Breaking the Rules: How Critical Indie Games Challenge the Status Quo

Game Studies for Everyone

#Video Games #Lifestyle #Podcasting Education #News #Tech News #Learn Video Games / Mindtoggle LLC

51:57

On the Season 2 debut of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies , we travel to Bermuda, an Atlantic island whose history spans centuries and continents. Once uninhabited, Bermuda became a vital stop in transatlantic trade, a maritime stronghold, and a cultural crossroads shaped by African, European, Caribbean, and Native American influences. Guests Dr. Kristy Warren and Dr. Edward Harris trace its transformation from an uninhabited island to a strategic outpost shaped by shipwrecks, colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and the rise and fall of empires. Plus, former Director of Tourism Gary Phillips shares the story of the Gombey tradition, a vibrant performance art rooted in resistance, migration, and cultural fusion. Together, they reveal how Bermuda’s layered past continues to shape its people, culture, and identity today. You can also find us online at ⁠travelandleisure.com/lostcultures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 1:09:35

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In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the critical design movement in indie games, led by visionary artists like Nicky Case, Lindsay Grace, and Zach Gage. These games push the boundaries of traditional game design, using gameplay to critique social conventions and question player assumptions. We’ll break down the key traits of critical games—social vs. mechanical critique, delivery styles, and the role of humor—while highlighting examples that challenge the way we think about games.

Source Grace, Lindsay. "Critical games: Critical design in independent games." Proceedings of DIGRA. 2014.

40 episodes

Breaking the Rules: How Critical Indie Games Challenge the Status Quo

Game Studies for Everyone

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Source Grace, Lindsay. "Critical games: Critical design in independent games." Proceedings of DIGRA. 2014.

40 episodes

#Video Games #Lifestyle #Podcasting Education #News #Tech News #Learn Video Games / Mindtoggle LLC

All episodes

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Checkpoints & Choices: Bureaucracy, Borders, and Playing Through Deportation Machines 11:41

26 days ago11:41

11:41

As immigrations tensions escalate and policy grows ever more dehumanizing, what can indie games teach us about the systems behind the suffering? In this episode, we examine how Papers, Please , North , and Borders use gameplay—not just storylines—to simulate the moral deadlocks and mechanical cruelty of U.S. deportation politics. Drawing from academic critiques that invoke Max Weber’s “iron cage of bureaucracy,” we explore how these games reflect the cold logic of enforcement agencies like ICE, trapping players in procedural loops that echo real-world immigration enforcement. Can feeling stuck in a game make us see the injustice of those stuck in the system? Tune in to explore how indie developers are turning gameplay into powerful protest. Cosner, J. (2024). Engaging Action: Procedural Rhetoric and Agentive Arguments in US-Mexico Border Video Games. In Digital Culture and the US-Mexico Border (pp. 211-222). Routledge. Grace, L. D. (2023, October). Gaming the system: case study in investigative journalism and playful interactive narrative design to explain systemic bias in immigration policy. In International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (pp. 38-49). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. Morrissette, J. (2017). Glory to Arstotzka: Morality, rationality, and the iron cage of bureaucracy in Papers, Please. Game Studies , 17 (1).…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Borderlines & Backstories: Can Games Teach Us to Empathize With Immigrants? 16:04

27 days ago16:04

16:04

What happens when players step into the shoes of immigrants—not just to win, but to understand? In this episode, we explore how video games like Citizenship Quest , Everyday Racism , and Escape from Woomera attempt to foster empathy and cross-cultural awareness through gameplay. Drawing on studies that analyze classroom role-play, online discussions, and game design, we ask: can digital experiences create real emotional insight, or do they just rehearse familiar narratives? From school simulations to dystopian checkpoints, join us as we navigate the thin line between meaningful play and performative understanding in the world of migration games. Bouchillon, B. C., & Stewart, P. A. (2023). Computer games, trust, and immediacy: Role-playing as immigrants in the South. Computers in Human Behavior , 140 , 107571. Chin, E., & Golding, D. (2016). Cultivating transcultural understanding through migration-related videogames. Asia Pacific Media Educator , 26 (1), 83-98. McKernan, B. (2021). Digital texts and moral questions about immigration: Papers, Please and the capacity for a video game to stimulate sociopolitical discussion. Games and Culture , 16 (4), 383-406.…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Playing for Papers: How Video Games Expose the Cruel Logic of U.S. Deportation 16:38

