TEM Podcast 054: Your Inner Cat
We talk about some controversies in the
gaming community that have been both burning for a while and just lit recently. In other news, Mike revisits
an old, unplayed game after actually playing it, Josh continues to waylay fools in FFXIV, and Charles
connects the Dots and is also Super. Hot.
This week’s podcast is brought to you by iOS7, ninjas, and R(ub)2W(in) technology.
Unrolled D20s:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
Show notes:
- Games
- News
- Video
- Music
TEM Podcast 053: In a World’s End
Our late Summer break is over and we’re back with a
podcast show of audio content digitally rendered for your enjoyment. Both Chaz and Mike went on trips
recently and tell you all about them. Also, lots of media and industry news are present, discussed, and
concluded upon. You know, just like you like it.
Avenues to the void:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
Show notes:
- Games
- Gyro (Android)
- Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn
- River City Ransom: Underground (Kickstarter)
- Music
- Video
- Words
- Misc
TEM Podcast 052: Dis or Dat
Unlike last time, no board games are mentioned this week on
the podcast. However, we fill the airtime with plenty of speech upon things such as movies, TV, video games,
and tech news.
And since you never know what we’re going to talk about, then it’s basically like a rogue-like every time, randomly dungerated for your listening pleasure. Thankfully, unlike a rogue-like, you are not destined to perish by podcast’s end. Enjoy!
Pathways to doom:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
TEM Podcast 051: Through the Perfect Hanabi Ship
There is a whole world of games outside of the video realm.
Board and card games have been around much longer than their digital brethren, and friend of the show Jawn
knows this well. He visited The Escort Mission recently and brought a bunch of them to try out, and try them
out we did.
Before that discussion, however, Chaz speaks on a cool rogue-“lite” game, Mike briefs us on his recent visit to Disneyland and California Adventure, and Josh reports on some Xbox One news he gained from Comic-Con.
Suits of color:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
Show notes:
TEM Podcast 050: Nice Round Numbers
Whether you perceive or accept it as a round number or not,
fifty episodes is a sizable amount of episodes in our book. Thank you to all who have stuck around with us
to this momentous occasion.
For your troubles, we give you deep discussion on the mathematical properties of “roundness”, obscure forest arrow battles between famous celebrities, a non-discussion about a recent DLC, and all the rest of the things that happened that escape the poster’s mind right now. It’s a slimmer-than-usual ~90 minute discussion, as well, so get comfortable, turn up the volume, and dive in.
Starbursted cheeks:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
TEM Podcast 049: Put Your Coat On and Have a Seat
Have you ever put on a jacket in an interesting way? What
about mounting a chair instead of gamely sitting in it like a normal person? We’ve wondered about
these things, and much more, on this week’s episode of The Escort Mission Podcast. Join us as we go
unto the fray.
Banal things done extraordinarily:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
Show notes:
- Games
- Words
- Music
- Video
- Misc
TEM Podcast 048: When Antivirus Uninstallations Go Bad
After a week break, The Escort Mission has once again
returned with another lively council on the recent past’s comings and goings. It’s yet another
remote episode as we pack the portable audio recorder (so, mind the quality) and hang together outside the
studio. Activities included, but were not limited to, checking out a new board game, Kickstarted almost a
year ago, that recently shipped.
Our main topic, however, is a lengthy breakdown of the upcoming AAA consoles, the Xbone and Playstellogram 4. We piece together some of the controversies surrounding E3, and go over specs and game exclusives, just for you. Cuz we like you.
Software installation wizards:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
Show notes:
- Misc
- Games
- Words
- Music
- Video
TEM Podcast 047: Good and Cheap
This week’s lively discussion of all things cool that
we three deign worthy of scuttlebutting are marked by various things: their cheapness, their goodness, their
proximity to the beach, the side of the tracks in which they reside, and their ability to provide fresh
Sculpin on tap.
If nothing else, we can guarantee the aforementioned list items as attributes to all topics bandied about in the following podcast, laid bare in all their raw, naked emotional honesty before you. Feel free to be swept away, if the moment takes you.
Leftover scrvples:
Send us your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email.
Show notes:
- Josh’s crazy movie list to follow…
- News
- Games
- Words
- Music
- Video
- Misc
TEM Podcast 046: Perceiving With Our Mind
Two special guests join us this week — one isn’t even in the room! —
to discuss their experiences with some recent hot technology we all wish we had first-hand experience using.
The Escort Mission will have to settle for second-hand for now.
Regardless, our discussion of media, games, and news continues unabated, so join us as another podcast enters your consciousness and takes over your brain space for a couple hours.
Dimensions:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:58:07
- Misc
- Games
- Video
- Words
TEM Podcast 045: 4XPSUWIIBOX1
This week on the illustrious collection of audio bits known only as The Escort Mission,
the trio of Mike, Josh, and Chaz impart language upon your ears. There are video games, movies, music,
books, and a major console release to get all up ins, so grab the latest episode, however you go about doing
that, and hunker down. It’s gonna be a pleasant ride.
Four gigabytes:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:28:11
- Games
- Audio
- Video
- Words
- Misc
TEM Podcast 044: Cookiestarter
What do baked goods and crowd-sourced creative projects have to do with each other?
They’re both, uh, delicious. Along with such delectable selections, The Escort Mission brings you our
time-honored and proven combination of wit and wizardry as we dish about the tough topics, like what games
we played, what movies we saw, and what Internet blog articles we decided to read recently.
Serves four:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:54:39
- Games
- Framed (Upcomming)
- Punchquest (iOS | Android)
- Tomb Raider
- Rymdkapsel (PSV)
- TEM Games for Adults list (There are a lot of these, so you’ll just have to click the Amazon
link and search by your lonesome. A man’s only got so much lunch break.)
