The Two Vague Podcast

Ceramicist and former fashion industry designer Jackie joins Ben this week to talk about a topic that impacts our physical AND digital lives.  Jackie has a great deal of experience and interest in design, but now she is shifting her focus to digital.  Ben shares his 90s / early 2000s fashion and Rory Gilmore’s boyfriend choices before getting to the definition.  Other topics discussed include: fashion, digital trends, puzzle video games, commerce, the mobile gaming market segment, and video game trend predictions for 2024.
00:00:21 - Voices, a determined Mango, a Masters in a week, and ceramic artist burnout00:03:13 - Craft vs. fine art mediums, dabbling, designing jewelry, and creativity in commerce00:06:46 - Emulation, higher education, Ben’s harsh sting, and the Pantone color of 202400:10:30 - Sharing and kindness, on your bum, and the 2VP sweatpants merchandise plans00:13:39 - An elder Millennial, Urban Decay, Ben is team Dean, and digital marketing trends00:17:10 - Jackie’s Google UX Design certificate, flavor of the month, and Ben’s meal kit idea 00:19:05 - The definition, media toxicity, Jackie is a Google person, and relatively new word 00:23:21 - Inspired by the Narrative episode, popularity, and changes in the fashion industry00:26:07 - Universally “in,” the speed of digital trends, navigating e-commerce, and hobbies00:30:37 - Blurring the line, and stories of creatives dealing with the corporate environment 00:33:47 - Questioning what big companies say that gamers want, and the mobile touchpoint00:36:27 - Trending celebrity names, Jackie’s gaming timeline, Purikura, and visiting the coffee00:40:14 - Jackie realizes her love of puzzle games, subway stories, and Netflix’s Knittens 00:44:12 - Weekly cat fashion shows, Juicy Realm’s premise, and Ben explains “bullet hell”00:46:40 - Konami’s 1993 Super Famicom game “Pop'n TwinBee” (Jackie CONFIRMED)!00:49:03 - Digital licenses, subscription models, Bethesda exclusivity, and favorite soups00:52:28 - Catching Pokémon, getting vaccinated, AR examples, and why is it appealing?00:56:04 - Expensive VR gear, doing virtual things while walking, and generative AI in games00:58:34 - Jackie plays devil’s advocate, thoughts on AI, self-expression, and AI voices01:04:11 - Ben’s new Google contact, a soul, sampling artistic works, and voice royalties01:07:13 - Ben is starstruck, the Paula Abdul briefing, and Jackie’s closing thoughts     01:10:29 - The cyclic nature of trends, no Cabbage Patch Kids, and adding wrinkles
Follow JackieHer website: https://www.jactse.com/Her storefront: https://www.madbrooklyn.com/On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad_brooklyn
Follow Two VagueOur website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References, Links, and Tagshttps://www.urbandecay.com/https://www.pantone.com/
Ben says,“PAULA ABDUL… please be on the podcast!”https://paulaabdul.com/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #PodernFamily #InterviewShow #GamersofThreads #Gamer #PaulaAbdul #PantoneColor2024 #UrbanDecay 

To get you all excited for April 15th, Andrew joins Ben for a game review!  They were under the impression that math was fun… until they tried this game.  From relatively unknown game developer Intuit Inc. comes TurboTax!  Andrew and Ben are playing different versions of the game, so they share their varied experiences with each other and YOU!  Spoiler alert… as a game TurboTax is a dud, but as tax preparation software it’s fairly solid.  Ben says, “NEEDS ZOMBIES!”
00:00:20 - The third person, dog of bag poop, and Andrew (the IRS) has set a deadline00:02:20 - Ben and Andrew are playing different versions, and some facts about Intuit Inc.00:04:42 - For ages 4+, Ben turns off the noise, weaker vibrations, callouses, and columns00:06:51 - Canadian versions of TurboTax, Andrew the French spotter, and the circumflex 00:08:54 - The funny thing about French, Funk & Wagnalls, and the first AI Vice President   00:12:06 - The extra stuff and business edition, a serious side-thought, and back to taxes00:14:41 - Some recent FTC drama, Andrew’s example side-hustle, and tick infested scooters00:16:30 - Starting with the story and narrative, kinda’ like Zork, and Ben’s story summary00:18:43 - You can’t get all the State DLC, 1099 talk, and don’t get Ben started on stamps00:21:23 - Thoughts on TurboTax’s game mechanics, Andrew’s solar buff, and the wrinkle00:24:45 - Andrew’s amended tax return side quest, round numbers, and the cost of coffee00:26:06 - Too many rectangles, it’s not a race, no customizable avatars, and the discussion00:28:01 - FTC callback, micro transactions, currencies, upcoming regulations, and tips00:32:02 - The passthrough, the Sega Genesis version, and why the previous year?00:34:08 - Arizona and Oregon DLC, getting “the kicker,” and Ben’s 3 ups and 3 downs00:37:32 - Not compatible with Wave Financial, game saves, season passes, and zombies00:39:34 - Andrew has stamps, not good for concrete, Ben’s true story, and postage due00:41:34 - Thumbs up or thumbs down, lathe adjacent, and borrowing the Office Assistant
The FORMULA…Story and Narrative (SN) + Game Mechanics (GM) + Audiovisuals (AV) = a video game experience
SN - Story / Narrative - With a name like TurboTax, you might think this is a racing game… you would be wrong!  In this mostly text based “adventure,” your story can be vastly different from someone else's due to the extensive story branching.  You start out playing the role of someone who has been giving money to a government over the course of a year, and now at the conclusion of the year, you are told you have to do math and fill out forms before April 15th. You are obviously the protagonist, but it’s very difficult to determine who the adversary is. GM - Game Mechanics - For the main part of the game you are either answering questions or if you prefer, filling out the forms directly.  That’s really all of the gameplay… YAWN!  Even if you do fill out the forms and submit them to the government in time, you may still have to face a random boss fight in the form of an audit which can extend the playtime extensively. AV - Audiovisuals - There is no music!  The UI is very simplistic… and not in a compelling way. There is a timer and a checkered flag at the top of the screen, but that’s about as exciting as it gets.  Any sound effect in the game is utterly forgettable.  For the current generation of games, the graphics and audio should be much better.  Zombies are needed to add some excitement!  
UPs- If you do a speed run you can be done very quickly- You can receive money which makes it seem like you have accomplished something- DLC is available for your State if you want to extend your gameplayDOWNs  - Although story the branching is extensive there are really only 2 endings either you owe or you get a refund and neither of those guarantee a “good ending”- Almost more fun to fill out the forms manually, at least with that you feel some sort of an accomplishment.- Extra data entry is required to actually submit your forms electronically unless you have a printer and stamps, but who other than Andrew has those handy.
DO BUY… if you don’t want to do your taxes manuallyDO PLAY… working tax payers have to play in some way 
Note: In all seriousness, my REAL TurboTax experience was quick and easy.  I have a very simple return, so if your situation is similar I, would recommend it. 
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn (ex-)Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References, Links, and Tags
https://www.intuit.com/https://www.ftc.gov/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #AprilFools #IntuitInc #TurboTax #TaxDay #NeedsZombies

