Ludus Novus » Podcasts http://ludusnovus.net The Art of Interaction Tue, 22 May 2012 04:22:06 +0000 en hourly 1 2006-2008 Gregory.Weir@gmail.com (Gregory Weir) Gregory.Weir@gmail.com (Gregory Weir) 1440 http://ludusnovus.net/images/ludusnovusblog.jpg Ludus Novus http://ludusnovus.net 144 144 The Art of Interaction ludology, games, game, design, rpgs, interactive, fiction, video, game, theory, interactive, art Gregory Weir Gregory Weir Gregory.Weir@gmail.com no no Ludus Novus 021: Tin Medals http://ludusnovus.net/2011/03/17/ludus-novus-021-tin-medals/ http://ludusnovus.net/2011/03/17/ludus-novus-021-tin-medals/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:04:49 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=1218 In this episode of the Ludus Novus podcast, I discuss achievements and how there are a lot more aspects to them than are immediately apparent.

The music for this episode is “The Temple” by Out of Orion and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike License.

This podcast is certainly not a complete discussion of the topic, so please leave any input or feedback in the comments section.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2011/03/17/ludus-novus-021-tin-medals/feed/ 5 0:18:07 In this episode of the Ludus Novus podcast, I discuss achievements and how there are a lot more aspects to them than are immediately apparent. Games discussed: Alan Wake by Remedy Entertainment “Babies Dream of Dead Worlds” by Gregory We[...] In this episode of the Ludus Novus podcast, I discuss achievements and how there are a lot more aspects to them than are immediately apparent. Games discussed: Alan Wake by Remedy Entertainment “Babies Dream of Dead Worlds” by Gregory Weir Perfect Cell by Mobigame The music for this episode is “The Temple” by Out of Orion and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike License. This podcast is certainly not a complete discussion of the topic, so please leave any input or feedback in the comments section. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 020: Acceptable Losses http://ludusnovus.net/2010/08/23/ludus-novus-020-acceptable-losses/ http://ludusnovus.net/2010/08/23/ludus-novus-020-acceptable-losses/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:36:09 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=1035 In this episode of the Ludus Novus podcast, I discuss the basic minion summoning and equipment mechanics of Overlord, and how they both encourage tactical gameplay and maintain the characterization of the player character.

The music for this episode is from “medieval evil” by Baal Anamelech and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 license.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2010/08/23/ludus-novus-020-acceptable-losses/feed/ 1 0:13:11 In this episode of the Ludus Novus podcast, I discuss the basic minion summoning and equipment mechanics of Overlord, and how they both encourage tactical gameplay and maintain the characterization of the player character. The music for this episode[...] In this episode of the Ludus Novus podcast, I discuss the basic minion summoning and equipment mechanics of Overlord, and how they both encourage tactical gameplay and maintain the characterization of the player character. The music for this episode is from “medieval evil” by Baal Anamelech and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 license. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 019: False Narrativism: Awesome Zone http://ludusnovus.net/2010/03/19/ludus-novus-019-false-narrativism-awesome-zone/ http://ludusnovus.net/2010/03/19/ludus-novus-019-false-narrativism-awesome-zone/#comments Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:03:07 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=792 This podcast episode is about an unreleased game from 1990 that a guy showed me at GDC. It’s called Awesome Zone, and it was created by developer Theodore Alby for a company called KnowSoft over the course of a six-week nervous breakdown.

