Playing games we all encounter fleeting moments that we wish could stick with us. Something that we think could define why we do this, and why it takes up so much of our time. On this episode Conrad Zimmerman, news editor of Destructiod, joins us as we dig in to the proverbial treasure troves of memories to pull out that defining moment. The one that showed us games could tell a story or delivered far more than the commercials promised. We would like our listening audience to share with us their memories of when games proved themselves to be a worthy way to spend your time. We will share our favorites on the next episode. You can find our contacts in the “About Us” section of the website.

Also, in my stead of losing my voice, my wife Jacki offers her services to record the intro, outro, and unbeknownst to her… the post-roll.

Music from I Fight Dragons

This was the Moment [ 1:28:18 ] Play Now | Download

Terraria
The Darkness
House of the Dead: Overkill
Ticket to Ride
Culdcept Saga

The debate over buying new games versus used has an active conversation between consumers, publishers and developers for years. Yet the evidence that it’s a one-sided argument—and one that consumers don’t necessarily have a fair say in—only seems to be growing. We’re joined this week by Brad Gallaway, gamecritics.com senior editor and founder of Drinking Coffee Cola, to explore this multifaceted issue from the nature of retail systems and DLC to the concept of ownership.

Music from Sylcmyk

Shut Up and Take My Money [ 1:32:33 ] Play Now | Download

Aliens: Infestation
Trine
Aban Hawkins &  the 1000 Spikes
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Some stories are puzzles that require time and patience. Bits of narrative may be hinted at, but not brought to the forefront. In these cases it’s our job to piece together the hidden meaning—one that requires a special type of aspirational understanding.

On this episode we invite Michael Abbott back from his podcast and blog duties at The Brainy Gamer to help us understand the purpose of aspirational reading in video games, and how it affects how we view the medium. What kind of experiences can we create through the ludo-narrative, as told by gameplay rather than what’s written? What ownership do we take of our gaming avatars, and what does that roleplaying mean? From Red Dead Redemption to Suda 51′s auteurship, the conversation results in several interesting points (and moves to some unexpected places).

A special thanks again goes out to Michael Abbott for all he does to continue a deeper conversation about video games and our perceptions of them.

Featuring music from the VVVVVV OST by Souleye

Did you Catch That? [ 1:01:40 ] Play Now | Download

Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Kinect Disneyland Adventures
Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo
Cave Story 3D
Pushmo
Out of the Park Baseball
Stratomatic Online
Amy
Chrono Trigger

Soundtracks:
VVVVVV OST
Bastion OST
Osmos OST

It’s the beginning of 2012. To mark the occasion (as well as the airing of our 25th episode) we recorded a three-segment discussion of games we loved, more games we loved and our biggest disappointments of last year (with special thanks to this post, as well as Cynthia Griffiths for the photography). Now we’re telling you to go out of your way to play these games. Seriously, they’re all great. Except for the ones that aren’t.

Featuring music from the Bastion OST by Darren Korb

Our Favorites from Year V2.11 [ 1:20:53 ] Play Now | Download

Games we loved:

Dark Souls
El Shaddai
Portal 2

More games we loved:

Shadows of the Damned
Uncharted 3
Bastion

Our biggest disappointments:

Brink
Rage
LA Noir

Video games seem to have an aesthetic all their own. The medium demands the creator give up direction of their works to an outside audience; so crafting the visuals, sound, dialog, and story around this constraint has built a unique approach to developing a style all their own. We Skype-in Michael Abbott, better known as The Brainy Gamer, to explore the distinct method and examples of successful constructions of video game aesthetics. We are also inviting Michael back for the next episode to get to the topic we were unable to get to – aspirational understanding of video games that demand more than your passive attention. Be sure to check out Michael’s blog and podcast at www.brainygamer.com

As always, thanks to The Punk Effect’s support.

Featuring music from Saskrotch

A Picture, A Sound, A Word [ 1:15:13 ] Play Now | Download

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
Yakuza 4
Ash
Bit Trip

Have you ever returned to a game fondly remembered from childhood only to bluntly discover it’s not the masterpiece you recall? The dangers of rose-colored glasses, and how they inform our opinion and perception as gamers, are ever-present—particularly in a medium as hooked on nostalgia as video games can be. It’s the reasoning and reaction to our memories that center the discussion this week, on AJBS maiden voyage as a proud new contributor to thepunkeffect.com. And who better to christen the journey with than ThePunkEffect’s founder and veteran retro game reviewer, Pat “The NES Punk” Contri?
(Clearly, no one.)

This goes without saying, but our boundless thanks to Pat for letting us become part of the PunkEffect team.

Featuring music from Ralp

Enslaved : Odyssey to the West
Anticipation
Bastion
Aquaria

Perils of Memory [ 1:20:18 ] Play Now | Download

In this episode we talk with Will Lewis and John Henrich, founders of the Portland Indie Game Squad, about the creation of their developer collective as well as the philosophy of what does—or does not—make a game “indie”. Whether an indie descriptor defines an actual genre, what constitutes an independent developer and the standard fifteen dollar price point are among discussion topics. (Skeletor also makes an appearance.) So, are AJBS snobs for only playing indie games? Well, maybe.

Featuring music from Chipocrite and Mechlo and the Bad Bits recorded at Micropalooza 2011

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Micropalooza album, available soon!

PIGSquad's Indie Game Adventure [ 1:29:11 ] Play Now | Download

Game Dev Story
Binding of Isaac
Adult Swim Games
Gemini Rue

Retro revivals are ground that must be carefully tread on. What approach can a company take when trying to make a beloved franchise relevant again while not upsetting its already-established fanbase? With the dual 2D-vs-3D gameplay styles of the 20th Anniversary tribute Sonic Generations, Sega finds themselves at an interesting crossroads—and it’s unclear what implications the latest series entry may have on the series. Jeff “Switch” Sorensen from the Dangerous Kids podcast joins us for a discussion of Sonic’s legacy, how the series is an allegory for Sega itself and how past failures have shaped the development of what we can only hope will be worthwhile future developments. Happy birthday, Sonic!

Also, a quick PSA for our Portland listeners: AJBS is co-sponsoring Micropalooza, a full day chip music festival in cooperation with Ground Kontrol and the Jupiter Hotel, on Sunday, November 20th. Details can be found on our Micropalooza blog here.

Featuring music from Freezedream