This week Andrew brings a very interesting word to the show!  Ben is up for the challenge, but first he has a review of Trombone Champ!  Then the hosts dive right into the discussion starting with literature… Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and Star Wars by George Lucas.  Coincidentally, Ben gets to talk about his biggest “Jedi: Fallen Order,” pet peeves, but then they chat briefly about constitutional law. In the “official” video games segment, Ben shares the strange development story of “The Day Before” and the numerous equivocations therein.  In closing, Andrew talks about a cola marketing scam, and Ben unintentionally alienates the 2VP audience and possibly Andrew. 
00:00:21 - Video GAMES, a cliffhanger, dream feeding, and the lamest form of time traveling00:04:55 - Ben’s Trombone Champ review start, complicated math, and Dan’s trombone idea00:09:38 - The narrative of Trombone Champ, “Funiculì, Funiculà,” and amazing audiovisuals00:13:02 - Time to toot, gilding and “turd-ing,” secrets, inner 9 year olds, and a review closing00:19:19 - Not equivocating, the definition, in Swedish, and affordable furniture solutions00:21:38 - Spirit of exploration, Oedipus’ road rage, and Andrew’s Magic 8 Ball equivocation00:24:49 - Prophecy details, the swollen foot baby, full of irony, and a bit of a cougar00:29:09 - The Porter, “nose-painting, sleep, and urine,” 3 witches, and Macbeth vs Macduff00:33:06 - Obi-Wan equivocates about Vader, retroactive continuity, and Luke and Leia kiss00:36:17 - Ben talks about “Jedi: Fallen Order,” Cal Kestis, and a plethora of ponchos 00:41:48 - Ewan McGregor noises, acting with tennis balls, and a different century’s president00:45:17 - Paying for a wall with hurt feelings, on a spectrum, and Ben’s playful equivocation 00:48:41 - The legal profession, for justice or money, and Ben’s looking at you Congress!00:50:30 - Stuart, brief entomology, the Establishment Clause of the 1st, and Pueblo Colorado00:55:46 - Line crossing, the story of “The Day Before,” and the Steam page is actually gone01:02:01 - Andrew recounts the “New Coke” marketing scheme and resulting equivocations01:05:42 - Not the “Classic, Classic Coke,” lawyers and politicians, and equivocating felines
Ben’s Trombone Champ Review Highlights  Story / Narrative - SN - (8) - You are on a quest to become the Trombone Champ by tooting your trombone, learning about and pledging allegiance to baboons, collecting and trading Trombone Champ cards, meeting strange characters, and laughing a bunch.Audiovisuals - AV - (10) - From the character models, to the song selection, the UI which looks like something you would see on a “Dance, Dance Revolution” arcade machine, to the amazing song recording quality, to the background animations while you are “tooting”, to the satirical poke a EA Sports Games micro-transaction card collection graphics… Trombone Champ is perfectly executed in this area.Game Mechanics - GM - (9) - Nothing new here, BUT the game mechanics are finely tuned and nostalgically fun.  Choose your trombone style, sound scheme, and “tomboner,” your song, and then it’s time to TOOT! You play notes by pressing a key on the keyboard, and you use the pad to control the target reticle vertically on a line on the left side of the screen. You follow the note prompts as they scroll in from the right with key presses and mousepad movements and are rated on accuracy with “Perfectos,” “OKs,” “Nices,” “Mehs,” and “Nasties.” As you string your successes together your “CHAMP” meter fills and your multiplier builds. Once you have the meter filled completely, a celebratory airhorn sounds off; the longer you keep the “CHAMP” active, the more points you score for notes and combos. Based on your score at the end of each song, you earn “toot coins” which you can use to buy sacks of 4 cards to gather for your collection. If you have an excess of cards you can exchange them for turds, which you can use to buy the cards you are missing. Collect 10 of single card and you can “engoldenate” it so all future versions of that card you receive from a sack will be the gold version (worth more toot coins and turds). There are hidden secrets to unlock: avatars, trombones, and sound schemes (including a fart one), AND the “true ending…” becoming the fabled Trombone Champ of legend!
Ben’s FINAL VERDICT (aka the MATH) for Holy Wow Studios’ “Trombone Champ!”(10 * .20) + (9 * .35) + (8 * .45) = 8.75 out of 10… things!
UP 
A near perfect parody AND celebration of rhythm games Incredibly customizable settings let you play the way you wantAn amazingly diverse selection of incredibly well done songs
DOWN
There are a couple annoying mechanics, specifically the 100 clicks later in the game when searching for the “hidden boss.”
DO BUY AND PLAY… If you or your family enjoys rhythm or music games, or if you just want to laugh    
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References and Hashtags:
Trombone Champ links - https://www.vecchitto.design/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1059990/Trombone_Champ/https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/trombone-champ-switch/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #Kickstarter #Partlyrobot #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #HolyWowStudios #TromboneChamp #TheDeadMilkmen #Stuart

