Monday, December 5, 2016

Iteration 219 - Tech vs Magic



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We start this week's iteration off with a talk about what it means to play and improvise, from a philosophical perspective. Josh recounts some more adventures from Dwarf Fortress. Ryan downloads some new mods for his Minecraft world, and is inspired to ponder the difference between magic and technology.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Iteration 218 - Magic and Blood



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and also here: https://archive.org/download/thesimulationist/Iteration218-MagicAndBlood.mp3

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We start the podcast off with talking about the adventures we have personally had in video games this week. Josh plays Dwarf Fortress and rebuilds his old fort, getting tips from Ryan on better defences. Ryan plays Minecraft with the Thaumcraft mod, and experiences video game bliss. And another review from Zoey, this time of the film the Road to El Dorado. And this movie inspires our main topic this week, which is blood magic, and how magic always seems to cost something. We ask why it should cost anything to use magic, and if you were designing your own world, what choices should you make as to the cost of magic?

References and Recommendations:

The Road to El Dorado: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138749/

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Iteration 217 - Succession and Transition of Power



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also here: https://archive.org/download/thesimulationist/Iteration217-SuccessionAndTransitionOfPower.mp3

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Esquimalt to get a new TV studio space, so the entertainment industry in Victoria is expanding! We talk a bit about the return of the Necromancer class into Diablo, and about how we think a company decides which content to monetize, and which content to make free. Ryan achieves all the achievements for Samhain in the Secret World. Zoey reviews Alice and Wonderland, with a little help from her dad. And for our main topic, well we just couldn't resist the US election, so we try to put a storytelling slant on it. We talk about voting systems like the electoral college. We talk about how power is gained, held, and maintained in our fantasy realms.

References and Recommendations:

Tres Laughin with Josh TreLeaven: https://treslaffin.blogspot.com

Made You Look Media: https://vimeo.com/madeyoulookmedia

Friday, November 18, 2016

Iteration 216 - Adaptation versus Repetition



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We open with a meta discussion about the future of podcasts and all media. And we ask what media is going to be like when we can simply download memories of experiences that are as good as actually having them. Then Ryan brings us a thought about comedic duos, comparing the Yogscast goons to Abbot and Costello. Josh plays some more Dwarf Fortress and admires the aesthetic of a bare-bones graphical style. Ryan plays the Secret World's Halloween content. For our main topic, we talk about the value of adaptation.

References and Recommendations:

The Stoned Ape: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna#.22Stoned_ape.22_theory_of_human_evolution

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Iteration 215 - Romancing a Q



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and also here: https://archive.org/download/thesimulationist/Iteration215-RomancingAQ.mp3

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We start with a tangent on Doctor Who. Then we do the rest of the podcast. We struggle with the question of whether to be happy that Ewe Bolle has been put in his place. Josh plays Dwarf Fortress and labours at digging through aquifers. Ryan watches Sleeping Beauty with Zoey. Ryan brings up the idea of what happens when the most powerful political entity in the area is an evil fairy queen. And then we talk about as many examples as we can think of when the love interests in a story have an age difference in the hundreds or thousands of years, and how that's dealt with in fantasy and science fiction. We also talk about what it really means for elves to have such extended lifespans.


References and Recommendations:

Han Solo film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Iteration 214 - The Lamentations of the Nerdy



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We begin the podcast this week with a bit of a rave by Josh about how cool he finds the Men in Black franchise, but also a conspiracy thought about why a shadowy organization would make a chart-topping R&B dance number. And a discussion comparing and contrasting the worlds of Ghostbusters versus the Men in Black. Then Ryan brings us a discussion about race. We talk about the crows in Dumbo, and Ryan talks over Josh a bunch and it's not particularly satisfying, but hopefully Josh got his point out, even though neither of these guys are equipped for making judgments on what actually is and isn't racist. At this point, we try to make an awkward transition into an analogy between being from a culture that is being appropriated and a comic book nerd whose Batman isn't quite the same as the old Batman. Ryan expresses his inability to properly give a rating to the Batman Versus Superman film.

