Bookwarm Games plays on the connection between games, books, and life: O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. - The Winter's Tale You're back! Don't bother yourself with talking now, you look too tired. Mothers understand these things. Eat some [favorite food] and scoot up to bed. - EarthBound Deep dives into video games and books, including a trove of audio for the Video Game Academy, co-hosted with Ben Kozlowski. Get involved at https://www.patreon.com/Professo ...
…
continue reading
Lost in the Funhouse that is Danganronpa 2... https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Apologies for the abrupt cessation of audio. Such are the vicissitudes of the killing game. Thanks for listening!
…
continue reading
1
Danganronpa 2 ch 1-3 - Video Game Academy
58:59
58:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:59
Somewhere in the ocean, an island paradise named after the Lewis Carroll poem "Jabberwocky" hosts the sequel to Danganronpa. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Between our last release and this, a few discussions went unrecorded, but we're carrying on undeterred. Thanks for listening!…
…
continue reading
1
Westworld and The Divine Comedy with Alexander Schmid
44:52
44:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:52
Just published in the journal Humanities, Contrapasso, Violence, and Madness in Dante’s The Divine Comedy and Westworld, by Alexander E Schmid, is freely available to read: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/13/5/109 We discuss reveries and memory, freedom and madness, truth and representation, and how they connect these medieval and contemporary works…
…
continue reading
1
Outer Space and Donuts - Danganronpa Chapter 2 - VGA Ultimate Summer School
58:14
58:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:14
The Ultimate Summer School Discussion treads carefully though intrepidly through the manly bonds and broken promises of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Chapter 2 - Boys Life of Despair. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Spoilers and CW: be ready to talk about gender, sexuality, jealousy, transphobia, and "Gentlema…
…
continue reading
1
Ultimate Summer School - Danganronpa Prologue & Chapter 1 - Video Game Academy
52:22
52:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:22
A discussion of the opening case of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, with appropriate levels of hope and despair foreshadowing major philosophical stakes ahead. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Spoilers and CW: see the M rating on the game. Thanks for listening!
…
continue reading
Sorry, no Tom Bombadil here. Well, a brief mention... Moses Norton, aka the Well-Red Mage, joins me to dig into the recent film adaptation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Tolkien, Dune 2, Dragonslayer, and lots of Gamelogica references round out our discussion of the film's visuals, characters, story, and themes. Enjoy! Gamelogica youtube chann…
…
continue reading
1
Dylan Holmes, author of A Mind Forever Voyaging: A History of Storytelling in Video Games
1:13:39
1:13:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:39
Dylan Holmes joins me to discuss his history of storytelling in video games, A Mind Forever Voyaging. Read his book if you're interested in games like FF7, MGS, Deus Ex, and Dear Esther, or in questions about cinematic technique, player choice, power and escapism. Read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin all the way to the end …
…
continue reading
1
Of Podcasting Paradiso: Dante and the Digital Humanities
54:16
54:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:16
We come full circle, as it were, Alex and I, discussing his recently published paper "Popularizing Paradiso: On the Difficulties of Podcasting Dante’s Most Academic Canticle" and his work bridging popular culture with the field of comparative literature.