We have a special episode this week hosted by Ben and Norah!  After dispensing with the formalities, Ben has a great interview with journalist Lukas Eggen from the Las Vegas Review-Journal to share.  Lukas has a new Kickstarter project that he is working on that will hopefully reinvigorate games journalism by going back to a traditional investigative reporting philosophy… “Game On!”  Ben’s interview style is very conversational, but he does have a couple of thought provoking questions up his sleeve.  Following that, Ben and Norah talk about their experiences with the game Quilts and Cats of Calico from Monster Couch (available now on Steam for the PC and Mac).  Please be patient with Ben as he is still workshopping his “on air” review style.
00:00:02 - Tucson is just okay according to Norah, defending Ben, and on to the interview!00:02:09 - A warmup conversation with Lukas, and what we are playing or looking forward to00:06:18 - Lukas’ first review code, thoughts on KtJL, and what gamers really want00:09:23 - Ben’s first review code, PopCap beta testing, and Lukas’ disappointment sets in 00:12:06 - Lukas’ start in journalism, gaming trajectory, and current position at LVR-J00:17:29 - Journalistic integrity past and present, cable TV, entertainment, and bias in news00:20:18 - Talking about the “Game On!” mission statement and what it means to Lukas00:24:00 - Physical vs. online news pipelines, doing the work, and old fashioned news views 00:27:05 - Hat choices, Lukas’ beat, game industry focus, and gaming news diversity00:28:54 - Does Lukas consider himself a member of the video games industry?00:30:40 - Ben’s suggestion to sell magazine subscriptions, and Lukas on meeting Greg Miller00:33:19 - Go to Kickstarter for more information on Lukas’ not so secret project “Game On!”00:35:01 - Norah’s thoughts, interview styles, and Ben thanks David Letterman 00:36:02 - The embargo has lifted, Ben’s review formula, and the audiovisuals of QaCoC00:39:02 - Cat behaviors, taco costume, creating cats, and the Calico game mechanics00:41:10 - Quilt tessellations, game pieces, gameplay loop, and ways to score points in Calico00:45:40 - No smallpox, 10-15 minutes per, playing online, and story mode is underwhelming00:49:41 - QUILT WAR, “Pass and Play,” easy to learn difficult to master, and game complexity00:52:23 - How life works, text size can’t be changed, and Norah asks about the age to play00:57:32 - Norah’s thoughts on the tutorial, thank you to Monster Couch, and closing remarks
Check out the “LAN Parties” podcast on your favorite podcast service or listen to it here…https://www.reviewjournal.com/podcasts/lan-parties/
To help Lukas get his “Game On!” magazine fully funded go here...https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2103037101/game-on-2As of the publishing date of this podcast there are only 26 more days to go, so if you are interested in supporting a fresh perspective in games journalism, please consider supporting Lukas in his endeavor! 
For all of Lukas Eggen’s social media and journalism stuff… https://linktr.ee/LukasEggen
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn (ex-)Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at... twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
 
A BIG thank you to Krzysiek for Monster Couch for providing us with our FIRST review code! 
Ben’s Review of “Quilts and Cats of Calico”
The FORMULA…Audiovisuals (AV) + Game Mechanics (GM) + Story and Narrative (SN) = a video game experience
Ben’s importance percentages = 20% AV + 35% GM + 45% SN
AV - Audiovisuals - (8) - The game is very cute and definitely fits into the cosy, country home category of graphic design which absolutely compliments the game perfectly.  Likewise, the top notch quality songs and background music fit the theme and mood, but I would have liked more than 3-4 songs total.  The cats that roam around and fall asleep at the top of the screen, but they will sometimes intersect with decorative items placed around the game board.  It would have been neat if the cats would knock stuff down like “normal” cats do.  You can also create and DRESS UP your own cats which was the FIRST thing I did with my review copy. Mango and/or Bash will join me in game while they are likely napping in real life.  This may sound ridiculous to a non-cat lover, but I wish there were more pattern and body customization options, but it’s good enough for government work.
GM - Game Mechanics - (9) -  For the details on the game rules and gameplay loop check out the Calico rules which can be found here… https://www.alderac.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Calico-Rules.pdf .  The whole concept of the board game is very well thought out, so the video game adaptation works wonderfully it this area.  Game rounds are about 10 min per human player, which also hits a sweet spot for me.  The scoring system can be a little more advanced in the board game (with achievements), but they keep it simple here.  
SN - Story / Narrative - (5) - The story mode is NOT the high point of the game, and the story dialog is barely worth paying attention to.  In addition to playing the game against a single AI opponent, there are also missions that will require you to fill your quilt board with a limited number of tiles, or fulfill certain button or color goals, but there really is nothing very compelling about this mode.  I’m not entirely sure how to make it more essential to the game.  Perhaps if there were avatar or cat customization options given as rewards for completing story missions it might be worth playing.
UP
PASS AND PLAY - In addition to online play, there is a local “pass and play” option if you wish to select more than one human player for the 4 available players.
Calico is one of those amazing “easy to learn, difficult to master” games that is complex enough to hold your attention, but not so much as to alienate players.
Simple yet fun gameplay with option to play 3 player games with online matchmaking
DOWN
There is no setting to change the text size.  I tried to show the game to Norah on my MacBook, but the goal tile description text was too small for her to read.
The 3-4 background songs do get repetitive after playing for a while
The graphic style of the main game vs the story mode don’t compliment each other, and the  story mode is not as robust or necessary to play as I would have hoped.
DO BUY… if you want a family friendly strategy game.  Heck buy the physical version too while you are at it!  It would make a wonderful addition to any game night!DO PLAY… if you are a fan of board games; Calico and it’s video twin are wonderful, well crafted game experiences.
Ben’s FINAL VERDICT aka the MATH on Quilts and Cats of Calico!

(8 * .20) + (9 * .35) + (5 * .45) = 7 out of 10… things.
 
References, Links, and Tags
What’s Good Games - https://whatsgoodgames.com/
Kinda Funny - https://linktr.ee/kindafunny
Calico Designer Kevin Russ on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kevinruss/
Calico Illustrator Beth Solo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bethsobel/
Check out the catalogues of boardgames from AEG and Flatout Games…https://www.alderac.com/ AND https://www.flatout.games/
Monster Couch’s “Quilts and Cats of Calico” has been released as of March 5th!https://www.monstercouch.com/quilts-and-cats-of-calico/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1993180/Quilts_and_Cats_of_Calico/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #Calico #QuiltsAndCatsOfCalico #MonsterCouch #LukasEggen #LANParties #LasVegasReviewJournal #Kickstarter #GameOn

Dance teacher Star joins Ben this week to discuss rhythm!  After Ben wishes everyone happy VD, Star talks about the festival where she is performing in a few weeks.  This is not a show about laser tag, so after a brief LARP-er diversion, they drop some sick beats and start the definition portion of the program.  Star tells stories about her vast dancing, choreography, teaching, and art school experiences.  Ben references a Star Trek: TNG episode involving tap dancing, makes Star watch a ballet scene from the movie Top Secret, and shares information about one of his favorite musical artist’s songs.  Rhythm video games discussed this week include: Rock Band, the Club Penguin disco mini-game, Dance Dance Revolution, Nintendo Power Pad games, Just Dance, Beatmania, Taiko no Tatsujin, Space Channel 5, Samba de Amigo, Frequency, Amplitude, and Trombone Champ. 
00:00:21 - Homeschool energy is kinda’ like horse girl energy… it’s been on Star’s mind00:02:49 - The Jefferson High School Democrats, “ruining the big reveal,” and happy VD!00:06:15 - Ben just completed Soul Hackers 2, laser tag stress, and it’s actually Funtasticks00:08:55 - LARPers have homeschool energy, RIP Galactic Battlecruiser, and into the rhythm 00:12:29 - The question at hand, syncopation, Star’s art of choreography, and dance maps00:15:36 - Square dancing, Ben is terrible at cursive, and cross it off the bucket list00:18:49 - Pantomime, dance code, Ben’s game idea, and make a collaboration buddy00:21:00 - Online Warriors shout out, the business of streaming, and an old man and his cats00:23:36 - Foot problems, ballet shoes are dumb, no tap dancing at a wedding, and sounds00:26:08 - Playing your feet, dance solos, ballet trauma, and the “Top Secret” codpieces00:29:19 - Dance stories, joke delay, Peter Gabriel’s “The Rhythm of the Heat,” and WOMAD00:32:35 - Jungian Psychology, the Ghanian War Dance, Miami Vice, and the Dead Milkmen00:34:48 - Music inspired dance, the original question, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard00:37:28 - Funky again, alt-J, back to the pantomime, sick beats, and Jesse from Cuppocinnos00:40:04 - Soundcloud rappers, Stanley Tucci, Club Penguin clubbing, dance fingers, and DDR00:43:53 - The Power Pad, step aerobics, eleven games, Maze Epic Battle, and the Virtual Boy00:46:34 - F the Manhattan Police clubbers, seal free, and “Come Come Fallen Corpses…”00:48:39 - Remembering the steps of songs, Dance Dance Revolution masters, and Beatmania00:50:40 - Just Dance, they tried, the Eye Toy, dancing torsos, Taiko no Tatsujin, and latency 00:53:36 - More competitive than deserved, real life Mario Kart in Tokyo, and bop all the things00:56:50 - Less feet, really in to patterns, specialized controllers, and music tracks on tracks 00:59:15 - Ben thinks Holy Wow Studios’ Trombone Champ is a ridiculously fun “joke game”01:02:26 - Four trombones play a song badly, up since 5 AM, learning rhythm, and rambling 
Follow Two Vague on…
Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References and Hashtags:
Soul Hackers 2 linkshttps://soulhackers2.atlus.com/index.html?lang=enhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/1777620/Soul_Hackers_2/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0177-PPSA03743_00-SOULHACKERS00PS5
Check out friends of the pod… Online Warriors Podcasthttps://www.onlinewarriorspodcast.com/
Trombone Champ linkshttps://www.vecchitto.design/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1059990/Trombone_Champ/https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/trombone-champ-switch/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #SoulHackers2 #TromboneChamp #HolyWowStudios #DanVecchitto
 

Ever since Ben applied for a job as a Narrative Lead at a game company he’s been contemplating the differences between narrative and story, so he’s invited his good friend Andrew from partlyrobot.com to help him navigate toward a satisfactory conclusion… and hilarity ensues.  Other topics visited in this episode: Cult of the Lamb’s new DLC, crispy Japanese snacks, Instagram trends and scammers, defunct mall stores and search engines, story structures, reality television, the games of Vanillaware Ltd., AI art fails, Atari 2600 games, differences between Marvel and DC comics, and THE Guttenberg!
00:00:21 - Awesome baby, secret mukbang video, fried toothpicks, and school supply mirages00:03:32 - Ben’s been playing “Cult of the Lamb: Sins of the Flesh,” and genre pet peeves  00:06:13 - Happy cults, strategically sacrificing heretics, and back to fried vegetable starch00:08:25 - Kanda Curry Grand Prix Museum, and revelations of what snack foods can be00:10:27 - Girl dinner, in the spirit of satire, a proprietary blend, and chicken and waffles flavor00:13:47 - Ben’s critique of Scorchin’ Medium BBQ Pringles, and a new Brett Eason Ellis book00:15:47 - Sharper Image, Spencer’s Gifts, the definition of narrative, and conflicting origins  00:20:09 - Ben mishears declension, ask.com actually DOES exist, and Scrabble scores 00:23:12 - Andrew’s Instagram scammer saga continues, and a review in the New York Times 00:25:40 - 2/10 net 30, your accounts receivable department, and alternative review channels00:27:48 - The “story vs. narrative…” narrative, and Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet 00:31:37 - “A Christmas Story,” the Die Hard, Melina Dillon movies, and ending on a bummer00:34:42 - Andrew’s writing is a process, finding the threads, and a side of the denouement     00:37:37 - An agreement on dialogue, informing the story, and a “no middle” accusation 00:40:00 - Season 3 of “The Real World,” a question of reality TV, and a different episode00:43:31 - Contest shows, Noel Fielding wranglers, and Ben puts Andrew on the spot 00:50:10 - The narrative design job, about Odin Sphere, and weaving character narratives 00:53:50 - Starting with Gwendolyn, distinct character diversity, and “picking” the ending00:55:45 - Ben is looking forward to “Unicorn Overlord,” and Andrew gets distracted00:57:49 - The hugging a unicorn AI art fail, not a good sign, and the “Pitfall!” narrative? 01:00:22 - Activision’s 2600 success, the Atari Force comic book, and DC vs Marvel stories01:02:31 - The Marvel method of storytelling, writer-artists, and Jack Kirby’s bone of contention 01:05:50 - Don’t belittle the inker, and a creative narrative choice in Batman: Arkham Asylum01:10:47 - Closing thoughts, Maine, James Joyce, changing perceptions, and trailer mashups01:15:05 - Ben’s editing, changing the podcast name, and get the Guttenberg out of retirement 
 
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on… 
His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…
Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References and Hashtags:
Cult of the Lambhttps://www.cultofthelamb.com/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1313140/Cult_of_the_Lamb/
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasirhttps://atlus.com/osl/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0177-CUSA05083_00-ODINSPHERELE0000
Unicorn Overlordhttps://unicornoverlord.atlus.com/index.html?lang=enhttps://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0177-PPSA09770_00-UNICORNOVERLORD0
Old Wise Man Hugging a Unicornhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/pierre-de-lacaze-b11026b_this-illustrates-why-common-sense-and-activity-7158116939326742528-DgnJ
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #Partlyrobot #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #Vanillaware #OdinSphereLeifthrasir #UnicornOverlord #Pringles #CultoftheLamb #MassiveMonster #DevolverDigital

Ben is flying solo this week, but he still has lots to talk about (and one cat to apologize for).  After letting us know what he’s up to, he moves on to his experiences with the “Quilts and Cats of Calico” online multi-player beta test!  A big thank you goes out to Monster Couch for inviting us to beta test!  You had us at cats!   
00:00:21 - ”That which does not kill you…” and why is South Korean fried toothpicks trending?00:02:31 - On a more positive note… Star★Vaders news and Ban’s minimalist advertising00:03:53 - Ben has completed "Soul Hackers 2" and has started a new cult… the Cult of Vague00:05:45 - Mango shenanigans, Christmas sale purchases, and "Armor Core 6: Fires of Rubicon" 00:08:48 - Monster Couch’s “Quilts and Cats of Calico,” had Ben at cats, and Calico history00:10:43 - Gameplay description, how to score to points, color buttons, and the obligatory cats
CORRECTION - After playing a piece, you pick 1 piece from a 3 tile "public" draw pool; then a random tile is removed from the bag to replace the one chosen by the player. 
00:14:45 - Ben bought Michaela the board game version based on the strength of the beta 00:15:48 - Ben’s unexpected use of his Steam phone app, and waking up and petting cats00:17:33 - Words coming soon and thank you for listening!
Follow Two Vague on…
Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn (ex-)Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References, Links, and TagsFollow "Star★Vaders" lead designer Eddie (@AxolotlStar on X) and learn more about the game using the links belowhttps://star-vaders.com/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/StarVaders/ https://www.twovaguepodcast.com/e/episode-94-nature/
For more information on the board game "Calico"Follow Calico Designer Kevin Russ on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kevinruss/Follow Calico Illustrator Beth Solo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bethsobel/Check out the catalogues of boardgames from AEG and Flatout Games…https://www.alderac.com/ AND https://www.flatout.games/
For release date and development news from Monster Couch on "Quilts and Cats of Calico…"https://www.monstercouch.com/quilts-and-cats-of-calico/While you’re at it, check out their other amazing adaptation of the board game Wingspan!https://www.monstercouch.com/wingspan/ #Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow#2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #Calico #QuiltsAndCatsOfCalico #MonsterCouch #StarVaders

This week Ben is dealing with some critic’s remorse, but Andrew is here to help him process his thoughts and improve his video game assessment method.  After talking about what’s new for each of them, they get right into the definition.  From unwanted Instagram solicitations to well-known Chicagoan movie reviewers… the conversation goes to some strange destinations before settling down upon the task at hand.  Andrew provides his input on Ben’s plan of attack, Ben learns a cool new word to add to his vocabulary, and they end the show with some advice and a silly drink name.
00:00:21 - A loaded question, the preferred condiment for pizza, and emulsions o’ plenty00:02:23 - Soul Hackers 2, Kelly LeBrock, the word queer, the Dead Milkmen, and magnets00:05:46 - You MUST listen to the “Yahoo!” hold music by Snow, and the kids definition 00:07:40 - The Two Vague Revue, missing for a while, Mango misses Dad, and verbs00:09:05 - Miriam gets overlooked, Aldous Huxley, interesting, Ben sings, and removing letters00:12:35 - Reading the dictionary, the grammar rabbit hole, Howard the Duck, and the movie00:14:17 - Performance reviews, when you are wrong, magnetic superfluids, and MRI’s work00:16:22 - IG book review solicitations, the 100th level, make 100, and the joys of PayPal00:20:46 - Instagram jail, Andrew loves the USPS, Rudy Flores, and Andrew’s seminars 00:25:08 - Podcast mission, carrier pigeons, vocalizations at Sam’s Club, and loopholes00:27:23 - Remembering Gene and Roger, a greenroom priming, and can’t say that on PBS00:29:35 - High Noon in space, review the impression, up or down, and Godzilla (1998)  00:34:43 - Andrew’s warning about “Poor Things,” a synopsis, and movies on a first date 00:38:03 - The “Speed” tagline, put a shark under it, math, and more acceptable in comedies  00:40:22 - Mixed feelings, how the sausage is made, review philosophies, and troll policing00:44:02 - The benefits of using rubrics, and “Aesthetics, Mechanics, and Story… oh my!”00:47:54 - Summarizing the 3 categories, food critics, and Guy Fiery in the mirror universe00:50:26 - Influencers, formulas, the new segment, 3 ups n’ 3 downs, and Andrew’s suggestion00:54:35 - Loose ends in stories, speaking your truth, entertaining reviews, and tax season00:57:22 - Reviews can be helpful, a Mark Twain quote, learning by doing, and John Deere 00:59:51 - Read reviews objectively, some people are jerk-holes, Die Hard, and sex on a bus
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
 
References and Hashtags:- To support Andrew’s “make 100” Kickstarter… https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/partlyrobot/make-100-booger-bear-comic-mini-zines- Check out Rudy Flores’ art projects and services… http://www.rudyfloresart.com/ AND https://www.hexandhew.com/- For all your fictitious carrier pigeon deliveries… https://flypigeon.co/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #Kickstarter #Make100 #HexandHew #Partlyrobot #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #CarrierPigeons

Ben and Norah are on deck for the first show of 2024!  Ben does something a little different to start out this year… a game review!  The game is… <drumroll>… Outerloop Games’ sophomore release “Thirsty Suitors,” and in an effort to quench, Ben has a big bucket of opinions he’s going to dump on us.  He starts by explaining his assessment method (which will be discussed in more detail on a forthcoming show) and then gets in the weeds with sharing his critique of TS’s aesthetics, game mechanics, and story.  Ben also provides 3 examples of what the game does well and 3 examples of what needs improvement.  Norah unintentionally closes the show with a SICK BURN!
00:00:21 - Norah compliments Andrew, buys new things, and reviews "The Maestro" in brief00:02:37 - Thirsty, UK slang, based on context, Annapurna, and Outerloop’s mission statement 00:05:07 - Falcon Age summary, Thirsty Suitors described, and Norah’s impressions of trailer00:07:51 - Jala’s introduction / summary / prologue, and Ben explains his review structure  
FORMULAAesthetics (A) + Game Mechanics (GM) + Story and Narrative (SN) = a video game experienceBen’s importance percentages = 20% A + 35% GM + 45% SN
Aesthetics (A) 00:10:32 - Ben’s audio / video / aesthetics score is 10/10, and Norah’s assessment from trailer
Game Mechanics (GM) 00:12:21 - First, Thirsty Suitor’s skateboarding game mechanics 00:13:16 - Second, a description of QTEs and how cooking works in Thirsty Suitors00:17:29 - Third, a detailed breakdown of how turn based battles work in Thirsty Suitors 
Story and Narrative (SN)00:23:32 - Finally, the story and narrative in Ben’s words followed by Norah’s questions 
Three Positives00:27:24 - For the first 6 hours of gameplay the synthesis of the game mechanics, the striking visuals, and the compelling story combine to make a near perfect gaming experience.00:27:59 - The game has well written dialogue, powerful emotional moments, and contains authentic portrayals of LGBTQ+ and S. Asian experiences.  00:28:22 - The amazing aesthetics and style are a tribute to the love and effort the developers poured into this game.
Three Negatives00:28:35 - Feels unfinished in a number of ways. There are only 5 super moves and only 2 of the 5 are exes. The level meter maxes out at 31 but it continues to appear like it is filling after each subsequent battle has concluded.  There is a beautiful, but unnecessary map screen which gives one the impression that there would be much more to explore. 00:30:23 - The story has an “identity crisis” at the midpoint of the game and doesn’t commit to develop any of the storylines as significantly as the first 6 hours did.  Additionally some story details don’t make sense logically or are counter to what you would expect that characters would have learned. 00:34:25 - South Asian cultural and historical exploration is not comprehensive as expected from Outerloop based on the statement at their website.  Side note: please include the recipes next time.
Wrap-up Discussion00:35:59 - When A’s turn (based on a true story), design creep, skateboarding, and Aggretsuko00:40:03 - In retrospect not a great look, conflict resolution, Jala’s arc, and Rob in High Fidelity00:43:13 - Meaningful stories, sales techniques, T.S. Eliot quote, and agreeing to a point 00:48:30 - Ben nitpicks the title and tagline, succinct, and Norah’s unintentional “sick burn”00:51:04 - An apology, on a tear, global warming, mayonnaise, and an official close.   
Ben’s FINAL VERDICT on Thirsty Suitors aka the MATH!(10 * .20) + (6 * .35) + (6 * .45) = 6.8 out of 10… things.
DO BUY… if you want to support marginalized voices in game design (and companies like Outerloop and Annapurna).DO PLAY… if you are new to JRPG style games and want an introduction to how those types of game mechanics work.DO PLAY… if you would be satisfied with 5-6 hours (out the 12 hours it took Ben to thoroughly explore and complete the game) of super solid, amazingly crafted gameplay. 
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcastFor show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References and Hashtags:https://annapurnainteractive.com/en - #annapurnainteractive https://outerloopgames.com/ - #outerloopgameshttps://www.thirstysuitors.com/ - #thirstysuitorshttps://store.steampowered.com/app/1617220/Thirsty_Suitors/https://www.falconage.com/ - #falconagehttps://www.polygon.com/23940890/thirsty-suitors-release-date-interview-annapurna - #gamedevinterview #polygon #diversity 

Andrew is in his studio this week… joining Ben via satellite to talk about what is arguably his favorite artistic medium.  But first, some encouraging news about Andrew narrowly avoiding the robot / AI takeover, and how his new daughter is keeping him positively occupied during a period of union drama.  Then Ben shares his experiences with what he has been playing lately: Thirsty Suitors by OuterLoop Games, and Dead Island 2 by Dambuster Studios.  Be warned… there are a few DI2 spoilers in the conversation, so if you want to play this game at some point, you might want to consider skipping to 00:17:00.  Andrew takes yet another sensory adventure trip to Japan before the hosts dive into a discussion about the word ink.  Additional subjects include: independent comics, participating in Inktober, the pros and cons of AI generated art, the origin of Andrew’s recurring character Booger Bear, and the seldom seen Mortal Kombat arcade clone from Data East… Tattoo Assassins! 
 
00:00:21 - Sometimes Pringles, sometimes Y, not partially, buying domains, and radicalization 00:03:20 - Picketers borrowing babies, the temperament of custodians, and Skynet is at bay00:05:13 - Ben started playing Thirsty Suitors, High Fidelity, and correction … 5 not 5000:09:35 - Los Angeles is not an island, escape from development hell, and zombie cults00:12:26 - Ben critiques Dead Island 2, zombie types, CHiP bursters, and an artist ruins horses00:17:00 - Killing another can of Japanese Pringles for Andrew’s Sensory Adventure!00:22:26 - A message to the hot honey flavor designer, and a unique airport Pringles side quest00:25:53 - Mollusk adjacent words, Admiral Ackbar gets scared, and Andrew discovers comics00:28:34 - DC and Marvel comic book story differences, and utilizing existing infrastructures00:31:41 - Art classes, not the shoes, the ink aesthetic, using art software, and a first Inktober00:36:19 - AI art, outside observer perspectives, the purpose of your art, and deeper meaning00:41:56 - The definition, the government buys highlighters, and Ben’s memories of drafting00:45:27 - Tattoo designs, the power of creating art, words as structure, and a choir of angles 00:48:03 - The origin of Booger Bear, Andrew’s 1st political cartoon, and from a different angel00:50:39 - Jake Parker, no NaNoWriMo for Andrew, Inktober controversies, and staying current   00:55:01 - Whamageddon, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, Googling sports things, and “real”00:57:06 - Ben’s hometown arcade "The Machine," and the dumpster fire of a test game 00:59:11 - Bob Gale, didn’t make it out of COVID, MAME nostalgia, and not on VHS footage01:02:53 - Over 2000 finishers… “eat ship and die” and the DeLorean were 100% Bob Gale01:04:50 - The roster, the backstories, abandoned by the Army, and back to finishing moves01:09:04 - Farting flamethrower, the Night Trap documentary, and the Hot Honey equivalent01:11:40 - A cut above, Andrew doesn’t have tattoos, help from Harryhausen, and bad tattoos01:13:56 - Just do Inktober, maybe wait until you are 30, and the calamari episode  
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References and Hashtags:https://www.thirstysuitors.com/ - #thirstysuitors https://outerloopgames.com/ - #outerloop #outerloopgameshttps://deadisland.com/ - #DI2https://www.dsdambuster.com/https://www.theonion.com/cia-realizes-its-been-using-black-highlighters-all-thes-1819568147 - #theonionhttps://inktober.com/ - #inktober
#diypodcasting, #applepodcast, #podbean, #podernfamily, #videogames, #diversity, #lgbtqplus, #twovaguepodcast, #comedy #pringles #pringles_japan

Andrew joins Ben to discuss a word that is the sliver of overlap in the Venn diagram of the previous two episodes: animate and robot.  Ben brings up a (very) minor controversy for Geoff Keighley’s “The Game Awards” independent game nominees this year involving Mint Rocket’s “Dave the Diver.”  Andrew goes on an exotic adventure with a Pringles flavor all the way from Japan!  After a very quick definition segment, Andrew shares a traumatic event from his youth involving an animatronic alien at Universal Studios, and then more 70s and 80s movies are discussed.  Ben drops a quick Hall of Presidents conspiracy theory and some sad Chuck E. Cheese news before he talks about the interesting origin story of Scott Cawthorn’s incredibly popular “Five Nights at Freddy’s” franchise.  Finally, they come up with an amazing new restaurant idea to close out the show.
 