- Portal & Portal 2
- The Sims
- Professor Leighton
- Hotel Dusk
- Ilo Milo
- Puzzle Agent
- Any Lego Game
- Stacking
- Audio
- Fitz & The Tantrums – More Than Just a Dream (New Stuff)
- Fitz & The Tantrums – Picking Up the Pieces (Older Stuff)
- Jim Guthrie – Takes Time
- Video
- Words
- The Prophets of Oak Ridge (Washington Post)
- Misc
- Audiobus (iOS)
TEM Podcast 043: European Werewolfism High
Josh returns from his European extravaganza to give us all the low down on his worldly
travels to start off this week’s episode of TEM. The usual round of media, games, and new discussion
continues like always, what with all that stuff that is occurring right now that is worth talking about.
Also, we answer some fan mail with an intriguing question that may not have a straightforward answer.
Also, werewolfism.
Ancient ruins:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 02:04:20
- Games
- Misc
- Video
- Words
Happy 1.0630137th Anniversary to The Escort Mission
It has been 388 days since we first announced this podcast, which makes today our 1.0630137th anniversary (I’m guessing that’s the calculator anniversary or something)! We just wrapped up our 43rd episode, which will be online soon.
Following our initial goal of one episode a week should have easily gotten us up to 52 by now, but scheduling and lives outside the podcast dictate that we’re a little behind that number. Fear not! More is to come.
For now, here’s a shot of us (plus show dog, Penny) enjoying some tasty food truck cuisine in celebration of this momentous occasion.
TEM Podcast 042: Ignoring the Voices in Our Heads
Do you ever have a thought inside your head, and it tells you to do something, but you
just kind of ignore it? Well, if the thought is “listen to the latest TEM podcast episode”, we
implore you to actually follow through this time!
Josh is out this time, but Justin and Robyn more than ably fill in for him. We explore a new feature called “Picture in Picture” on the show this week, as well as the usual good times discussing movies, music, games, and other things that are so gosh darned interesting.
Neural pathways:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:55:00
- Games
- Misc
- Audio
- Video
- Words
TEM Podcast 041: Seriously Jank, and Totally Core
Hello to all and welcome! It’s business as usual as we go back to the normal
joyous banter between Mike, Josh, and Chaz this week. Allow us to discuss music, movies, tech stuff, games,
and the issue of both jank and core in the industry.
Yes, we do love the smell of jank in the morning. Thank you for asking.
Questionable, yet foundational, options:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:38:33
- Games
- Misc
- Video
- Audio
- Calculus math-rock playlist
- Jamie Liddell (self titled)
TEM Podcast 040: Game of the Year 2012
Lest ye think we had forgotten, lo! A special edition of The Escort Mission Podcast is
here to crown the best game of the two thousandth twelfth year. Join us as we quickly lay down reasons why
our favorite games are so awesome and why you should play them. Then, a bloody grudge match is waged between
the members of TEM as we decide who is best and who gets left in the dust.
Links of the year:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 00:32:23
- The Contenders:
TEM Podcast 039: TEM Gone Fishing
Casting pods, coming your way, yet again!
The Escort Mission discusses things going in its life this week, which I don’t think
anyone everyone saw coming. Among muchas otras cosas, Jonathan Blow’s love for Starseed Pilgrim
is investigated, an ABC Family show prompts some deaf culture conversation, a few more movie reviews are
added to the pile, and we check in on some of Kickstarter’s latest funds.
Yes, topics such as these, and more!, are bantered about in less than a smooth hour and fifty minutes, all compressed via Motion Pictures Experts Group, Audio Layer 3.
Musical gardens:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:49:37
- Games
- Words
- Misc
- Kickstarter shoes: Project Piola
- Thumbs & Ammo
- One Tiny Hand
- Coursera Music Production
- Video
- Audio
TEM Podcast 038: Individual Strands of Hair
Another (couple) week(s), another podcast episode from The Escort Mission. It is here!
Friend of the show Dave, and iOS game developer, joins us in our roundtable this time.
TressFX is new and different and awesome, and the recently released Tomb Raider employs it on the PC. Chaz and Josh checked it out and give us their thoughts. We also discuss the SimCity debacle, taking massively open online courses, a few recent women in tech issues, and a bunch more movies to check out. This, and many other things, await you on this week’s TEM podcast.
Follicles of distraction:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:57:50
- Games
- Tomb Raider
- Android Humble Bundle
- Crokinole
- Adrift (iOS)
- Arranger (iOS)
- The Silent Age (iOS)
- Words
- Misc
- Video
- Audio
TEM Podcast 037: We Make the Tough Decisions
This week sees
TEM finally going over our collective decisions made in the recent Walking Dead episodic adventure. We go
through each chapter, giving our thoughts on the tough moral and ethical dilemmas this amazing game pits you
against constantly. Our friend Justin joins us on the ‘cast this week to lend his experiences in
guiding Lee through a zombie nightmare.
In general news, the PS4 has been revealed, Josh watched some more movies, Mike played a creepy game, Chaz talks about splicing, and Justin brings some sports gaming flavor to the room.
Easily-conquerable ethical quandaries:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 03:15:08
- Games
- Misc
- Video
- Audio
- Words
TEM Podcast 036: Segues to Segways
We are back!
After being gone for a couple weeks. Again. And man do we really get into the talking about stuff that we
experienced lately! For a goodly amount of time, even.
Going around the horn: Josh watched a “few” movies lately, and tells us about them. Chaz brings several tech news tidbits to the table in which to mull over. Mike geeks out on some new iOS apps, a new band, and the Wii U. Plus, we have a mailbag section again, which is always nice.