28 days ago16:38

16:38

As deportation politics in the U.S. grow ever more punitive and chaotic, what can a video game reveal that headlines can’t? In this episode, we explore how games like Papers, Please , Tropico , and ICED! simulate the immigrant experience—and critique it. Drawing on recent academic insights, we unpack how these digital worlds use frustration, limited freedom, and procedural rhetoric to reflect the dehumanizing systems faced by undocumented people. Can a game really challenge anti-immigrant policy? Or are we just clicking through dystopia? Tune in for a timely dive into the politics of play and the stakes of representation. Amaya, H. (2015). ICED: Videogames in the battle between the citizen and the human. Popular Communication , 13 (2), 158-169. Cleger, O. (2015). Procedural Rhetoric and Undocumented Migrants: Playing the Debate over Immigration Reform. Digital Culture & Education, 7(1), 19-39. Diamond, J., & Brunner, C. (2008). Evaluation of Breakthrough's ICED! Video Game…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Well Played: Growing Older, Gaming Deeper 10:34

29 days ago10:34

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Drawing from observations of the well-cited research, J.P. Gee, we discuss what happens when the goal of gaming shifts from beating the boss to contemplating the journey? In this thoughtful and moving episode, we follow Aiden, a lifelong gamer, as he shares with James Paul Gee how the meaning of “well played” has evolved over time. No longer about high scores or speedruns, it’s now about emotional resonance, patience, and philosophical depth—from Metal Gear Solid 3 to Chibi Robo . Gee reflects on his own path as an aging gamer and scholar, including an early brush with frustration and discovery in The New Adventures of the Time Machine . This episode invites listeners to rethink what it means to truly "play well"—not just in games, but in life.…

Game Studies for Everyone

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Jobs, Masks, and Mastery: How RPG Systems Shape Our Stories 11:10

29 days ago11:10

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What do medieval bards, fantasy job classes, and 16th-century Italian improv have in common? In this episode, we explore the deep connections between RPG class systems and the theatrical traditions of Commedia dell’arte . From Pool of Radiance to Final Fantasy Tactics , we uncover how structured game mechanics—like choosing a job class or role—create space for improvisation, discovery, and meaningful play. Join us as we discuss how these systems don't just define characters, but unlock a world of emergent storytelling, creativity, and shared player understanding in a dance between structure and spontaneity a discussion of the writing of Sam Roberts from the Book Well Played, for a love of games.…

Game Studies for Everyone

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Falling Blocks, Enduring Love: The Timeless Magic of Tetris 9:24

29 days ago9:24

9:24

What makes a game with no characters, no story, and no ending one of the most beloved of all time? In this episode, we dive into the deceptively simple brilliance of Tetris —a game born in 1985 Soviet Russia that took the world by storm when it was bundled with the Game Boy. Through a personal lens of family obsession and homemade code, our guest unpacks the elegant mechanics behind the falling blocks: movement, creation, destruction, and problem-solving. Discover how Tetris taps into something deeply human—and why it still holds us in its hypnotic grip decades later in this discussion of writing by Patrick Curry from the Well Played academic analysis of well-loved games.…

Game Studies for Everyone

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Surviving Kenshi: Hardship, Agency, and the Beauty of the Unfinished 5:20

9 weeks ago5:20

5:20

What happens when a game refuses to hold your hand—or even care if you survive? In this episode, we dive into Naomi Clark’s essay “Kenshi,” a sharp and deeply personal examination of the cult-favorite open-world RPG. Clark unpacks the game’s brutal beginnings, its resistance to traditional narrative arcs, and its focus on emergent gameplay shaped by survival, community, and systems of oppression. We discuss how Kenshi’s incomplete design becomes a feature rather than a flaw, and how a devoted modding community keeps the world alive long after development has ceased. Tune in for a conversation about failure, freedom, and the quiet revolution of unfinished games.…

Game Studies for Everyone

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Fly Far, Far Away: Hitman, Escapism, and Finding Joy Through Play 4:27

9 weeks ago4:27

4:27

In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of memory, identity, and digital escape through the lens of Kishonna L. Gray’s personal essay “Dear God, Make Me a Bird, So I Can Fly Far Far Away from Here.” From childhood afternoons spent playing Hitman with friends to rediscovering the series as a source of solace in graduate school, Gray reflects on how this iconic game franchise became more than entertainment—it became a passport to the world and a catalyst for academic curiosity. Join us as we unpack how Hitman offered not just gameplay, but a way to cope, connect, and imagine beyond borders.…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
From Colony to Collaboration: Rethinking a Board Game Classic 7:12