The music for this episode is from “Three Goes On Forever” by Time Slips By, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike License as part of the compilation Ctrl-N.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2010/03/19/ludus-novus-019-false-narrativism-awesome-zone/feed/ 7 0:22:38 This podcast episode is about an unreleased game from 1990 that a guy showed me at GDC. It’s called Awesome Zone, and it was created by developer Theodore Alby for a company called KnowSoft over the course of a six-week nervous breakdown. The[...] This podcast episode is about an unreleased game from 1990 that a guy showed me at GDC. It’s called Awesome Zone, and it was created by developer Theodore Alby for a company called KnowSoft over the course of a six-week nervous breakdown. The music for this episode is from “Three Goes On Forever” by Time Slips By, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike License as part of the compilation Ctrl-N. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 018: Sequelitis http://ludusnovus.net/2009/06/28/ludus-novus-018-sequelitis/ http://ludusnovus.net/2009/06/28/ludus-novus-018-sequelitis/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:05:02 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=507 This podcast episode is about three games that should have been named Half-Life 3: Episode 1, Unreal Tournament 4, and Star Wars Dark Forces 3: Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast: Jedi Academy.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2009/06/28/ludus-novus-018-sequelitis/feed/ 4 0:11:55 This podcast episode is about three games that should have been named Half-Life 3: Episode 1, Unreal Tournament 4, and Star Wars Dark Forces 3: Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast: Jedi Academy. This podcast episode is about three games that should have been named Half-Life 3: Episode 1, Unreal Tournament 4, and Star Wars Dark Forces 3: Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast: Jedi Academy. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 017: The Rules of the Game http://ludusnovus.net/2009/05/17/ludus-novus-017-the-rules-of-the-game/ http://ludusnovus.net/2009/05/17/ludus-novus-017-the-rules-of-the-game/#comments Sun, 17 May 2009 19:37:54 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=459 In this podcast episode, I present and discuss my definition of the word “game.” In short, a game is an interactive simulation that provides metrics which allow a user to track progress toward a goal. Listen on to hear why Microsoft Paint is a game and why winning and losing are really the same thing.

I’d love to hear what you think! Comment if you have any opinions on the things I discuss in this episode.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2009/05/17/ludus-novus-017-the-rules-of-the-game/feed/ 6 0:15:34 In this podcast episode, I present and discuss my definition of the word “game.” In short, a game is an interactive simulation that provides metrics which allow a user to track progress toward a goal. Listen on to hear why Microsoft Pa[...] In this podcast episode, I present and discuss my definition of the word “game.” In short, a game is an interactive simulation that provides metrics which allow a user to track progress toward a goal. Listen on to hear why Microsoft Paint is a game and why winning and losing are really the same thing. I’d love to hear what you think! Comment if you have any opinions on the things I discuss in this episode. Podcasts, Roleplaying Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 016: False Narrativism: Oszustwo http://ludusnovus.net/2009/05/08/ludus-novus-016-false-narrativism-oszustwo/ http://ludusnovus.net/2009/05/08/ludus-novus-016-false-narrativism-oszustwo/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 21:02:53 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=199 as time goes by

This week’s episode is a special False Narrativism piece, discussing the obscure but visionary Polish game Oszustwo, or Incongruity. I can easily envision a world in which this game never existed, but fortunately we have access to the most technologically-advanced, creepiest, and hardest-to-play game ever developed.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2009/05/08/ludus-novus-016-false-narrativism-oszustwo/feed/ 14 0:11:42 This week’s episode is a special False Narrativism piece, discussing the obscure but visionary Polish game Oszustwo, or Incongruity. I can easily envision a world in which this game never existed, but fortunately we have access to the most t[...] This week’s episode is a special False Narrativism piece, discussing the obscure but visionary Polish game Oszustwo, or Incongruity. I can easily envision a world in which this game never existed, but fortunately we have access to the most technologically-advanced, creepiest, and hardest-to-play game ever developed. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 015: Curse of Ludus Novus http://ludusnovus.net/2008/10/12/ludus-novus-015-curse-of-ludus-novus/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/10/12/ludus-novus-015-curse-of-ludus-novus/#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:31:37 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=91 What do we look for in digital game sequels, and why is it different than in other forms of media? Why don’t we see more sequels that give us more of the same good stuff?

References:

The music for this episode is “Darien Gap” by Josh Woodward and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

This episode’s topic suggested by Lissa.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/10/12/ludus-novus-015-curse-of-ludus-novus/feed/ 14 0:16:28 What do we look for in digital game sequels, and why is it different than in other forms of media? Why don’t we see more sequels that give us more of the same good stuff? References: Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 directed by Sam Raimi Harry Po[...] What do we look for in digital game sequels, and why is it different than in other forms of media? Why don’t we see more sequels that give us more of the same good stuff? References: Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 directed by Sam Raimi Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and Prince of Persia: Warrior Within developed by Ubisoft Montreal Penny Arcade‘s Warrior Within strip, “On Discomfort“ Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick directed by David Twohy Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 by Bungie Studios Starcraft and Starcraft: Brood War by Blizzard Entertainment Sam & Max: Season One by Telltale Games Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode 1, and Half-Life 2: Episode 2 by Valve Software Grim Fandango by LucasArts XIII by Ubisoft Paris Anachronox by Ion Storm Katamari Damacy and We Love Katamari by Namco Games The music for this episode is “Darien Gap” by Josh Woodward and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. This episode’s topic suggested by Lissa. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 014: From Side to Side http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/27/ludus-novus-014-from-side-to-side/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/27/ludus-novus-014-from-side-to-side/#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:00:03 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=59 The classic Super Mario Bros. Let’s take a look at its influence and its gameplay.