…
continue reading
1
The Boy and the Heron, or Alexander Schmid and Wesley Schantz
45:44
45:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:44
At long last, Alex and I wander off on another side quest, discussing Miyazaki's recent film, The Boy and the Heron, and its resonances for us with myth and history. (As always, I wish I knew more about the language, like how to translate "How Do You Live?") Other episodes in this series on the storied Studio Ghibli can be found most readily on Ale…
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 8)
57:15
57:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:15
Concluding thoughts on the visual novel. Thanks for listening! More resources at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 7)
42:39
42:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:39
Home stretch! More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 6)
57:24
57:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:24
More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 5)
44:36
44:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:36
Twists! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 4)
46:40
46:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:40
Onward! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 3)
46:43
46:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:43
Continuing discussion of the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files. More on visual novels at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 2)
30:46
30:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:46
The lost audio recovered, continued. More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 1)
37:30
37:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:30
The lost audio from last spring recovered at last--mostly--as we discuss the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files, NirvanA Initiative. Thanks for listening and sticking with us. More resources on visual novels at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
…
continue reading
1
Justice Questions, Questions of Meaning - Alyse Knorr on Poetry and Teaching
1:02:04
1:02:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:04
A conversation with Alyse Knorr, 'achiever' (to cite her Super Mario Bros 3, where I first encountered her work and reviewed it for The Pixels). In which we discuss: - Sweetbitter Podcast, with new episodes coming soon about Mary Magdalen and a fourth season in the works - Switchback Books, which she edits with her wife - Regis University, where sh…
…
continue reading
1
Enchantment in His Dark Materials: Conversation with MG Prezioso
37:18
37:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:18
MG Prezioso, PhD candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins me to discuss her work on the role of enchantment in promoting literacy for young readers, particularly in the case of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Her article appears in Children's Literature in Education; for more on Pullman's view of education, see his essays i…
…
continue reading
1
Shadow Particles with Evan Minto of Ani-Gamers / EarthBound Beginnings and Dragon Quest with Signum
37:19
37:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:19
Cross-pollination and housekeeping here at the break at the end of the year, stirring up dust and sending out links to past broadcasts: First, here's the link to a recent conversation with Evan Minto on Season 3 Episode 3 of His Dark Materials, The Intention Craft. Then, listen on for one of my semi-monthly discussions from the Middle-earth to Eart…
…
continue reading
1
Conflicting Pirate Agendas: Assassin's Creed 4
1:34:39
1:34:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:34:39
Professor Kozlowski spins us a yarn of the high seas. Pirate opportunism, whale physics, development metafiction, and a polyphony of voices and moral gray areas--it's a good game, but is it actually an Assassin's Creed? Well, yeah. It says so on the box.
…
continue reading
1
The Menu Requires a Loading Screen: Assassin's Creed 3
1:34:46
1:34:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:34:46
Along for the ride as Professor Kozlowski weaves together the 2012 PS3 game's disparate threads better than the Ubisoft team does: Patriots and Loyalists; colonizers and oppressed; East coast cities and homesteads; first hour fake-outs and begrudging good riddance to the Desmond stuff. But hey, the naval battles are pretty cool. See also: The Year …
…
continue reading
1
You Buy Rome: AC Brotherhood & Revelations
1:34:27
1:34:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:34:27
No, not Animal Crossing, and not alternating current. It's Assassin's Creed 2's half-baked follow-up games, and Prof Ben has thoughts about them. Join the discussion at videogameacademia.org and professorkozlowski.wordpress.com/ Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
Professor Kozlowski returns. Our resident guest lecturer is back with a discussion of Assassin's Creed's splashy sequel, and... it's complicated. After the let-down that was their Prince of Persia reboot, the developers had to go big. So Renaissance Italy, andiamo~! More variety! More da Vinci! More weapons! But. It's kinda. Not as fun. Join the di…
…
continue reading
1
Lamb Dad, Lion Dad: Introducing The Thoughtful Dad Podcast
57:34
57:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:34
Another guest lecture, after a fashion. Joe and I started a new series on being a dad. Share it with a dad or thoughtful caretaker in your life! Show notes: First episode! We share thoughts on news sources, TV at dinnertime and screen time in general; the "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua interview on Honestly with Bari Weiss and what sorts of dads we are; back…
…
continue reading
1
Surprise! It's a Lecture: Assassin's Creed Retrospective
1:38:10
1:38:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38:10
Professor Kozlowski lays it down. Everything is permitted? We see your forthcoming book, Cameron Kunzelman of the Game Studies Study Buddies, and raise you one podcast (this one) and one article replete with Dostoevsky references (also forthcoming). Ante up with Ben's history and dev history; getting to know the open world; crowds in-game and recep…
…
continue reading
1
Geez, you're persistent - Ch 8: All Things... MOTHER 3 (8/8)
1:34:49
1:34:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:34:49
Mild spoilers and theorizing for the end of MOTHER 3. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
I Make Sparkly: Ch 7 The Seven Needles (cont.) - MOTHER 3 (7/8)
1:18:47
1:18:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:18:47
You've come a long way...through snowy mountains and volcanoes, sea-beds and islands, back to Saturn Valley. Time for a coffee break. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
…
continue reading
1
Ch 6: Sunflower Fields & Ch 7: The [First Four] Needles - MOTHER 3 (6/8)
54:42
54:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:42
On the symbolism of sunflowers and the inclusion of references to EarthBound. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
Forlorn Junk Heap: Ch 5 Tower of Thunder - MOTHER 3 (5/8)
1:02:20
1:02:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:20
Theoretical possibilities in the series include beating Belch without Fly Honey and the Pork Trooper without the DCMC Pamphlet, but why would you? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
…
continue reading
1
Trust in Destiny: Ch 4 Club Titiboo - MOTHER 3 (4/8)
54:57
54:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:57
We finally play as Lucas again, finding fireworks and rhythms in gift boxes and playing Stone-Sheet-Clippers for the fate of the world. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
…
continue reading
1
In this psychic dojo: Psychonauts - Intro/Basic Braining
1:01:13
1:01:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:13
We cozy up to the campfire for another Video Game Academy summer playthrough--another game about kids with psychic powers: Psychonauts. This time, we're meeting some characters, running through battlefields of mental baggage and social dynamics, and sticking the landing on some bouncy tightropes. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Acade…
…
continue reading
1
If I say dance, you dance! Ch 3: The Mysterious Peddler - MOTHER 3 (3/8)
41:21
41:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:21
In which we discuss Fassad and Salsa's relationship and how it is even worse than Wess and Duster's; with yet more insight into Itoi's fascination with monkeys. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
…
continue reading
1
My humble little [favorite food] patch: Ch 2 Thief Adventure - MOTHER 3 (2/8)
47:44
47:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:44
Infiltrating the castle? Meeting the princess? What kind of follow-up to EarthBound is this? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
Rougher! Tougher! Badder! Prologue and Ch 1 - MOTHER 3 (pt 1 of 8)
1:10:23
1:10:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:23
In the long-awaited sequel to EarthBound, as localized by Tomato et al., we parse some shocking developments and developer choices. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
…
continue reading
1
Powers worthy of a lowly insect: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (8/8)
1:03:46
1:03:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:46
Teddy in Ellay through Mt Itoi; EVE in her lake, Queen Mary in her memory, and the ending. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
What is Itoi's fascination with monkeys? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (7/8)
43:39
43:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:39
Through the desert to Youngtown; through the swamp to Ellay. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
All work and no play: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (6/8)
38:20
38:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:20
Spookane and the dentures side quest, with a digression on Nathan for You - Gas Station Rebate. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
Have you seen the woman with a big belly? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (5/8)
31:41
31:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:41
Riding the train through Reindeer to Ana in Snowman. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
The Custodial Arts: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (4/8)
47:32
47:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:32
Lloyd's school and the factories, with a digression on music (Twinkle Elementary and the File Select remix by Ace Waters). Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
…
continue reading
1
Are you a forgotten man, too? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (3/8)
39:34
39:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:34
Magicant. Apologies for the lost bit of intro on this one. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
Starman Zookeeper: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (2/8)
35:25
35:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:25
At the Zoo, via Canary Village. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
Itoi's Rural America: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (pt 1 of 8)
35:54
35:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:54
From the opening through Podunk and the graveyard. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
On Ch 38 The Botanic Garden and the Acknowledgments at the end of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. Course page for the full list of episodes and suggested reading. Thanks for listening.
…
continue reading
1
Final Fantasy VI and VII Comparison
1:00:00
1:00:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:00
Alex Schmid and I revisit the golden age of the JRPG, with a nod to our oft-collaborating younger selves. https://videogameacademia.org/
…
continue reading
1
Reekwind and Side Quests - Planescape: Torment pt 4
49:59
49:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:59
Lost audio from the fall. Apologies, all, for the lateness! Video Game Academy is not dead, we've just been on hiatus what with school and everything. https://videogameacademia.org/
…
continue reading
1
The Smoldering Corpse (Planescape: Torment 3)
59:07
59:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:07
We kick back with Ebb Creakknees and stack our coppers, saving up for a new tattoo from Fell. You know, the only one of the Lady's servants who when he walks, like Shakespeare's dark lady of Sonnet 130, treads on the ground. https://videogameacademia.org/ Music from the OST.
…
continue reading
We gather down at the Video Game Academy farm for a round-picnic-table discussion of the phenomenal Stardew Valley. For more, see the full almanac over at http://videogameacademia.org/ Music from the OST
…
continue reading
We get acquainted with Sigil, meet some friendly denizens and fellow wanderers, and consider some of the factions vying for our services. http://videogameacademia.org/courses/planescape-torment/ Music from the OST
…
continue reading
1
Planes, drains, and ominous spiels - Planescape: Torment (pt 1)
1:17:54
1:17:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:17:54
What makes us think this life is real? Well, we spot Bob the skull--I mean Morte--, Willem Dafoe--er, The Nameless One--, and, on the heels of Deionarra the ghost, Corey! And Mike joins us to provide some lore on the background for the OG Planescape: Torment, including World of Darkness and the Outer Planes of D&D. Dusties, zombies, etc. look out! …
…
continue reading