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/

Iteration 179 - Minecraft as an Artistic Medium

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_179_-_Minecraft_as_an_Artistic_Medium.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

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