00:00:21 - Vacuuming robot revolution crisis possibly averted, pictures with Santa, and work00:03:35 - Fight Club villain discovery, mental health, and more happy controversial things 00:05:27 - “Dave the Diver” Independent GOTY nomination, and the inventor of the seed drill00:08:34 - No GOTY love for “RoboCop: Rogue City,” and Ben is just a little disappointed00:10:15 - How to classify games a independently developed, and a Double Fine edge case00:12:10 - Andrew’s sensory adventure… Addictive Garlic Butter flavored Japanese Pringles!00:16:45 - The official verdict, the definition, Disney’s contributions, Billy Bass, and clockwork 00:22:32 - Scary animatronics, the Neil Diamond antidote, and Andrew’s E.T. ride trauma 00:27:00 - Eliot the insurance policy, Stranger Things, and extraterrestrials for the woke agenda 00:29:36 - Blue Thunder, the underrated acting prowess of Roy Scheider, and a JAFO hat00:31:42 - Bruce the pneumatic shark, cool to creepy, and wanting to take Teddy Ruxpin apart 00:34:29 - At an appropriate distance, David S. Pumpkins, and SNL’s the Merryville Brothers
00:36:53 - 45 in the Hall of Presidents… gate - https://www.businessinsider.com/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-animatronic-conspiracy-theory-explained-disney-world-2023-6
00:38:04 - Not realistic enough, points of articulation, computer animation, and young versions00:41:55 - Chuck E. Cheese’s decision is not FNaF related (allegedly), and Willy’s Wonderland  00:46:20 - Scott Cawthorn’s inspiration for Five Nights at Freddy’s, and his game design arc00:53:01 - Latest FNaF game was at PAX West, the pandemic was hard, and a story summary
00:56:27 - CORRECTION: Night Trap filming was originally funded by Hasbro for their Control-Vision system which was canceled in 1989.
00:57:27 - Having animatronic clowns in the workplace is breaking the Geneva Conventions00:59:38 - The movie S1m0ne, the SAG strike, a brilliant restaurant idea, and a double dose. 
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
#Pringles#GOTY2023#TheGameAwards#DIYPodcast#podernfamily#podbeanpodcast#applepodcast#twovaguepodcast#partlyrobot#videogames#trivia#FNAF

Ben is joined by Andrew (insert mechanical transformation sound) to form this week’s hosting duo!  What’s new with them?  Ben’s still playing “Dave the Diver,” but is having trouble getting through the grind.  Andrew is adjusting to a “new baby schedule,” and working toward the completion of his second novel set in the “Larry-verse.”  After the obligatory definition proceedings, Andrew shares the origin of his Partly Robot moniker.  Then they dive in to a conversational exploration of memorable robots in assorted forms of media.  Andrew talks about watching the movie “Robot and Frank,” and then Ben excitedly talks about his experiences with “RoboCop: Rogue City.”  Within the mishmash of it all, they also have a teachable moment… don’t smoke at the gas station or else you’ll end up like Emil.
00:00:21 - Andrew is a “yo” guy, Andrew’s adventures in parenting, and Ed Asner babies00:03:25 - Too much stuff in “Dave the Diver,” and a rapper wearing a Chicago Balls jersey00:05:55 - The Premises Premise, “Larry-verse” sharks, and the lamest form of time travel00:09:03 - Writing chapters out of order, robot ninja monkeys, and contract or barter00:11:45 - Domo arigato, Styx’s 11th studio album, and Kilroy was imprisoned by Dr. Righteous 00:15:20 - According to “Kilroy was Here” cannon, not cool Oxford, and web crawler memories00:17:42 - Following Nietzsche for the mustache, the Czech word for forced labor, and R.U.R.00:20:05 - We love Ricky Junior, hazardous bar stools, and being oblivious to the robot revolt  00:22:58 - Andrew’s alter ego, being partly robot, empathy, R2D2, and robotic stereotypes 00:25:42 - Scary robots, more problematic acting choices, eating data, and a deep question00:29:15 - The land of Cartesianism, AI hallucinations, and observing human development00:33:44 - Isaac Asimov’s 3 laws of robotics, logical problems, and “Detroit: Become Human”00:36:54 - Discovering the universe without senses, and “Foundation” series connections00:39:48 - Algorithms, psychohistory, not Arthur C Clarke, and the Hugos and the Nebulas   00:42:19 - The butt kissing robot, seeing the train wreck, and emotional robots in literature00:45:50 - A pop culture pet peeve, Gopher was a member of Congress, and Forbidden Planet00:50:58 - Futura in Metropolis, upper management, and a summary of “Robot and Frank”00:52:00 - Ben is excited to talk about RoboCop and playing Teyon’s “RoboCop: Rogue City”00:55:55 - The acting of Peter Weller in the movie, and an explanation of “texture popping” 01:00:05 - Emil M. Antonowsky’s lesson, Paul Verhoeven’s backstory, and crime evidence01:03:45 - Concluding the robot trip… WALL-E, 2-XL, Conky, R.O.B., and give robots a chance 
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
#videogames, #robocop, #robocoproguecity, #teyon, #podernfamily, #diypodcast, #podbean, #applepodcasts, #trivia, #autism, #partlyrobot #twovaguepodcast 

Martin from Soupmasters, the lead designer of Big Boy Boxing joins Ben this week to talk about game development as it relates to this week’s word!  First the hosts talk about what they are up to.  Martin is moving offices, coding facial expressions, and not playing recently purchased games (but maybe next week).  Ben… he is trying to contain his excitement about his recent pre-order for a game inspired by a Paul Verhoeven cult movie classic!  Then it’s on to the definition and coincidentally learning two Swedish words in the process.  Next, Ben has lots of questions for Martin about his cartoon, movie, and video game inspirations.  Finally, they engage in a side conversation about their favorite Christopher Nolan movie Tenet, and leave a mystery unsolved… for now.   
00:00:30 - Introducing Martin, moving, and the importance of desk tchotchkes and large TVs00:02:55 - Adding more character expressions, Super Mario Wonder, and SpiderMan 200:05:02 - Ben’s favorite Red Dead Redemption bug, and thoughts on RoboCop: Rogue City 00:08:15 - The better RoboCop, throwing away scripts, and Martin is nostalgic about Nintendo00:10:11 - Franchise exclusives, more of a PC guy, the joys of Minecraft, and meeting Ludvig 00:13:37 - Developing characters, story, and levels using the iconic “Punch-Out!!” formula00:16:28 - Getting in to the word, thank you Google-machine, and Swedish pronunciations 00:18:40 - The characters of Big Boy Boxing, technical feats on the NES, and animation fluidity00:20:20 - About the BBB animating process, and working with talented professional artists00:22:01 - Kineographs, “Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey, and bonding over “Hot Fuzz”  00:24:55 - A pun, Cuphead, Pizza Tower, Skullgirls, Indivisible, and Them’s Fightin’ Herds 00:28:11 - Being juggled, “Super Smash Bros.” annoyances, and characters over balancing00:29:40 - Inspiration from Disney, “Treasure Island” the Russian 1988 film, and modern shows00:32:15 - Rick and Morty Season 1, Episode 7 and the numerous Zardoz references therein 00:34:45 - Martin enjoys the “Death Note” animation style, and favorite animated movies00:37:55 - Nelvana Enterprises’ decision to work on “Rock & Rule” instead of “Heavy Metal”00:42:28 - The works of Don Bluth, Lucas Arts games of the 90s, and Tim Schafer’s games00:44:48 - Psychonauts and Psychonauts 2 development and respective publishing dramas 00:46:21 - “Inception” connections to the Psychonauts games, and the amazing movie Tenet00:49:45 - Ben’s bittersweet memories, and the importance of connecting with the protagonist00:53:45 - Closing but saving the Minecraft inspired company name origin for the next time   
Keep up to date on the progress of Big Boy Boxing development at the Soupmasters website https://soupmasters.com/ !  Be sure to add Big Boy Boxing to your Steam wishlist… and while your at it, download and play the demo!  https://store.steampowered.com/app/1680780/Big_Boy_Boxing/
Follow Two Vague on…
Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
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Ben is joined this week by Star★Vaders developer Eddie for their chosen, dare we say, philosophical word!  Ben gets right down to business asking Eddie questions about the recent kerfuffle surrounding the game engine Unity.  After dispensing with that subject, the hosts move on to nature.  Ben talks about an argument (which to a scientist, is actually a question), and Eddie shares some of the their favorite outdoor activities.  On the subject of games, the hosts discuss Geometric Interactive’s “Cocoon,” Teyon’s “RoboCop: Rogue City,” Maxis’ “Spore,” Niantic Inc.’s “Monster Hunter Now,” Mojang Studios’ “Minecraft” (hold the suspicious stew), Nintendo’s “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” and Larian Studios’ “Baldur’s Gate 3.”
 