As always, thanks for listening and sending your feedback.
Pathways to enlightenment:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 02:44:08
- Games
- Faster Than Light (Win, Mac, Linux)
- Puzzle Prism (Android)
- Nun Attack (Android)
- Shapes and Sound (Android)
- The Walking Dead
- Minecraft
- Ingress (Android)
- Super Hexagon (iOS|Android)
- Dixit
- Lego Lord of the Rings
- WiiU
- Galaxy on Fire 2 HD (iOS)
- Misc
- Minecraft Westeros
- Vine (iOS|Android)
- Vinepeek
- Moves
- Video
- Audio
- Words
TEM Podcast 035: Cave Chickens Take Over Suburban Tokyo
We toss aside
our joysticks and keyboards this week to go back to our early gaming roots. Jon Cox, a good friend from the
Bay Area, came down last weekend to hang out and he brought with him many majestic bounties (otherwise known
as a buttload of board games).
He joins us on the podcast to talk about said games, the likes of which he has a profound and beautiful love for.
Communication Tokens:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:32:11
- Board Games
- Movies/TV
TEM Podcast 034: Active Time Podcasting
Our first
on-location show, coming at ya! We intentionally speed-cast at Josh’s pad, post-gaming glut, breaking
the world record for “quickest podcast recording done by The Escort Mission”. This also means
the audio quality is a little different as we try out alternate means of recording.
A bunch of games are mentioned and discussed, and FTL may be one of them (again). Other, non-game-related topics come up, as well, like ya do. In other words, this show is much like the others, in that it’s awesome and radical. Enjoy!
Collectabullshit:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 01:08:54
- Games
- Disney Infinity
- The Walking Dead
- Faster Than Light (Win, Mac, Linux)
- Knytt Underground
- Mark of the Ninja
- Evoland
- Tokyo Jungle
- Super Hexagon
- Joe Danger
- Fallout: Tactics
- Lego Lord of the Rings
- Final Fantasy: All the Bravest (iOS)
- Misc
- Video
- Audio
- Words
TEM Podcast 033: Let’s Go to the Animal Zoo
The Escort Mission is all over CES news this time out. Guess
what? There are a lot of TVs at that show. You need to buy a new TV. Seriously, HD is whack, you gotta check
this 4K stuff.
Whew, sorry, I was channeling the desperate pleadings of a shrinking industry for a moment there. Just take a listen.
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 02:21:01
- Games
- The Walking Dead
- Metro 2033
- XBL Indies:
- Apple jack 2
- Dead pixels
- Flow rider
- Quiet please
- Qrth-phyl
- Knytt Underground
- DJMAX Technica Tune
- Faster Than Light (Win, Mac, Linux)
- Closure
- Tokyo Jungle
- Dream Pixels (iOS)
- Misc
- Video
- Audio
- Words
TEM Podcast 032: Set Newtonian Photomist to 4
We’re back from the holiday break! Are you? You better
hope so, because if not, your boss is mad. Get to work for God’s sake! Or just listen to the TEMsters
Local 1337 chat about the Minecraft documentary, x-mas StarTrek, and lots of other pop culture-y goodness.
We also played SpaceTeam, and recorded it! That game is fun. To listen to all of us yelling at each other for kicks, click here.
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 02:30:13
- Games
- Mage Guantlet (iOS)
- Faster Than Light (Win, Mac, Linux)
- Assassin’s Creed 3
- The Walking Dead
- Diablo 3
- Dream of Pixels (iOS)
- The Room (iOS)
- Gears of War 2
- Little Big Planet Vita
- Frog Fractions
- Thomas Was Alone
- Hotline Miami
- Videos
- Words
Legitimizing the Roll
If you’ve ever listened to our podcast (and if you haven’t, why not?!), you’ll know we do a little something called “Roll for Host”, wherein each member of The Escort Mission uses Random.org to generate a number between 1 and 20 (inclusively) in order to determine who hosts that episode. Despite us all being gaming geeks, we’re not as big on our traditional tabletop accouterments…until now.
Three dee twen-tees
Now, before we begin each show, we can do it right. If anyone gets a 20, it’ll flash and we’ll all know who rules. Thanks to ThinkGeek for the awesome-itude.
TEM Podcast 031: Laundering Dragons Through Dungeons
The show that
we do has been done again! And boy do we hit it hard this week. The ur topic of gaming conversation gets a
thorough going-over. ARE GAMES ART? Find out on this week’s Escort Mission.
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 02:30:28
- Misc
- Meme of the Week: Christmas Shopping Complete
- Phillips SHE3580 Headphones
- Games
- Mage Guantlet (iOS)
- The Walking Dead
- Final Fantasy Theatrhythm
- DJMAX Technica Tune
- Rayman Jungle Run (iOS|Android)
- Contra Jour (iOS|Android)
- Videos
- Words
- Music
- Food
TEM Podcast 030: Floor-Based Superiority Complex
A new show has
appeared upon the horizon! It rides majestically out of the rising sun, the light flashing in its eyes; pure
victory.
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Show notes:
- Duration: 02:16:20
- Games
- Assassin’s Creed 3
- Waking Mars (iOS)
- Words
- Videos
- Music
- Gift Guide!
TEM Podcast 029: Petty Pronunciation Pitfalls
This week we talk about a car, a website, a song, a movie, a game, and Peter Molyneux.
Peter Molyneux.
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:33:06
- Games
- Music
- Game Music Bundle 4
- The Jay Arthur Keynes Band – The World’s Smallest Violin
- Absrdst – Rigby Wearing Shades
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- The End (love song)
- Otherside (substance abuse)
- Thrift Shop (self explanatory)
- And We Danced (party anthem)
- Video
- Misc
TEM Podcast 028: Bakery Butchery Bonanza
We get the show length back under control for this episode. No more three hour marathons for a while, we hope. Your loving guides chatter some more about all the good stuff you’ve come to accept: games, movies, TV, music, foxes.
