump into the comments with your thoughts! - S...2013-07-031h 01

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #225: House of CardsWe're all still trying process Microsoft's vision of the future, so why don't we take a short break and consider one of Valve's recent reveals. In a move that both Jorge and I find bizarre and terrifying, Valve is piloting Steam trading cards. While there doesn't seem to be any specific game tied to the cards themselves, the rules and rewards about obtaining, trading, and crafting cards may in fact have the potential to change the way we play and purchase games. Are you tempted by the prospect of a rare foil head crab card or do you plan o...2013-05-2233 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #221: Co-op Mode RevisitedThis week's podcast was inspired by Katie, an intrepid reader who recently left a comment on something Jorge wrote way back in 2008 (talk about a deep cut!). Jorge's post came at the beginning of this generation's co-op boom and Katie's response provides a good starting point to discuss the ways in which the trend has affected the way we play games. How have different styles of collaborative gameplay distinguished themselves from one another? What happens to in-game storytelling when another player is along for the ride? Is the co-op trend a fad and how will it change in the comi...2013-04-2432 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #219: Violence, Art, and Representative GamesThis podcast started with a single question I posed to Jorge: "If someone who has never played games came to you and asked you to show them what video games are all about, what would you show them?" It's a big question, one that may well be impossible to fully tackle, but it's something that has come up in the wake of BioShock Infinite and the discussion surrounding its violent imagery. Does the game undercut the impact of some of its themes with unnecessarily explicit or abundant scenes of violence? Is it a problem that one of the premiere...2013-04-1035 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #217: Finding Game-Life BalanceWe get it: you're busy. Professional, familial, and personal obligations have a habit of expanding to the point where video games get crowded out. However, all is not lost: inspired by Tina Amini's post, this week's podcast is a discussion about how to gracefully fit games into hectic schedules. Jorge and I talk share the secrets of how we keep up with every game released (spoiler: we don't) and how to stay connected in a way that makes playing a game a pleasure rather than a burden. The nice thing about podcasts is that you can listen to one and...2013-03-2737 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #211: Dissecting Difficulty with MattieWhen it comes to conversations, especially between three talkative people, Twitter just doesn't cut it. Therefore, when Mattie Brice, Jorge, and I started trading tweets about the merits of difficulty in games, we knew it was time to change venues. This week, we're excited to have Mattie on the show to talk about the meaning behind the challenges games offer. We cover everything from Super Hexagon to Pokemon, and even throw in some parallels to BDSM to spice things up (Pro tip: don't Google BDSM+Pokemon…unless you're into that). As always, thanks for listening, and feel free to jum...2013-02-1352 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #205: QTC - Assassin's Creed 2/Mass EffectI had some extra time during the holiday break, so I decided to take deep dive into my backlog with two of the most popular franchises of this console generation: Assassin's Creed and Mass Effect. As a teaser, I'll say that I'm only planning on finishing one of the two...I'm extremely late to the party, but I just couldn't keep my thoughts to myself. I sprung the topic (as well as the terrible idea of calling it a "Quicktime 'Cast") on Jorge and we ended up talking about both series' legacies. Feel free to jump int...2013-01-0237 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #204: 2012 Games of the Year Alas, the year has come to an end! With 2013 around the corner, what better time to look back on some of our favorite games from the past year. In Experience Points tradition, Scott and I discuss each of our three favorite games of 2012. What makes our lists? Will we continue the trend of sharing the same Game of the Year? Listen and find out! Also, what are your favorite games of 2012? Or even your favorite "things", period? We would love to feature it on the podcast. Find out more here! 2012-12-2739 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #203: 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II' DebriefThis week, Jorge and I return from top secret mission with classified info on Call of Duty: Black Ops II. This show (which is for your ears only) covers everything from multiplayer dynamics to geo-political commentary, so there's something for everyone. BlOps 2 (as we affectionately call it) offers some intriguing changes to both the mechanical and thematic aspects of the series, so there is plenty to discus. As always don't hesitate to infiltrate the comments with your thoughts!- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes- Find the show on Stitcher- Here's the...2012-12-1941 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #200: The Bicentennial ShowAlright, so we haven't actually been doing the podcast for two hundred years, but it's still been a pretty long time! Two hundred episodes ago, Jorge and I started the podcast. It's been more fun than we could have imagined. This week, we get a little bit meta and talk about the show on the show. Don't worry: it's not just self congratulation. We're looking to switch some things up and try out some new ideas in hopes of making the next two hundred episodes even better. As always, we couldn't be more grateful to our great...2012-12-0534 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #190: Kickin' it with KickstarterOver the past year, Kickstarter has made a huge impact on the video game scene. Whether it's huge success stories (like Double Fine's campaign) or one of the dozens (hundreds?) of projects that never get off the ground, the crowd funding site has established a new way to create, market, and distribute games. Even so, there's still plenty of ambiguity surrounding the Kickstarter model: questions of what kinds of projects belong on the service, the way rewards are handled, and what people should expect from their investment still linger. This week, Jorge and I talk about the kinds of pro...2012-09-2635 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #186: Playing with PsychologyWhat does the way we play games say about our real life behavior? It's a question Lore Sjöberg poses in a recent article about the way our external psychology manifests itself in our virtual avatars. We touch on everything from behavioral quirks to personal notions of justice, so hopefully by the end you have a better idea of what makes Jorge and me tick. Feel like a little bit of therapeutic sharing? As always, we welcome your thoughts in the comments!To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here...2012-08-2932 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #182: Live from California Extreme!Last weekend, Jorge, Hanah, and I went on a field trip to California Extreme. Best described as "a classic arcade games show," it's a celebration of historical video and pinball games and a chance to literally play with history without having to worry about running out of quarters. After spending some time on the show floor, we regrouped to talk about our some of the standout games, our arcade wishlists, and the future of classic gaming. We cover a lot, but it's impossible to do justice to everyone's favorite arcade games, so feel free to jump into the comments...2012-08-0142 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #176: "Indie Game: The Movie" DebriefThis week, Jorge and I take a trip to the theater and discuss the recently-released Indie Game: The Movie. It's a documentary featuring the creative folks behind three of the most well-known independent games of the past few years: Braid, Super Meat Boy, and Fez. The movie offers a glimpse of the extremely personal journey of making a video game and explores the personal and professional challenges they face along the way. The film has generated a lot of discussion inside the video game community and in broader press and we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comm...2012-06-2046 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast: E3 2012, Day 2It's the second day of E3! Jorge and I spent a lot of time with the big publishers today. We saw high profile titles like Black Ops 2 and Dishonored, but we also carved out space for more niche games like Papa & Yo and Dust 514. We hope you enjoy the recap and we're looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the show in the comments!To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP Podcast via iTunes here. Additionally, here is the stand-alone feed.- Listen to the podcast in your browser by lef...2012-06-0732 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast: E3 2012, Day 0California is big and brown and has very little 3G/4G wireless coverage in its middle. Regardless, Jorge and I have made it safely down to Los Angeles for E3 2012 while still managing to catch the all-important press conferences for Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, and Sony. Join us while we discuss each conferences larger themes and our first impressions about what E3 has to offer. If you caught the streamed conferences yourself, let us know your thoughts on the show thus far in the comments below. To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to...2012-06-0534 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #169: Searching for Video Game ValueJorge and I are always going on about why games are valuable, but we're usually talking about their artistic, social, and cultural value. This week, we focus more on the bottom line. Inspired by Chris Kohler's fantastic article about game pricing and the effects of the used market, we talk about the monetary factors that influence the games we play and how we perceive the industry. It's huge topic and we touch on a host of issues that all deserve their own conversations, so I'm sure we'll come back to them in the future. For now though, we're inte...2012-04-2541 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #167: So Wrong, Yet So