References and Recommendations:

Galavant! (TV series): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3305096/

Batman Versus Superman: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2975590/

Friday, October 14, 2016

Iteration 213 - Do Not Temporally Resuscitate



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Go here: https://archive.org/details/thesimulationist for an archive of some recent iterations.

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In this iteration, we talk about Disney's Pinocchio, time travel, and various video games. Josh plays Minecraft, Code Name, and Forbidden Island. Ryan watches Pinocchio with Zoey, and Canadian horror flick The Drownsman.

References and Recommendations:

Interactivity Board Game Cafe Victoria: http://www.ibgcafe.com/

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Pinocchio (1940 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032910/

Legends of Tomorrow (TV series): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4532368/

The Flash (TV series): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3107288/

The Drownsman (2014 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3450134/

Friday, October 7, 2016

Iteration 212 - Herbert West Reanimator Reviewed



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We start off with a  bit of chat about the latest Minecraft update, and what we think of llamas, and how games in general are updated. Josh plays Dwarf Fortress and watches the musical television series Galavant! Ryan discovers a new all-time favourite in Reanimator (1985 film). Ryan also finishes off his beloved Facebook game Avengers Alliance, and watches the end credits of the game.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Iteration 211 - Cracking Cleverness




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In this iteration, Josh and Ryan concoct a plan to become more clever, and we learn how to make a hero look clever, as opposed to being really truly smart. But first, we talk about Halloween impending, and we compare Red Riding Hood with Goldilocks. Josh talks about people-watching, and how it might help one's writing. Then Josh plays Dwarf Fortress, Pandemic, and Dungeons & Dragons. Ryan plays The Secret World, and watches Disney's Cinderella and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and comes to an interesting strategy for Dorian Grey to beat his condition.

References and Recommendations:

Join us at Roll for Initiative once every month! http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Iteration 210 - Flavourloft Part Two




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In this iteration, Josh plays Dwarf Fortress and watches the Revenant and compares the two. Ryan and Zoey report on watching another Disney classic, this time Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And we get into another argument, this time about whether the Smurfs are derivative of the Seven Dwarfs. Our main topic this week is a continuation from a couple of iterations ago, about evoking a moody atmosphere for a Ravenloft campaign.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Iteration 209 - How Many Planets are You?



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In this iteration: Ryan laments the shutting down of another one of his online passtimes: Avengers Alliance. Then we get into a long discussion about the planet that was found orbiting Proxima Centauri. With several tangents on Pluto's planetary status, the nature of science, astronomy versus biology, and nerds arguing. Then we get into artificial intelligence. We get into some armchair philosophizing about how society, culture, creativity, and ethics emerge from multiple intelligences. Finally, we are joined by Ryan's daughter Zoey for a review of Disney's Robin Hood animated film. And Ryan talks a bit about the musical style and accents of the film being non-British.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Iteration 208 - Flavourloft



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We open this week's iteration with a tale of the largest pearl ever discovered in all of history. Then we talk a bit more about Stranger Things having a second season. Then we argue over what makes a movie a B Movie. We talk a bit about our adventures in Dwarf Fortress. And Ryan delves into the literature of the world of Ravenloft, and explains further why he thinks Ravenloft calls to him as a setting. And our main topic is actually a bunch of little tips and tricks to improve storytelling, inspired by Ryan's readings in Ravenloft.


References and Recommendations:

Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959 film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFN-y5AB6fs

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Iteration 207 - Deific Pretensions



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In this iteration: Ryan gets excited about how well Suicide Squad is still doing at the box office, since it means a better chance of getting a Harley Quinn film. This leads to a bit of a side jag onto the topic of superhero costumes in comics versus in film. Josh ponders whether gladiator games from Roman times were creatively scripted the way modern pro wrestling is. Ryan brings us a review of the Lion King, with a little review from Zoey too. And we get a bit in depth as to the meaning and implications of the Lion King story. Then Ryan brings up the topic of pretending to be a god, and when one can consider oneself to actually be a deity.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Iteration 206 - Being Poisoned Sucks



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We talk about whether and why the film Kung Fu Panda was a better representation of Chinese culture than some Chinese-made films. Then Ryan brings us a conspiracy notion questioning how we know whether the little details haven't been altered. From inventing a fictional baseball player and inserting him or her into history, to inventing an entire new historical sport. We share our adventures in simulations this week: Josh watches Event Horizon and plays Dwarf Fortress. Ryan gets food poisoning and is inspired to talk about poison in role-playing games and stories.

References and Recommendations:

Kung Fu Panda (2008 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773/

Kung Fu Panda Should Have Been Made in China (2008 article): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/11/AR2008071103281.html

Event Horizon (1997 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119081/

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Iteration 205 - Beauty and the Beast



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In this iteration, we begin with talk about the Waghi tribe of Papua New Guinea who uses The Phantom as a sigil that they draw on their war shields. Then we talk a little bit about Suicide Squad, and the fan-made version of Metroid 2. Josh gets back into Dwarf Fortress, and gets annoyed with it. Josh plays some board games at Interactivity! And for a main topic, we discuss the Disney film the Beauty and the Beast, mainly about the role of Gaston. Ryan thinks Gaston gets short shrift, but Josh is a bit less forgiving. Ryan wants to take the sorceress to task, but Josh thinks the castle staff had it coming. And we ask about the extent of the Beast's curse, and why it seems to extend to the surrounding countryside, because it causes the people to forget the castle.

References and Recommendations:

Interactivity Board Game Cafe: http://www.ibgcafe.com/

Critical Role: http://geekandsundry.com/shows/critical-role/

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Iteration 204 - Flavours of Evil



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This week we're excited about Starbound, a new video game we found out about from Kickstarter. We talk about microfiction as it appears in commercials. And we talk about education, conspiracy theories, and ideology. Josh plays D&D at roll for initiative, and reviews Stranger Things. Ryan finally gets started on the Game of Thrones television series, and he absolutely loves it. Ryan and Zoey review The Secret Life of Pets. And for our main topic, we talk about flavours of evil, different kinds of villains and degrees of villainy.

References and Recommendations:

Starbound (video game): http://playstarbound.com/

Roll for Initiative (local face-to-face gaming event): http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Stranger Things (television series): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4574334/

Game of Thrones (television series): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/

The Secret Life of Pets (2016 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2709768/

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Iteration 203 - The Superhero with a Thousand Faces



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We start this week's discussion off with our thoughts on the new trailer for the Justice League movie. Josh reports on Being John Malkovich, Harmonquest, and a documentary called Marwencol. Ryan reports on the Fantastic Four movie, and speculates whether it needed the particular IP, or whether it would have been a better movie if it had been a standalone movie with its own unique characters. From there we just talk about superhero stories. And veer into Hitler toward the end, just because.

References and Recommendations:

Justice League (2017 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974015/

Being John Malkovich (1999 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120601/

Marwencol (film and book): http://marwencol.com/

Venger Satanis (RPG books): http://vengersatanis.blogspot.ca/

Monday, July 25, 2016

Iteration 202 - Omniscience and Large Numbers



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We start by talking a bit about Ghostbusters, and then take a swerve into theology for some reason, and about what it would mean to be omniscient. Dwarf Fortress gets an update. And we talk about the real-world events going on in Turkey, and translating coups to a role-playing world. Zoey brings us a review of Ghostbusters. And for our main topic, we talk about the concept of large numbers, omniscience, and managing information in a role-playing game.

References and Recommendations:

Epic Rap Battles of History: Ivan the Terrible vs Alexander the Great https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbH1BVXywY

History Bites: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0231028/

Friday, July 15, 2016

Iteration 201 - How and Why to Change a Battlefield



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We start with a discussion about Pokemon Go! Ryan watches the Emperor's New Groove again. Ryan plays more of the Secret World. And for our main topic, we were inspired by boss fights from MMORPGs and we ponder the question of how to make big battles more dynamic and interesting and awesome over time.

References and Recommendations:

Beyond the Pale RPG: http://beyondthepalerpg.tumblr.com/

The Secret World (MMORPG): http://www.thesecretworld.com/

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Iteration 200 - Magic with Personality



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We start with a discussion about why we think movies bomb at the box office. Then Ryan and Zoey review Finding Dory (2016 film). Josh reports on Love and Friendship (2016 film). Then Ryan points out all the plot holes in Men in Black 3.

Then we talk about how summoning monsters from other planes works, on a technical level, and the variants in which you can summon the same version of the monster every time. And we conclude with a discussion about intelligent or semi-intelligent magic items, and how to deal with them as players, DMs, and storytellers.

References and Recommendations:

Finding Dory (2016 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2277860/

Love and Friendship (2016 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3068194/

Lindybeige: https://www.youtube.com/user/lindybeige

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Iteration 199 - With Allies Like These



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Josh recounts some of his recent times spent as a Dungeon Master at Roll for Initiative in Victoria. Then we talk about how games like Minecraft get updates these days. Josh watches Man on the Moon. Ryan recounts some of his adventures in The Secret World. Then we discuss an article on elements for creepypasta stories. And our main topic this week is about Friends and Allies, what to do with them as a DM and what to do with them as a player, and the constraints of a work of fiction or a role-playing game in dealing with so many allies.

References and Recommendations:

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Man on the Moon (1999 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_on_the_Moon_(film)

The Secret World (MMORPG): http://www.thesecretworld.com/

CreepyPasta: https://venngage.com/blog/creepypasta/

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Iteration 198 - The Town That Wasn't There




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In this, our very special Summer Solstice iteration, we talk about getting to the halfway point of the year of celebrity deaths. After that, Ryan brings us a conspiracy theory rooted in local happenings to us in Victoria. Then we get onto a tangent about The Town That Wasn't There. Josh reports on watching The Maze Runner, and Ryan reports on watching Fury Road. Then we talk about different kinds of zombies, and monsters in Dungeons & Dragons.


References and Recommendations:

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392190/

Maze Runner (2014 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/

Monday, June 13, 2016

Iteration 197 - The Animal Singularity and Other Topics



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We start our show off with banter about Math class versus French class. Then we move onto a discussion of the Warcraft movie. Whether or not it's better to make a film to appeal only to fans. And how we would make a D&D movie if it was up to us. Then we talk about Kevin Smith's new movie Yoga Hosers. Josh gets addicted to Cookie Clicker. Ryan watches an old movie called The Pillow of Death and has a beef about its ending in which the wrong characters end up as a couple at the end. And Josh shares a thought about the Animal Singularity.

References and Recommendations:

Warcraft (2016 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0803096/

Yoga Hosers (2016 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3838992/

The Pillow of Death (1950 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037989/

Monday, June 6, 2016

Iteration 196 - Optimal Number of Murder Suspects



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We start off with a bit of talk about the theatrical and storytelling nature of boxing, in light of the passing of Muhammad Ali. For our main topic this week, Ryan watched Calling Doctor Death, and we wonder whether there's an optimal number of suspects for a murder mystery on film or in books. Then in the course of this, we invent a setting for a Western in which every citizen is required to have killed someone.


References and Recommendations:

Cookie Clicker: http://orteil.dashnet.org/cookieclicker/

Calling Dr. Death (1943 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035706/

Monday, May 30, 2016

Iteration 195 - A Tradition of Muppetry



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In this iteration of the Simulationist podcast: Ryan thinks the Muppets are classy and Hitler did a couple of things right (kidding!). We talk about muppets as a thing on TV, and whether we'll see more of them. Then we talk about the big Captain America reveal that he's been a hydra agent the whole time. Ryan goes a little nuts on this one. And a brief review of Inside Out by Ryan and Zoey (with mild spoilers).


Monday, May 23, 2016

Iteration 194 - Righteous Anger and Good Guy Rivalries



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In this iteration of the Simulationist podcast, Ryan gives us his thoughts on the Neverending Story Part III. He also reviews a movie called "Sssssss" and we get a review from Zoey on Monster High. And a short review of Dragonball Z Resurrection F. We also talk about our adventures in Minecraft. Josh recaps the season finale of Grey's Anatomy.

For our main topic, we talk about rivalries between good and powerful heroes who nevertheless seem to have beefs with each other. We then spill over into a discussion about why Superman doesn't spend more of his time stopping accidents.

References and Recommendations:

Neverending Story III (1994 film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110647/

Sssssss (1973 film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070622/

Monster High: Haunted (2015 film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4137924/ 

Dragonball Z Resurrection F (2015 film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3819668/

Grey's Anatomy (TV series) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413573/

Monday, May 16, 2016

Iteration 193 - The Graveyard Battle



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We start the podcast off with some banter about learning to draw. How even if all you can draw is stick figures, that's a place to start. Then Ryan talks about another Buccaneer Days' Festival in Esquimalt, and we talk about the design of theme parks, roller coasters, and carnival rides. Then we talk about Disney Infinity shutting down, and segue into a conversation about the ephemeral nature of online games, and a comparison to the carnival. Our main topic this week is about a story concerning a battle in a graveyard that involved 200 people. From there we examine the nature of death and memory, what to do with dead bodies, ethnicity, gang violence, government corruption, religion, and whether or not this story qualifies as weird enough.

References and Recommendations:

Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics http://scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/

Cemetery Terminology http://18thcenturylove.tumblr.com/post/129586813937/burial-a-reference

Moscow fight in cemetery http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/moscow-cemetery-brawl-1.3582704

"Early in the morning in the middle of the night two dead boys got up to fight" http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/queries/lostquotes/?id=134 

King Richard III's Grave Found in Parking Lot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exhumation_and_reburial_of_Richard_III_of_England

Monday, May 9, 2016

Iteration 192 - Inexplicable Wrong Decisions



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Ryan starts us off with a thought about how dreams might be more real life than real life. Whoah. Josh and Ryan relate their adventures in Minecraft, both of us having taken on the hardest boss in the game: the dreaded Wither. Ryan recaps his takings from Free Comic Book Day. From there we smoothly segue into a discussion about Marvel's Civil War series, and the inciting issue, and where we both fall on the issue of precognitive justice. And for our main topic, we talk about the deal that Peter Parker made with the devil about trading Mary Jane for Aunt May to live again.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Iteration 191 - The Moral of the Demon Car



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We start with some talk about some of the toys we used to have when we were kids, including the Crash Test Dummies. Then we talk about a long-awaited porting of Magic the Gathering's monsters to a D&D format. Ryan finally saw Jurassic World, and brings us his thoughts on it, as well as his daughter Zoey's thoughts. And for our main topic, we talk about The Car, a 1983 horror movie. We talk about how horror movies have their own sense of morality, and what happens when they break those morals, and whether as writers we should or shouldn't. And the importance of backstory or just explaining what's going on.


References and Recommendations:

Crash Test Dummies (toys): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Crash_Dummies

Starcom (1987 toys and TV show): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starcom:_The_U.S._Space_Force

Roll for Initiative (local game convening): http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Free Comic Book Day: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

Greater Victoria Public Library (also participating in Free Comic Book Day): https://gvpl.ca/

The Car (1977 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075809/

Monday, April 25, 2016

Iteration 190 - The Question of Harm to Animals in Simulations



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Reptilian creatures from space are coming to earth to take our jobs! We talk about our adventures in simulations, the video games we played, the movies we watched, and the random thoughts we had about the Flintstones. For our main topic this week, Ryan brings us his review of Murder at the Zoo, specifically a scene in which a lion fights a cougar. And we get to pondering about the ethics of enjoying fights and suffering, and whether it makes a difference if it's simulated or real.

