Episode 94 – The Garbleflangers

Episode 94 – The Garbleflangers

Week in Geek: Andrew plays The Dice Must Flow while Dan talks about responding to nerds who write term papers.

Bill and Pete’s Excellent Adventure: The 12th Doctor’s new companion, Bill, was introduced to the world last weekend and Dan and Andrew talk more about how the announcement was made more than about the companion herself, if only because that’s all the information we have.

Digital Board Games: As Andrew tries to liquidate his enviable stock of board games, he contemplates the purpose of buying more boxes for new games since their digital versions are so readily available––and so easily playable.

Share your thoughts on this week’s topics as a comment at forall.libsyn.com. For exclusive content, be sure to join our official Facebook page. Email the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com. Support the show by leaving a comment on the iTunes store page. Their algorithms will help spread the word of the show.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Links:

-“‘Star Trek’ Lawsuit: The Debate Over Klingon Language Heats Up” by Eriq Gardner (via The Hollywood Reporter)
-“Reebok
Celebrates ‘Alien Day’ by Releasing Ellen Ripley-Inspired Shoes Just for Men
” by John Marcotte (via Heroic Girls)
-“The Sound of Crushing Silence: A Death-Metal Band Covers John Cage’s ‘4’33’” by Lars Gotrich (via NPR)

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“I Am the Doctor” by Jon Pertwee
-“The Sentinels of the Multiverse (Main Theme)” by Jean-Marc Giffin
-“Iron Man 3” by Brian Tyler

Episode 93 – The Clay Man Incident

Episode 93 – The Clay Man Incident

NOTE: There were some technical difficulties that occurred during the recording of the opening segment which caused some of the audio quality to be compromised. The remainder of the episode meets our normal standards of audio fidelity. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Week in Geek: Andrew plays Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes while Dan plays a Free-to-Play game, finally watches Ant-Man, and discusses re-watching Event Horizon.

Whitewashing: With the release of a photo of Scareltt Johansenn in costume to celebrate the start of filming of the Hollywood live-action adaptation of the venerated manga/anime, Ghost in the Shell, a lot of controversy across the internet among nerds and socially conscious people alike discussed the idea of whitewashing in media adapted from other cultures.

Leave a comment about the topics discussed in this episode at forall.libsyn.com. Join the official Facebook page for exclusive links and conversation with other listeners. E-mail the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com. If you like the show, rate it on the iTunes store to help spread the word.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Interesting Links:

-“Orientalism, Whitewashing, and Erasure: Hollywood’s Historic Problem with Asian People” by Jessica Lachenal (via theMarySue)

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ In Black” by Wax Audio
-“The Ghost Inside” by Broken Bells
-“When Doves Cry” by Prince (RIP)

-Clip from Animaniacs

Episode 92 – The Microbox

Episode 92 – The Microbox

Week in Geek: Andrew attends Emerald City Comic Con while Dan attends the Sacramento Indie Arcade Gaming Expo.

The New Strange: The teaser trailer for the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, Dr. Strange, was released to the world this week adding to the already high anticipation. Can Benedict Cumberbatch bring a classic Marvel character to life?

Hard Games: With Dark Souls III finally being released stateside this week, Dan and Andrew sit and talk about the trend toward very hard video games. Where does it come from? Why do we like this kind of punishment?

Leave your thoughts on this week’s topics as a comment at forall.libsyn.com. Be sure to join our official Facebook and Google+ pages for conversations. E-mail the show with any questions or comments at forallpod [at] gmail.com. Help the show out by leaving a review on the iTunes store.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Links:

-“At the Mountains of Madness” animated short by The SpookySpookyShoggoths.
-“After 15 Years of Disappointment, Can Final Fantasy Be Great Again?” An interview with Final Fantasy XV director, Hajime Tabata by John Robertson (via arstechnica).
Skirmish Entertainment, a Sacramento indie developer whose game, End of the Mine, was at the Sacramento Indie Arcade Gaming Expo.
Rocktastic Games, a San Francisco Bay-area developer whose game, Rogue Continuum, was featured at the Sacramento Indie Arcade Gaming Expo.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“People are Strange” by Echo and the Bunnymen
-“Still Alive” by Aperture Science Psychoacoustic Laboratories (from Portal)
-“Taxman” by Stevie Ray Vaughan

Episode 91 – Trying to Keep Sharp

Episode 91 – Trying to Keep Sharp

Week in Geek: Andrew plays through Resident Evil HD Remaster while Dan struggles with the humor and politics of Broforce.

