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Minigame

Minigame

By Lore Party Podcast Network

Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael Farris explores how video games are more powerful and more meaningful than ever. These are the stories that stay with us long after the galaxy is saved and the final boss is defeated.
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The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games

MinigameMar 28, 2021

00:00
05:11
The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games

The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games

It's understandable to want videogames to avoid political discussion, but since games are art, politics are inevitable. Despite their apolitical exterior, simulation games like Sim City are full of political messages.

Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel

Website: loreparty.com

Mar 28, 202105:11
Creating Your Brain in 'Disco Elysium'

Creating Your Brain in 'Disco Elysium'

Most RPG's allow you to create your character based only on their stats, but what if there was a game in which you create a personality? Disco Elysium is that game. In this episode, @farristhewheel takes a look at Disco Elysium's character creator and explains why it's far more compelling than most other character creators.

Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel

Website: loreparty.com

Feb 28, 202107:25
Adrift in the Afterlife of "Summerland" - An Interview With Developer Conner Rush

Adrift in the Afterlife of "Summerland" - An Interview With Developer Conner Rush

Conner Rush of Fyre Games joins us to discuss game development, becoming an overnight success on TikTok, and his new game Summerland. Summerland is available for free on Steam and itch.io 

Conner's Social Media:

  • fyregames.com
  • twitter.com/fyregamesreal
  • tiktok.com/@treasureman

Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris.  Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.

Visit Lore Party:

  • Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast
  • Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel
  • Website: loreparty.com
Jan 24, 202124:25
Halo, Destiny, and The Role of Lore

Halo, Destiny, and The Role of Lore

The stories of Halo and Destiny can be confusing. In this episode of Minigame, Michael (@farristhewheel) tries to unpack not just the stories of these two series, but the overall role of lore in a games’ story.

Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.

The Complete Story of Destiny! From origins to Shadowkeep [Timeline and Lore explained] by “My name is Byf” on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mbDXvDNqTU

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Michael’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @farristhewheel

Website: loreparty.com

Oct 18, 202007:15
The Small Vastness of the World of ‘Hitman’

The Small Vastness of the World of ‘Hitman’

It’s easy to get burned out by the size of many open world games. Especially if it’s just for show. The Hitman series is a prime example of how smaller worlds can feel huge and present opportunities for new ways players can create their own stories. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.
Sep 20, 202009:10
Time Flies By on The Last Express

Time Flies By on The Last Express

The Last Express is a game all about running against the clock in a period of history that feels like is running out of time. In this episode of Minigame, Michael explores the role that time plays in this mystery-adventure game that just so happens to be his favorite game of all time. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.
Aug 30, 202006:35
Do You Own Your Humanity in The Outer Worlds?

Do You Own Your Humanity in The Outer Worlds?

In The Outer Worlds everything has a cost. From womb to tomb, your life is dictated by the big business in town. But does this fantasy world have roots in reality?

MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).

Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Website: loreparty.com

Aug 03, 202007:08
How Morrowind Is A Better Adventure Than Skyrim

How Morrowind Is A Better Adventure Than Skyrim

Skyrim is undoubtedly one of the most played games of all time, but in this episode, Michael goes on an adventure through the series' third entry, Morrowind, and despite the archaic presentation, has a more meaningful quest.

MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).

Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Website: loreparty.com


Music Attribution:

Adventure by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


Nowhere Land by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Jul 05, 202007:07
Introducing Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

Introducing Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

Check out Gom Jabbar in your favorite podcasting app and let’s explore the universe of the classic Sci-Fi series, Dune
Jun 12, 202001:00
The Comfort of Gaming in Quarantine

The Comfort of Gaming in Quarantine

A health scare causes Mike to go into quarantine. While there, he rediscovers the comfort and power that video games can provide.

MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).

Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Website: loreparty.com

May 17, 202008:07
Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane

Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane

Death Stranding is an odd game full of mystery and intrigue. However it also shows that sometimes it is the mundane aspects of life that makes things feel the most comfortable in times of need.

MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).

Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Website: loreparty.com

B - Somber Ballads by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution

license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Mar 22, 202007:35
The Story of Our Stuff in One Night Stand
Feb 23, 202005:36
Fearful Choices in Until Dawn

Fearful Choices in Until Dawn

While Until Dawn is full of gore and kills, the storytelling itself is the scariest part of the game. 

MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast

Website: loreparty.com

Jan 26, 202004:54
What Makes a Good Star Wars Story?

What Makes a Good Star Wars Story?

With Rise of Skywalker just down the corner, @farristhewheel takes a look at Star Wars games of the past to see where the series has gone right and wrong.

Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael Farris explores how video games are more powerful and more meaningful than ever. These are the stories that stay with us long after the galaxy is saved and the final boss is defeated.

Dec 15, 201905:13
Bury Me, My Love - Minigame Classics
Oct 13, 201908:31
Neo Cab and The Stories We Tell in the Dark

Neo Cab and The Stories We Tell in the Dark

With Apple releasing their new gaming service, Apple Arcade, Michael takes a look at Neo Cab, one of the more unique games in the library and discovers that sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones we tell each other when the lights go out.

Oct 06, 201906:01
How Two Developers Interpreted the Fallout Universe

How Two Developers Interpreted the Fallout Universe

Interplay and Bethesda. The two main developers of the Fallout franchise. Despite working with the same canon, the two developers handled the universe very differently. In this episode, Michael explores the franchise as a whole and the themes and story the two developers wanted to tell. 

Visit Lore Party:

Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party

Website: loreparty.com

Michael's Twitter & Instagram: @farristhewheel

Sep 15, 201909:13
Minigame Classics - Making Your Own Lore in 'No Man's Sky'

Minigame Classics - Making Your Own Lore in 'No Man's Sky'

The story is whatever you make it in No Man’s Sky. Only a video game can give you the tools and the world to craft a narrative only you can. That’s why we love games.

Aug 18, 201908:09
Saying Goodbye to Mass Effect in the Citadel

Saying Goodbye to Mass Effect in the Citadel

Mass Effect 3 disappointed many long time fans. However, in this episode, Michael discusses the final DLC and how it was the perfect ending to the Mass Effect Trilogy
Aug 11, 201908:03
The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 3)
Jul 15, 201908:18
The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 2)

The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 2)

In part 2 on game designer Hideo Kojima, Michael Farris (@farristhewheel) explores the campy adventures of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and the disappointing sequel: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.
Jul 02, 201909:26
The Painful Nostalgia of Life is Strange - Minigame Classics

The Painful Nostalgia of Life is Strange - Minigame Classics

Life is Strange is a game that confronts the realities of nostalgia, and how it can be both painful and unproductive for our lives.

MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).
Jun 23, 201911:41
The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 1)

The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 1)

It’s no secret that Hideo Kojima has always had ambitions to become a film director, and it becomes even more obvious when you look at the evolution of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Michael explores Kojima’s cinematic inspirations, and how Death Stranding is the continued evolution of Kojima’s ambitions.
Jun 19, 201907:15
Welcome to 'Minigame'

Welcome to 'Minigame'

Minigame is a deep-dive into video game stories and why we love them. It's part diary, part essay and each episode will be 5 - 10 minutes long.

Jun 11, 201900:57