Podcast Summary
Independently produced StarCraft 2 podcast: Hosts create content without corporate sponsors, offer bonus episodes for audience support, and maintain an independent spirit
Triple Click is a listener-supported, independently produced podcast, where the hosts, Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreyer, create content without corporate sponsors or outside investment. They value their audience's support and offer bonus episodes as a thank you. In the show, they discuss various topics, including their current project of playing and discussing StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void, and they encourage listeners to revisit the game before the upcoming episode. They also mention answering listener questions and having a live streaming event on Twitch. The podcast maintains a unique, independent spirit, focusing on creating content they enjoy and sharing it with their community.
Importance of initial sales and long tail revenue for indie studios: Indie studios depend on initial sales but can benefit from long tail revenue, as shown by the success of 'Psychonauts 2'.
The success of indie studios can heavily depend on strong sales within the first few weeks or months of a game's release. However, there is also potential for financial benefit from a game's "long tail," where it continues to attract buyers and players for several years after release. The email from Ben Hanson, a fan of the show, highlights the unique and creative achievements in the documentary "Psychonauts 2" and expresses hope that more attention will be drawn to it. Ben also suggests having Tim Schafer, the game's creator, on the show to discuss its impact since its release. The email underscores the importance of creating engaging content and the potential impact it can have on audiences. Regarding Matthew's question, the email discussion indicates that it is normal for indie studios to heavily rely on initial sales, but the long tail can provide additional revenue. However, the exact extent of this dependence varies from studio to studio.
First week sales crucial for indie studios: Strong initial sales and continued visibility on storefronts are vital for indie studios to survive
For indie game studios, the first week of sales and being featured on storefronts like Steam or Humble Bundle are crucial for success. The case of Scavenger Studios, which had 45 employees and sold 60,000 copies of their narrative game "Season," shows that while $1.8 million in revenue might seem substantial, it's not enough to cover the burn rate of $450,000 per month for that team size. The studio had previously released a more popular game, "Darwin Project," which likely provided some financial cushion. However, the decision to move on to a niche narrative game without selling significantly more copies than "Season" raises questions about the studio's financial planning. While there are successful indie games like "The Flame and the Flood" that defy expectations, they are outliers. For most indie studios, strong initial sales and continued visibility on storefronts are vital for survival.
Supporting indie game developers during release: Buying indie games during their initial release significantly impacts devs, leading to updates, continued development, and longer game lifespans. The industry could benefit from allowing more time for players to discover and purchase games.
Buying indie games during their initial release can make a significant impact on the developers, even for smaller studios. This support can lead to updates, continued development, and longer lifespans for the games. The industry could benefit from allowing players more time to discover and purchase games, rather than feeling pressured to buy on release day. Indie game releases often reach different audiences at various times, similar to how book sales have different buyer groups. Pre-orders and day-one buyers secure sales, but a larger group of interested consumers may need reminders to check out the game. Ultimately, buying indie games during release not only supports the developers but also allows for the continued growth and evolution of the game.
The value of continuous updates in extending a game's sales and relevance: Updating and maintaining a game after release can significantly boost sales and relevance. Developers of 'service games' can focus on post-launch sales instead of just launch numbers.
The ability to update and maintain a game after its release can significantly extend its sales and relevance in the market. This was highlighted in the discussion about games like Enter the Gungeon, which saw a surge in sales years after launch due to continuous patches and updates. The phenomenon is particularly appealing to developers of "service games," as it allows them to focus on post-launch sales instead of just obsessing over launch numbers. Another interesting topic that came up was the concept of "binging" in podcasting, where a producer can edit in new content even after the show has been recorded. While some may view it as a cheat code or an advantage, the hosts acknowledged that it requires a lot of work and coordination. They also emphasized the importance of gratitude and teamwork in their production process, with Maddie expressing her appreciation for Kirk's editing skills and his ability to make them look "slightly cooler" than they are. Overall, the discussion underscored the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in both gaming and podcasting industries. It also highlighted the value of collaboration and teamwork in creating high-quality content for audiences.
The Unpredictable Journey of Game Development: Game development can be lengthy and uncertain, with studios taking years to announce projects. The lack of news doesn't always indicate problems.
