Podcast Summary
Nostalgia in gaming: Remembering the past vs evaluating the present: Nostalgia can evoke strong emotions, but it doesn't guarantee a great gaming experience. Objectively evaluating the present is important.
Nostalgia in gaming can evoke strong emotions, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee a great experience. Jason shared his personal connection to the Suikoden series and his feelings while playing its spiritual successor, Eiyuden Chronicle 100 Heroes. The game brought back fond memories, but he also found himself feeling disappointed. The creators of Suikoden reunited to make a new game due to the series' unfortunate end, and while the nostalgia was appealing, the quality of the game was a letdown. This highlights the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the importance of not only remembering the past fondly but also evaluating the present objectively.
Nostalgia's Impact on Gaming Enjoyment: Nostalgia can evoke strong feelings in gaming, but it's crucial to evaluate games based on their merits beyond just nostalgia.
Nostalgia can significantly impact our enjoyment of games, both positively and negatively. The speaker shared their experience with the game "Ayudin Chronicles," which recreates the feel of older RPGs but falls short in capturing their emotional core. Nostalgia can evoke feelings of longing for simpler times and new experiences, as seen in games like "Ayudin Chronicles" and "To the Moon." However, it's essential to consider the role of nostalgia when evaluating games critically, especially those that aim to recreate the feelings of older games. As we age, we accumulate more experiences and memories, making nostalgia a common feeling. It's essential to understand that nostalgia is not just an object but a feeling that games can inspire in us. Ultimately, nostalgia can enhance our gaming experience, but it's crucial to evaluate a game based on its merits beyond just nostalgia.
Nostalgia in Video Games: Music, Sounds, and Memories: Nostalgia in video games is evoked through music and sounds, transporting players to past memories or experiences, enhancing or detracting from enjoyment, and sometimes making objective criticism challenging.
Video games, although they don't have a physical scent, can evoke powerful feelings of nostalgia through the use of music and sounds. Nostalgia in video games can come in various forms: reminiscing about childhood memories, experiencing nostalgia for the game itself, or even feeling nostalgic for a specific emotion associated with a particular genre or game. These feelings can enhance or detract from the enjoyment of the game. For instance, hearing classic video game music can transport us back to our childhood, while the sounds in modern games can evoke nostalgia for our experiences within the game. Stardew Valley and To the Moon are examples of games that effectively use music and sounds to trigger nostalgia. However, sometimes, these feelings can make it challenging for critics to evaluate a game objectively. For example, a critic might have an inherent soft spot for a game like Metroid, making it difficult to assess its merits without considering their personal feelings towards the game and the memories it evokes. Overall, the use of nostalgia in video games is a powerful tool that can enhance the gaming experience, but it's essential to be aware of its potential impact on our perception of the game.
Nostalgia's Impact on Expectations for Video Games: Nostalgia can influence our expectations for new video games, either raising or lowering them based on our memories of older titles. It's important to recognize this influence while also allowing for innovation and growth within a franchise.
Nostalgia can both elevate and lower expectations when it comes to video games, especially those that attempt to replicate or pay homage to older titles. The speaker in this discussion used the example of Metroid: Other m, which was criticized for not living up to the nostalgic expectations of the classic Metroid series. The speaker also acknowledged that this nostalgia-driven desire for routine and formula can hinder a game's ability to innovate and evolve. The comparison was drawn to Suikoden and Eiyuden, where the speaker questioned whether their expectations were being raised or lowered by their nostalgia for these older games. The speaker also shared their experience with Metroid: Samus Returns, which was made by the same studio as Metroid Dread but received mixed reactions due to its differences from the classic Metroid games. Ultimately, the speaker emphasized the importance of recognizing the role of nostalgia in shaping our expectations and evaluations of new games, while also allowing room for innovation and growth within a franchise.
Nostalgia in video games: A mix of appeal and value: Nostalgia can evoke fond memories but not always deliver the same level of enjoyment or quality as games of the past. Remakes can reveal shortcomings, and recreating classic experiences may not be the same.
Nostalgia in video games can be a complex mix of aesthetic appeal and substantive value. While a game may evoke fond memories and a familiar feel, it doesn't always deliver the same level of enjoyment or quality as the games of the past. The speakers in this discussion shared their experiences of playing newer games that attempted to tap into their nostalgia, with one example being Eiyuden Chronicles, which despite its nostalgic aesthetics, didn't quite live up to the expectations set by games like Suikoden 2. However, remakes of older games can also complicate matters by providing a modernized version of the game, which may feel familiar but ultimately reveals the shortcomings of the original. The speakers also discussed the example of Double Fine's Broken Age, a game that aimed to recreate the classic adventure game feel but ended up being a different experience altogether. Overall, while nostalgia can be a powerful motivator for playing games, it's important to remember that it doesn't guarantee a great experience.
Balancing nostalgia and modernity in game development: Developers must strike a balance between pleasing nostalgic fans and innovating to create engaging experiences
When reviving an old genre or series, developers face a challenge in balancing nostalgia and modernity. Some fans yearn for a faithful recreation, while others seek something new. For instance, the return of Monkey Island in "Return to Monkey Island" was a successful nostalgia trip, while "Cocoated 2" struggled with major bugs and a less engaging experience. The developers of "Broken Age" opted for a completely new approach, abandoning nostalgia in favor of innovation. The journey of game development, much like life itself, requires a delicate balance between the old and the new, the familiar and the unknown.
Nostalgia in Gaming: A Double-Edged Sword: Effective use of nostalgia in gaming can create a strong emotional connection, but developers must strike the right balance to avoid disappointing players with unmet expectations.
Nostalgia can be a powerful tool in gaming when used effectively. Games like Undertale and older RPGs evoke nostalgia through both storytelling and aesthetics, creating a potent emotional connection with players. However, not all games that attempt to evoke nostalgia succeed. Tunic, for example, while successful in creating a sense of exploration and puzzle-solving reminiscent of classic games, fell short for some due to the combat mechanics not living up to the nostalgic expectations set by superior games like A Link to the Past. Overall, the use of nostalgia in gaming can be a double-edged sword, and it's essential for developers to strike the right balance to create an authentic and engaging experience.
Balancing veterans and newcomers in game development: Successful collaboration between game development veterans and new talent creates nostalgia while innovating, seen in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, recent Zelda games, and other series like Fallout.
The balance between game development veterans and newcomers can significantly impact the creative process when trying to evoke nostalgia. When only veterans or newcomers are present, there's a risk of either overly relying on the past or failing to understand what made the original great. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and recent Zelda games provide examples of successful collaborations between veterans and new talent, resulting in innovative takes on nostalgia while still honoring the original's essence. The use of familiar themes and music further enhances this effect, creating a potent mix of nostalgia and new experiences. Other series, like Fallout, also effectively utilize nostalgia in various ways.
Fallout's Effective Use of Nostalgia: Fallout effectively uses nostalgia through retrofuturism, 1950s aesthetic, and irony, creating a balance that keeps players engaged.
The Fallout series, particularly games like Fallout: New Vegas, effectively uses nostalgia in an ironic and engaging way that enhances the gaming experience. Games like Fallout 76 and Fallout 4, which are also popular, offer different experiences that deviate more from the original Fallout games. Fallout's nostalgia is rooted in its unique blend of classic music, retrofuturism, and the 1950s aesthetic, which evokes a sense of nostalgia while also commenting on the irony of longing for a time that was filled with fear and uncertainty. The creators of these games understand the power of nostalgia and use it effectively without overdoing it, creating a balance that keeps players engaged. In contrast, games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may struggle with nostalgia if they don't strike the right balance and risk becoming overly sentimental or annoying. Ultimately, the success of Fallout's use of nostalgia lies in its creators' ability to understand what fans loved about the original games and build upon that foundation with a fresh and ironic perspective.
Understanding the essence of a beloved game: To create a successful game, understand the series and its fans, rather than relying on nostalgia or surface-level aesthetics.
Understanding the essence of what made a beloved game successful is crucial when creating a new installment. Failure to grasp this can result in disappointment and a game that falls short of expectations. Nostalgia can also interfere with our ability to appreciate old games, setting us up for potential disappointment when revisiting them. Despite the challenges, the ultimate goal should be to create a great game that stands on its own merits, rather than just relying on nostalgia or surface-level aesthetics. As the speaker mentioned, games like Undertale manage to capture the essence of classic games while also offering a unique and compelling story. Creating a successful game is no easy feat, but with a deep understanding of the series and its fans, it's possible to create something truly great.
2D games from PS1 and N64 era have aged better than 3D games: Pixelated 2D art and simpler gameplay mechanics of 2D games from PS1 and N64 era have held up better than 3D graphics and early 2000s cinema aesthetic of the time
The 2D games from the PS1 and N64 era, such as Final Fantasy 6, Suikoden 2, and even the more recent Hades, have aged better than their 3D counterparts due to their aesthetics. While the 3D graphics of the time were impressive, they have not held up as well as the pixelated 2D art. Furthermore, the early 2000s cinema aesthetic with its bad CG is often mocked in the Vaporwave genre, but the challenge of moving characters around in these games is not something that is fondly remembered. Joanna from 1 Bad Mother was discussed as a competent lady who didn't get much dialogue or development, but the podcast was praised for providing a space for parents to figure things out. In the world of education, the Let's Learn Everything podcast covers a variety of topics, from science to history to emojis. Maddie from this show played the Hades 2 technical test and enjoyed it, despite feeling a bit strange about playing an early access game. Hades 2 is anticipated for its continuing story in the Greek mythology world and its beautiful characters.
Introducing a new protagonist and scenario in Hades 2: Hades 2 offers a fresh perspective with a new witch protagonist, Malinoye, and an alternate scenario, promising early access soon and adding excitement with its intriguing premise and captivating character designs. Enthusiasm for the tabletop game Fiasco also adds to the entertainment.
Hades 2 introduces a new protagonist, Malinoye, who is a witch with magical abilities and secret communicates with an otherworldly pantheon. This new premise offers a fresh perspective as players will not be battling through the underworld with Zagreus and Persephone, but rather facing new challenges in an alternate scenario. The excitement for this game is palpable, with its intriguing premise, captivating character designs, and the promise of early access soon. Additionally, the speaker shared their enthusiasm for the tabletop game Fiasco, which allows players to create and role-play their own disasters, adding another layer of entertainment to their gaming experiences. Overall, the anticipation for both Hades 2 and Fiasco is high, and gamers are eager to explore these new worlds and stories.
From dice to cards: Fiasco's gameplay improvement: Fiasco, a collaborative storytelling game, improved with a 2019 release, shifting from dice to cards for easier gameplay and more fun storytelling. It's a 5-player game ideal for a few hours, offering open-ended scenarios and Coen Brothers-style disaster stories.
Fiasco, a collaborative storytelling game, underwent a significant improvement with its 2019 release, shifting from dice to cards for easier gameplay and more fun storytelling. Designed by Jason Morningstar, Fiasco offers open-ended scenarios, with each campaign represented by a deck of cards and a master deck for mechanics. The game is ideal for 5 players and can be completed in a few hours, making it a less time-committing role-playing experience. Fiasco's objective is to create a Coen Brothers-style disaster story, where each player is a character, and they draw cards to define relationships, items, and premises. Players decide if scenes have positive or negative outcomes, using cards as a framework for their collaborative storytelling. Our experience involved a mall setting in the 90s, where we played characters in a crime farce attempting to sell a stolen bike, resulting in a disastrous sting operation. Fiasco's cards provide suggestions for NPCs and side characters, allowing players to create a unique and engaging story together. Overall, Fiasco offers a fun, open-ended, and collaborative storytelling experience, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy role-playing and being creative with friends.
Experiences in Fiasco and Girls5eva: Fiasco offers unpredictable collaborative scenes, while Girls5eva focuses on a group of women reviving their pop careers. Both provide unique and enjoyable experiences.
Both Fiasco, like improv theatre, and the Netflix show "Girls5eva" offer unique and entertaining experiences. In Fiasco, players collaborate to create a scene with unpredictable outcomes. "Girls5eva," while similar to shows like "30 Rock" and "Kimmy Schmidt," offers a fresh take with its focus on a group of women trying to revive their 2000s pop star careers. A standout for me was Sara Bareilles' performance as the lead character, which I found reminiscent of Tina Fey's Liz Lemon. The combination of the show's humor, nostalgia, and catchy music make it a must-watch. Additionally, while some performances, like Busy Philipps' and Lindsay Lohan's, may be divisive, the overall ensemble is strong and engaging. Overall, both Fiasco and "Girls5eva" provide enjoyable and memorable experiences in their own ways.
Balancing Office Drama with Humor and Music in Workplace Comedies: Effective workplace comedies like '30 Rock' and 'Girls5eva' balance office drama with catchy music and humor, resonating with audiences.
The success of a workplace comedy lies in effectively balancing the office drama with good music and humor. The discussion revolved around the shows "30 Rock" and "Girls5eva," both of which excel in this regard. "30 Rock" was praised for its funny writing, while "Girls5eva" was appreciated for its catchy music and the running joke about the songwriter character writing songs based on her current feelings. The comparison was made with shows like "Studio 60," which failed to deliver a good comedy show, and "The Newsroom," which had strong office relationships but lacked effective humor. The second season of "The Newsroom" was defended as good television despite some plot holes. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that a workplace comedy that can balance humor, music, and effective storytelling resonates with audiences.
Team's camaraderie and dedication: Triple Click team's understanding, synergy, and commitment to transparency create high-quality podcast episodes.
Despite the behind-the-scenes chaos and distractions, the Triple Click podcast team manages to produce high-quality content. They've reached a level of understanding and synergy where they can even predict each other's actions, like guessing what someone is Googling. This camaraderie and dedication to their craft are evident in every episode. The team's commitment to transparency, with an ethics policy and Discord community, further strengthens their connection with their audience. By embracing their quirks and staying true to their passion, Triple Click continues to deliver engaging and entertaining discussions about games and technology.