Foxes? YES! No, not really. Listen anyway, though.
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:07:09
- Games
- Assassin’s Creed 3
- Punchquest (iOS)
- Pushing Hands
- Lego: Lord of the Rings
- Halo 4
- Thirty Flights of Loving
- Fairway Solitaire (iOS)
- Video
- Dexter
- Burn Notice (S03E16 “The Devil you Know” is a great ep.)
- A Matter of Taste
- Kings of Pastry
- El Bulli: Cooking in Progress
- Vice Magazine’s Munchies
- Casa de mi Padre
- Moonrise Kingdom
- Wes Anderson – StarWars Audition Tape
- MI3
- Tucker and Dale vs Evil
- Washington Washington
- Music
- Books
TEM Podcast 027: Expert Elk Elimination
It’s been many weeks, and there’s some pent-up geekery about to go down. Get ready for face melting, brain bending, chat about things.
We watched movies, we played games, voted in elections, read words, and other activities as well. Prepare yourself!
Links:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:53:53
- Games
- Assassin’s Creed 3
- Dishonored
- codblops2
- Ragnarok Odyssey
- Air Patriots (Andriod)
- Letterpress (iOS)
- Punchquest (iOS)
- Video
- Misc
- Music
- Books
TEM Podcast 026: Spiderwatch 2012
Welcome to The Escort Mission. It’s a podcast,
undeniably. It’s also the only North American source of DJMax news. LITERALLY THE ONLY ONE. This week
we’ve introduced a new weekly segment about memes called, “Meme of the Week.” It’ll
be on each week, and is meme-focused.
We also talk about stealth games. Quietly, with an intensity of purpose matched only by our steely resolve. Hidden, we discuss them. At times we spring out to make a devastating point, then vanish so quickly you’ll question whether we were ever there at all.
From the shadows:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:47:24
- Games
- Video
- Music
- Words
- Misc.
Penny, the Show Dog
She may not have much to say about the latest video game, but her presence is felt all the same.
Occasionally, our podcasting sessions are quietly interrupted by my rough collie, Penny. She will just race
down the stairs and kind of mill around and be petted for a minute, before either going to sleep nearby or
getting bored and returning upstairs. Obviously, her favorite microphone is mine because it belongs to
mehas the orange (closest to her copper color) pop filter.
I’ve asked Penny to be a guest on the show and offer some commentary, but she never seems interested. Thus, she will remain an enigmatic figure, satisfied to pop in unannounced here and there.
TEM Podcast 025: Welcome to the eX-COMmunication Station
Another time period, another TEM ‘cast. This week is
another random roll grab bag for topics and we manage to hit on controllers again. Spoiler: Josh likes
buttons. Also, Chaz saw a movie, and Mike listened to some music. So in all, it’s NOTHING WHATSOEVER
like any other episode.
In other news, Ann Coulter still sucks.
Look inward:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:16:020
- Games
- XCOM Enemy Unknown
- Agent Dash
- Assassin’s Creed 3
- DJ Max Technika Tune
- DJ Max Ray (iOS)
- The Blackwell Deception
- Electromaster (iOS)
- To The Moon
- Super Crate Box
- Indie Royale Fall Bundle
- Video
- Misc
- Special Olympics letter to Ann Coulter
- Microsoft Surface
- Nanostudio (Win/Mac | iPhone | iPad)
- Music
TEM Podcast 024: Leatherworking Skill Has Reached 300
On this week’s Escort Mission, we argue the merits and
dangers of free speech on the internet. And good news, we solve it! We resolve the whole issue in a way
that’s satisfying to literally everyone in the world. Oh wait, no we don’t. Spoiler alert:
it’s a grey area.
We do bring it full circle to TEM #1 and talk some Mass Effect 3, in light of the recent multiplayer patch. Also, Chaz discusses a game-breaking bug in XCOM Enemy Unknown, and Mike continues to play Sleeping Dogs.
Woof, yawn:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:49:10
- Games
- XCOM Enemy Unknown
- The Impossible Game (iOS | Android | XBLA)
- Mark of the Ninja
- Forza Horizon
- Super Crate Box
- Retro City Rampage
- Mass Effect 3
- Sleeping Dogs
- Indie Royale Fall Bundle
- Video
- Misc
Your Amazon purchases at work!
Pop filters! As hand toys! Thanks listeners – you made this all possible. 🙂
TEM Podcast 023: Your Teacher is a Heron
The Escort Mission goes to the movies this week, and we
watched Looper. SPOILER ALERT: we spoil the crap out of it. If you want to avoid said spoilers, jump to
58:06 once we start discussing the movie. We also played Asura’s Wrath. Newsflash: Japanese games (and
lots else about their culture) are weird.
Chaz bought a car and found it shady but easier than in years past. Mike played a number of casual games and found them enjoyable. Josh watched the presidential debate and found it crazy-making.
Make your crazy:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:53:02
- Games
- Asura’s Wrath
- The Perfect Heist
- Super Crate Box
- Bad Piggies (iOS | Android)
- Sleeping Dogs
- Crashtastic
- Audio
- Books
- Video
- Misc
TEM Podcast 022: Inappropriate German Engineering
There’s never been an episode of The Escort Mission
that’s come off with more aplomb, more professionalism, more panache than this one. Never have we been
more buttery, or less stuttery
The three of us didn’t play many games this week, but rest assured, we manage to argue about things anyway. In large part, we shake down the new console generation. What we hope will happen, what we’re dreading, and everything in between. Spoiler: Josh likes buttons.