References:

The music for this episode is “Lullaby Set” by Shira Kammen, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 license.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/27/ludus-novus-014-from-side-to-side/feed/ 1 0:29:51 The classic Super Mario Bros. Let’s take a look at its influence and its gameplay. References: Super Mario Bros. by Nintendo The Legend of Zelda by Nintendo Final Fantasy by Square Bubble Bobble by Taito Pac-Land by Namco Adventure Island by[...] The classic Super Mario Bros. Let’s take a look at its influence and its gameplay. References: Super Mario Bros. by Nintendo The Legend of Zelda by Nintendo Final Fantasy by Square Bubble Bobble by Taito Pac-Land by Namco Adventure Island by Hudson Soft Donkey Kong series by Nintendo Wrecking Crew by Nintendo Mario Bros. by Nintendo Design Patterns of Successful Roleplaying Games by Whitson John Kirk III “Coins: Gotta Catch Them All” by KirbyKid The music for this episode is “Lullaby Set” by Shira Kammen, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 license. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 013: Over the Next Hill http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/13/ludus-novus-013-over-the-next-hill/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/13/ludus-novus-013-over-the-next-hill/#comments Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:04:18 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=40 In this podcast, I talk about exploration games. Exploration games, as I categorize them, are games with an open world that offer an array of paths at any one time. They’re awesome because they appeal to players’ curiosity and completionism, and they help deal with player frustration.

References:

The music for this episode is “Space Doggity” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/13/ludus-novus-013-over-the-next-hill/feed/ 1 0:24:49 In this podcast, I talk about exploration games. Exploration games, as I categorize them, are games with an open world that offer an array of paths at any one time. They’re awesome because they appeal to players’ curiosity and completi[...] In this podcast, I talk about exploration games. Exploration games, as I categorize them, are games with an open world that offer an array of paths at any one time. They’re awesome because they appeal to players’ curiosity and completionism, and they help deal with player frustration. References: Morrowind Metroid Super Metroid The Legend of Zelda Shadow of the Colossus The Grand Theft Auto III series Knytt (free download) Noctis (free download) An Untitled Story (free download) Half Life 2 Deus Ex The music for this episode is “Space Doggity” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 012: Genre Fiction http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/06/ludus-novus-012-genre-fiction/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/06/ludus-novus-012-genre-fiction/#comments Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:00:24 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=34 In this podcast, I discuss digital games genres and how I think they’re silly. They’re arbitrary niches based on a few popular games, and using them to describe games limits the way we think about making and playing games. I discuss the evolution of our genre system, from Crawford in 1984 to the modern overstuffed action adventure, and explain how Madden ’08 and Rainbow Six are in the same genre.

References:

The music for this episode is “Unforgiven” by spinmeister and featuring TheJoe & Kaer Trouz, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/06/ludus-novus-012-genre-fiction/feed/ 8 0:22:28 In this podcast, I discuss digital games genres and how I think they’re silly. They’re arbitrary niches based on a few popular games, and using them to describe games limits the way we think about making and playing games. I discuss th[...] In this podcast, I discuss digital games genres and how I think they’re silly. They’re arbitrary niches based on a few popular games, and using them to describe games limits the way we think about making and playing games. I discuss the evolution of our genre system, from Crawford in 1984 to the modern overstuffed action adventure, and explain how Madden ’08 and Rainbow Six are in the same genre. References: Halo: Combat Evolved Deus Ex Dungeon Keeper The Serious Sam series Smash T.V. Geometry Wars The Art of Computer Game Design, Chapter 3: “A Taxonomy of Computer Games“, by Chris Crawford Super Mario Bros. Ultima Underworld Rainbow Six The music for this episode is “Unforgiven” by spinmeister and featuring TheJoe & Kaer Trouz, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 011: Written in Blood http://ludusnovus.net/2008/06/09/ludus-novus-011-written-in-blood/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/06/09/ludus-novus-011-written-in-blood/#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:13:31 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/?p=22 In this podcast, I discuss the player-author contract. An interactive work sets up a trust between the player and the work’s author. This takes the form of a contract which, when violated, can cause the player to reject the work.

