In celebration for Tuesday's release of Dragon Age: Origins, Jason hosts a special role-playing game edition of The Mobcast, featuring Aram Jabbari (@AtlusAram on Twitter), the manager of public relations and sales at Atlus America (Persona, Demon's Souls); Chris Avellone (@ChrisAvellone), cofounder and creative director of Obsidian Entertainment (Neverwinter Nights 2, Alpha Protocol); and legendary RPG designer Brenda Brathwaite (@bbrathwaite).
Chris and Brenda have worked on some of the most significant Western RPGs. Chris was the lead designer for Planescape: Torment and also worked on Fallout 2 and the Icewind Dale series, among others. Brenda is one of the most respected voices in RPG design, and her credits include the landmark Wizardry series and Jagged Alliance.
The sometimes meandering discussion includes thoughts on the importance of dialogue and how it differs between Japanese and Western RPGs, their favorite RPGs of all time, death in RPGs through the years and its affects on gameplay, and why writers suck. Bitmobber Chuck Labial asks us what makes for a good boss battle.
Oh, and yes, Jason gets yelled at for admitting that he doesn't care for one of the pillars of the genre. Promise not to stone him the next time you see him schlepping up the street.
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awesome, i really enjoy when developers are on the show. they offer some unique insight and keep the podcast fresh by changing things up. i can't wait to listen tomorrow
John Shab ,
November 02, 2009
+1
Great podcast Jason. Trust me, I should know - I heard the whole thing five times while editing it.
Aaron Thomas ,
November 02, 2009
+0
I didn't really like Chrono Trigger either, but I loved Chrono Cross. I think that puts me on a lower rung to hardcore JRPGer's than someone who just doesn't like CT.
Matt Jett ,
November 02, 2009
+0
Kudos, to Jason. This is the best game-based podcast I've heard in a long time. I'm sure there was a lot of effort involved in getting the industry guests, but it was well worth it. Great listen!
Keola Racela ,
November 03, 2009
+0
@Keola Thank you, but be sure to thank Aram (@AtlusAram on Twitter), Chris (@Chris Avellone), and Brenda (@bbrathwaite) as well. The podcast's good thanks to their willingness to share their time with us.
Jason Wilson ,
November 03, 2009
+0
This is a fantastic podcast. Great guests and discussion and aptly timed.
Paul Drager ,
November 03, 2009
+0
A fantastic episode. I thought Jason hosted the episode quite well. He kept the conversation going when necessary and interjected with interesting questions without breaking up the flow. I imagine that is difficult when you aren't recording with people all in the same room.
I also like podcasts with industry people instead of all editorial. I enjoy both, but getting the perspective of the people creating the games is rare. Also, what developers tend to bring is a sense of history. Too many podcast focus on what is new and hot. It was refreshing to get a conversation that included discussion of the evolution of the genre, instead of just a dissection of this weeks games.
Richard Kosmala ,
November 03, 2009
+2
I'm about halfway through and loving this episode.
Demian Linn ,
November 03, 2009
+0
@Richard Thank you. I dabbled in radio in college, and I was terrified that I wasn't going to be a good host. So you feedback means a great deal to me.
I love having a mix of industry guests and editorial folks in a podcast. Each brings different perspectives, and the editorial folks generally know how to ask the good questions to keep the discussion flowing and lively, while the industry folk bring great knowledge, history, and stories to the production.
I hope we have more of these -- though it might kill poor Aaron.
@Paul We timed it perfectly, didn't we!
Jason Wilson ,
November 04, 2009
+1
You need to do this episode again but with younger people. I think Chrono Trigger is about the latest game you even mentioned on that podcast (other than this year's releases). Maybe I'm just too young to even be listening.
Lemme put it this way: you guys were mentioning oldschool PC stuff as your favorite with Chrono Trigger as the sole Japanese Entry. All of my top RPGs of all time on the other hand came out in the 21st century.
I just felt totally alienated by this episode.
Daniel Sims ,
November 04, 2009
-2
@Daniel -- So you're not even interested in checking out some of these great old RPGs?
Jason Wilson ,
November 04, 2009
+1
This was an amazing episode. It felt kind of weird listening to it while I was playing Demon's Souls though, that was pretty meta.
Ed Tremblay ,
November 05, 2009
+0
I know it's late but I just had a chance to listen to this over the weekend and it is easily the best MobCast to date... Interesting and informed guests, solid subject matter and the public shaming of Jason for his dislike of Chrono Trigger! Bravo!
Eric Palmer ,
November 09, 2009
+0
Please believe that I employ no exaggeration whatsoever when I say that this is the single greatest podcast that I have ever come across. What a brilliant and entertaining discussion by obviously dedicated designers who have really thought about the experiential effects of every aspect of their craft.
I am just full of renewed love and excitement for VIDEOGAMES after that. Go, videogames, go!
Skye Nathaniel ,
November 09, 2009
+0
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