9 weeks ago7:12

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We explore the fascinating evolution of the beloved board game Puerto Rico . Join us as we delve into its initial acclaim, the growing concerns surrounding its colonial themes, and the inspiring journey that led to its thoughtful redesign as Puerto Rico 1897 . Discover how player feedback and a commitment to historical sensitivity transformed a classic into a more responsible and engaging experience. All informed by the writing of Nick Fortugno from the 2025 book, Well-Played by Play Story Press.…

Game Studies for Everyone

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Pedal to the Pixels: Racing, Gaming, and the Pursuit of Progress 10:38

15 weeks ago10:38

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What do racing games and real-life ambition have in common? In this episode, we dive into Lindsay Grace’s reflections from Well Played: For the Love of Games , where he traces his lifelong connection to speed—from childhood play to real-world autocross. At the heart of this journey is Gran Turismo , a game that masterfully balances simulation and fun, capturing the thrill of precision driving while subtly shaping car culture itself. We explore how Gran Turismo influenced not just gamers but an entire generation of auto enthusiasts, driving real-world car sales and embodying the late ‘90s optimism for technological progress. Grace’s insights reveal how racing games offer more than just digital escapism—they become metaphors for aspiration, improvement, and the endless pursuit of mastery. Whether you’re a seasoned racing game veteran or just love a good story about passion and play, join us as we navigate the intersections of gaming, culture, and the human drive to keep moving forward. https://doi.org/10.17613/55fam-32z84…

Game Studies for Everyone

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From MUDs to Mythic: A Gamer’s Journey Chasing XP, Finding Meaning 7:48

15 weeks ago7:48

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What happens when decades of gaming lead to a realization that the grind isn’t everything? In this episode, we follow Dr. Kurt Squire’s journey through 35 years of online multiplayer games, from the early days of MUDs to the sprawling world of World of Warcraft . Alongside his wife, Squire explores the highs of goal-driven play, the dopamine-fueled rush of progression, and the eventual shift toward prioritizing real-life connections over digital achievements. Join us as we dive into the evolution of gaming habits, the social bonds forged in virtual worlds, and what happens when a lifelong gamer starts looking beyond the screen.…

Game Studies for Everyone

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XP & Romance: Leveling Up in Life, Love, and Games 14:53

15 weeks ago14:53

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Dive into the personal and academic adventures of those who found meaning, community, and even love through games. XP & Romance explores how gaming shapes identity, relationships, and careers—whether it’s discovering a passion for research, forging lifelong friendships, or meeting a co-op partner for life. Inspired by Dr. Constance Steinkuehler’s Games: A Love Story chapter in Well Played - For the Love of Games , this podcast celebrates the unexpected ways video games transform lives. https://doi.org/10.17613/55fam-32z84…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Games "You" Should Know: Breaking the Game: Finding Meaning in "You" 15:24

28 weeks ago15:24

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What if the point of a game wasn’t to win, but to question why we play at all? In this episode, we explore the thought-provoking and unconventional video game You , a critical gameplay experience that flips traditional gaming conventions on their head. Set in a platformer world where words shape your path, players guide the character “You” through a surreal landscape of puzzles and poetic fragments. But this isn’t your average platformer— You challenges players to seek meaning in its absurdity, pushing them to create a poem rather than pursue a victory. Is it a critique of gaming culture, an artistic experiment, or a bit of both? Join us as we dive into this fascinating game that asks: What if there’s no ‘winning’—just playing and interpreting? Whether you’re a gamer, an artist, or a curious thinker, this episode invites you to see games in a whole new light.…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Games You Should Know: Breaking Boundaries and the Surprising Impact of Stolen Kisses 14:49

31 weeks ago14:49

14:49

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking mobile game Stolen Kisses , designed to upend the heteronormative tropes of traditional affection games and create a more inclusive, diverse experience for players. Developed as both a game and a social experiment, Stolen Kisses offers a variety of characters for players to engage with, challenging norms and expanding representation in the genre. We dive into the fascinating data uncovered by its creator, who analyzes the unexpected global interest in the game—from players in Indonesia, Russia, and Arabic-speaking countries. Discover how this research reveals the untapped potential of affection games to bridge cultures, foster positive digital interactions, and redefine what gaming can mean for a global audience. If you’re curious about how games can shape social dynamics and open new doors for inclusivity, you won’t want to miss this episode! Source: https://isea-archives.siggraph.org/presentation/subverting-the-conventions-of-affection-games-in-the-digital-wild/…

Game Studies for Everyone

1
Games You Should Know: Emoji, Literature, and Play: The Game of Meaning 7:00

31 weeks ago7:00