Press buttons:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:14:54
- Games
- Video
- Books
- Misc
TEM Podcast 021: Kickstart My Art
The Escort Mission is here, queer, David Alan Greer, a
steer, mere pier, quite dear, and sheer.
This week we talk about Kickstarter’s strengths and pitfalls. Why it’s awesome and where it falls down. What project funders should know and how good a job Kickstarter does telling them. We played several games, read some books, and watched various pieces of filmed entertainment. Also… Cloud Atlas.
Buttery, not Stuttery:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:09:12
- Games
- Music
- Vid
- Misc
TEM Podcast 020: The Ketchup Incident
Here you go, loyalists. A compact ninty-one minutes of TEM
goodness. ‘Nuff said.
We have our first ever multi-letter mailbag segment, and a surprise alterna-performance of the mailbag jingle. Also, Josh likes Guild Wars 2, and we all like Mark of the Ninja.
Give it some gas:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:31:31
- Games
- Music
- Vid
- Misc
TEM Podcast 019: Block Rockin’ Bleats
One more TEM podcast unto the breach, dear friends; one
more. Or close up the wall with our gaming dead. In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man as modest
stillness and humility: but when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the Tiger.
Because we’re serious about this podcast. We’re double serious. We’re saying THINGS. And STUFF. We mean it. Music has been listened to. Recreational trips have been taken. Games have been played, WITH PARENTS.
God for Harry, England, and St. George:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 2:09:26
- Music
- Games
- Vid
- Books
TEM Podcast 018: The Escort Mission Plays Ball
Welcome loyal listeners! We took a week off because reasons.
Now we’re back, though, and we’re playing some games that are out of our wheelhouse.
Wheelhouses? Regardless, it’s not the stuff that we typically go in for.
So buckle in for a TEM cast such as you’ve never known, in the most specific sense of that phrase. (Beacause, really, it’s a lot like those you’ve known.)
Find it:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:54:08
- Full notes to follow
- Erm, actually, I lost the show notes, so you’re on your own for this week.
- Commence to googlin’!
TEM Podcast 017: When Mintons Go Bad
We played a few games this week, and watched a lot of the
Olympics. Some games were good, some bad. Some Olympic events are fun to watch, some not. There, no need to
listen to the show!
Game theory, tournament structure, and rulesmaking. All these could have been topics in our discussion of the Olympic Badminton scandal, if we were more level-headed. Instead we yell at each about fairness and SPORTSMANSHIP for an hour.
Buttery, not Stuttery:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:56:56
- Music
- Games
- Super Crate Box (PC)
- 10,000,000 (iOS)
- Robotek (iOS | Android)
- Dyad (PSN)
- Mushroom Wars (PSN)
- Films
- Misc
- Minigun v. BeastyQT Starcraft 2 match
- Oculus Rift VR headset
TEM Podcast 016: From Activision to Zynga
Some of us watched the Olympics this week. Team Handball and
Micronesia feature prominently. Then, Josh and Mike talk about music for OMG LIKE THREE YEARS AMIRITE? Also
we mention quite a few mobile games and the best piece of advertising ever.
Then we get down and dirty with the “bad guys” of gaming – those scapegoat companies that gamers seem to love to hate. We’re talking EA, Activision, Ubisoft, and Zynga.
Your options for expeditious procurement of the podcast are hereby detailed:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:30:12
- Yes Man
- Zach and Miri Make a Porno
- Router (Android)
- Pocket Legends (Android)
- Dragon Box Plus (iOS | Android)
- Amazing Alex (iOS | Android)
- Wind-Up Knight (iOS | Android)
- Auralux (Android)
- Meet the Superhumans paralympics ad
- Bohemian Rhapsody – vocals only
- Gimmie Shelter – vocals only
- Mates of State – The Re-Arranger
- Fountains of Wayne – Troubled Times
- Cloud Atlas trailer
- Dominion (iOS)
- Current (iOS)
- Space Invaders Infinity Gene (iOS | Android)
- AsciiVania
- Dynamite Jack (Steam)
- Battles – Gloss Drop
- Tom York – The Eraser
- Glitch Mob – Drink the Sea
- Squarepusher – Ufabalum
- Squarepusher – Ultravisitor
- Jamie Lidell – Compass
- Jamie Lidell – Multiply
- Hudson Mohawke – Satin Panthers
- TNGHT – TNGHT
TEM Podcast 015: This is Totally in Your Wheelhouse
I punch a guitar twice this episode. I’m not sure why
I can’t manage to make it through a show without doing that, but there it is.
Just Cause 2 gets the Best Game Ever treatment. I’ll give you a hint – we like it. Also, we discuss the Nexus 7, Louis CK, and TNGHT.
Download, hearties:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:13:10
- TNGHT
- Ron McKean
- LG IPS236V
- Wide Screen Gaming Forum
- Just Cause 2
- Phil Fish blog post re: Fez patch
- Paul Miller’s “Offline” series
- Secret of Mana: Genesis arranged album (jp)
- Radiohead/Limbo mashup
- Sun Weather App
- Three Word Phrase
- Sideway New York
- Madfinger Games
- California Headphones Kickstarter
- The Big Short by Michael Lewis
- Philosophy Bro
- whatif.xkcd
TEM Podcast 014: Cost-Efficient Urbanization
TEM crew is back and better than ever. Actually, we’re
probably not better than ever. Let’s say we’re on par with ever. Josh is back, though, and we
hear about his trip to Oregon. Comicon happened in our fair city, so there’s some talk of that.