References and Recommendations:

The Secret World (MMORPG): http://www.thesecretworld.com/

Roll for Initiative Victoria: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Murders in the Zoo (1933 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024360/

Sharktopus vs Whalewolf (2015 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharktopus_vs._Whalewolf

Monday, April 18, 2016

Iteration 189 - Monsters on the Big Screen



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In this iteration of the podcast, we ask if Ryan was a member of the Paw Patrols, which dog would he be? Ryan's conspiracy moment: muffins are actually three-dimensional cookies. This leads us into a discussion of physics. We talk about visual changes in Blizzard's Overwatch game. We recount our own personal weekly adventures in simulations. We talk about Marvel's weird villain Ruby Thursday. And for our main topic, we were inspired by Ryan's watching of King Kong vs Godzilla, and we wonder why we don't see more screen time for monsters in monster movies?

Monday, April 11, 2016

Iteration 188 - Hag Trouble



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In this week's iteration: we talk about the influence of entertainment companies on politics, and also the game of politics. We compare politics to Call of Cthulhu, Pac-man, and Dwarf Fortress. Josh discovers the joy of forest fires in Minecraft. And recounts his day as an actor in a web short. Ryan plays more of the Secret World and Marvel's Avenger's Alliance. And for our main topic, Ryan delves into Ravenloft, discovering some untold stories of hags, and we ponder why these stories have been left untouched. We talk a bit about the concept of ugliness and beauty, in light of the archetypal hag.

References and Recommendations:

The Age of Persuasion (CBC show) http://www.cbc.ca/ageofpersuasion/

Monday, April 4, 2016

Iteration 187 - Down with Sickness and Corruption




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We talk about the introduction of Toonz animation software to the realm of Open Source software. We talk a bit about Ryan killing filthy humans in The Secret World, and Josh falling down holes of his own making in Minecraft. We have a short discussion about whether it would be better to stop exhisting or to endure eternal torture with a tiny hope of eventually getting out. Some interesting cosmological theorizing. Our main topic this week is a bit of a takeoff from last week. In this week's "corruption" discussion, we turn to the supernatural, the magical, and the cosmic aspects of corruption. From the undead to the nature of the universe itself.

Bonus: Zoey reviews Zootopia.



References and Recommendations:

Lion King plot stolen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimba_the_White_Lion#The_Lion_King_controversy

Monday, March 28, 2016

Iteration 186 - Invisibilities and Corruptions



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We discuss our recent adventures in gaming, including Josh's Minecraft building, Ryan's Secret World wardrobe functions, and comedy bingo. Then Ryan brings up the Invisible Man film, and we discuss the ways to be invisible, and the advantages of that power.

References and Recommendations:

The Invisible Man (1933 film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invisible_Man_%28film%29

Monday, March 21, 2016

Iteration 185 - Robot Angel Philosophy



 The direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_185_-_Robot_Angel_Philosophy.mp3

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We start off this week's iteration of the show with a short discussion about actors playing actors, in a kind of recursive reality. And the amount of artfulness that it seems to take to pretend not to be competent at something you're actually good at. In games this week, Josh figured out how to recover a Minecraft save. Has more fun with villagers. Ryan watches and reviews Barbarella (1968 film). Which spawns our main topic for the episode: talking about angels who forget, and whether forgetting is necessary for forgiveness, and whether artificial intelligence should be programmed for forgiveness or forgetfulness, or both. Josh comes up with an idea for a league of drone do-gooders. And we argue about philosophy and morality.

References and Recommendations:

Barbarella (1968 Jane Fonda film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbarella_%28film%29

Monday, March 14, 2016

Iteration 184 - Spirits of the Storm



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This is our very special Daylight Savings episode. We discuss simulating world time, and marvel at the invention of time zones. Ryan's conspiracy thought of the week: Mott's Clamato and the ancient Semitic deity of drought and Death: Mot. Josh goes on a weird tangent about how Caesars still exist in the world. This turns into a discussion on twinning cities. And that in turn turns into a conversation about the transporter from Star Trek, reincarnation, enlightenment, and the Art of War. We talk about our adventures in video games, the things we built, and the battles we fought. Ryan discovers a new cartoon called Miraculous Ladybug. Plus the remake of Evil Dead. But our main topic for the week is about how to do weather in a fantasy setting.