00:00:20 - Introducing Eddie, the lead game designer for Star★Vaders! 00:01:35 - A window into game development cycles, and Ben shares his software experiences00:04:39 - Using “paper prototypes” in game development and modeling in Tabletop Simulator 00:07:45 - Ben has a loaded question, and Eddie explains the pros of using Unity00:10:10 - The proposed Unity fee changes from an independent developer’s perspective00:12:25 - An abundance of install counting loopholes points to a lack of understanding!00:14:35 - Developer Innersloth’s install counting concerns, and Unity being “out of touch”00:16:17 - Shady behavior with the “Terms of Service,” DIY installation counting, and changes00:21:49 - Ben’s story about changing a perception; can Unity build back the trust of devs?00:23:04 - A developer poking fun at the Unity situation with “Install Fee Tycoon”00:24:29 - Finally moving on, the axolotl, and the duality and philosophical nature of… nature00:27:37 - The Nature of the Canadian, generational identities, and according to “Ox Ford” 00:29:58 - Québécois French, don’t forget the ducks, and connections in day to day life00:32:41 - Nature vs nurture, more of a question for Eddie the scientist, and being nuanced 00:35:33 - A true escape for Eddie, communing with nature, and growing orchids in AZ00:37:30 - An introduction to dragon boating, bubble tea, and investigating other biomes00:41:03 - The awesome canyon, birds are basically dinosaurs, and Eddie describes “Cocoon” 00:44:24 - How Eddie likes his stories, the “no instructions” trend, and indie games research00:46:53 - The movie RoboCop, practical (horror) effects in films, and “The Thing” prequel00:49:41 - “Spore,” too many cooks, the AAA studio octopus analogy, and scope creep 00:52:07 - Games as art… a designer’s perspective, and stories we tell through art00:55:00 - Ben has been hunting and harvesting carcasses in “Monster Hunter Now”00:57:47 - Minecraft from Mojang Studios DOES hold the record for number of units sold. 00:59:41 - No PvP in Star★Vaders, and a closing question about realistic game ecosystems
 
Keep up to date on the progress of Star★Vaders development at https://star-vaders.com/ !Be sure to add it to your Steam wishlist… and while your at it, download and play the demo!  https://store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/StarVaders/
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For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com

Andrew joins Ben this week for a spork-tacular show (in cover art only); and here is your Halloween surprise… a no candy, prank-less, normally dressed, scare-free episode… that is the PREMISE!  After voicing his focused excitement about a forthcoming child and how it has impacted his short term view of his job, Andrew tries Hot Honey flavored Pringles.  Ben talks about the many games he has been playing as of late, but also drops a few hints about the Pringles roadmap he has devised for Andrew.  Then the hosts move on to the word at hand. Ben has lots of questions about Andrew’s comedy writing process before the conversation shifts to ridiculous video game premises, followed by Ben's gameplay experiences with Squanch Games’ “High on Life.”  Other tangential digressions visited include: “Kung Fury,” favorite Canadian comedy troupe “Kids in the Hall” skits, 80s and 90s contemporary authors, the creative process, “Rick and Morty” drama,  Nicolas Cage movies, and much more!  Oh yes… and Happy Birthday to our biggest fan NORAH!
 
00:00:21 - Heavy on the trivia, heavy on the video games, and a sprinkle of Pringles dust.00:01:28 - No more vacated bowling alley Targets in Portland, too art deco, and ready to bowl00:04:26 - Baby excitement, appropriate levels of detachment, and paternity leave priorities  00:06:49 - Find a baby, paid leave irony, making it difficult for the employer, and labor unions00:09:18 - More robust and fleshed out, salmon country, and the Oregonian food handlers card  00:13:35 - “Baywatch Nights,” “Monster Hunter Now,” and “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart”00:15:12 - It’s oaky to pay for DLC if Idris Elba stars in it, and Pringles Hot Honey high jinks00:21:12 - Andrew has one at home, an underwhelming experience, and a Madonna lyrics00:22:55 - The definition(s), Andrew gets too vague, and an unintentional syllogism callback 00:24:49 - An assortment of ethically sourced (?) definitions, regime, regimen, and not… THAT00:28:02 - David Hasselhoff vehicles, a “Kung Fury” love fest, and describing the premise00:32:13 - Rotating your owl, bad premises, if you will, and going down to Premise Beach!00:34:32 - Lorne Michaels impressions, guy has meat hand, and favorite KITH sketches 00:39:46 - Eating tacos made out of coelacanth, and Andrew’s process for writing his novel00:42:17 - Authors developing emotional connections or relationships with their characters00:45:06 - Trends in 80s contemporary fiction, and Andrew’s Michael Crichton movie theory 00:50:26 - “Stranger Than Fiction,” down the Nicholas Coppola rabbit hole, and all roads lead00:54:20 -  Ridiculous game premises according to Cracked: Mario, Megaman, and Tetris 00:56:31 -  Ben’s opinions about a “thoroughly mediocre” game called “High on Life” 00:59:58 - Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, too much lowbrow humor, and alien bodily fluids01:02:48 - Looking back on being in middle-school; where does teen humor originate from? 01:04:59 - No knife DLC for Ben, final words, and a book title for Andrew’s eventual legal thriller  
 
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot Industries on…His website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: http://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastOn X-Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoVaguePodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com