We also get into a long discussion about the cost of games, and the recent industry developments to do with that. Things cost money, guys. I dunno if you knew that, but they do. Also, games are things. Modus Ponens is trying to tell me something here…
P, therefore Q:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:34:35
- Russian River Brewing
- The Binding of Isaac
- The Walking Dead
- Sega Vintage Collection: Monster World
- Night Sky
- Sideway
- Outwitters (iOS)
- TinyWings (iOS) Standard | HD
- Frogger Hyper Arcade (Android)
- Mamushka’s Hamsa (Bandcamp)
- Logitech solar keyboards
- Spelunky
- Rasputin’s Bastards by David Nickle
- Cloud Atlas and The Thousand Autums of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
- Ken Block’s Ghymkhana 5
- The Prototype trailer
- Spec Ops war game / war gamer interview
- Penny Arcade kickstarter
- Ouya kickstarter
- Final Fantasy Tactics (iOS)
TEM Podcast 013: For Jack Johnson Fans Only
No Josh this week! In his absence, we conscript two guest
hosts, Matt and Robyn. (See! Proof that we know women.) They fill in admirably and we have some good
discussions in another random grab bag show.
We also played Cards Against Humanity (great title) before the show, and that’s fun, yo. Also, the mailbag returns! Live mail jingle to the max!
4 hosts, 4 ways:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:01:45
- Cards Against Humanity
- Man on Wire
- Ninja Gaiden 3
- Wish You Were Here (Douglas Adams Bio)
- Forza Motorsport 4
- California Headphones (Kickstarter)
- Marvel Civil War
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Two Awesome Gamers
- Skyblock Minecraft Challenge Map
- Intro/Outro music by Mike and Robyn
TEM Podcast 012: Getting Revenge on Old Ladies from the Street
This week we take on women. Can they be allowed to drive
cars? Pants, are they merely inflammatory or the downfall of civil society? And is childbirth really that
big a deal?
Actually, we have the kind of nuanced discussion about gender and games that we wish occurred in more developers’ offices. Also, we played some games, watched some shows, read some books.
Take a listen:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:54:50
- Argoz Socks
- Hey Ash Whatcha’ Playin’: Red Faction Guerrilla
- Rasputin’s Bastards by David Nickle
- Atomic Web Browser
- Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor
- Depth of Speed
- Driven: Koenigsegg
- Truth in 24 & Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts
- Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel…
- Lunice
- TNGHT
- True Food Kitchen
- VirHeroicus
- Flow iOS
- Moxie iOS
- Infinity Basslink Sub & Amp Install Kit
- Car Audio Heaven
- Video games and Male Gaze – are we men or boys?
TEM Podcast 011: Sorting Out the Duck Situation
Guess who’s back? That’s right, TEM’s
back. Our two-week break did us good. Or at least it did us no harm. It’s Hippocratic in that respect.
We watched another movie this week, and let me tell you, shit’s tough in the FP. Also, Portal and Portal 2 put up their respective dukes in the Best Game Ever arena. And other things happened as well. Listen, won’t you?
Like this:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:05:18
- The FP
- Kickstarter car stereo: DASH
- Squarepusher – Ufabulum
- Botanicula
- Shoot Many Robots & Sountrack
- Sword & Sworcery EP & Remix Soundtrack
- Prometheus
- Tesla Model S
- Quantum Connumdrum
- HTC One X v. EVO 4G LTE
- Microsoft Surface
- HRC marriage equality shirt
- Portal v. Portal 2
- The Beach Boys – Girls on the Beach: Listen
- The Beach Boys – This Whole World: Listen | Buy
TEM Podcast 010: A Podcast You Listen to Via a Method
We’re in the double digits! Woooooo! This episode
count is only going one way, baby! Higher! Up! It will increase. As we record more episodes it will continue
to increment by one. Next show’ll be number eleven. Escort Mission fever, CATCH IT!
This week we three hosts watched a movie film picture show and then gathered to discuss it. Also, E3 happened, and boy were there a lot of generic action sequences.
Methods:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
TEM Podcast 009: The Escort Mission Gets Meta
Yo dawg, we heard you like escort missions, so we put an escort mission in your escort mission so you can escort mission while you escort mission.
Meme! In the face!
The topic of the week is eponymous, and we’ll leave it at that. Also, we talk about how internet flamewars (like conscience) make cowards of us all.
Reference! Also in the face!
Lose the name of action:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:58:56
- Video of a Third Person Shooter Starcraft 2 Mod
- DSNEDIT – Disney time-lapse
- 1Q84
- Towers of Midnight
- Starwars 1313
- Shadow of the Colossus
- Dark Souls
- Humble Indie Bundle V
- Indie Game Music Bundle
- Indie Royale Bundle
- Kimbra – Vows
- Against the Wall
- Command & Conquer: First Decade Collection
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Religulous
- The God Who Wasn’t There
- The God Delusion
- Rift
- Diablo 3
TEM Podcast 008: Console Gaming is Dead, Long Live Console Gaming!
It’s a long one today, listeners, but probably our
best show yet. Lots of meaty discussion, not only about games, but about their place in society, and what we
want them to be.
Not to mention the usual tomfoolery, horsin’ around, grab-ass, foolishness, and triviality you’ve come to know, expect, and love.
Now, show notes (omg, these go on forever this week).
Drink it in:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 02:37:44
- Frozen Synapse
- XCOM Enemy Unknown
- Browser Quest
- Sons of Anarchy
- Dark Souls
- Downton Abbey
- Diablo 3
- Tera
- Crucial M4 SSD
- Johann Sebastian Joust
- Papa Quash
- Drop 7
- Super Strict Farmer
- Ticket to Ride Board Game / iOS
- Ico / Shadow of the Colossus Collection
- Duck Dunn on Sam & Dave’s Wrap it Up Listen / Buy
- Duck Dunn on Sam & Dave’s Hold On, I’m Comin’ Listen / Buy
- Curtis Mayfield – Get Down Listen / Buy
- BB King and Eric Clapton – Worried Life Blues Listen / Buy
- Bee gees – Tragedy Listen / Buy
- Valve Company Handbook
- Another World
TEM Podcast 007: Idea Lag Grab Bag
Extry, extry, read all about it! A new episode of The Escort Mission, for your listening pleasure. 22-skidoo!
This week we further randomize the show with a rapid-fire selection of gaming topics. Arcades! Emulation! Indie v. AAA! And suchlike!
Get down, get down:
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
Dear Esther: Quickview
When I want to do a brief write-up of something, unfettered by immediate discussion from The Escort Mission crew, you got yourself a Quickview. Today, I want to talk about Dear Esther.
Originally built as a Source engine mod for Half Life 2, Dear Esther has been improved graphically and aurally to become its own game. I had heard it was heavy on the mood and exploration, so it seemed like a novel concept to check out. Despite its traditional FPS foundation, the lack of weapons, inventory, enemies, and even the ability to jump make this a very different kind of “game”.
Your main interaction with Dear Esther is to walk at a solid, but slow, gait around an island while vocal clips (memories? talking to yourself? thinking out loud?) and beautiful, somber music play in the background. All of this combines to help flesh out the otherwise enigmatic nature walk you embark upon as you explore this mysterious place. The graphics are nicely detailed (at least far as the Source engine and your computer can push them), and the color effects used inside caves are truly magnificent. It’s all very peaceful and serene, but at the same time very unsettling. The storyline is vague and progression through the game frames everything as a dream or delusion. Even after beating it I pretty much had no idea what had transpired, as if I were in a haze the whole time.
If ever there was a first-person story told in an interactive manner, then Dear Esther would fit the bill. The experience could not really be told in another medium quite as effectively. Is it a success as a game? If a short (it can be beaten in 1-2 hours), linear (there are some side and alternative paths, but there is one main road) adventure consisting of walking, examining, and listening with no combat or collecting qualifies, then yes. It’s easy to see how others would object, but I think that would be selling it short. The whole thing is a very unique experience unlike anything else I’ve played, and despite feeling confused about its purpose or ultimate meaning, it’s still worth the price of admission.
Speaking of which, Steam is currently providing Dear Esther for half off its usual price (only $5) and can be played on either OS X or Windows.
TEM Podcast 006: The One with the Key and the Time Mechanic
Mini-sode, guys! A quick mid-week ep. to make up for missing
our regular weekend cast-a-thon. (By which I mean, a 2 hour show like all the others. The best laid plans,
and all that.) Also, Josh wins the dice roll yet again.
You’re not going to believe this but we hardly mention Mass Effect and Fez, and only in the context of other games! Chaz is playing some classic PlayStation exclusives, Mike is on the Penny-Arcade tip (Penny-Arcade Sucks!), and Josh thinks Braid is Best Game Ever. Also, have you ever tried to describe a specific Braid puzzle? It turns out that’s challenging. 🙂
Peep this (with your ears):
- iTunes
- Download the MP3
- Grab the RSS, and plug it into your RSS reader of choice (Google Reader, et. al.)
- Subscribe to the RSS by email
Something to say? Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
TEM Podcast 005: Now You’re Playing with Churros
Wherein we learn that there’s a fine line between
Churros and Donut Holes, largely arbitrated by the quality of one’s pastry bag.
Guess what? TEMcrew like Fez and we talk about it more. It’s the last time, for SURE this time. Mike played a buncha crazy demos, most of which he didn’t like. Chaz listened to some music. Josh watched The Dark Knight for the first time, and he got a Nook. (Which shows you how in tune with monetizing this thing we are. Ya couldn’t have bought a Kindle, dude?)
Peep this (with your ears):
- iTunes
- Download the MP3
- Grab the RSS, and plug it into your RSS reader of choice (Google Reader, et. al.)
- Subscribe to the RSS by email
Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:48:24
- Nook Simple Touch
- Mass Effect 3
- Churros
- The Dark Knight
- Batman Arkham Asylum
- The Hunger Games
TEM Podcast 004: Minimaximization
Another fun show from TEMcrew. Josh finally gets to host (or
should I say, anti-host) by rolling the third natural 20 we’ve had in four shows. His style
isn’t so much Ryan Seacrest as it is Ryanair. (That’s a joke for all you overseas flyers out
there.)
We talk some more Fez, we talk some more Mass Effect MP. Crazy stuff is happening in EVE Online. Also, is it Min/Maxing or Max/Minning? And is Tetris one of the best games ever?
As always, find us here:
- iTunes
- Download the MP3
- Grab the RSS, and plug it into your RSS reader of choice (Google Reader, et. al.)
- Subscribe to the RSS by email
Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
TEM Podcast 003: The Stargate to the West
We’re blowing it out this episode, with amazing
features such as talking, arguing, commenting, and professing. You’ve never heard an Escort Mission
Podcast like this one!
More Fez talk – that game is good, people. Josh went to St. Louis – were there bricks? (Answer: yes) What did he eat? (Answer: cheese) Game journalism – do we like it? Do we need it? Does it even exist?
As always, find us here:
- iTunes
- Download the MP3
- Grab the RSS, and plug it into your RSS reader of choice (Google Reader, et. al.)
- Subscribe to the RSS by email
Hit us with your quemments via Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com).
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:54:00
- Dark Souls
- 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami
- Slate Dark Souls column
- Impulse (game), soundtrack
Credibility Ahoy
Apple has approved our podcast as being super awesome and now lists it in iTunes (well, it might be a couple days before it comes up in a search, but it’s there!). You can use the link in the sidebar or just follow the text below:
Subscribe to Podcast on iTunes
We’ve also been accepted by the BlackBerry podcast directory thingy, but I have no idea how you even access it as I don’t have a BlackBerry device.