The development process of video games can be lengthy and unpredictable. The example of Archetype Entertainment, an internal studio of Wizards of the Coast, highlights this uncertainty. Despite being founded several years ago, the studio has yet to announce a project, leaving many wondering about its status. However, it's important to note that development can take a long time, and the lack of news doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. Other studios, like EA, announce new projects for hiring purposes without revealing any details for years. Additionally, some former developers may take time to adjust to new studios and figure out their next project. The phenomenon of games influencing real-life experiences was also discussed, with examples given from Tears of the Kingdom and The Witness. Overall, the creation of video games is a complex and intricate process, full of challenges and surprises.
Blurred Lines Between Reality and Virtual Worlds: The Tetris Effect demonstrates how immersive gaming experiences can blur the lines between reality and virtual worlds, evoking strong emotions and fantasies that transcend gender boundaries. Games like 'The Sims' can appeal to various demographics due to their engaging and resonant content.
The lines between what is considered masculine or feminine in gaming and media are not clearly defined. During a conversation, the speaker shared an experience of mistaking a weed for a valuable herb from the game "The Legend of Zelda," demonstrating the blurred lines between reality and virtual worlds. This phenomenon, known as the "Tetris Effect," is when one's experiences in a game start to influence their perception of the real world. The speaker also shared their desire to experience the feeling of flying like a character in "The Legend of Zelda" using a paraglider. This desire shows how immersive gaming experiences can evoke strong emotions and fantasies, transcending gender boundaries. Regarding the question about creating games that appeal to the feminine side, the speaker acknowledged the difficulty in pinning down specific elements. However, they mentioned "The Sims" as an example of a game that some people perceive as more feminine due to its focus on character customization and social interactions. Ultimately, the appeal of games and media lies in their ability to engage and resonate with individuals, regardless of gender.
Games that appeal to women: Social games with collaboration and interaction, games with cute art styles, and those that allow building and maintaining things appeal to women, but all gamers should feel free to explore any game that resonates with them.
Different types of video games appeal to various demographics, including women, for various reasons. Social games that involve collaboration and interaction with others tend to appeal to the "feminine" side of players, as they offer opportunities for communication and building relationships. Games with cute art styles and those that allow players to build and maintain things are also popular among women. However, it's essential to note that these associations with gender are not fixed, and all gamers should feel free to explore and enjoy any game that resonates with them. The art style, game mechanics, and social aspects of a game can all contribute to its appeal to different groups. Ultimately, it's the unique elements of each game that make them appealing to specific audiences.
Building a town in Frosthaven: Players build up their characters while contributing to a town's growth in Frosthaven, creating a collaborative and engaging experience akin to Animal Crossing or 'tend and befriend' games. Opinions on cheating in video games remain divided, with some believing it detracts from the experience and others arguing it can add new perspectives.
In the tabletop game Frosthaven, players not only build up their characters but also contribute to the growth of a town through loot and town building mechanics. This adds a new layer of collaboration and engagement, making the experience more like Animal Crossing or a "tend and befriend" game. Regarding the topic of cheats in video games, opinions vary. While some believe cheating diminishes the experience, others argue that it can enhance it by allowing players to explore different aspects of the game. Ultimately, how one chooses to play a game is a personal decision, and the use of cheats can lead to unique experiences.
Exploring the validity of using cheats and mods in gaming: Having fun with game modifications is valid, and recognizing the difference between those that enhance gameplay and those that make it too easy is important. Older games can benefit from retroactive modifications, and sharing the experience with friends is rewarding. Customization and accessibility options in games are beneficial.
Having fun while playing games, even if it involves using cheats or mods, is a valid experience and should not be judged negatively. The distinction between cheats and mods that enhance the gameplay experience and those that make the game too easy should be recognized. Older games with limited accessibility options can benefit from retroactive modifications to make them more enjoyable. Sharing the experience of playing older games with friends is also a fun and rewarding activity. The use of mods and cheats can be seen as a way to customize and make games more accessible, and the more options available in games, the better. The recent trend of worker-owned networks in podcasting, like MaxFun, allows for greater employee involvement and autonomy, benefiting both the network and its shows. My "One More Thing" is the Amazon Prime show "Jury Duty," which I recently watched with my partner Emily and enjoyed.
A feel-good mockumentary about a fake civil trial: In 'The Juror', an actor named Ronald's kindness and genuine humanity shine through during a prank trial, making for an entertaining and heartwarming watch.
