Colette & Matt Have Entered the Chat

You're on a deserted island for the rest of your natural life, but you have a magical device and Internet connection that lets you play only 3 video games. You can get all the updates, DLC, mods, and multiplayer you want, and you can communicate with other players outside of the game ... but you can never play anything else. What do you bring?Also, there's a fish with teeth on the Battle Net installation screen.Email us with your picks: [email protected] the Meyers-Briggs gamer test in Colette's Discord: https://discord.gg/682mwYgxFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Norman Caruso, aka The Gaming Historian, has been meticulously documenting the history of video games (and their weird peripherals!) on YouTube since 2008. It took him 7 years before this passion project became a full-time job. More than 90 million views later, his channel is among the most rigorous and well-respected in the world of games journalism. Norman has covered topics as ubiquitous a Tetris and Super Mario Bros. 3, all the way down to failed tech like the Sega Mega Modem and an IRL fishing module for the Game Boy.We chat with Norman about how he got his start, why primary-source historical research takes so long, how he chooses topics, why it's OK to be wrong sometimes, and why you may never see a Pokémon video on his channel.Colette's playing: Demeo VR, a D&D-style tabletop campaign in virtual realityNorman's playing: Apex Legends, everyone's favorite competitive co-op shooterMatt's playing: More Subnautica BZ and Deep Rock GalacticSubscribe to The Gaming Historian on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbvPS_rXp4PC21PG2k1UVgEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Colette's Discord: https://discord.gg/682mwYgxFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

What draws people into MMOs and live service games? And if one game keeps evolving and adding content, maybe we don't need to play as many new games?We discuss your love of Destiny 2 and Final Fantasy XIV, why Matt played 500 hours of Warframe (and then had to stop), and why Colette doesn't like to play online (except in Diablo 2). Also, is Destiny just Space Diablo in 3D? Also, the classic days of WoW, Everquest, and EVE Online.Also, Colette is obsessed with (watching) Resident Evil Village, and discusses the difference between "helpless horror" and a "power fantasy." Matt is obsessed with Subnautica: Below Zero, which has a whole lot more Subnautica in it, which means it's the best ever!Join us in Colette's Discord: https://discord.gg/682mwYgxEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Games are such a young medium. Also, a rapidly evolving one. So it's not surprising when we return to a game we played years ago (especially in our youth) to find the life-changing experience we remember is actually kind of ... meh?This week, we discuss the subjectivity of games as an art form on a continuum of culture, technology, and personal growth. Sometimes games are still great in their historical context, even if we don't like playing them in 2021. And sometimes, old games are true masterpieces that transcend their technological and cultural contexts.We also discuss your favorite games from the past that may or may not stand the test of time.Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

New Pokémon Snap is here, and apparently there's a character in it named Todd Snap? So says Chelsea Stark, the Executive Editor at an up-and-coming video game website we like to call Polygon.com. This week in chat, we discuss the sublime pleasures of bad games we still love to play. Also, can math ever be fun? Also, why won't Pokémon respect the "rule of thirds?" And WTF *is* picross, anyway?What we're playing:New Pokémon Snap, featuring Todd Snap!Murder By Numbers, a '90s-themed visual novel + puzzle gameLegend of Keepers, a reverse dungeon crawler where you control the monstersMonster Hunter Rise, because what's better than smashing a dinosaur in the face with a hammer?Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Chelsea Stark: https://twitter.com/chelseabotListen to Galaxy Brains, Polygon's new podcast hosted by Dave Schilling and Jonah Ray: https://www.polygon.com/22384444/galaxy-brains-polygon-podcast-entertainment-movies-tvFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeCheck out Colette's musical Zelda collab on Saturday 5/8 at 1pm ET: https://www.twitch.tv/OrchkeystramusicFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

When did nerd culture shift from being passé to the dominant force across all media? Where did all your fan fiction go before the Internet? Remember Blockbuster??Also, we make a decision on which '90s Star Trek to binge. Also, how did anime get so mainstream? Also, the difference between simple games, and complex games that are easy to access.And, you can play the original NES Zelda and Dragon Warrior in VR now for some reason?!What we're playing:Cozy Grove: Animal Crossing meets Spiritfarer (but not really!)3DSen PC: Play NES classics in VR via some sort of witchcraft!Deep Rock Galactic: Co-Op space dwarves that combines the best things of other games!Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our discussion: "Why Do Japanese Characters Look White?" https://kotaku.com/why-do-japanese-characters-look-white-5627268Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

This week we're joined by the wonderful Sean Baptiste, whose long career in the games industry led him to become the senior PR and streaming manager for Bethesda Softworks. Today, he works with influencers large and small on the publisher's biggest franchises like "Doom" and "Fallout."We talk with Sean about his extremely diverse career path (which includes play writing, standup comedy, and finding bugs in "Guitar Hero,"), what he's been playing lately, and that time he played "Rock Band" for Dave Grohl at the Grammys.Also, what makes a great "Persona" game, the extraordinary work that goes into Twitch streaming, and how great game design turns complex systems into an effortless groove. Plus, your emails!Colette's playing:Persona 5 Strikers: Classic Persona style and story with very intense action combatSean's playing:Wrestling Empire, a deep and weird wrestling career sim that throws back to the N64 eraMatt's playing:Not Valheim (because it still runs poorly) but a return to No Man's Sky after many huge updatesEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Sean Baptiste: https://twitter.com/seanthebaptisteFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Why does Colette play the original "Legend of Zelda" every year? It's about way more than just nostalgia. Also, what's the deal with Hello Kitty, which '90s "Star Trek" is the best, and the JRPGs that fooled us by pretending to be good.What Colette is playing:No Time to Relax: Spiritual successor to Sierra's classic life sim "Jones in the Fast Lane"What Matt is NOT playing:Pac-Man 99: It's Pac-Man but craaaazy!Tracks: Toybox Edition: Toy trains but VIRTUAL, babyKatamari Damacy REROLL: Fuck this game.Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

What makes a game "stick" for you? And what happens when a game has every ingredient you love and you're still not feeling it? Colette & Matt share email from a new listener, discuss why challenge is both motivating and off-putting, and why personal headspace is a key ingredient in whether or not a game becomes an obsession. Also: Should you buy a Nintendo DS in 2021, quitting Hollow Knight, cross-cultural humor, and Colette is fully vaxxed!What we're playing:Rhythm Doctor, the perfect homage to / fresh take on Rhythm Heaven!Star Wars: Squadrons, competitive, emergent gameplay + pew-pew!Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

It's our very first episode! This week, we talk about the gaming loops that keep us coming back for more, why we love to focus on one game at a time (whenever possible!), why Twitch and Discord are so special, and ye olden days of social media and games journalism.What we're playing:Silent Hill 2 Enhanced Edition, a fan-made remaster of the horror classicMagic:Legends, a Diablo-style ARPG with Magic cardsLoop Hero, a game that has no discernable genre!The Museum of Other Realities, a social VR art museum with mind-bending exhibitsEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/