Octal Fm

In this episode Jalada and Sefran sit back and chat about how gamers shape games through coming up with challenges, speedruns, or rewriting the games themselves through modding.Playtonic games announcing tweaks to Yooka Laylee for speedrunners.Super Mario 64 parallel universes.Nuzlocke Challenge.“Brendan “Playerunknown” Greene’s whirlwind year” in which Brendan mentions he wants to give back to the modding community, where he came from.

In this ‘The Best Ever’ episode, Jalada and Sefran try to agree on which game in the Super Mario series is the best; Super Mario Sunshine, or Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island?

In this episode we talk about early access games. Everything from their origins, where we think they’re going, and some of our favourite and least favourite games we’ve backed or bought before release.“Early Access popularity growing, but only 25% have released as a full game” (2014)Jalada’s favourites include:Elite: DangerousKerbal Space ProgramMinecraftSefran’s favourites include:Prison ArchitectShelterStardew ValleySome less-than-awesome examples of early access include:Mighty No 9Godus

In this episode we are joined by the brilliant Marti Bennett. Marti kindly agreed to tell us all about playing Pokémon competitively and recount some of her own stories and experiences of the professional Pokémon scene.Follow Marti:YouTube – Virtual AccomplishmentTwitter – @MartiBennett (@VirtualAccomp for content updates)Twitch – Virtual AccomplishmentRelated reading/watching:JWittz speedrun of Pokémon Trading Card GameSerebiiSerebii ‘Effort Values’ guideSerebii ‘Individual Values’ guideCybertron on Twitter, YouTube, and TwitchPokémon on TwitchIntro music: JACKS – Runaway FashionOutro music: GlitchxCity – Champion Cynthia Battle Remix

We recently got the opportunity to go hands-on with an Oculus Rift, complete with Oculus Touch controllers and two sensors. In this episode we discuss our thoughts and impressions, and what we think is in store for the future.Oculus RiftHTC VivePlaystation VRApple ARKitGoogle DaydreamGames we played:Elite: DangerousRobo RecallThe ClimbSuperhotKeep Talking and Nobody ExplodesNeuralink and the Brain’s Magical FutureMixed Reality with Microsoft HoloLens

In this episode we discuss how video game advertising and trailers have changed, why ‘footage captured in game’ means nothing, and whether any of this matters at all.Read Patch The Process, an article about ‘day one patches’ by indie game dev Rami Ismail.There’s lots of videos you should watch to accompany this episode:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “Teen Comedy Trailer”Watch Dogs – E3 2012 vs PC ReleaseClash of Clans advertsDead IslandElite: Dangerous Launch Trailer vs PS4 launch trailerIntroducing the Overwatch LeagueNo Man’s Sky Gameplay Trailer 2014“The EVE Online Experience” and “This is EVE” – UncensoredOverwatch animated shorts including “Infiltration” 

In this episode of Octal FM we try to decide: Is the 3D platforming video game genre dead?Games we discuss:Arcade games such as Donkey Kong, Mario BrosCrocMetroid and CastlevaniaCrash BandicootRogue-likes such as Spelunky and Rogue LegacyPuzzle-platformers like Super Meat Boy and N+Is Yooka-Laylee the return of 3D platformers?Snake PassIntro music: JACKS – Runaway FashionOutro music: Juan Medrano – Mega Man 2 “Dokuta Wairi, Rival to the Light”

In this episode we talk all about the state of difficulty in video games. Are they too easy? Too hard? Does it matter?Rubber banding.“The Noobification of games”, a clip from Pure Pwnage: Teh Movie.Super Guide.Intro music: JACKS – Runaway FashionOutro music: The OneUps – Funky Mario Circut (Radio Edit)

In this episode we continue our discussion theme of video game music. Instead of picking out examples we think are ‘good use’ of video game music, we just pick out games that have soundtracks that we think are awesome.Mario GalaxyListen: Gusty Garden Galaxy, Beach Bowl GalaxyBlazBlue: Calamity TriggerListen: Under Heaven Destruction, Lust SIN, Queen of RoseLink’s AwakeningListen: Village Theme, Overworld, Sword SearchFTL: Faster Than LightListen: Space Cruise (Title), Mantis (Battle), Last StandJet Set Radio FutureListen: Concept of Love, Like a Butterfly, Aisle TenBanjo-KazooieListen: Click Clock Wood, Treasure Trove Cove, Freezeasy PeakHonourable mentions:DK RapThe Sims 2 radio musicIntro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we pick out some of our favourite uses of music in video games.The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker combatVideo of an example of combat with audio ‘accents’ (minor Wind Waker spoilers)Listen: Middle Boss BattleFinal Fantasy VIComposed by Nobuo UematsuListen: Terra’s themeHalf Life 2Listen: CP ViolationMusic levels from Rayman LegendsListen: ‘Gloo Gloo’ Musical Level (video of level)TransistorDeveloped and published by Supergiant GamesComposed by Darren Korb. Vocals by Ashley BarrettListen: We All Become and The SpineMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsListen: Old Snake vs. Liquid Ocelot (Ultimate Version)Some other games that we were considering include: Banjo-Kazooie, Journey and Audiosurf. There are many more great examples of the use of music in video games, get in touch and let us know yours!Intro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