"The Morning Show" creators Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg bring a feel-good mockumentary to life in "The Juror," a show where everyone except for one man, Ronald Gladden, is an actor. The premise revolves around a fake civil trial with Ronald believing he's just going to jury duty and being filmed for a documentary. The show explores the actors' attempts to prank Ronald for eight episodes, but the unexpected twist is that Ronald's kindness and support shine through despite the uncomfortable situations. James Marsden, an actor known for roles in Sonic, Cyclops, and Westworld, adds humor by playing a terrible version of himself in the show. Although it may seem mean, Ronald's genuine humanity and the entertaining dynamic between him and James Marsden make for an enjoyable watch.
Enjoyable watch for James Marsden fans and those who like seeing celebrities be themselves: The Gerry Doody show on Amazon and Amazon FreeVee is recommended for fans of James Marsden and those who enjoy candid conversations between cast members. The werewolf experiment tabletop escape room offers a fun and comedic experience for two players, despite being designed for larger groups, with engaging writing and humor-filled puzzles.
The "Gerry Doody" show on Amazon and Amazon FreeVee is an enjoyable watch, especially for fans of James Marsden who gets to showcase his normal side after playing various characters. The show is recommended for viewers who appreciate seeing celebrities being themselves and the best part is the candid conversations between Marsden and the other cast members. Another recommendation is the "werewolf experiment" tabletop escape room, which offers a fun and comedic experience for two players despite being designed for larger groups. The game's puzzles are not overly challenging, but the writing is engaging and filled with humor, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans of this genre.
Upgrading a PC: A Nostalgic and Rewarding Experience: Upgrading a PC can be a nostalgic, rewarding experience, but unexpected issues may arise during the process.
The speaker had an exciting experience upgrading their old PC to a new one, which brought back fond memories of the building process. The new PC, including a 4070 TI graphics card, was a worthwhile investment despite its high cost. The speaker also discovered that the process of upgrading a PC can be a time-consuming and absorbing experience. However, an unexpected issue arose when installing the graphics card, which caused damage to the motherboard. Despite this setback, the speaker was looking forward to playing demanding games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Diablo 4 on the new PC. Additionally, the speaker mentioned their enjoyment of a new escape room game called the "Werewolf Experiment," which stood out for its fun and cute design.
The rewarding process of building a PC: Building a PC requires patience, persistence, and problem-solving skills, but the end result is a high-performance, custom-built machine tailored to one's needs.
Building a PC can be both frustrating and rewarding. The speaker malfunction was a minor setback after successfully assembling the new motherboard and getting the computer to post. The process reminded the speaker of the intricacies involved, such as pushing down the RAM hard enough and maneuvering small parts into place. Despite the challenges, the satisfaction of having a functional, high-performance computer was worth the effort. The experience also highlighted the importance of patience and persistence in troubleshooting issues. Building a PC is an exhilarating process, but it requires attention to detail and problem-solving skills. The end result, though, is a custom-built machine tailored to one's needs and preferences.
Excitement for PC upgrades despite family limitations: Despite family responsibilities, upgrading a PC remains rewarding due to improved graphics and performance, justifiable work expenses, and affordable components.
Having young children can limit the amount of dedicated time for building and upgrading a high-end PC, but the experience remains rewarding. The speaker is excited about the improved graphics and performance of the new machine, which he can now share with a friend. The cost of the new graphics card is a concern, especially considering the recent price increase due to the crypto boom. However, the speaker is able to justify the expense due to work-related needs and the receipt of free games. The speaker also notes that other components, such as SSDs and motherboards, have become more affordable. Overall, the process of upgrading a PC remains an expensive endeavor, but the improvements in technology make it a worthwhile investment.
The power of consistent communication: Clear and recognizable sign-offs contribute to the overall impact of a communication, emphasizing the significance of intentional communication in all contexts.
Importance of clear communication, even in informal contexts like a podcast recording. Matty Myers' consistent use of the phrase "bye, bye, bye" as a sign-off became a memorable part of the recording, demonstrating the power of repetition and consistency in conveying a message. This anecdote serves as a reminder that every detail, no matter how small, can contribute to the overall impact of a communication. Additionally, it highlights the importance of having a clear and recognizable closing or sign-off to bring closure to a conversation or recording. Overall, the discussion underscores the significance of intentional communication, whether in a professional or personal context.
