Writer and programmer Alanna Okun shares how video games influenced the recent decision to leave her tenured career in journalism for an education in interactive technology — a conversation through the boom and bust of the 2010s media landscape to a revelation of control and expression found in making video games. ------Linksbitsy (website)Knit a Hat: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting (Microcosm Publishing)NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) (website)------SocialGuest: Alanna OkunInstagramHost: Kyle StarrThreads | Instagram | MastodonShow: Y-ButtonThreads | Instagram | Mastodon

Pixar Creative Director (Theme Parks), Tasha Sounart, discusses her career journey, from animating at Pixar on A Bug's Life through Cars to directing Double Fine's Costume Quest, to her return to Pixar and overseeing the implementation of Pixar properties in Disney Parks. She shares how video games influence physical attractions, gaming as a family, and her fondness for RPGs and MMOs.[DISCLAIMER: Kyle here. My Host audio quality is subpar in this episode. I failed to realize that I was peaking a bit when captured. AJ did everything in their power to clean this up, but there's only so much that can be done with poorly captured audio. I've listened back to this episode a few times and I don't feel it detracts from Tasha's interview whatsoever. That said, I'll be more mindful in the future.]------LinksPikuniku (website)Pixar pixel-art tile artwork (LinkedIn) ------SocialGuest: Tasha SounartMastodon | LinkedIn Host: Kyle StarrThreads | Instagram | MastodonShow: Y-ButtonThreads | Instagram | Mastodon

Award-winning journalist and non-fiction writer, Simon Parkin, discusses his journey into journalism, curiosity about video games, the transition from 2D to 3D gaming, and informing the broader culture about the medium.------Simon Parkin's website (with links to his books, articles, and audio)simonparkin.comMy Perfect Consoleshows.acast.com/my-perfect-consolePushing Buttons newsletter from The Guardiantheguardian.com/games/series/pushing-buttonsRaiden (Youtube)DoDonPachi (Youtube)Return of the Obra Dinnobradinn.comChants of Sennaarrundisc.io/chants-of-sennaar/"The Wager" by David Granndavidgrann.com/book/the-wager/------SocialGuest: Simon ParkinInstagram | Twitter/XGuest Show: My Perfect ConsoleInstagram | Twitter/XHost: Kyle StarrThreads | Instagram | MastodonShow: Y-ButtonThreads | Instagram | Mastodon

Chris Plante, Editor-in-chief of Polygon and co-host of The Besties podcast, chronicles his journey into games journalism, his fondness for "7/10 (rated)" video games, and what makes video games different (and the same!) as other mediums.------Polygon: Gaming and Entertainment News, Reviews, and MorePolygon.comThe Besties (podcast)themcelroy.family/bestiesThe Besties (newsletter)thebesties.substack.comGameDiscoverCo (Simon Carless's awesome newsletter)gamediscover.co------SocialHost: Kyle StarrThreads | Instagram | MastodonShow: Y-ButtonThreads | Instagram | Mastodon

Stephen Hilger, co-host of Into the Aether podcast, discusses the power of video games on childhood, art, and imagination.------Into the Aetherintothecast.online------SocialGuest: Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether)Twitter/X | InstagramHost: Kyle StarrMastodon | Threads | Twitter/X | InstagramShow: Y-ButtonMastodon | Twitter/X

Music industry extraordinaire and founder of Washed Up Emo, Tom Mullen, joins the show to discuss his lifelong fascination with video games, the link between music and games, staying relevant with the youths, and his love of strategy guides. Can you guess the song he brought to Guitar Hero III?Music'Liminal Fields' by Vulture Featherhttps://vulturefeather.bandcamp.com/album/liminal-fields------SocialGuest: Tom Mullen (Washed Up Emo)Twitter | InstagramHost: Kyle StarrMastodon | Threads | Twitter | InstagramShow: Y-ButtonMastodon | Twitter

Y-Button producer AJ Fillari doubles up as a guest to discuss their fascination with games, why video games media doesn't get old, how chip tunes change their world, and why it's important to enjoy the simple act of playing.PodcastsTen Very Big Books - A Malazan Read-through Podcasthttps://www.patreon.com/tenverybigbooksInto the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcasthttps://intothecast.online/Asynchronous - A Video Game Catch-Up Showhttps://feeds.transistor.fm/asynchronousFrog of the Weekhttps://frogpod.online/Music'Atebite and the Warring Nations' by Disasterpeacehttps://disasterpeace.bandcamp.com/album/atebite-and-the-warring-nations'Simulant Rain' by _amaranthinehttps://amaranthine.bandcamp.com/album/simulant-rain------SocialGuest: AJ FillariTwitter | MastodonHost: Kyle StarrMastodon | Threads | Twitter | InstagramShow: Y-ButtonMastodon | Twitter

Paul Levering and Paul Owens discuss the history of 2 Player Productions, the game development insights they learned over seven years of filming PsychOdyssey — Double Fine's 32 episode documentary of the making of Psychonauts 2 — and depths of artistry, critique, and misunderstandings of video games.PsychOdysseyhttps://www.doublefine.com/dftv/psychodyssey2 Player Productionshttps://www.youtube.com/user/2PlayerProductionsBehind the Scenes Making of Halo 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q69Msy8ttMTwitterhttps://twitter.com/2pproductions

Naoko Takamoto, Principle Producer at Double Fine Productions, shares how music led her into games and ultimately production, working at Double Fine and on Psychonauts 2, the challenges of working through the pandemic, and what games mean to her.https://www.naokotakamoto.com/Double Fine PsychOdysseyhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhLvue17Sd70y34zh2erWWpMyOnh4UN_Princess Problemshttps://www.princessproblemsmusic.com/That Handsome Devilhttp://www.thathandsomedevil.com/

From creating a self-published zine, to writing for EGM, to working for one of the most innovative game studios in Enhance, Chris “CJ” Johnston shares his extensive journey in the industry, the games that opened his eyes to what’s possible, and the through line that holds it all together.Mastodon@superpacTwitter@superpacHumanityhttps://humanity.game/Player One Podcasthttp://www.playeronepodcast.com/"Mystery Box" Vintage Video Game Magazines - Video Game History Foundationhttps://the-video-game-history-foundation.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/blind-box-vintage-game-magazine-subscription

Robert Ashley, host of A Life Well Wasted, talks about games journalism, podcasting, music, food, parenting, learning, and why he cares about video games.A Life Well Wastedhttps://alifewellwasted.com/I Come to Shanghaihttps://icometoshanghai.com/

Riot Games (League of Legends, VALORANT, Team Fight Tactics) Associate Art Director Lana Bachynski shares stories about her love of video games from a young age, her journey into animation, community in video games, work... in general... but also what it's like to work on something you love.The Riot Games Super Art Power Hour | Episode 4: Animationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRMCGJk_hN8DLC Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/dlcpod

Brendon Bigley (co-host of Into the Aether) shares his experience being around video games since birth, the tolls and triumphs of generating loads of video game podcast content, Sketch Turner, and the excitement of the unknown.Into the Aether:https://intothecast.onlineWavelengths Blog:https://www.wavelengths.online/Wavelengths Podcast:https://www.wavelengths.online/podcasts/

Christian Spicer shares his story as a former attorney turned comedian, writer, and podcaster, and why he cares about video games.https://www.christianspicer.com/DLC Podcast with Jeff Cannata and Christian Spicer:https://dlc.fireside.fm/The Official Last of Us Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-official-the-last-of-us-podcast/id1514792212