We discuss how lives are becoming more internet connected, the history and hype around ‘smart homes’, and generally demystify the Internet of Things.Further reading:X10 ProtocolSustainable Smart Home and Home Automation: Big Data Analytics ApproachConnected homes will take longer to materialise than expectedHere’s What TfL Learned From Tracking Your Phone On the TubeIntro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we take a deeper look at eSports and how it compares to more traditional sporting events.Inside Fnatic’s Bunkr, the World’s First eSports StoreeSports news on ESPNLoading BarIntro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In their most click-bait episode ever, Jalada and Sefran discuss the state of mobile phone games, where they think the industry is going, and some games that perhaps aren’t so bad after all.81% of the UK population own a smartphone according to Deloitte.“Mobile games hit $34.8B in 2015, taking 85% of all app revenues”Super Mario Run from Nintendo.Extra Credits channel on YouTube.Monument Valley.Intro music: JACKS – Runaway FashionOutro music: OC/DC – Rise of the Piggies 

In another case of ‘Jalada and Sefran weren’t paying attention to the episode timer’, this bonus-length episode is all about our favourite video game consoles.Nintendo GameBoySega GameGearNintendo 64PlayStation 4Joint favourite: Nintendo GameCubeIn the episode we say that the Wavebird was the first wireless controller. Of course, there were others before it, but it was pretty much the first to use radio-frequency (which was great) instead of infrared (which was terrible).Intro music: JACKS – Runaway FashionOutro music: Nostalvania – Seven Pipes to Heaven

Tom (‘modest’ on Summoner’s Rift) joins Jalada and Sefran to talk about MOBAs; what they are, where they came from, and why they’re so much fun.We touch on League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, Defense of the Ancients, DOTA 2, and Smite.Feel free to be pedantic and email us to let us know that Aeon of Strife was arguably the first MOBA, not DOTA.Faker, arguably the best League of Legends player.League of Legends Patch 7.1 notes, an example of just how much can change month to month in a MOBA./r/summonerschool.Intro & outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion.

Jalada and Sefran explain why community management is so important in the development and maintaining of video games, from the perspective of video gamers.7 Days to Die developer blogExamples of less-than-ideal pre-launch management: Spore, Fable, No Man’s Sky.“Deus Ex: Mankind Divided silly preorder scheme scrapped”Diablo 3’s significant Loot overhaul patch, dubbed ‘Loot 2.0’.“Final Fantasy 14 killed by Square Enix’s stubbornness, reborn by a new approach”Elite Dangerous Galnet Newsid Software’s open-sourced game code on GitHubIntro & outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

Antonia joins us for this episode where we discuss what makes life-sim games appealing, and why Stardew Valley is such a great example of one.Steam best sellers of 2016.Other examples of life-sims: Animal Crossing, The Sims, Farming Simulator, and of course Euro-Truck Simulator.For further information on the reward loop in video game design, read up on ‘compulsion loops’.Intro & outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

Episode seven is a bonus length episode all about board gaming. From traditional co-operative games like Pandemic, to fast-paced social games like One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Jalada and Sefran break into this huge topic with a summary overview of some of the main types of board games, with a selection of ones to try yourself.Links to purchase any of these titles are affiliate links, proceeds go towards Octal FM and our general happiness.Standard board games: Pandemic, Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to RideMinature games: Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Trek Attack Wing, Dice Masters gamesProcedural games: Betrayal at House on the Hill, Dead of Winter, X-ComDeck-building games: Ascension, Marvel Legendary, Blood Bowl Team ManagerLiving card games: Game of Thrones Card Game, NetrunnerSocial games: One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Inkognito, Avalon The Resistance, House of Salem

Jalada and Sefran talk further about what you need to think about when running your own LAN, as well as discussing some of the history of LAN parties and events and the state of the community today.We cover a lot in the show, but there’s a lot more to it. Here’s some related reading from what we covered, and some bits we didn’t:Internet cafés.Copyparties and Demoparties.Revision is one of the largest Demoparties that’s still going in southwest Germany. Some demoparties have also morphed into LAN parties & gaming events such as The Gathering and Assembly which are both still going in 2016.The Demoscene.Some examples of modern demos. Check the file sizes!1999 BBC article about the first Insomnia event.“Gaming has left the LAN party behind” by Ben Kuchera for Polygon.Dreamhack.Multiplay Insomnia Gaming Festival.Running your own LAN:If you need a network switch, remember you need an extra ‘uplink’ port to your router. Example switches for small LANs: 8 ports for

Jalada and Sefran explain, with examples, some of the aspects of games that work well at LAN parties.We touch on a whole bunch of games in this show, but in particular we highlight:Borderlands  and Borderlands 2.Heroes of the Storm.Towerfall.Team Fortress 2.Other related reading:What was GameSpy Arcade?Insomnia Gaming Festival.Intro & outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion