This week's roundtable episode features a (mostly) silent co-host: Ikaros the official Glitch HQ office doge! While not distracted by adorableness, Martha gives a primer on Git and version control best practices, Stephen leads a discussion on art direction, and Mark tries to understand PC gamers.Feedback FormGLITCHCON Celebrates A Weekend Of Gaming - Troy Strand, Tech {dot} MN0:03:58Version ControlGitMartha's Git workshop presentation slidesMartha MegarryA Short History of GitgitSourceTreeGItKrakenMerging Unity scenes, prefabs and assets with gitDavid DouglasDeadly FingersGit for Unity DevelopersAlistair Doulin Game DeveloperGitHubBitbucketHerokuPushing to multiple git reposAlex ArmstrongCode School: Learn GitPaolo PerrottaCode School0:33:38Art DirectionIn our episode " Bananas from here to eternity" the third topic in the roundtable is on Developer Art"Bananas, from here to eternity."The Design Bible Behind New York City’s Subway Republished as a Limited-Edition…Kristin HohenadelSlateSPY Fox Series Mini-GamesFandomBehind Borderlands' 11th-hour style changeTor ThorsenGameSpotCiv V Art Director Explains Art Deco LookAdam BiessenerGame InformerAnimation Bootcamp: Cuphead Process and PhilosophyJake ClarkGDC0:54:44Console vs. PC DevelopmentBook Review: The Art of Game DesignDaniel CookValve making big changes to Steam's trading card economyDerek StricklandTweakTownSony Developer ProgramXbox LIVE Creator's programID@XBOXBecoming a Nintendo Switch indie dev will be tough early on Kris Graft

This week's interview episode features Dev Jana, one half of the team behind Newt One, a non-violent music-infused 3D platformer.We talk with Dev about how Newt One transformed (through continuous iteration) from a "Mario 64" clone into a game where "there are no bad guys" and nothing you do can hurt anything.We also discuss the purpose and use of violence in video games, including the games we're all working on. When can violence be utilized effectively though mechanics and story? And when is it simply an lazy way to build tension and create challenge for the player?Violence in GamesGame DesignHappiness: The Science of Subjective Well-Being - Edward Diener, NOBAThis Is What It’s Like To Play Dishonored 2 In Low Chaos, Non-Violent Fashion - Jonathan Leak, Game RevolutionFirewatch: games without violence can be just as good or even better! - Florian Uhlemann, MediumSonic Frees the Forest Animals - Dorkly, YouTubeAddressing Conflict: Tension and Release in Games  - John Nelson Rose, Game DeveloperI Finally "Get" 'HItman' - Nick Dinicola, PopMattersTen Years Later: Videogames Not Responsible for Columbine - Andy Chalk, The EscapistWere video games to blame for massacre? - Winda Benedetti, NBC NewsUnmasking the Avatar: The Demographics of MMO Player Motivation, In-Game Prefer… - Nick Yee, Game DeveloperMetaphors: The impossibility of being literal - R.G.L., The EconomistGamer Motivation Profiling by Quantic Foundry - Quantic FoundryDev JanaGuestExternal linkDevNAri.com@dnanewtoneFacebook: /DevNAri

For our first ever LIVE episode, we took the main stage at GlitchCon 2017 along with our guests Rebekah and Adam Saltsman, co-founders of Finji, publisher of "Night in the Woods" and developer of "Overland" and "Canabalt," to talk about talking about games!Plus your nice hosts and their guests each recount moments where they "leveled up" as game developers.LIVE from GlitchCon 2017EventsIRL[0:01:45] Talking about your game to different audiences[0:32:35] Moments where you “leveled up” as a gamedev[0:45:56] OutroAt the end of this episode, Stephen was able to guilt a whole room full of people to fill out our feedback form, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook. Hearing from you helps make our show better, so get on it!Rebekah SaltsmanGuestRebekah Saltsman is a game designer and co-founder of FingiExternal linkOn Twitter @BexSaltsman Finji is on Twitter @finjicoFinji has a websiteAdam SaltsmanGuestExternal linkAdam is on Twitter @ADAMATOMICFinji is on Twitter @finjicoFinji has a websiteOverland is on Twitter @OverlandGame

