Co-op Mood

An important announcement about the future of Co-op Mood. It doesn't involve GameStop, but it does involve work and family.

On this episode Shane and Sally talk about the announcement that Ubisoft is working on an open world Star Wars game and what the marriage of Ubi and a beloved franchise could look like. Then they dive into part one of their discussion on the action-adventure platformer, Raji: An Ancient Epic, the debut game from Nodding Heads Games, based in Pune, India, from the beauty of the hand-painted textures to the joy of hacking and slashing your way through beautiful environments with the blessings of the gods. They also talk about what they’re playing right now, which includes The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Things we talked about: What we want from Ubisoft Massive’s open world Star Wars game

-What Shane’s excited about: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra

-What Sally’s excited about: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

On this episode Shane and Sally talk about their New Year’s gaming resolutions, and how they plan (hope?) to play games in 2021. Then they jump into part two of their discussion of io Interactive’s Hitman 2. They discuss being on rails in an open world, lateral thinking (murder) puzzles, and the agony and the ecstasy of mission stories. Of course, they also talk about what they’re playing right now, which includes League, Spider-Man Miles Morales, Breath of the Wild, and Night’s Black Agents: Solo Ops (the TTRPG).

-What Shane’s excited about: Peaky Blinders (Netflix) 

-What Sally’s excited about: Vikings (Prime Video)

On this episode Shane and Sally kick things off by talking about the clusterfuck that is CD Projekt’s release of Cyberpunk 2077. Then they dive into part one of their two-part conversation about io Interactive’s Hitman 2. They discuss the gameplay loop, level design, and the pleasure of snappy gunplay and Jason Bourne-ing your way through the world. They also talked about games they’re playing right now, including League, Breath of the Wild, and Immortals Fenyx Rising.

Things we talked about:

-Cyberpunk Game Maker Faces Hostile Staff After Failed Launch

-How the Simulation of a Hitman Level Works

-What Shane’s excited about: The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix) 

-What Sally’s excited about: Humans (Prime Video)

On this episode Shane and Sally discussed a recent WaPo story about how video game developers are creatively approaching difficulty settings in their games and the exciting things that are possible when devs think intentionally about playability and accessibility. Then they dove deep into their final impressions of the horny roguelike dungeon-crawler Hades, including what they liked and didn’t like, and when roguelikes should just be JPRGs or visual novels. They also talked about the games they’re playing right now, including League, Twin Mirror, and Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter.

Things we talked about: 

-The uneasiness of ‘easy modes’ prompts creative approaches from game developers

-“Stop the Madness” episode of the podcast Spawn On Me with Kahlief Adams

-Hitman 2, the game we’re playing next

-What Shane’s excited about: Happiest Season (Hulu)

-What Sally’s excited about: The Expanse novels

On this episode Shane and Sally talk “Project 007,” the upcoming James Bond video game by IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman games. Then they talk about about the gameplay and aesthetic of the horny roguelike dungeon-crawler, Hades. They also talk about games they’re playing right now, including League (season 11 patch), Breath of the Wild, and Watch Dogs: Legion. 

Things we talked about: 

-Hitman developer IO Interactive is making a James Bond game

-Hades: The Team from Supergiant Games & Hades Discuss the Game, Reactions & More 

-What Shane’s excited about: Tehran (the Israeli espionage thriller on Apple+)

-What Sally’s excited about: The Crown (Netflix)

On this episode Shane and Sally make an official correction about the upcoming Uncharted movie. Then they talk once again about the design/appearance of the PS5. Then Shane is joined by Jon (@gurglespasm), co-host of One Shot network’s System Mastery podcast, to talk about the weird and wonderful world of Blaseball, including its best lore, and advice for Blaseball n00bs to get involved in the upcoming new season. They also talk about the games they’re playing right now, including Hades, League of Legends Clash, and If Found....

Things we talked about:

Why Do People Care So Much About How a PlayStation 5 Looks in Their Home?

-What Shane’s excited about: Overwatch Git Gud Tournament

-What Sally’s excited about: Uncover: Escaping NXIVM from CBC Podcasts, The Vow (HBO), Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult (STARZ)

On this episode, Shane and Sally discuss exactly why Tom Holland is the wrong hunk to play daddy next door Nathan Drake in the upcoming Uncharted movie, and who they’d cast instead. Then they talk about participating in One Shot Network’s Among Us stream and the zaniness that ensued. Finally, in tribute to Halloween week they, as two people of scaredy-cat experience, talk about the times video games have scared them silly. 

Things we talked about:

-Video Game Daddy Nathan Drake Will Be Played By Local Abercrombie Model

-The Creepypasta Community That Influenced Control

-Streaming Among Us with One Shot Network (VOD here)  

-What Shane’s excited about: The Boys (Amazon Prime)

-What Sally’s excited about: Non-mainstream superhero media (Masks, Capers, The Boys, Brat Pack comics)

On this episode, Shane and Sally talk about the PS5’s absolutely massive dimensions and whether it’ll fit in a typical entertainment center (jury’s still out). Then they talk all about multiple endings in video games, what functions they serve, when they work, and when they kinda ruin your fun. And they talk about the games they’re playing right now, Star Wars: Squadrons and Prey.

-What Shane’s excited about: Schitt’s Creek (on Netflix)

-What Sally’s excited about: The Expanse (on Amazon Prime Video)

Things we talked about:

Sony’s official PS5 specs confirm the console is an absolute unit

With all the talk and excitement about next gen consoles, Shane and Sally decided to take a stroll down memory lane and talk all about their own experiences with consoles over the years, from ColecoVision and Atari 7800 to Sega Game Gear and N64, all the way up to current gen consoles. They also talk about the recent announcement that the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival will include a category for video games. Of course they also talk about the games they’re playing: League of Legends and Batman: Arkham Knight. 

-What Shane’s excited about: SEC football is back!

-What Sally’s excited about: The Netflix series The OA

Things we talked about:

This year’s Tribeca Film Festival will include a video game festival, too

Sally and Shane played the game that put David Cage’s name on the video game map: 2005’s Fahrenheit (or, as it was known in North America, Indigo Prophecy) and they’re here to talk all about it. They describe the game’s story and gameplay before diving into a discussion about the legacy of this very uneven game when it comes to today’s point and click and adventure games. They also talk about games they’re playing right now, including League of Legends and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime.

-What Shane’s excited about: Defector, the new spots blog/media company founded by former Deadspin employees

-What Sally’s excited about: The TV show Stumptown (ABC), available on Hulu

Things we talked about: 

Postmortem: 

Indigo Prophecy

 by David Cage

In this episode Sally and Shane talk about Sony’s weird lottery system for preordering a PS5. Then they talk about the video games they’d like to play as tabletop RPGs and share their thoughts and ideas for just how to do that, from adapting lore and worldbuilding to implementing gameplay and mechanics. They also talk about games they’re playing right now, including Among Us, Eliza, and Night Call.

-What Shane’s excited about: The TV series Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet available on Apple+.

-What Sally’s excited about: The actual play of the indie RPG Sleepaway on the One Shot Network. You can listen to Part 1 here and Part 2 here. 

In this episode Sally and Shane talk about a few different news items (including Stardew Valley update 1.5 and a certain big company suing a certain giant company). Then they discuss the 2019 game Interrogation: You Will Be Deceived, from the noir mood and rotoscoped aesthetic to the mechanics and themes, as well as what worked and what didn’t. They also talk about games they’re playing right now (League of Legends and Borderlands 3) and buying skins that don’t do anything mechanically but are extremely fun.

-What Shane’s excited about: The Canadian TV series, Letterkenny, available on Hulu

-What Sally’s excited about: The podcast California Love by Walter Thompson-Hernández

In this episode Sally and Shane talk about the Nintendo gigaleak, why it matters, and ask the question “Does anyone care about the plumber’s brother?” Then they talk about the tabletop roleplaying games they’d like to see adapted in video games and how those concepts would be executed. They also talk about the games they’re playing right now, which include League of Legends and The Witness.

-What Shane’s excited about: The finale of Discovery’s Naked and Afraid XL

-What Sally’s excited about: Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, the 3-season A&E docuseries 

In this episode, Sally and Shane talk about casual co-op games, when they work, when they don’t, why they’re great during the pandemic, and more. Then they discuss their all time favorites of the genre and also kind of change their definition of the genre. They also talk about speedrunning and Games Done Quick 2020 as well the games they’re playing right now (Overwatch, Minecraft Dungeons, LA Noire, A Mortician’s Tale, ACNH).

Things we talked about: 

-Games Done Quick 2020 Schedule

-Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! World Record Progression

-Final Fantasy VII speedrun from Summer Games Done Quick 2017

-What Shane’s excited about: The rom-com Palm Springs (Groundhog Day for millennials, streaming on Hulu)

-What Sally’s excited about: Zweihänder, the “grim and perilous” RPG that started as a hack of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

Sally and Shane talk about Quantic Foundry’s gamer motivation profile survey and how it attempts to distill gamers’ personalities and playstyles and recommend games. They talk about the benefits and the limits of the survey model and then discuss their own results. They also discuss Amazon’s new recent released (and more recently un-released) game Crucible, as well as the grand strategy game Stellaris and the short indie game A Short Hike.

Links from this episode:

-Quantic Foundry’s Gamer Motivation Profile survey

-Sally’s gamer motivation profile

-Shane’s gamer motivation profile

-Steve Saylor’s reaction video to the accessibility menus in The Last of Us Part 2

-What Shane’s excited about: the PS5

-What Sally’s excited about: the podcast Alba Salix, Royal Physician

Sally and Shane talk mostly about Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part 2. Although they skipped big story spoilers, there is plenty of discussion of how the game feels to play, the richness of the environments, and the exquisite storytelling. They also discuss whether video games have any place in high school curricula, the simple but deep joys of Minecraft Dungeons, and kicking a villager off your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island.

Here are links to some of things we discussed this episode:

-This War Of Mine Added To Poland's High School Reading List

-Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

-Spec Ops: The Line

Shane and Sally open by talking about the Madden player who won the Madden bowl without having a QB or even throwing a single pass. Then they dive into the genre of games that includes Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing—known as “tend and befriend”—that are all about doing a job once your IRL workday is over. 

Read More:
On anti-blackness and police violence:

• 5 Ways White People Can Be Helpful Right Now
• 31 Resources That Will Help You Become a Better White Ally
• Movement for Black Lives
• Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
• Justice for Breonna Taylor fund

On silly video game stuff:

• Madden Bowl Winner Didn't Use A QB, Or Throw A Single Pass
• STARZ and the show Black Sails and 1987’s G.I. Joe: The Movie
• Nookazon

Shane and Sally open the episode by talking about the billion dollar (billion! Dollar!) video game coaching industry. Then they talk about the video games that provide a damn good simulacrum of sitting around a table playing D&D with buddies.

Read More:

Bloomberg: Billion Video-Game Coaching Business Ramps Up During Lockdown

Contact Us:

Sally on Twitter: @sallyt

Shane on Twitter: @mundangerous

Co-op Mood on Twitter: @coopmoodpod

Co-op Mood Email: coopmoodpod[at]gmail.com

After discussing the Nintendo PlayStation and how weird and (apparently) valuable it is, Shane and Sally talk about how video games explore and portray war, from the jingoistic gun porn options to the games that are grounded in the brutal reality of combat trauma.

Read More:

Engadget: Bidding for the 'Nintendo PlayStation' prototype is already over $200k

Contact Us:

Sally on Twitter: @sallyt

Shane on Twitter: @mundangerous

Co-op Mood on Twitter: @coopmoodpod

Co-op Mood Email: coopmoodpod[at]gmail.com