References and Recommendations:

Mot (deity): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mot_%28god%29

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Josh's Minecraft Creation: http://imgur.com/a/5pe4K

Miraculous Ladybug: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miraculous:_Tales_of_Ladybug_and_Cat_Noir

Evil Dead (2013 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1288558/

Monday, March 7, 2016

Iteration 183 - Schooling Wizards (and Fighters)



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In this iteration of the Simulationist Podcast, we gush about Wizards of the Coast's new addition to the Dungeon Master's Guild list of available IP: Ravenloft! Ryan shares some of his brainstorms for new adventures and realms set in the misted lands of Ravenloft. We talked about some cross-over ideas between The Addam's Family, Ravenloft, and Harry Potter. Another quick conversation about brain-swapping and how we would do a modern version of Frankenstein. We talk a little bit about Minecraft, its latest update, and Josh's work on villages. Ryan recounts his time playing Marvel's Avengers Alliance.

This week's main topic is about how eduction works in a fantasy D&D setting. How are schools founded, how they operate, and what they do for your player and backstory. A bit of conversation about certain technology, and how schools might foster technology and thus change your campaign world. And then we go on a tangent about Star Trek, and a bit about how education works in a modern day campaign or a futuristic fictional world.

References and Recommendations:

DM's Guild: http://www.dmsguild.com/

Mistipedia: http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/wiki/Main_Page

The origins of the Academy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy

Aaron Swartz (the guy whose name I couldn't remember): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz

Monday, February 29, 2016

Iteration 182 - Simplicity and Other Game Design Topics




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In this iteration of the Simulationist podcast: we talk about the Academy Awards and try to convince ourselves why they are significant in our culture. Josh accuses Ryan of being a hipster. Then we talk about the DotA tournament in Shanghai that fired its announcer. Josh talks about comedy, Minecraft, and the TV shows we watched. On the topic of structuring television, telling stories forward and backward. Ryan reports on watching Deadpool. Then, prompted by Ryan recently tinkering with Hero Quest, we talk about the simplicity factor in game design, and how we add our own features and rules tweaks to role-playing games. And finally, we talk about board games, and picking a good board game for young children to play.


References and Recommendations:

The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988 film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoLhLn9hVkE

Shanghai Major Dota 2 Tournament 2016: http://wiki.teamliquid.net/dota2/Shanghai_Major/2016

Roll for Initiative Victoria: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Ye Olde Inn (HeroQuest site): http://www.yeoldeinn.com/

Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/

Monday, February 22, 2016

Iteration 181 - Primordial Alphabet Soup



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We start by discussing the sport of boxing, and Josh gives his thoughts on his first boxing lesson. We talk about the evolutionary origins of play and sport. Then we turn to a weird tangent about drinking milk and playing sports. Then why do we eat so much of animals but so rarely ever drink animal blood? Then we talk about evolution, how it works, and what it means for making simulations. And will humans ever go extinct? Finally, Ryan rants about how people don't think enough.


References and Recommendations:

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Naismith

Vibrating Football Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJI9sFJ9RXQ

Monday, February 15, 2016

Iteration 180 - Quests for Holy Grails



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We talk a bit about seafood, then a bit about the movie Deadpool. We get a little bit excited about the upcoming Lantasy convention in Victoria. Then we talk about the games we've been playing. And Ryan watched the 1981 film Excalibur. And that becomes our main topic. We talk about the divine mandate of kings, and how that leads into grail quests.

