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We speak to Staats, part of the HJ crew, about his move to South Korea; his first impressions, thoughts and insights.  Korean Sunshine Policy. Music: We Are Free ft. Snowflake, by Zep Hurme.

We discuss Deus Ex Human Revolution in the context of emergent gameplay & resource management.  We also touch on whether Disgaea 4 could be a casual game. The 'spoilerific' video. Deadly Creatures game Music: Sick by DoKashiteru.

You create the categories, you pick the winners.  In our second-annual game awards - aka Insert Category aka UGGA - we read out your submissions for notable games of 2010.  Can you guess which won 'Best use of a sandwich?' Music: Recommender by Dokashiteru / Parks on Fire (California Burning mix) by DJ Rkod / Pulse (George Ellinas Mix) by George Ellinas / Vacuuux 1 by DJ Adori  / Scott Waves to April's Salty Grace (Dance Mix) by J Lang / Emergence Drum N Bass Remix (Rough Mix) by I Am The Stev / Remember the Name (Introduction) by Jay Sinkie / Christopher Willits Remix by Acumen / Under Suspicion by JB Newman

We’re taking entries for our 2010 ‘personal best’ gaming awards: you create a category, you choose a winner.  Let's have awards which give us time to reflect on a game, not just ones which happen in December and praise AAA titles released in November. Let's have awards with personalised categories that we create, not just 'best action game' stuff that's only good for PR. Music: Kevin MacLeod  

In this short, solo, book review you'll hear about The Badge by Jack Webb.  It's a 1958 book about the Los Angeles Police Department, its people and cases.  Think of it as the real LA Noire.  Music by Kevin MacLeod.

We discuss LA Noire, Terraria and get involved in a sci-fi dilemma with The Witcher 2. I'd class the show as spoiler free.  Explanation at the start. Watch the LA Noire review on YouTube LA Noire-section music: Dances and Dames, Night on the Docks - Sax, Walking Along, Backed Vibes Clean. All by Kevin McLeod.   End music is Pushin' Daises by Jeris.

In this short, solo, book review you'll hear about Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City. A story about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, a talented architect and a ruthless serial killer. The Devil in the White City (Wikipedia)

We imagine the different ways and materials through which videogame powers and characters' abilities can be represented.  We also have a spoiler-free discussion on what it felt like to play Portal 2 compared to Portal.  Music is 'I Will Rise Above The World' by Zapac. Edward Tufte Russian gangsters and tattoos Battle High: San Bruno, Xbox indie game Loss aversion (I think this is the cognitive bias Danjo referred to) Caustic

In this extremely short, solo show, you'll hear a brief review of Paul Chadwick's comic book 'Concrete: Depths'. Touching and thought provoking, Chadwick's work about a man trapped in a concrete body is worth checking out. Paul Chadwick's website

In our discussion of Dragon Age 2, we cover subjects such as dialogue and emotional intent, whether RPGs are just job simulators and how every character in the game is constantly horny.  There is a mild, thematic, spoiler about a side quest.  We talk about the issues it raises rather than what the quest entails or how it ends. Music is Eye Magic Mix by Lasswell Tweet

We handbrake turn with racing game Fuel, Danjo turns blue with excitement talking about Gargamel and procedurally generated worlds, then we hyper combo into Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Music is L.T.H. (AA's Refix) by Abstract Audio YouTube video on how Fuel's world might have been generated An seven-second K.O. in MvC3.  High-level play at its deadliest? Tweet

We kick sand in Bulletstorm's face, power up some love for Crysis 2, limp along in FPS Breach, get deja vu with Modern Combat: Domination and trade hits with David Sirlin's card game Yomi. 1hr 2min / 59mb Music is Late Night Volition by Phonnovo Breach by Atomic Games Modern Combat: Domination trailer Sirlin Games home of Yomi / Play Yomi online for free HatchetJob Sirlin interview

We knife Assassin's Creed Brotherhood's multiplayer, try to remember Amensia: The Dark Descent, go full throttle with Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, get lost in Dungeons and Dragons' Castle Ravenloft and hide in foxholes with Combat Commander Europe. Music is 'I refuse to give up' by Rocavaco ft. MiElle Amnesia: The Dark Descent Castle Ravenloft Combat Commander Europe

We start by comparing Fable 3 to Fallout New Vegas and, spoiler, one comes off *very* badly indeeed.  Super Meat Boy captures us in his fleshy grasp and we discuss good games that have bad demos.  We even see how Civ 5 is more like a boardgame than a PC game and find out about a Civilization-style boardgame called 'Through the Ages'. Music is 'Outside Poolside' by Lasswell 1hr 33mins Ascension review Claustrophobia review Through the Ages review/overview (not ours) Nothing to Envy, website for book on North Korea Wikipedia entry for Primo Levi's book

Humans have played boardgames for thousands of years - civilisation and gaming are indivisible. I speak to Dr.Irving Finkel, a British Museum expert in ancient Mesopotamian script, languages and cultures, about his interest in games and their development, genres and history. 1hr 29mins  Music is 'Oh Dear Mr Williams - Tango? by Unreal Dm  

We discuss Frozen Synapse, a top-down, quasi-realtime tactical shooter, sidestep with the demo of Platinum Games' Vanquish and tease you about a video review of Puzzle Strike aka Puzzle Fighter the board game. 34 mins.   Puzzle Strike video review   The Worst Date Ever   Frozen Synapse website   Staats' Frozen Synapse video.  Uploaded with the game's YouTube feature.  He is the green player.  Notice how, just before his rocket is fired, the top-right red player steps back, waits, then goes forward, avoiding the rocket.

Is Castlevania: Harmony of Despair a new game with a retro heart?  How come someone who hates JRPGs can play Squeenix's 'The World Ends With You'? And what if George Lucas made The Lion King?   39 mins.   Castlevania HoD   The World Ends With You / gameplay video

We cover open worlds and 'emergent' gameplay Minecraft, talk about the best support character in gaming with Monday Night Combat and, sadly, end up being a bit mean about Moon Taxi - a game that's all about stories, but doesn't tell them very well.   49 mins.   Music is 'I Don't Hurt My Love (pseudo-format Mix)' by Vidian

In this in-depth interview, we speak to David Sirlin, author and videogame / boardgame designer, about Playing to Win, balancing games and more. He was lead designer on Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix and re-balanced Puzzle Fighter HD. His boardgames are partially inspired by videogame genres.  Note: the iTunes entry may mistakenly say he was lead designer on Puzzle Fighter HD.   1hr 27min / 62 mb Sirlin.net Sirlingames.com The mysterious book Trip Hawkins mentioned. Music is 'U Teru S. Birth of Souls' By Loveshadow  

We rock up with an alternative to 'traditional' game of the year awards - you came up with the categories, you chose the winners.  From the weird to the wonderful, these awards are as much about you as they are games - can you guess which title won 'best stubble'?   42  mins / 50 mb Music Recommender by Dokashiteru Parks on Fire (California Burning mix) by DJ Rkod Pulse (George Ellinas Mix) by George Ellinas Vacuuux 1 by DJ Adori Scott Waves to April's Salty Grace (Dance Mix) by J Lang Emergence Drum N Bass Remix (Rough Mix) by I Am The Stev Remember the Name (Introduction) by Jay Sinkie Christopher Willits Remix by Acumen