This week's roundtable provides practical knowledge on three of today's most important life topics: Starting a business, being a good competitor, and playing Nintendo.0:01:51Taxes and BusinessIndie Developer tax issues: Is game development your hobby or your businessZachary StrebeckGame DeveloperHow LLC Members Are TaxedNOLOStarting a Business - MN Department of Employment and Economic DevelopmentInc FileLegal ZoomDo You Need a Physical Address For Your Business?Belle WongLegal Zoom0:23:49Nintendo SwitchArms launches on June 16, new character Min Min revealedBrianNintendo EverythingNintendo Reveals A new ARMS Character, And It's An Odd OneRobert SephazonNintendo LifeJackbox Party Pack 3Human Resource MachineNintendo Switch dev kits could run as low as $440 Alissa McAloon Game DeveloperWith the Switch, Nintendo is getting right what the PlayStation Vita got wrongDavid HoughtinGamesRadarPlayStation Vita isn’t dead, just ask Nintendo Switch indie developersChris PlanteThe Verge0:43:20Competition"Playing to Win" and a Philosophy of Competition in GamingMark Newheiser“Is Wavedashing necessary for competitive play?” - redditRedditClaw Breaker TrailerMartha MegarryYouTubeMetro Nexus GameplayNoble RobotYouTube

Hype is alive in the clubhouse as your nice hosts preview all the sessions at Glitch Connect 2017, taking place at the Soap Factory in Minneapolis, May 5-7th!

In this interview episode, we talk to Glitch's "Official Zookeeper" Alex Chang, who is the producer of this year's Glitch Connect digital games festival, coming up May 5-7th, 2017. He talks with us about what it's like to put on a show, and gives some great advice on how to put on your own.We recorded this episode before the sessions for GlitchCon were announced. Check out the full listing here!The final stop on the GlitchCon brewery tour is on April 19th at Modest Brewing Co. in Minneapolis.Putting on a GlitchCon!EventsAlex ChangGuestProducer of the 2017 Glitch Connect Digital Games Festival and Video game programmer.

This week's roundtable episode has it all: Confusion, technobabble, randomness... and shoot, a whole lot more besides!We're still looking for feedback from our listeners! Be nice and visit our feedback form. It will only take a minute and it will help make the show better!0:02:54Getting Out of a RutTim Schafer on ProductivityStephen's motivation week0:19:44Bots! Bots! Bots!Tech the TechTraceryTracery for UnityKate ComptonMark Gritter on TwitterPlay This Clever Adventure Game Entirely On TwitterJason SchreierKotakuMeetup Bot Makers - MinneapolisQuick, Draw!Cheap Bots, Done Quick0:35:40Procedural GenerationProcedural world generation: The simulation, functional and planning approachesRune Skovbo Johansen oGame DeveloperSpelunk Generator LessonsDarius KazemiTiny SubversionsNo Man’s Sky – Procedural Contentgregkwaste3DGameDevBlogHow Planets are Made in Elite: Dangerous HorizonsJeff WilliamswccftechFallout 4: Here's All the Names That Codsworth Can SayEddie MakuchGameSpot

On this Co-Op Recap episode, we welcome musician and 3D artist Sara Ferret along with game designer Ajuawak Kapashesit to talk about March's Glitch Co-Op Talk topic, Problematic Games.Problematic GamesGaming"7 Ridiculously Sexualized Moments in the Metal Gear Solid Games" - Dorkly, YouTube"Assassin’s Creed and the straight-white-male default"  - Duane de Four, How ManlySara FerretGuestAjuawak KapashesitGuest

In this super-sized episode, your nice hosts get into the gritty details of game design with a trio of terrific topics. Martha lays out the concept for her next game, Stephen complains about Smash Bros. (!), and Mark takes a lot of notes. Plus, maybe the best topic transitions to ever come out of the clubhouse!We're still looking for feedback from our listeners! Be nice and visit our feedback form. It will only take a minute of your time and it will help us make the show better.Nice Games Club Feedback Form0:05:18PrototypingDon't skip the Game Design Workshop at GDC 2017GDCMark's Sonic the Hedgehog solitaire card gameHolographic Mark Mk I0:26:28Point and ClicksPuzzle Dependency Graph PrimerJoshua WinbergGame DeveloperThe Day of The Tentacle: Dependency Graph AnalysisThe Website is Down Dev BlogDouble Fine AdventureDoubleFineProdYouTubeHumongous EntertainmentCosmic OsmoWikipedia30-plus years of HyperCard, the missing link to the WebMatthew LasarArs Technica0:42:26User InterfacesUser interface design in video gamesAnthony StonehouseGame DeveloperThe User Interface Continuum: A Study of Player PreferenceKristine JorgensenGame DeveloperSplinter Cell: Conviction Developer DiaryIGNYouTubeMirror’s Edge – UX is not UIPapa_LampGur-uHue's color blind mode in action Color Jumpers color blind mode in actionBen BurnesYouTubeThe Division UI and Gameplay WalkthroughYouTubeGDC Breaking conventions with Zelda: Breath of the WildHidemaro FugibayashiGDC

In this interview episode, we talk with Lord President of the Game Design Club at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Rachel Peterson Reese Valentine, to talk about how to go about getting an education in games. Your nice hosts also recount their own gamedev educational origin stories, and the episode closes out with a quick run though of all the advice!Games EducationArtIRLBecause Learning Matters (129) - Extra Credits, YouTubeMinneapolis Colledge of Art and DesignPong Clone Tutorial Rachel's quick-draw artQuick-draw portrait of MarkQuick-draw portrait of StephenWhite-board self-portraitEducational LinksOne Game a MonthOn Game Schools - How to Find a Good School - Extra Credits, YouTubeGame Center - NYUUniversity of Wisconsin -StoutGame Design Workshop - bookGDC VaultUnite Conference - UnityGame Maker's Toolkit - YouTubeReese ValentineGuestCo-founder of Amelore co-op, a worker-owned game studio. Former President of the Game Design Club at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.External linkhttps://twitter.com/AReeseOfCake

A day late but worth the wait! In this high signal-to-noise roundtable episode, each member of the club picks a topic that they are particularly passionate about:Stephen shares his wisdom and guidance about playtesting your work early and often, Martha helps you get your act together in a practical discussion about project management, and Mark tries to explain the obligation he feels as an artist, but picks a weird hill to die on as he wrongly insists that Portal 2 isn't really about anything.We're trying to make the show even better and we need your input! Be nice and visit our feedback form to tell us what you think!Ice Cold Games@zacharyjohnsonNIce Games Club Feedback Form0:03:27Demoing and Playtesting0:33:26Project ManagementtrelloAgile DevelopmentWikipediaWaterfall DevelopmentWikipediaKanban DevelopmentWikipediaThe Blue Yarn - 99% InvisibleThe Blue Yarn99% InvisibleNUMMI (2015)NUMMIThis American LifeDavid Megarry's Three Questions all project managers should ask: “Do you have all the resources you need?" "Do you have any roadblocks or impediments?" "Are you on schedule?”“A project manager (PM) is more of a problem solver than anything else. If you don’t have the resources, the PM finds them. If there are roadblocks, the PM helps to find a way to get around them. If not on schedule, the PM alters it or adds more resources or changes scope. Above all, the PM communicates with management as to the state of the project so they can make proper decisions and not be blindsided or surprised.” -David Megarry0:52:56Messages and MeaningsSummerlandMichael ChabonNovelA Closer Look at How Three Assassin's Creed Games Have Handled SlaveryEvan NarcisseKotakuFor Honor's accidental alt-right connectionAllegra FrankPolygon

It's the finale of our double-sized GDC 2017 special, recorded on the final day of the Game Developers Conference.Martha and Mark were joined once again in San Fransisco by "Special Reporter" Dylan Skerbitz to talk about the back half of the conference, while Stephen joins in remotely from Glitch HQ to talk all about the Nintendo Switch!0:02:40GDC 2017 SessionsSid Meier tells Civilization’s origin story, cites children’s history booksSam MachkovechArs TechnicaMartha meets her Hero, Sid MeierDouble Fine's Digital ArchaeologyBrendan SinclairGamesIndustry.bizLadykiller in a Bind ReviewAllegra FrankPolygonDouble TapSte Curran0:19:48Nintendo Switch LaunchUnreal Engine 4.15 supports Nintendo Switch, HDR, and AFR for Nvidia SLIMark WaltonArs TechnicaYou can expect a Super Smash Bros. game for Nintendo SwitchCNET0:34:46Flash Games PostmortemHow Flash Games and Newgrounds Foretold Today’s Indie Experimentalism Kate GreyVice0:36:32Experimental Games Workshop'Multibowl' Is the First Real Video Game MixtapeZack KotzerVice0:38:22Micro-PostmortemsChristine Love's Micropostmortems summaryChristine LoveTwitter