    The Player-Author Contract

  1. The work can be played by the player.

    • Violated by games which are unexpectedly incompatible with the player’s system.
  2. The entire work can be played by the player.

    • Violated by “game-breaking” bugs as in Battletoads and Pac-Man
  3. Through playing the work, the player can affect the progression of the work.

  4. The events in the work are governed by a set of rules.
    • Violated by some Choose Your Own Adventure games
  5. The rules of the work do not change without warning.

  6. Any player failure can be avoided by player actions.

    • Violated by really hard games.
    • Subverted by I Wanna Be The Guy and similar games and custom levels.
  7. The author provides some goal that the player can pursue.
    • Violated or subverted by Noctis.
  8. The player can evaluate progress toward a provided goal.
    • Let me know if you know a game that violates or subverts this!

Also see Without a Goal: On open and expressive games by Jesper Juul.

The music for this episode is “Broken (DURDEN version)” by DURDEN and featuring Trifonic & Amelia June, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/06/09/ludus-novus-011-written-in-blood/feed/ 2 0:27:12 In this podcast, I discuss the player-author contract. An interactive work sets up a trust between the player and the work’s author. This takes the form of a contract which, when violated, can cause the player to reject the work. The Player[...] In this podcast, I discuss the player-author contract. An interactive work sets up a trust between the player and the work’s author. This takes the form of a contract which, when violated, can cause the player to reject the work. The Player-Author Contract The work can be played by the player. Violated by games which are unexpectedly incompatible with the player’s system. The entire work can be played by the player. Violated by “game-breaking” bugs as in Battletoads and Pac-Man Through playing the work, the player can affect the progression of the work. Subverted by “Rameses“ The events in the work are governed by a set of rules. Violated by some Choose Your Own Adventure games The rules of the work do not change without warning. Subverted by Karoshi 2.0 Any player failure can be avoided by player actions. Violated by really hard games. Subverted by I Wanna Be The Guy and similar games and custom levels. The author provides some goal that the player can pursue. Violated or subverted by Noctis. The player can evaluate progress toward a provided goal. Let me know if you know a game that violates or subverts this! Also see Without a Goal: On open and expressive games by Jesper Juul. The music for this episode is “Broken (DURDEN version)” by DURDEN and featuring Trifonic & Amelia June, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 010: ELIZA Is Dead http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/13/ludus-novus-010-eliza-is-dead/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/13/ludus-novus-010-eliza-is-dead/#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:37:48 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/13/ludus-novus-010-eliza-is-dead/ Is the illusion of player agency as good as real player agency? Isn’t a video game just a simulated game master? Is the Chinese Room a good game? If the author is dead, what about the algorithm?

The music for this episode is “The Acorns. Seedin Time in The Oak Room.” by Loveshadow, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license.

References:

  • John Searle’s Chinese room
  • ELIZA
]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/13/ludus-novus-010-eliza-is-dead/feed/ 3 0:20:42 Is the illusion of player agency as good as real player agency? Isn’t a video game just a simulated game master? Is the Chinese Room a good game? If the author is dead, what about the algorithm? The music for this episode is “The Acor[...] Is the illusion of player agency as good as real player agency? Isn’t a video game just a simulated game master? Is the Chinese Room a good game? If the author is dead, what about the algorithm? The music for this episode is “The Acorns. Seedin Time in The Oak Room.” by Loveshadow, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license. References: John Searle’s Chinese room ELIZA Podcasts, Roleplaying Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 009: Extra Life http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/05/ludus-novus-009-extra-life/ http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/05/ludus-novus-009-extra-life/#comments Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:24:50 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/05/ludus-novus-009-extra-life/ Death in games is usually a mistake. In these four indie games, it’s an intended part of the experience.

The music for this episode is “Make You Cry” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license.

References:

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2008/03/05/ludus-novus-009-extra-life/feed/ 3 0:14:40 Death in games is usually a mistake. In these four indie games, it’s an intended part of the experience. The music for this episode is “Make You Cry” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCo[...] Death in games is usually a mistake. In these four indie games, it’s an intended part of the experience. The music for this episode is “Make You Cry” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license. References: Passage by Jason Rohrer Psychosomnium by Cactus Seven Minutes by Virtanen Karoshi by Jesse Venbrux Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 008: State of the Art http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/26/ludus-novus-007-state-of-the-art/ http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/26/ludus-novus-007-state-of-the-art/#comments Mon, 27 Aug 2007 01:36:19 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/26/ludus-novus-007-state-of-the-art/ 60 years of video games. How are we doing?

The music for this episode is “Brilliant Day (fourstones.net mix)” by fourstones and DeBenedictis, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license.

References:

  • It’s a Wonderful Life
  • Casablanca
  • Citizen Kane
  • The Wizard of Oz
  • Gone With the Wind
  • Bambi
  • The Philadelphia Story
  • The Maltese Falcon
  • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
  • Notorious

The next episode will be about four games that inspired each other in an inbred tale of exploration.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/26/ludus-novus-007-state-of-the-art/feed/ 1 0:22:04 60 years of video games. How are we doing? The music for this episode is “Brilliant Day (fourstones.net mix)” by fourstones and DeBenedictis, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license. References: [...] 60 years of video games. How are we doing? The music for this episode is “Brilliant Day (fourstones.net mix)” by fourstones and DeBenedictis, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license. References: Star Wars: Tie Fighter by Totally Games and published by LucasArts Shadow of the Colossus by Team ICO and published by Sony Computer Entertainment System Shock 2 by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios and published by EA The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past by Nintendo Super Metroid by Nintendo Half Life 2 by Valve Alpha Centauri by Firaxis Games Planescape: Torment by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Chrono Trigger by Square Grim Fandango by LucasArts It’s a Wonderful Life Casablanca Citizen Kane The Wizard of Oz Gone With the Wind Bambi The Philadelphia Story The Maltese Falcon Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Notorious The next episode will be about four games that inspired each other in an inbred tale of exploration. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 007: Who Am I? http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/19/ludus-novus-007-who-am-i/ http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/19/ludus-novus-007-who-am-i/#comments Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:59:32 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/19/ludus-novus-007-who-am-i/ Amnesia. Can anyone remember why it’s so common in interactive entertainment?

The music for this episode is “Forgettin My Identity” by Jane His Wife, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license.

References:

The next episode will be about the progress and state of the art of the video game industry, as compared to another form of entertainment.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2007/08/19/ludus-novus-007-who-am-i/feed/ 2 0:14:01 Amnesia. Can anyone remember why it’s so common in interactive entertainment? The music for this episode is “Forgettin My Identity” by Jane His Wife, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license.[...] Amnesia. Can anyone remember why it’s so common in interactive entertainment? The music for this episode is “Forgettin My Identity” by Jane His Wife, and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 license. References: Planescape: Torment by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Flashback: The Quest for Identity by Delphine Software International and published by U.S. Gold Knights of the Old Republic by BioWare and published by LucasArts System Shock 2 by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios and published by EA Final Fantasy 6 by Square S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl by GSC Game World and published by THQ Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth by Headfirst Productions and published by Bethesda Softworks and 2K Games Arx Fatalis by Arkane Studios and published by DreamCatcher Games and JoWooD Second Sight by Free Radical Design and published by Codemasters XIII by Ubisoft The Elder Scrolls series by Bethesda Softworks The Ultima series by Origin Systems Grim Fandango by LucasArts The next episode will be about the progress and state of the art of the video game industry, as compared to another form of entertainment. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 006: False Narrativism: Walking Away http://ludusnovus.net/2006/10/14/ludus-novus-006-false-narrativism-walking-away/ http://ludusnovus.net/2006/10/14/ludus-novus-006-false-narrativism-walking-away/#comments Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:55:20 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2006/10/14/ludus-novus-006-false-narrativism-walking-away/ The game Walking Away: In what ways does it succeed at what it attempts?

The music for this episode is “Criminal” by Peter Toh, used with permission.

References:

The next episode will be about amnesia, the video game trope we all love to hate. If you have comments or anecdotes about amnesia, please leave a comment here or at
gregory@ludusnovus.net.

Note: If you would like to sign up for GameTap and indicate to them that you are doing so because of Uru Live, you can use this link and click on “join now”. For a limited time, you can get a year’s worth of GameTap (including Uru Live, when it comes out) for $60, which is about 50% off of the monthly price.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2006/10/14/ludus-novus-006-false-narrativism-walking-away/feed/ 1 0:22:32 The game Walking Away: In what ways does it succeed at what it attempts? The music for this episode is “Criminal” by Peter Toh, used with permission. References: Deus Ex by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive Grand Theft Auto I[...] The game Walking Away: In what ways does it succeed at what it attempts? The music for this episode is “Criminal” by Peter Toh, used with permission. References: Deus Ex by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive Grand Theft Auto III by Rockstar Games Postal 2 by Running With Scissors The next episode will be about amnesia, the video game trope we all love to hate. If you have comments or anecdotes about amnesia, please leave a comment here or at gregory@ludusnovus.net. Note: If you would like to sign up for GameTap and indicate to them that you are doing so because of Uru Live, you can use this link and click on “join now”. For a limited time, you can get a year’s worth of GameTap (including Uru Live, when it comes out) for $60, which is about 50% off of the monthly price. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 005: Level Cap http://ludusnovus.net/2006/09/27/ludus-novus-005-level-cap/ http://ludusnovus.net/2006/09/27/ludus-novus-005-level-cap/#comments Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:03:00 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2006/09/27/ludus-novus-005-level-cap/ Length of works: is a given game most like a short story or a novel, and how can length affect content?

References:

The next episode will be a new segment called False Narrativism.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2006/09/27/ludus-novus-005-level-cap/feed/ 4 0:11:29 Length of works: is a given game most like a short story or a novel, and how can length affect content? References: Morrowind from Bethesda Softworks Jigsaw by Graham Nelson “Slouching Toward Bedlam” by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster [...] Length of works: is a given game most like a short story or a novel, and how can length affect content? References: Morrowind from Bethesda Softworks Jigsaw by Graham Nelson “Slouching Toward Bedlam” by Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster Grim Fandango from LucasArts The Myst series from Cyan Worlds The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time series from Ubisoft The next episode will be a new segment called False Narrativism. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 004: Hurt Me Plenty http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/29/ludus-novus-004-hurt-me-plenty/ http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/29/ludus-novus-004-hurt-me-plenty/#comments Tue, 29 Aug 2006 04:55:52 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/29/ludus-novus-004-hurt-me-plenty/ Difficulty and completeness: Why do games have to be hard, and how is finishing a game separate from completing it?

The music for this episode is “Big Bad World One” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a cc by-nc-sa 2.5 license.

This episode, unlike most, is available under a cc by-nc-sa 2.5 license.

References:

The next episode will be about the length of games and how that relates to game classification. Is there a distinction between an interactive “short story” and an interactive “novel”? If you have comments or ideas, contact me at gregory@ludusnovus.net.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/29/ludus-novus-004-hurt-me-plenty/feed/ 4 0:22:39 Difficulty and completeness: Why do games have to be hard, and how is finishing a game separate from completing it? The music for this episode is “Big Bad World One” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a cc by-nc-sa 2.5 license. [...] Difficulty and completeness: Why do games have to be hard, and how is finishing a game separate from completing it? The music for this episode is “Big Bad World One” by Jonathan Coulton, and is available under a cc by-nc-sa 2.5 license. This episode, unlike most, is available under a cc by-nc-sa 2.5 license. References: Doom by id Software Prince of Persia: Warrior Within by Ubisoft The Craft of Adventure by Graham Nelson Adventure by Will Crowther and Don Woods Pac-Man by Namco The Legend of Zelda by Nintendo World of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment Prey by Human Head Studios and published by 3D Realms The 7th Guest by Virgin Games “Rameses” by Stephen Bond “Photopia” by Adam Cadre The next episode will be about the length of games and how that relates to game classification. Is there a distinction between an interactive “short story” and an interactive “novel”? If you have comments or ideas, contact me at gregory@ludusnovus.net. Podcasts, Roleplaying Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 003: Not the Same Thing After All http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/20/ludus-novus-003-not-the-same-thing-after-all/ http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/20/ludus-novus-003-not-the-same-thing-after-all/#comments Mon, 21 Aug 2006 03:59:28 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/20/ludus-novus-003-not-the-same-thing-after-all/ Variable player experience: What do we mean by interaction, and how can two players have different experiences with the same work?

The music for this episode is Enrique Granados’s “Spanish Dance n. 2” performed by Mario Mattioli, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license.

This is the first episode in which I’ve talked much about table-top roleplaying games.

References:

(Note: I’m going to start putting the titles of IF pieces from the IF Comp in quotes, as that competition is intended for short works, so participants presumably intended their pieces to be analogous to short stories.)

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/20/ludus-novus-003-not-the-same-thing-after-all/feed/ 0 0:23:36 Variable player experience: What do we mean by interaction, and how can two players have different experiences with the same work? The music for this episode is Enrique Granados’s “Spanish Dance n. 2” performed by Mario Mattioli, a[...] Variable player experience: What do we mean by interaction, and how can two players have different experiences with the same work? The music for this episode is Enrique Granados’s “Spanish Dance n. 2” performed by Mario Mattioli, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license. This is the first episode in which I’ve talked much about table-top roleplaying games. References: Doom by id Software Hamlet on the Holodeck by Janet H. Murray. “Rameses” by Stephen Bond Dungeons & Dragons currently published by Wizards of the Coast (Note: I’m going to start putting the titles of IF pieces from the IF Comp in quotes, as that competition is intended for short works, so participants presumably intended their pieces to be analogous to short stories.) Podcasts, Roleplaying Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus 002: Telling It Like It Is http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/05/ludus-novus-002-telling-it-like-it-is/ http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/05/ludus-novus-002-telling-it-like-it-is/#comments Sat, 05 Aug 2006 21:15:22 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/05/ludus-novus-002-telling-it-like-it-is/ The unreliable narrator: how do you use this technique when the narrator is usually the player character?

The music for this episode is “Noite de Carnaval” by Code, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license.

References:

I will be out of town for a week, so the next full episode should appear on August 19, 2006. There may be something put up between now and then, though.

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2006/08/05/ludus-novus-002-telling-it-like-it-is/feed/ 3 0:19:21 The unreliable narrator: how do you use this technique when the narrator is usually the player character? The music for this episode is “Noite de Carnaval” by Code, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license. References: The Silent H[...] The unreliable narrator: how do you use this technique when the narrator is usually the player character? The music for this episode is “Noite de Carnaval” by Code, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license. References: The Silent Hill series from Konami Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem by Silicon Knights and published by Nintendo LASH by Paul O’Brian Spider and Web by Andrew Plotkin Glass by Emily Short The Space Under the Window by Andrew Plotkin I will be out of town for a week, so the next full episode should appear on August 19, 2006. There may be something put up between now and then, though. Podcasts Gregory Weir no no Ludus Novus Episode 001: Press Enter to Continue http://ludusnovus.net/2006/07/29/ludus-novus-episode-001-press-enter-to-continue/ http://ludusnovus.net/2006/07/29/ludus-novus-episode-001-press-enter-to-continue/#comments Sun, 30 Jul 2006 03:32:21 +0000 Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2006/07/29/ludus-novus-episode-001-press-enter-to-continue/ Cutscenes: when are they appropriate, and when do they take away from the game?

Correction: In the original version of this episode, I attribute Nothing But Mazes to Stephen Granade, but it is actually by Greg Boettcher. Stephen Granade wrote Child’s Play, which is also part of IntroComp 2006 (and does some interesting things with the voice of the narrator). I should have a corrected version up shortly.

The music for this episode is “Babylon Bring Me Down,” by spinningmerkaba, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license.
References:

]]> http://ludusnovus.net/2006/07/29/ludus-novus-episode-001-press-enter-to-continue/feed/ 7 0:23:59 Cutscenes: when are they appropriate, and when do they take away from the game? Correction: In the original version of this episode, I attribute Nothing But Mazes to Stephen Granade, but it is actually by Greg Boettcher. Stephen Granade wrote Child[...] Cutscenes: when are they appropriate, and when do they take away from the game? Correction: In the original version of this episode, I attribute Nothing But Mazes to Stephen Granade, but it is actually by Greg Boettcher. Stephen Granade wrote Child’s Play, which is also part of IntroComp 2006 (and does some interesting things with the voice of the narrator). I should have a corrected version up shortly. The music for this episode is “Babylon Bring Me Down,” by spinningmerkaba, and is available under a cc by-nc 2.5 license. References: Half-Life from Valve Software Shadow of the Colossus from Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. “First Timer Foibles” #7: Encumbering Exposition by Michael Coyne Nothing But Mazes by Greg Boettcher (part of Introcomp 2006) Podcasts Gregory Weir no no