TEM Podcast 002: Listener Safety Violation
Our second podcast episode is in the can, and while it looks like it’s coming out on the same day as the first, it’s really not. In fact, nearly a week separates each episode! We just figured it made more sense to release both at the same time since while they may have been done then and then, we’re going official now, so, yeah. Two for the price of one, and all.
Our focus this time is a bit less narrow than our first episode as we split our time between the recent release of Fez, exploring the good and bad parts of DLC, and trying to reason with Tom Auxier’s Defense of Boring. Throughout the podcast honest and sometimes harsh opinions arise, which is when the real discussion begins, no?
We continue to have three amazing, auditory-pleasing ways to get the podcast:
- Download the MP3
- Grab the RSS, and plug it into your RSS reader of choice (Google Reader, et. al.)
- Subscribe to the RSS by email
iTunes Store direct-linking/subscribing will be another option very soon.
Any comments, questions, or suggestions can be directed to Facebook, Twitter (@escortmission), Google+, or good ol’ email (mail[at]theescortmission[dot]com). Our FB/Twitter/G+ accounts are not feature or content-rich at the moment, but we’re still breaking ground on the website and podcast, so stick with us.
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:46:49
- In defense of boring, by Tom Auxier
- Music by Nebyoolae
TEM Podcast 001: A Massive Effect
The Escort Mission has finally gotten their act together and made their first podcast episode, and it is a massive one. Join Mike, Josh, and Chaz, if you would, in their seriously light-hearted audio-based discussion.
The topic of the day is Mass Effect 3 in all of its glory, which includes our thoughts on the game itself, its place in the trilogy, and the much ballyhooed ending. Thus, spoilers definitely abound. We also introduce two features called “Not My Thing”, where particular idiosyncrasies get admitted, and “Best Game Ever”, where a game is chosen to be nominated and defended as one of the all-time greats.
We have three great, nutrient-rich avenues to get at our recorded think tank:
- Download the MP3, all direct-like
- Grab the RSS, and plug it into your RSS reader of choice (Google Reader, et. al.)
- Subscribe to the RSS by email
As soon as iTunes approves of our audio roundtable, we’ll be able to link it more Apple-like. However, you can do it manually right now by just using option #2 and adding it to iTunes’s Podcasts section via the Advanced->Subscribe to Podcast menu option.
We hope you enjoy our stream-of-consciousness conversation and check in with us each week (that’s the plan) for a new episode.
Show notes:
- Duration: 01:51:45
- Music by Nebyoolae
Introducing Mike
I’m Mike and I’m really glad you’re here to listen to my friends and I prattle on endlessly about video games, one of our favorite pastimes. As a chaser from the drunken spouting that we do on each episode of The Escort Mission Podcast, how about a little information about yours truly?
I’ve been playing games for multiple decades, but not necessarily discussing them with anyone. The Escort Mission Podcast is now one of my favorite things to do because it’s a great release to talk critically, intelligently, and emotionally to my friends about something that we all do and enjoy. As an only child growing up in various nooks of the USA, I didn’t often have a lot of strong social activity beyond a couple years of Little League baseball and the forced interactivity of school. Thus, I learned to entertain myself really well, which often meant finding geeky solace in the imaginary worlds of Nintendo, Sega, and Sony.
Video games have been my constant companion from the first couple times I attempted to beat Super Mario Brothers on an NES when I was 5, until the current days of Draw Something on my iPhone or Mass Effect 3 on my Xbox 360, with many systems and games inbetween. I spend plenty of time reading about games now that game journalism has blown up on the Internet, so I try to stay as informed about all of the shared experiences in gaming as I can. Games are a unique medium that takes a lot of the best parts of other media like film, literature, and music to make something much bigger and significant than the sum of its parts. If you want worlds that are created with backstories, characters, and game mechanics that let you interact with them, then a few hours spent in most modern video game will deliver. For an introvert who doesn’t feel confident about themselves a lot of the time, the realm of video games is a controlled experience with immense gratification. Good video game memories are worth their weight in gold.
When I’m not obsessed with a video game, I can often be found writing and/or playing music. At least in my circle of friends, I’m more or less known as the “music guy” who writes and releases original music for fun. Learning to play the guitar in 1996 definitely changed my life and starting to create my own music a few years later changed how I think about music as a hobby and lifestyle. Basically, it’s an impulse that I can’t, and don’t want to, resist. I hope to be making music for the rest of my life, and I hope as large of a subset of that music gets heard by others and is as enjoyable to them as it is to me. As a byproduct of this impulse and obsession, I can often be won over by a game that has great music, despite any other shortcomings.
I hope The Escort Mission (and its shining gem of a podcast) becomes a second home for you to analyze and dissect the events and issues of the gaming world much like it has become ours.
ME3 Indoctrination Theory
We briefly touched on the indoctrination theory in episode one, but gave it short shrift. I’ve ruminated on it further, and I have THOUGHTS! Giant spoilers ahead, matey! (more…)
Introducing The Escort Mission Podcast
The forces of Mike, Josh, and Chaz have joined to work on a brand new podcast about gaming. Sure, there are plenty of podcasts that talk about games, but they don’t have our unique opinions, experiences, and knack for gamifying the podcast paradigm itself.
Our first episode has been recorded, but is still being produced. When it’s ready, you’ll be able to download it directly from this website, or you can grab it on iTunes (and subscribe and add comments and a rating, too). Look for it soon.
Buttery Not Stuttery
Amazon: Support the Show!
