3-06: Heart

So many of the issues of our current moment stem from unequal power dynamics, people using their power to exploit others. In the game space, discussions about power dynamics come in all shapes and sizes. For this week's episode, we air a conversation from early May with Lana Polansky, video game critic, labor reporter, and host of the indie-focused showcase The Freak Museum. Her eye for unique games and her blending of criticism with historical grounding makes this conversation one worth listening to. ----------- Here's how you can help support Intelligame: 1. Tell a friend! Share a link to a podcast episode or an article that you found important. 2. Follow! We're on Twitch, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook...we even have a newsletter. 3. Subscribe! It takes money to keep this work going, and every dollar counts! Consider backing us monthly on Patreon. Also, if you have Amazon Prime, consider subscribing to our Twitch channel for free (it's included with your membership)!

2020's been a tough year for most everyone around the globe, but the past couple weeks in particular have been heavy for Black people in the United States and abroad. The murders of George Floyd, Briana Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and more have returned the spotlight to discussions of racism, anti-Blackness, and police brutality. For our first episode back from our break, we start by saying: Black Lives Matter. This episode features an interview with Zoe Schneider, Community Manager at Harmonix, as well as a public speaker and activist. We talk about what it means to be a creator at this moment, and some of our personal experiences as Black professionals. We also discuss what it means to have platform at a moment like this, and how to work towards progress for all. This week's game recommendation is SweetXHeart, a game created by Catt Small about being a Black woman in the Bronx. The main character, Kara, goes through a typical week in her world: working, going to class, and dealing with microaggressions. Still, the game isn't just about pain: it's about life, and the particular issues that take place for those who have multiple forms of marginalization they deal with on a regular basis. Thanks for listening, folks. -Josh ------ Here's how you can help support Intelligame: 1. Tell a friend! Share a link to a podcast episode or an article that you found important. 2. Follow! We're on Twitch, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook...we even have a newsletter. 3. Subscribe! It takes money to keep this work going, and every dollar counts! Consider backing us monthly on Patreon. Also, if you have Amazon Prime, consider subscribing to our Twitch channel for free (it's included with your membership)!

This week Josh and Jenny talk about what they're playing! Here's a list of the games mentioned in this episode: Jenny Animal Crossing: New Horizons Final Fantasy 7 Remake Cadence of Hyrule Just Dance 2020 Josh Final Fantasy XIII Game Dev Carnival Wheel of Fate Legends of Ethernal Josh + Jenny: Tick Tock: A Tale for Two ----- Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

How do we not just move on, but make things better? How do we confront challenges and not just strive to go back to earlier days, but to create brighter ones in the future? This week's episode: Forward.  Our interview this week is with Malik Forté, gaming host who's worked with Nerdist, Bleacher Report, Blizzard's Overwatch League, and more.  Our game recommendation this week is Celeste by Matt Makes Games Inc. ------------------ Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

Hello, folks! Intelligame Radio's making a full return on May 11th; in the meantime, we wanted to air a segment we're tentatively calling "What We're Playing." It's a brief, casual podcast where we talk about...you guessed it: what we're playing! In this episode (which we recorded a couple weeks ago) , Jenny talks about starting Final Fantasy 7 Remake, while Josh waxes poetic about his love for Final Fantasy 13. What are you playing? Call in to the show using Anchor.fm, or send a voice note using your mobile device to [email protected] and let us know! You just might hear yourself on the air! ------------------- Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

These pauses in our lives are a good chance to reflect on the past and think about what we want to bring along to the present. This week's IGR features three segments from our last season of the show, as well as a game recommendation from Josh. ------------------ Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

The forces at our core keep us motivated, keep our blood pumping...physically, sure, but also mentally and emotionally. This week's episode: Heart. -------------------- Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

What do you think of as video game music? What does it mean to bring these pieces into our digital spaces…and into our physical ones as well? This week, we look at the ways these sounds and tracks shape our world: Composition. -------------------- Help support developers in financial hardship from GDC by checking out the GDC Relief Fund. Help needy families suffering from food insecurity by donating to Player vs. Hunger's Outplay Hunger initiative. Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

HBO’s drama series Insecure has a new game on the way: Insecure: The Come Up Game. Featuring Issa Dee and many of her friends, you play as a character in LA trying to make your way in the world while maintaining friendships, relationships, and hyping yourself up in the mirror. This bonus episode of Intelligame Radio features an interview with Dr. Mitu Khandaker and Latoya Peterson of Glow Up Games, the studio responsible for the upcoming mobile title. The game will release sometime during Season Four of Insecure, which premieres April 12th. Learn more about the studio at glowup.games. ----------- Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!

"Games" are just Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto? Not by a long shot. This week's episode dives into the world of "wholesome," featuring a spread of panelists who spoke on the subject at PAX East 2020. Follow this week's interviewees on Twitter (in photo order): Victoria Tran (Kitfox Games) James Tillman (Wholesome Games) Kara Holmes (Monomi Park) Jenny Windom (Intelligame/Rose City Games) Josh Boykin (Intelligame) -------------------- Help support developers in financial hardship to to GDC by checking out the GDC Relief Fund. Help needy families suffering from food insecurity by donating to Player vs. Hunger's Outplay Hunger initiative. Three ways to keep up with Intelligame: 1. Subscribe to the Intelligame Newsletter 2. Follow Intelligame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 3. Support Intelligame on Patreon!