Octal Fm

In this episode we each discuss some of our favourite video game stories.Bioshock 1Vox: Bioshock proved that video games could be artBioshock 1 is available in a remastered collection of the first three games on Xbox One, PS4, and Steam, or you can still buy the first game standalone on Steam.Valkyria ChroniclesThe original was on PS3, or you can pick up the remaster on PS4 or Steam.Last of UsPolygon: Let's talk about the ending of The Last of UsThe Last of Us was released late in the PS3's lifecycle, so now you can pick up the remastered edition on PS4. A sequel is in the works.Metal Gear Solid 3This is quite a tricky one to play now. There's an HD collection of MGS games for PS3, Xbox 360, and Vita. And there was a 3DS version of MGS3.Half-Life 2You can pick up Half-Life 2 on Steam. The Orange Box includes Half-Life 2, and the Xbox 360 version is backwards compatible on Xbox One (also available on the Xbox marketplace).Intro/Outro music: CJACKS - Runaway fashion

In this special episode of Octal FM we're joined by two guests to talk about alternative approaches to getting into the technology industry and software development. Specifically, we discuss what the organisation Code First: Girls is doing to increase the number of women in tech.Code First: Girls is a not for profit social enterprise. Since 2013 they've delivered £4.2 million worth of free education to young women across the UK. Their purpose is to increase the number of women in tech.Amali de Alwis is CEO of Code First: Girls. You can find her on Twitter at @amali_d.Lizzie Cullen Davison is a full-stack developer at Pixie Labs and a volunteer Code First: Girls instructor. You can find her on Twitter at @emc_dav.FYI Jalada also works at Pixie Labs.

In this episode we discuss how to get started watching anime.A lot of shows covered in this episode, as well as a few we didn't get time to mention:Use your nostalgiaDragon Ball ZSailor MoonDigimonCardcaptor SakuraOne PieceThe classicsCowboy BebopDeath NoteLupin IIIDragon BallFull Metal AlchemistSefran recommendsTrigunOutlaw StarTenchi MuyoGreat Teacher OnizukaThe Vision of EscaflowneAzumanga DaiohFull Metal PanicGo to the moviesStudio Ghibli filmsMaquia: When the Promised Flower BloomsWolf ChildrenSummer WarsYour NameWhere to watch?CrunchyrollFunimationNetflixAmazonSef's 'favourites'Neon Genesis EvangelionMy Hero AcademiaFate/ZeroHoney and CloverTengen Toppa Gurren LagannIntro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we discuss how (typically niche) video content creators are adapting to the thirst for consuming their (high quality) content, but have traditionally found it harder to earn money to do it. How is this affecting the consumer, the creator, and the platform?Further reading:YouTube: Mid-year Update on Our Five Creator Priorities for 2018Social impact of YouTubeNYTimes: How the Internet Is Saving Culture, Not Killing ItWired: YouTube's Latest Shake-Up Is Bigger Than Just AdsIntro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we kick off a new mini-series where we pick a game that neither of us have played before, play it separately, and then come together with our own fresh thoughts to discuss it on Octal FM.This time, it's Slay the Spire by Mega Crit, an early access PC game that blends rogue-like elements with deck building gameplay.

In this episode we discuss some of our favourite video game worlds to get lost in. We reminisce about some worlds we've not visited for a while, and we discuss what it means for a game world to be 'immersive'.Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

This episode takes more of a 'resource' form, as we share some tips & tricks for getting started building a PC for gaming. We cut through some of the aspects that we think are unimportant, and share some shortcuts for saving time and money.There's a lot of resources out there on the Internet, but we like:Scan - for buying components (and pre-builds) in the UKToms Hardware - for reviewsbit-tech.net - for reviews, especially peripherals and modificationsHexus - for their partnership with Scan (easy to find reviews)Anandtech - for their deep-dives into new product rangesThe Wirecutter - for their 'just buy this one' approach to components and peripherals. Look under 'Electronics'.

In this episode of Octal FM we dive in to the state of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. We'll explain what it is, what it isn't, and why it seems to be such a big thing right now.There's lots of reading material out there if you want to learn more.Some intro articlesBluffer's guide to AI terminologyWired: What is Artificial Intelligence?So you think you know what is Artificial Intelligence?Opinion pieces"Artificial Intelligence is whatever computers can't do yet"The Great AI ParadoxThe Seven Deadly Sins of AI Predictions

We discuss announcements from this year's E3 that we're looking forward to.

In this episode we're joined again by Elizabeth Chesters, a user experience, accesibility, and inclusive design extraordinaire. We continue our discussion from episode 31, and talk more about what it means to design a product or service in an 'inclusive' manner, e.g. designing for people with impairments, either permanent or situational.Further reading suggestions from El:Mobility and AccessibilityCultural Accessibility7 Things Every Designer Needs to Know about AccessibilityFollow El:@echesters on Twitterechesters.co.ukEl on Medium

What games were we playing at our LAN last weekend?

In another 'Octal FM are Nintendo fanboys' episode, we take a look back at the often overlooked history of Nintendo and the Internet. It involves satellites beaming games down to a virtual village on your SNES.

We've been to the cinema again, but this time we've seen the same film.