All in a Name: An incredible blowout occurred on the internet after certain fans of Baldur’s Gate found, in the recent expansion Baldur’s Gate: The Siege of Dragonspear, an openly trans character and found it offensive, for a variety of reasons. Dan and Andrew ruminate on this and associated controversy in the realm of video games to varying degrees of civility and calm demeanor.

DC Comics Talk with Andrew and Luke: Andrew has a sit down with Luke Turpeinen from AcrossTheBoardGames.net about all things DC (perhaps touching on the issues around Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice).

Leave a comment on the topics of this episode at forall.libsyn.com. Be sure to join our official Facebook and Google+ pages. Email the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com. If you want to help the show, be sure to leave a review (stars and/or text reviews) at the iTunes store page for this show.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Links:

“Caped Crusader, Or Cruel Sadist? Miller Makes One Fan Wonder” by Kim Fu (via NPR)––this is republished from a 2014 article in the light of the Batman presented in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
“The Inside Story of Recording Metal Gear Solid by Ben Hanson (via GameInformer), and audio documentary.
“Watch Mega Man Produce Keiji Inafune Make a Mario Maker Stage” by Nick Robinson (via Polygon).
Baldur’s Gate Studio Responds to Harassment Over Trans Character” by Colin Campbell (via Kotaku).

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“Why Can’t We Be Friends?” by WAR
-“Superman Inside” by Eric Clapton
-“Dog on Fire” by They Might Be Giants

Episode 90 – Keep Calm, You’re a Warrior Princess

Episode 90 – Keep Calm, You’re a Warrior Princess

Week in Geek: Andrew watched an entry from the DC Animated Universe, an adaptation of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox while Dan saw the Disney Animated feature, Zootopia.

Men in Capes, Punching: Both Dan and Andrew have seen Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and have things to say about it.

Share your opinions about any of this week’s topics by leaving a comment at forall.libsyn.com. Be sure to join the official Facebook and Google+ pages for exclusive links and conversations with other fans. Send us an e-mail at forallpod [at] gmail.com. Help spread the word by leaving a review (starred or text) on the iTunes Store page for the show.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“Is She With You (Wonder Woman Theme)” by Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL (from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice)
-“Be Prepared” by Jeremy Irons (from The Lion King)

Episode 89 – High-Five Forever

Episode 89 – High-Five Forever

Week in Geek: Andrew burns through Daredevil season 2 and lives to tell the tale, while Dan reads the Lovecraftian novella, The Ballad of Black Tom, by Victor LaValle.

BvS:DoJ: Since neither Dan nor Andrew have seen the newest superhero effort by Warner Bros. and DC Comics, the talk around the imminent release of the movie has been heated and divisive. They talk about the suppositions, biases, and expectations people have going into this movie and how we approach movies before they’re released.

Leave your thoughts as comments at forall.libsyn.com or join the conversations happening at the official Facebook or Google+ pages. You may also e-mail the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Relevant Links:

“The Ballad Of Black Tom” Offers a Tribute To and Critique of Lovecraft” Fresh Air interview with author Victor LaValle via NPR.
“Stephen Byrne Gives DC Heroes a Modern Twist in ‘Trinity’ Short Story” by Andrew Wheeler via ComicsAlliance.
-BONUS: Stephen Byrne’s “Animated Adventures: Batman v Superman” Short via YouTube.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“Angel Theme” by Darling Violetta
-“Batman Theme Reprise” by Danny Elfman

Episode 88 – Idealistic Ventures Based on Bad Premises

Episode 88 – Idealistic Ventures Based on Bad Premises

Week in Geek: Andrew plays the demo for Square-Enix’s Bravely Second while Dan watches old movies that started franchises and, arguably, genres––X-Men and Rocky.

Origin Stories: Since the most recent trailer for Captain America: Civil War debuted Spider-Man’s entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many people are wondering if we’re going to be getting another Spider-Man origin story. Are we sick of origin stories? Why are they necessary? Dan and Andrew weave through the grommets of this discussion.

Whispers of the Old Gods: The newest expansion for Blizzard’s Hearthstone expansion has been announced, called “Whispers of the Old Gods,” which has a heavy Lovecraftian tint to it, which is right in our wheelhouse.

Leave a comment at forall.libsyn.com. Be sure to join the official Facebook and Google+ pages. Email the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com. Review the show on the iTunes store to help spread the word.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“The End of the Beginning” by Dawnbringer
-“The Call of Ktulu” by Metallica
-There’s That Smile” by Murray Gold (from Doctor Who: Series 8)

Episode 87 – Thunder and Lightning

Episode 87 – Thunder and Lightning

Week in Geek: Andrew picks up and cuts out minifigs for the new expansion/addition to the Kickstarter success, Shadows of Brimstone, while Dan plays the video game version of one of Andrew’s favorite tabletop card games, Sentinels of the Multiverse.

Talk with Jesse Megagame: Dan and Andrew sit down and talk with one of the founders of Seattle Megagames about, surprise of surprises, megagames.

The Symptoms of Pandemic Legacy: Jesse, Andrew, and Dan talk about the destructive game that is Pandemic Legacy and how it and its kind are changing tabletop gaming by making a truly unique tabletop experience.

If you want to learn more about Jesse, Seattle Megagames, and megagames in general, be sure to check out the official Seattle Megagames Facebook page and their YouTube channel.

Leave a comment about any of this week’s topics at forall.libsyn.com. Join our official Facebook and Google+ pages for exclusive links and conversations with other fans. You may e-mail the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Relevant Links:

Shut Up & Sit Down‘s play-through of a megagame.

“Table for One: How to Play Board Games Without a Group” by Aaron Zimmerman via Ars Technica.

“Using Jenga for Roleplaying Games” by Nicole Jekich via AcrossTheBoardGames.net.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio

-“Watch the Skies” by Jeremy Soule (from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

-“Callin’ In Sick” by “Weird Al” Yankovic

-“Three Guitars Mood 2” by Derek Nelson (from Doctor Who)

Episode 86 – Starting Pause

Episode 86 – Starting Pause

Week in Geek: Andrew spends some time in Portland, Oregon and hangs out at one of its popular gamer bars, Ground Control. Dan reads Marvel’s 2014 mini-series, Deadpool vs. X-Force and really enjoys some clever meta-retcon that happens.

Narrative Bifurcation: Dan and Andrew discuss some of the possibilities brought on by Nintendo’s very interesting release of Fire Emblem Fate, which is actually two full-priced releases, Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest.  Even then, the ostensible ending is only available via paid-DLC (titled Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation). It’s a dangerous tactic, but can be used for good as well.

Bye Bye Bioware: Over the last few years, major players at famed video game developer, Bioware, have been hemorrhaging from the company at a surprising rate. However, is it the sign of doom some people are predicting?

Leave a comment about this week’s show at forall.libsyn.com, or at the official Facebook or Google+ pages. You may also e-mail the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com. If you would like to help the show out, the best way to do so would be to leave a review on iTunes.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Relevant Links & Interesting Reading:

-“The Great Bioware Exodus and the Future of Western RPGs” by Matthew Loffhagen from EquityArcade.

-“Fire Emblem Fates‘ Pronged Success Could Affect the Future of Game Publishing” by Nick Zappulla from EquityArcade.

Radio Times‘ exclusive trailer for the upcoming Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the 10th Doctor and Donna Noble.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“Two Of Us” by The Beatles
-“The Citadel” by Richard Jacques, Jack Wall, and Sam Hulick
-“Rockin’ Robin” by Bobby Day

Episode 85 – I Hardly Even Knew Me

Episode 85 – I Hardly Even Knew Me

We’re a little under the weather this week, but we do our best to provide with the most premium content we can offer.

Week in Geek: Andrew plays the indie prison-escape simulator, The Escapists, while Dan sees Deadpool and definitely has “feelings.”

Silenced Hills: At the recent DICE Summit, a keynote was held that reunited Metal Gear Solid‘s Hideo Kojima with Pan’s Labyrinth‘s Guillermo Del Toro to talk about how much they like each other. We talk about how much they like each other.

First Person Theater: A trailer for the film, Hardcore Henry, landed in theaters and on the internet, and Andrew and Dan are wondering both “What the hell?” and “Why the hell not?”

If you have any comments on this week’s topics, leave them at forall.libsyn.com. Be sure to join the official Facebook and Google+ pages. You may also e-mail the show at forallpod [at] gmail.com. If you want to support the show, leave a review on iTunes!

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio
-“The Man Who Sold the World” by Midge Ure
-“Hardcore” by Dee Snider
-“Infected” by Bad Religion