RightWe've all played some clunkers in our time, but what what are the roots of a bad game's troubles? Could it be the person at the end of the controller? Could we be doing it wrong? Today, Jorge and I talk about the line between a bad game and a bad player. Inspired by Sean Sands' thoughts about getting a new perspective on games he hasn't liked, we discuss the search for a clear vision. We touch on everything from Kinect Star Wars to Far Cry 2, and have a great time searching for the good in even the most...2012-04-1135 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #165: Digital ReligionHow do video games handle religion and spirituality? It's a question that's been inspiring a fair amount of buzz. It's a big topic, so we decided to add a third seat on this week's show. Jorge and I are excited to welcome Richard Clark to the podcast. Richard's a prolific writer who regularly tackles issues of religion and morality in video games. As an added bonus, he's also an all around nice guy! Be sure to check him out on Twitter, Kill Screen, Christ and Pop Culture, and Game Church. As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in th...2012-03-2853 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #161: Playing the Gears of War Board GameWe finally did it: we played Gears of War: The Board Game!" Last year, Jorge and I discussed the game in a podcast about the general relationship between board games and video games. Being fans of Gears and games in general, we decided (for better or worse!) we would play it once it was released. We finally did so and now we've regrouped to offer our thoughts on the game and its relationship to its source material. As always, feel free to jump into the comments with your thoughts.Some discussion starters:- For thos...2012-02-2941 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #154: 2011 Games of the YearIt's that time of the year again, folks: time to pick our game of the year! Jorge and I could never pick just one (or could we...?), so we each pick three of our favorite games from 2011 and talk about what makes them great. It was a great year, if I do say so myself, and our lists reflect the many diverse and memorable titles released over the past year. Of course, we don't come close to discussing all the great games of 2011, so we're looking forward to hearing your favorites in the comments! Happy New Year and thanks for...2012-01-0434 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #150: First Facebook ForumAdmit it: You didn't think we would do it, did you? You thought all our talk of investigating Facebook games was brought on by too much turkey and an overabundance of holiday spirit. Today, Jorge and I are happy to present to you a conversation about our initial experiences with a handful of Facebook games. In addition to the games themselves, we discuss the nature of social games, monetization, and ethical design. As always, we look forward to hearing your thoughts and we invite you to join our experiment by befriending us on Facebook. Thanks for listening!Here...2011-12-0740 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #149: Thanksgaming 2011It's Thanksgiving time here in the U.S., so Jorge and I decided to get into the spirit of the holiday. In this episode, we each pick a few video game concepts for which we are thankful and chat about the reasons behind our gratitude. We cover everything from Batman to sado-masochism, and we're looking forward to hearing about the game-related things that make you optimistic! Additionally, Jorge and I reveal our new initiative to learn more about a certain sizable, yet often under-analyzed, segment of the video game world and we solicit your help! Discussion starters:2011-11-2329 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP IndieCast #8: Closed, Fantasy, and Aquatic WorldsIt's time once again for an independent game roundup! This week, Jorge and I discuss A Closed World, A Tale By Alex, and Fisher-Diver. All three games are free to play and boast interesting mechanical and thematic features. Each game is thought-provoking and well-worth playing; we have a wide ranging conversation that encompasses everything from considering the difficulties of incorporating LGBTQ themes in games to hunting the most dangerous game. As always, thanks for listening and fell free to jump into the comments with your thoughts!To listen to the podcast:- Subscribe to the EXP...2011-10-2633 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #144: The Wonder GearsTime moves fast in the world of video games. Technology changes (remember Rumble Paks?), franchises rise and fall (just ask Guitar Hero!), and it's hard to predict what will gain popularity (Minecraft, anyone?). With the recent release of Gears of War 3, Jorge and I decided we would take stock of what we consider to be one of most important franchises of the last five years. This show is less about the games' specific story and more about their narrative within the industry. We talk about everything from the influence of cover to blurred genres distinctions, and close with some thou...2011-10-1241 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #142: A New Hope in The Old Republic?A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....Jorge and I recorded a podcast about Star Wars. Inspired by the recent announcement that the Bioware-developed MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic would indeed be released this year, we discuss our expectations and the nature of Star Wars video games in general. We've flown from one end of this galaxy to the other, and we've seen a lot of strange stuff, but finding a great Star Wars game is rare and precious thing. Many Bothans died to bring us this podcast, so make it worth their sacrifice by sha...2011-09-2839 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP IndieCast #7: Talking Trauma with Krystian MajewskiThis week, Jorge and I are pleased to welcome Krystian Majewski back to the show! Krystian is designer of Trauma, an independent game that blends puzzle solving, exploration, and interactive storytelling.We discuss the Trauma's development process and ask Krystian about his approach to game design. We also find time to talk about everything from urban exploration to Lego robots, and we find out whether Krystian ended up with "Katherine" or "Catherine." Unsurprisingly, we had a great time talking with Krystian and we hope you enjoy the conversation as well. Be sure to check out the...2011-09-141h 04

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #139: The Mega-Music ShowThis week's show is all about music games. It's a big topic, so Jorge and I recruited a talented trio of musicians and video game writers to help us out: Dan Apczynski, David Carlton, and Kirk Hamilton were all kind enough to stop by to discuss the merits of music games. We cover a huge swath of topics ranging from pedagogy, to musical philosophy, to Bon Jovi's genius. We've known Dan, David, and Kirk for a long time and it was a blast to have an excuse to hang out with them and record the show. Hopefully you all enjo...2011-08-311h 15

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #138: The Halo: Reach Recap Jorge and I love talking about Halo almost as much as we love playing it. This week, we discuss what was supposedly Bungie's last Halo game: Halo: Reach. It's a wide-ranging conversation that encompasses everything from the gameplay systems to the grand plot of the Halo universe. As always, feel free to join in with your thoughts and comments. Some discussion starters: - For those of you who played the game: What are your thoughts? - What challenges and opportunities do video game prequels present? ...2011-08-1746 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP IndieCast #5: A Conversation with Peter BrinsonThis week, Jorge and I are happy to welcome Peter Brinson to the show. Peter was one of the lead designers on The Cat and the Coup, a independent game about the 1953 CIA-orchestrated Iranian coup. After talking about The Cat and the Coup on a previous show, we thought it would be a great idea to have Peter on to learn more about the game's inception as well as his approach to incorporating history, art, and design in creating a documentary game. As we said before, we highly recommend the game. Thanks again to Peter for taking the time to c...2011-07-2053 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #133: Born Free-to-PlayCash-strapped gamers have never had it so good: today, there are plenty of companies literally giving games away for free. However, developers aren't simply doing this out of the goodness of their hearts; games without initial costs often feature non-traditional ways of making money. Recently, a few high profile games like Team Fortress 2 and World of Warcraft have started experimenting with free-to-play and micro-transaction payment models. They join a host to of other games that are trying to change the way players pay for games. This week, Jorge and I talk about some of the financial, gameplay, and cultural issu...2011-07-0632 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #130: Dollars and DutyJorge and I are still processing all the E3 madness, so we thought we'd talk about one of last week's big stories: Call of Duty: Elite. Activision's new Call of Duty social network promises to provide players with detailed battle statistics, group functionality, and a persistent profiles across multiple games. However, some of this comes at a price: parts of Call of Duty: Elite will only be available to those who pay a premium fee. It's move with very few precedents, so we thought it would be a good topic to discuss. As always, feel free to jump in with...2011-06-0831 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #125: Mortal Kombat KonversationIt is time once again to heed the call of the Elder Gods and protect Earthrealm from the evil forces of Outworld and the Netherrealm in the time-honored tradition of Mortal Kombat. Or at least that's what Wikipedia said the game was about...In any case, this week we're talking about the latest Mortal Kombat release! As an added bonus, check out the slide show Hanah made of Jorge and me playing the game. I think the pictures demonstrate the game's real strengths: much of Mortal Kombat's fun comes from sharing its the gross absurdity with friends. Figh...2011-04-2731 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP IndieCast #2: Stargazing with Jason RohrerWe had such a good time on last week's IndieCast that we decided to do double up! This week, we welcome game designer Jason Rohrer to the show. Jason is the creator of a host of games, including such well-known titles as Passage and Sleep is Death. Most recently, he released Inside a Star-filled Sky, a top-down shooter that combines classic arcade dynamics with innovative approaches to procedural level generation and unique social aspects. Jason and his games are always thought-provoking, so Jorge and I were delighted to get the opportunity to chat with him. We cover everything from Picas...2011-04-1351 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #121: Bits and Board GamesWhen Jorge and I found out that someone is making a Gears of War board game, we were a bit puzzled. We're both fans of the series, but Marcus and company never really seemed like the tabletop types. This week, we use this odd development as a chance to discuss the relationship between video games and board games. Topics include the cultural overlap between the board game and video game communities, the strengths of tabletop gaming, and whether the forthcoming Gears of War board game will be "SWEET!" We look forward to hearing about some of your favorite cardboard camp...2011-03-1632 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #119: 'Dead Space' DebriefWith the release of Dead Space 2, Jorge was finally enticed into playing the first Dead Space. I had played the game some time ago and had quite a positive experience (check out the show notes for some of my writing on the game), so I was excited to get a chance to discuss it on the podcast. As with all of our in-depth discussions on particular games, we cover everything from the rule systems to the story themes, giving folks ample warning before revealing any crucial plot points. We discuss everything from the aesthetics of hydroponics, the nature of the...2011-03-0241 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #109: 2010 Game(s) of The Year!It’s GOTY season, and we just couldn’t let the opportunity go without talking about some of the outstanding titles we played this year. Naming the one true “Game of the Year” is a hopelessly subjective task, so instead we each chose three games from 2010 that made strong impressions on us. As always, feel free to join in on the conversation. What were your highlights from 2010?Jorge’s Top Games of 2010:Mass Effect 2Lara Croft and the Guardian of LightRed Dead RedemptionScott’s Top Games of 2010:God of War III 2010-12-2230 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #94: Post PAX PodcastWhile we weren’t able to make it to PAX this year, the magic of the Internet allowed us to vicariously experience one of gaming’s best conventions. This week we’re taking advantage of the still-present PAX afterglow by talking about some of our favorite news from the show. We touch on the importance of expectations and nostalgia, the quiet innovation of some of the smaller games, and the general evolution of the conference itself. Since PAX incorporates everything from huge announcements (like Duke’s return) to low-key indie premieres (like The Witness), it’s almost impossible to catch everyth...2010-09-0827 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #90: What's In A Name?My name is Jorge, and sometimes Shen, and other times Arkania. I have also been a variety of strangely named characters in everything from JRPGs to First-Person Shooters. According to Andrew Lynes, whose piece inspired this week's podcast, character name changes may subtly affect our gaming experiences. Join Scott and I while we discuss Link, Pseudonyms, Uno etiquette, and ways to improve the name game. For Andrew's article and a short list names I consider particularly uninspired, check out the show notes. Show notes:- Run time: 28 min 4 sec- "How Character Names Change...2010-08-1228 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #84: Dropping in on ODST“Alright Browncoats: we break atmo in five minutes and we’ve got a whole mess of ruttin’ hostiles lining up to meet us. Get your fancy pants and grab your guns, we don’t want to disappoint our hosts. Stick together, make your shots count and everything will be shiny...”Oh, sorry everybody. I think I’m getting my sci-fi universes mixed up. But if you’ve played Halo 3: ODST, you probably understand. This week, Jorge and I discuss this unique entry in the Halo franchise. Part expansion pack, part sequel, and part spin-off, ODST is an interesting beast. ...2010-06-3034 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #80: "Prince of Persia: The Movie:" The PodcastIt was a long holiday weekend here in the U.S., but don't think that Jorge and I were taking a break. On the contrary, we engaged in some some field research by trekking to the local movie theater to see the latest video game-to-film adaptation: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. As long time admirers of the franchise, we proceeded hopefully, yet cautiously. Would the Sands of Time live up to the quality of its source material? Would we be left wishing we could rewind time to before our money left our wallets? Would Nolan North dub over...2010-06-0336 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #78: Finishing the Fight with Halo 3As you may remember, Jorge and I are playing through the Halo series and making podcasts