References and Recommendations:

LANtasy: https://www.lantasy.com/

Excalibur (1981 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082348/

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Iteration 179 - Minecraft as an Artistic Medium



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In this iteration of the podcast, we start with some talk about the designed environment of a fast food restaurant. Then we get into a small discussion about automation, and how automation works or doesn't work when it comes to game design. Then Ryan gets excited about the upcoming Deadpool movie, but worries about it being a box office flop. Then we talk a bit about our recent adventures in Minecraft. And from there we get into a long talk about art in Minecraft, and how a video game can serve as a medium for artistic expression to rival more traditional art forms like painting and sculpture. We talk about how we think art will be made in the future, like in the Star Trek universe. And how we'll consume food in the universe of Star Trek. We talk about the art of curation and criticism.

References and Recommendations:

Deadpool movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431045/

Robert Bateman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bateman_%28painter%29

Monday, February 1, 2016

Iteration 178 - Fixing Broken Things



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We start with a bit of talk about live comedy in Victoria. Ryan continues with his quest to automate his Minecraft world. Ryan then continues to develop his ideas for revolutionizing the vegepygmy race in the framework of the new Dungeon Master's Guild. Ryan finally gets around to watching Disney's Frozen. And for our main topic, we talk about things that are broken and need repairing, and how we approach this in the games we play and the stories we tell.


References and Recommendations:

The Scourge of the Slave Lords (D&D adventure) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scourge_of_the_Slave_Lords

Welcome to Night Vale (podcast) http://www.welcometonightvale.com/

Monday, January 25, 2016

Iteration 177 - The Return of the X-Files!



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We begin with a follow-up on the Dungeon Master's Guild, some thoughts on how we've been inspired to take up a couple throw-away details from the show, and make a mark on the Forgotten Realms. A strange tangent to why Wikipedia is cool. Josh reports on a game of D&D he played at Roll for Initiative. Ryan gives Josh advice for advancing his comedy career. Ryan reviews Dracula Untold. We review the first three or so episodes of Rick and Morty that we just watched on Adult Swim. We talk about how Ryan would fare as a civillian protagonist in a Futurama-style adventure. Then we talk about the first episode of the new X-Files. Ryan invents the "with" sign.

References and Recommendations:

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Dracula Untold (2014 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829150/

Rick and Morty (Adult Swim cartoon): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2861424/

GURPS Illuminati (book): http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Illuminati/

The X-Files Files: http://www.feralaudio.com/show/x-files-files/

Monday, January 18, 2016

Iteration 176 - The Return of the Open Gaming License




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We start by noting the lives of David Bowie and Alan Rickman. Then we talk about what it means that the Open Gaming License from Wizards of the Coast is back, along with their new program called the Dungeon Master's Guild. Then we talk about the cool stuff we built in Minecraft. Ryan gives a glowing review to Citizen Kane (no surprise, but it's a movie that neither of us ever got around to watching). Josh talks about his upcoming Dungeon Master experience (fingers crossed).

Monday, January 11, 2016

Iteration 175 - Braving Tradition



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We start by making excuses for why we're not doing more actual writing. In Minecraft, Josh builds a map house, and Ryan gets lost in the Nether. And Ryan watched, and reviews, Brave the 2012 film. For our main topic, we talk about the use and breaking of tradition. In a meta sense, in terms of breaking movie tropes, as well as in an internal sense, by the main character breaking with tradition. Plus a weird tangent in the middle in which we determine whether Ryan would stay as the Beast if he was magically transformed into it.

References and Recommendations: 

Brave (2012 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/

Monday, January 4, 2016

Iteration 174 - Billy Goat III: The Gruffening



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We begin the year, and this week's iteration of the podcast, by sussing out the moral of the story of the billy goats gruff, from the point of view of the troll. Then we talk about the little earthquake we had in Victoria this week. A man shoots himself with a potato gun. We talk about our creations in Minecraft. And we ask what the game Twenty Questions is simulating? And for our main topic, we talk about what goes into making a great sequel. We talk about why we didn't like Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar.


References and Recommendations:

Victoria Buzz on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBCBuzz/