No Cartridge Audio

Conor "@ConorFMcGovern" McGovern joins us to talk about mini-gaming that ranges from the intricacies of painting figurines to the expansiveness of videogame rule changes concerning Balkan territories in Europa Universalis. This one spans a lot and history fans are sure to be in for a treat -- not to be missed! Music is as always by @prodigis, who can be supported at patreon.com/prodigis. For more from me, check patreon.com/hegelbon. Thanks!

Here's a chance to hear what you might be missing on patreon! In the wake of the Las Vegas shooting, I look at violence in videogames, trying to answer the question of why we should be lenient (or if we should be at all) to "murder simulators." Full episode available on patreon.com/hegelbon

We welcome Scott Blaha (@socksmahoney) on the podcast to talk about Dark Souls, why people like it so much, the reasons its so unique, and the reason difficulty isn't the only true component to a Dark Souls-like. A real spiritual cousin to our episode with @glennfinito, you won't want to miss it! Music for this week is, as always, by @prodigis whose work can be found and supported at patreon.com/prodigis. If you'd like to hear more from No Cartridge, check out patreon.com/hegelbon for one to two extra episodes per week!

A true all-star effort as an Overwatch team made up of @andrewfairbairn, @tom_j_allen, @showcasmassive, @deadpanmarc, and @moontreezone join us to talk about how they approach team composition, balance, and the very random nature (or not-so-random nature) of Overwatch. This one is not one to miss. As always, theme is by the wonderful prodigis -- check his work out at patreon.com/prodigis.

We welcome Ian Renfroe (@glennfinito) onto the show to talk about difficult games and finally diagnose what the heck we like frustration so much for. Plus, we talk about music as the true analogue for gaming and more! For more with Ian check the patreon at patreon.com/hegelbon. Music by the tremendous @prodigis -- check his work out at patreon.com/prodigis.

Learn the terrible truth behind weather control, psychic soldiers, and the early RTS games of your youth as Alexander Hinman guests for a comprehensive analysis of the Command and Conquer: Red Alert games. Psychic warfare is real my friends! Music this week is "Hell March 2" from the Red Alert 2 OST and "X-Ray Visions" by Clutch. For more from Alex check out patreon.com/hegelbon.

We're lucky to welcome back Erica (@lavosxii) to talk with us about MMORPGs, specifically Final Fantasy XIV. We get into the concepts behind content, challenge, expansions, and more in this episode, which is the boot camp for MMOs you might need to get into the saddle. Plus, a bonus "state of podcast" intro!  Music, as always, by the prodigious @prodigis -- find him at patreon.com/prodigis. More by me can be found at patreon.com/hegelbon and paypal.me/hegelbon. 

No Cartridge welcomes Your Kickstarter Sucks' Jesse Farrar (@bronzehammer) and Real Good Show's Stefan Heck (@boring_as_heck) on the podcast to talk about their twitch channel (twitch.tv/stefanandjesse), the nature of work, toilets, the appeal of gaming, and everything else in-between. A perfect episode as you coast into the weekend, or the week, or really any time. Music as always by the lovely @prodigis -- check out his work at patreon.com/prodigis. And for more No Cartridge, check out patreon.com/hegelbon.

We're lucky to have Lena @lbourgie on the podcast this week to talk about quitting videogames, addition, fulfillment, and even some WoW chat here and there. You definitely shouldn't miss it! Theme by the inimitable @prodigis. For more No Cartridge, as well as more Lena sometime next week, check the patreon at patreon.com/hegelbon. 

We welcome Michael Lutz (@warrenisdead) on to talk about his fantastic twine horror piece "My Father's Long, Long Legs", as well as some of the theories and ideas animating some of his other work like "The Uncle That Works At Nintendo" and "Tower of the Bloodlord". We also crack open some serious literary theory to explain the cultural appeal of videogames. It's a journey, man, you'll like it. Music, as always, by the tremendous @prodigis. For more on him check out his patreon at patreon.com/prodigis and for more from Michael, keep an eye on patreon.com/hegelbon.

Jesse Farrar (@bronzehammer) joins us once again for this special mini episode, in which he tells me how to punch up my indiegogo with some constructive criticism. It goes well! The indiegogo itself -- to get me to EVO to write it up -- is ongoing through the 31st of August at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/no-cartridge-evo-shock-journalism-videogames#/ . Check it out! Theme music is by the lovely and talented @prodigis -- check his work out on twitter, patreon, and everywhere good music lives.

Time to get a little lighter this week as we invite Brandon Zaboklicki (@sexualjumanji) in to talk about multiplayer games and the obsessive appeal of Rainbow Six: Siege. We also regale you with early stories of multiplayer trolls and Brandon's account of how he handles online celebrity in the squared circle of competitive gaming. For more from Brandon, check patreon.com/hegelbon .  Music this week is "Load Out" from the Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege OST and "Final Battle (1v1)" from the H1Z1: King of the Kill OST.

We welcome Ed Zitron (@edzitron) on the show to talk to us about the need for more good single player games as well as what the risk of gacha-inspired games like Epic Studios' recent Fortnite might mean for the evolution of gaming at large. We burn all kinds of bridges, you won't want to miss it. As always, check out the patreon at patreon.com/hegelbon -- this week will be a solo bonus episode from me! And head over to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/no-cartridge-evo-shock-journalism-videogames# if you'd like to see what else I've been up to and how you might support it. paypal.me/hegelbon for tips. Music this week is "Apocalypsis Noctis" from the Final Fantasy XV OST, composed by Yoko Shimomura and "Llama Attack" from the Fortnite OST, composed by Rom di Prisco.

We're lucky to have @RS_Benedict on the show to talk about pacifism in gaming, as well as player agency, game development, and choice. And you'll want to hear about their upcoming novel as well! Music this week is "The Woods and the Goddess" from the Deadly Premonition OST and Undyne's Theme from Undertale, composed by Toby Fox. As always, if you'd like to hear more from RS, check out the patreon at patreon.com/hegelbon.

Andrew @illybocean joins us on the podcast to talk open world gaming, Australian censorship, zombie time management, difficulty levels, and the nature of cinematic gaming. Plus, patrons can tune in to learn about two (2) different Australian slang terms! Check Andrew out on The Boonta-Vista Socialists Club, a podcast about Australian politics and all sorts of other stuff, and follow him on twitter @illybocean. Check the patreon out at patreon.com/hegelbon for even more from Andrew! Music this week comes is "Harran" from the Dying Light OST, composed by Pawel Blaszczak and "Welcome to New Radius" by RJD2 off of the Marc Ecko: Getting Up OST.