Make It Sound Fiction

Tyler and Nico discuss frustration with mechanics when playing video games, as well as what it's like to consume trash media. Mentioned: Pyre, Transistor, Bastion, Undertale, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Insatiable

Tyler and Nico discuss what has interested (and confused) them about the new Castle Rock show, as well as puzzling over fandoms around Detroit: Become Human and how to mix criticism into those communities. Mentioned: Castle Rock, most of Stephen King's work, Detroit Become Human Links: https://kotaku.com/the-super-fans-of-detroit-become-human-hate-most-of-th-1828260985

Tyler and Nico discuss Warcraft embedding atrocities into their game and the jokes made about it, and when games overstay their welcome. Mentioned: World of Warcraft, Wolfenstein, Mass Effect 2, The Spectrum Retreat Links: https://twitter.com/CadenHouse/status/1024771277389623297 https://twitter.com/SeTec9/status/1024755135854010368 https://twitter.com/StevenDowlingJr/status/1024741969665257472 https://twitter.com/StevenDowlingJr/status/1024745229172109312 https://www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/93p6wx/this_is_fine/

Tyler and Nico discuss what they love and what frustrates them about the latest season of Steven Universe, how fandoms around media operate and what getting back into World of Warcraft's lore has been like. Content warning: There is a spoiler-full discussion of Steven Universe's latest season from 15:00 until 33:57. Mentioned: Steven Universe, World of Warcraft Links: https://kotaku.com/the-valley-of-trials-is-my-favorite-place-in-world-of-w-1827777156

Tyler and Nico discuss the finer points of Tacoma's anti-capitalist sci-fi message, and why Overwatch is suddenly buffing all of their supports except Mercy. Mentioned: Tacoma, Cyberpunk 2077, Alien, Overwatch Links: Where Are the Radical Politics of Cyberpunk? https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/ne5jg7/radical-politics-cyberpunk-2077 Upcoming balance changes for Overwatch support heroes: https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/upcoming-balance-changes-for-support-heroes/163703

Tyler and Nico discuss the fundamentals of puzzle games and how they teach us, as well as what it is like to be high level in Overwatch, and why film trailers are cut the way they are. Mentioned: Obduction, Portal, The Witness, Myst, Overwatch, The Meg Links: https://kotaku.com/overwatchs-highest-level-player-games-12-hours-per-day-1827526240 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDCWRdS1olw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S3phVSi0tI

Tyler and Nico discuss the ArenaNet firings as well as how the industry treats its employees, why feedback from fans should be invisible and dealing with self-criticism and mental illness in competitive games. Mentioned: Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, Overwatch Links: https://kotaku.com/guild-wars-2-writers-fired-for-calling-out-fan-on-twitt-1827401422 https://twitter.com/cetaillefer/status/1014512762817400832

Tyler and Nico discuss why gaming has an allergy for portraying friendships and other relationships, particularly among women, the new Symmetra changes in Overwatch and why the hell there's a hamster in the game now. Mentioned: Mass Effect, Uncharted: Lost Legacy, Overwatch Links: Hammond discussion: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/278623877?t=37m40s Overwatch Developer Interviews: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/278653958

Tyler and Nico discuss what makes good boobs in Dark Souls, why L.A. Noire isn't precisely of the noir genre, and what's the deal with new heroes in Overwatch. Mentioned: Dark Souls, Overwatch, L.A. Noire, LA Confidential, Sin City Links: https://twitter.com/K34dsds/status/1010220738178007040 https://twitter.com/PlayOverwatch/status/1009858492994236416 L.A. Noire stream playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCOcRe_ErTA&list=PLhaHI55qV1cJlODQpkdmehi2YfqpgakEQ

Tyler and Nico talk about their impressions from the E3 show, the particulars of visual storytelling in video games as well as why they decided to start a podcast. Mentioned: Fallout 76, The Division 2, Last of Us 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Unraveled 2, Kingdom Hearts 3, Rise of the Tomb Raider, West Virginia, Ooblets, Sable, first person vs. third person cameras, why every game trailer has a single piano note in it, more guns than necessary Links: https://twitter.com/dannyodwyer/status/1007078191079419905