16.7K
Downloads
113
Episodes
Welcome to Keywords in Play, a joint collaborative podcast between Critical Distance and the Digital Games Research Association! In this series, we deliver interviews with writers, thinkers, makers, and critics working with games in an approachable and conversational format, suitable for fans, players, and critical thinkers alike.
Episodes
Friday May 19, 2017
Friday May 19, 2017
With this interview, we move away from YouTube for the moment to talk with Philip Jones, the director of the 2015 documentary Gaming in Color.
The documentary started with an intent to focus on the then-new Gaymer X convention. But as the original crew fell away due to lack of funding, Philip Jones and others picked up where they left off and expanded the scope of the film. With a focus on the intersection of the queer and gaming communities, the documentary seeks to answer the question of many outside observers, why is something like Gaymer X necessary? Philip Jones and I also discuss the logistics in putting together a documentary with the crew spread across the US, whether it's still relevant given how fast the community moves in this day and age, and the specific choice behind the positive tone the film puts forth.
SHOW NOTES
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Wednesday Apr 05, 2017
Wednesday Apr 05, 2017
This month I interview YouTuber Kevin John, also known as Cagey.
Cagey is a small time YouTube essayist, a jolly old soul from Scotland. From writing at fan sites he struck out on his own with his own YouTube channel. His output is much shorter than many of the other people we've featured here as he prefers concise arguments. We discuss his worships of the temple of the red pen, ambiguous channel iconography and what he has learned during his time making videos.
SHOW NOTES
Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders - Last Stand
"Great Level: Kingdom Under Fire EXTRAS
Game Feel Part 1 (of 2): Controls
Game Feel PArt 2 (of 2): Presentation
Mercenaries and The Deck of 52 - Cagey Videos
X-Men: Legends: Sibling Rivalry
Red Barrels are Awesome (And We All Know It)
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Tuesday Feb 28, 2017
Tuesday Feb 28, 2017
In this episode, I interview the newly crowned Critical Distance 2016 Journalist of the Year, Heather Alexandra.
Each new interviewee seems to bring some new aspect to the video criticism form. Heather Alexandra instead of jumping straight into video essays, began with the longer form of Let's Play, but with a critical bent. From there she continued to evolve her voice down two paths, the more structured video essay we are familiar with, and a more casual conversation format developed from the Let's Play style. We discuss that two pronged approach as well as her freelance work, new job at Kotaku, and speculate on the future of video game commentary.
SHOW NOTES
Heather Alexandra's YouTube Channel
Kotaku's A Critical Look Playlist
"Let's Crit": Shadow of the Colossus
Let's Remember Skies of Arcadia
Vanquish: Why Ya Gotta Do More Than Just Play Games
A Closer Look At "The Harvester" in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
MGS2 Livestream w. Zolani and Austin!
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Wednesday Feb 08, 2017
Wednesday Feb 08, 2017
Our first interview of 2017 is with Great Levels in Gaming YouTube producer Max Barnyard.
Like our previous interviewee, Max Barnyard focuses his criticism on specific elements of video games; in this case, the construction and purpose of exemplary level design. video games. But what is a level in a contemporary video games? We discuss that question, along with how he chooses what levels to showcase, his work with Achievement Hunter, and his penchant for puns.
SHOW NOTES
Great Levels in Gaming at Achievement Hunter
Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 1 - Journey
Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 2 - Far Cry 3
Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 5 - Final Fantasy XIII
Great Levels in Gaming - Episode 8 - Halo: Combat Evolved
The Last Cave & The Labyrinth - Cave Story - Great Levels in Gaming
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
We end this year of interviews with Mark Brown of Game Maker's Toolkit.
Mark Brown went a different direction with his video based video game criticism. Instead of interviews, opinion shows or holistic game examinations, he devoted his channel to the exploration of craftsmanship in video games. Devoting his energy to explaining a singular thing in each video, what it does and how it is accomplished. We discuss how he explores a game design concept, the use it has found in various different audiences, and where he hopes to take the channel into the future.
SHOW NOTES
Game Maker's Toolkit YouTube Channel
Adaptive Soundtracks| Game Maker's Toolkit
Half-Life 2's Invisible Tutorial | Game Maker's Toolkit
Analysing Mario to Master Super Mario Maker | Game Maker's Toolkit
A Super Mario Maker Super Spin-Off Episode
Point and Click Puzzle Design | Game Maker's Toolkit
Sequelitis - Mega Man Classic vs. Mega Man X
Every Frame a Painting YouTube Channel
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Tuesday Oct 18, 2016
Tuesday Oct 18, 2016
Continuing on with our series of video in video game criticism, this month, I have Sam Gronseth, the Game Professor of the YouTube channel Games as Literature, on to talk.
Sam Gronseth taught a class to teach literary analysis using video games instead of novels or short stories for several charter schools. He then turned those lesson plans into a YouTube channel. His videos are filled with accessible explanations, from basic 101 concepts to understanding the deeper meaning of video games. In addition, he has created Literary Analysis videos that go in-depth on a specific title. We talk about that original class, the struggle of keeping up a schedule for a hobby, and the pleasure that teaching and video making have given him.
SHOW NOTES
Games as Literature YouTube Channel
Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis - Bioshock
Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis: Gears of War Trilogy
Games as Lit. 101 - Literary Analysis: The Stanley Parable
Gaming Symposium YouTube Channel
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Monday Oct 03, 2016
Monday Oct 03, 2016
Somewhat late, we present this month's interview of the Critical Distance Confab! I interview Ian Danskin of the Innuendo Studios YouTube channel.
In 2014, Ian Danskin made his first YouTube video about celebrity in internet culture, This is Phil Fish, and what that means. He expected a few views and he would build his audience over time, except that video went viral and is to date, by far, his most viewed video. Since then, he's mostly trekked his own path and talked about whatever interested him. We cover some of those interests in talking about adventure games, the challenge of discussing theory that was mostly self taught and, of course, the virality of YouTube videos and the efforts of tracking what an audience is looking for.
SHOW NOTES
Innuendo Studios YouTube Channel
Things of Beauty: Super Smash Bros. as Spectator Sport
Story Beats: Ben There, Dan That
The Artist is Absent: Davey Wreden and The Beginner's Guide
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Tuesday Aug 23, 2016
Tuesday Aug 23, 2016
We are back with another interview on the Critical Distance Confab! This month we are joined by Bob Whitaker, associate professor in Modern History at Louisiana Tech University and founder of History Respawned.
In 2013, he started the YouTube channel by looking at video games from a historical perspective. Not content to focus only on games portraying histories within his wheelhouse, he soon began bringing on other scholars to share their expert insights into the histories portrayed in games. In the process, he has brought their knowledge to a wider audience, beyond the confines of the academy. We talk about the insular nature of academia, the challenges of getting guests to come on to the show, as well as looking to the future of history-based games.
SHOW NOTES
History Respawned YouTube Channel
History Respawned: Assassin's Creed IV
History Respawned: Valiant Hearts
Hisotry Respawned: Bioshock Infinite and the Boxer Uprising
Hisotry Respawned: Uncharted 4
Backwards Compatible: Gamers as a Public History Audience
This History Respawned Podcast
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Monday Jul 18, 2016
Monday Jul 18, 2016
Welcome back for another interview on the Critical Distance Confab!
This month our guest is Noah Caldwell-Gervais, a video maker who is skilled at creating richly layered arguments. He started making long-form video essays on games in 2013 with a thorough look at the Fallout series. Since then he has been applying his critical lens in videos that examine an entire franchise, or games connected by a common theme. We talk about these advantages of his long form style, how he chooses games, and his plans to branch out into travel writing.
SHOW NOTES
Noah Caldwell-Gervais' YouTube Channel
The Complete Call of Duty Single Player Campagin
Game Natures: Firewatchand The Long Dark
Postal, Hatred, and Weighing the Worth of Asshole Simulators
What's Been Going On With Alien: Isolation's DLC?
Noah Caldwell-Gervais' Patreon
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Friday Jul 08, 2016
Friday Jul 08, 2016
The good, the bad and the ugly with the Critical Distance Confab.
For those who don't know, the idea behind these minisodes is for myself and a co-host to highlight 3 games each. These are games that haven't gotten a lot of criticism or much attention at all. The hope is that one of you intrepid listeners will try one of them out and write about it. The games on the docket range from itch.io art games, to prestige level indie games, right on up to AAA games that have slipped through the cracks.
Co-hosting with me this month is games and digital art creator, Lauren Schmidt.
Lauren's Picks
The Tamperdrome Collection by G.P. Lackey
Soup 0.9 by Yaruhara
Legacy of the Wizard by Broderbund
Eric's Picks
off?ine by Pol Clarissou
The End of the World by Sean Wenham
Kathy Rain: A Detective is Born by Clifftop Games
Opening Theme: 'Close' by The Alpha Conspiracy
Closing Theme: 'Wishing Never' by The Alpha Conspiracy