along the way. Released in 2007, Halo 3 was one of the biggest gaming events of the decade and I was quite excited to see how the game has aged. Having wrapped up the Master Chief trilogy, we spend the podcast discussing Halo's plot and extended universe, the game's influential design choices, and what the future holds for the franchise as well as Bungie. Halo's structure facilitates unique experiences for everyone who plays it, so feel free to jump in with your thoughts in the com...2010-05-1934 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #70: Silent Hill Sound Off!It's easy for games to get lost in the crowded winter season, when huge games like Mass Effect and Call of Duty dominate dominate both sales charts and critical conversation. This week, we have an in-depth discussion about a game that has been quietly lurking in the shadows: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. The most title recent in a long-running series, Shattered Memories re-imagines the first Silent Hill to provide both a unique gameplay and storytelling experience. In addition to upholding the sense of dread and horror from the previous games (seriously, try playing this with the lights off!), the Sha...2010-03-2444 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #68: Naked AmbitionAs games evolve, more mainstream titles are incorporating elements of nudity. This raises the question of nudity's importance. In one sense, its value is derived from what it represents in terms of the story or the characters. Nudity is also useful for examining wider societal issues and cultural norms. But what if we had to assign nudity an actual economic worth? Does $3 sound about right?This week, we discuss G. Christopher Williams' article about nudity in The Saboteur. The game represents an intersection of monetized, optional, and artistic nudity, and is an interesting case study for how mainst...2010-03-1030 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #66: Fall Sales Wager ResultsRemember back in October, when we tried to guess which new fall titles would be the biggest sellers of the season? This week, we reveal the much anticipated outcome. The whole experiment was much more complicated than we bargained for, but we came away with some interesting lessons about the allure of franchises, the supposed "casual/core" dichotomy, and the shadowy world of sales numbers. Below is our list of the best selling games as well as our respective predictions. For those of you playing along, how did you do? Were there any big surprises? Did any of your favor...2010-02-2432 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #58: The 2009 Year-end ExtravaganzaAs 2009 draws to a close, it's time to take a step back and reflect on the games we played over the year. Being the rebels that we are, Jorge and I are even letting pre-2009 games get in on all the GOTY action played numerous games this past year that were not even released in 2009. Instead of abandoning them to the sands of time, we decided to do a super-sized show that highlights both our favorite 2009 titles as well as our favorite gaming experiences from the past calendar year (release dates be damned!).As always, feel free to of...2009-12-3049 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #56: New Mario ManiaEvery so often, the fall's harvest yields an extra-special crop, a crop in which fungus is the bounty rather than the blight. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is out and provoking unusually disparate reactions. In order to share our thoughts on the game, Jorge and I have called a truce on throwing each other into lava pits for just long enough to record a podcast. We discuss our impressions, the madness that is multiplayer Mario, as well as the contemporary relevance of Mario's game design. Feel free to triple-jump into the comments with your thoughts. We promise we won't throw any k...2009-12-1630 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #46: Fall Sales, Speculation, and SweetsThe Fall release season is upon us, bringing with it its annual gaming bounty. While it may be humanly impossible for us to play all of the new releases, nothing is stopping us from trying to guess what other people will play. This week, Jorge and I channel our inner Michael Pachter and enter into a gentleman's agreement: We each came up with a list of what we believe will be the top ten best-selling games released between October and December. When February rolls around, we will take revisit our predictions and score them based on their accuracy.The...2009-10-0828 min

The Experience Points PodcastEXP Podcast #14: Controlling the PeripheryThe video game world is buzzing with the release of Street Fighter IV. It is a franchise that helped usher a generation of gamers into the fighting genre, and arrives greeted by a wave of emotionally-charged expectations. Further complicating any attempts at objective analysis further is the fact that Street Fighter is rooted in the arcade tradition. With the game's release comes peripherals (by the way, it looks like Jorge was right: MadCatz is the pricey one!) that capture the arcade feeling. Mitch Krpata of the site Insult Swordfighting raises the important question of how to analyze games that rely (eith...2009-02-2628 min