Martha and Mark were in San Fransisco for the Game Developers Conference, and there was so much to say we had to split it into two episodes!While Stephen was holding down the fort back home, we were joined in San Fransisco by Nice Games Club's in-house "special reporter" Dylan Skerbitz.0:00:58Train JamTrain JamTrain Jam participants heading to GDC 2017 anxious about ‘Muslim ban’Charlie HallPolygon0:13:13Train Jam InterviewsArvind Raja Yadav made Zombies on Demand More from Arvind: Pyrodactyl GamesAndrew Shouldice made Uncomfortably More from Andrew: Secret LegendKate Gray made Post Birb More from Kate: https://kategray.me/Kate Compton made Travels in Od More from Kate: galaxykate.comAlex Carlson made Ultimate Train Fighter 2600 More from Alex: acwd.meCreatrix Tiara made What The $!#&@! Do They Need Now? More from Tiara: creatrixtiara.comMatt Findlater made Flashlight Flashbang More from Matt: @justattackgamesStefan Lopuszanski made Time Twins More from Stefan: stexe.com0:24:21Day of the Devs at Alamo DrafthouseDay of the Devs at GDC 2017OobletsRimeMineko's Night MarketKnights and BikesPyreTacoma0:35:06GDC 2017 Sessionskhronos.orgWeb VRTurbo Button's "TButt" FrameworkGitHubGames that should be Games againRami Ismail0:52:35Adventures in Conference Scheduling0:55:35Star Trek: Bridge Crew

On this Co-Op Recap episode, we welcome developer Lane Davis and writer Felix Foster, who were the co-facilitators of the Glitch Co-Op Talk about Transmedia and Intellectual Property.Also, friend of the show Adia Alderson returns to fill in for Martha, who we all missed very dearly, but you wouldn't know it by how lively our conversation was. We really get into it!TransmediaIRLI Have No Mouth but I Must ScreamZelda CYOA books - ZeldaWiki"Why Are There No Good Video Game Movies?" - Extra Credits, YouTubeMortal Kombat chess - WikiaMortal Kombat Tetris - WikiaHitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy - WikipediaHow Transmedia Made LEGO the Most Powerful Brand in the World - Animation World NetworkOverwatch Comic - Tracer - Blizzard EntertainmentFelix FosterGuestFelix Foster is a writer and narrative designer. He is on the board of Twin Cities Pride.External link@felixxx244Felix is on Instagram @felixxx244Lane DavisGuestLane Davis is Game designer/developer and friend of the show. He develops Fingance with Stephen McGregor and his brother Charles McGregor, and is one of the favorite fans of the club.External linkEscape Industreis

Two-thirds of the Nice Games Club are in San Fransisco this week for the Game Developers Conference, and we're recording some segments for a special episode while we're here. Let Mark tell you all about it...

Developer, pixel artist, and YouTube vlogger Will Tice joins the club to talk about building his own game engine, and what it's like to go solo.Solo DevelopmentIRLLibgdx"It's official: XNA is dead" - IndieGames.comunTied Games devlogunTied Games - Speed Sprinting videoWill TiceGuestWill Tice is a developer, pixel artist and Youtube vlogger.External linkunTied Games@untiedgamesunTied Games FacebookunTied Games YoutubeunTied Games Patreon

It's an episode packed to the gills, hosted by two manatees and an otter!Your hosts each talk about their time with Glitch's Immersion program, and Mark shares what he learned about its most recent cohort, which he filmed for an upcoming documentary.We then bum ourselves out talking about how we never have enough time to work on our projects, but things pick up for the final segment as we gab about some of our our favorite gamedev tools, including a bunch of suggestions from listeners. Be sure to browse the links below to learn more about them!0:04:00Glitch’s Immersion Program0:18:22Work/Life Balance0:32:33Tools of the TradeVersion ControlSourceTreeGitkrakenUnimergeUnity AssetsUnity Assets StoreSuper Fast Soft ShadowsUnityRewiredGraphics SoftwareMagicaVoxelBlender3D Studio MaxAdobe Create CloudAdobe AnimatePyxel EditUser ForumsStack OverflowUnity ForumGame EnginesUnityConstructSuperpowersCitrus EngineInk /InkleRen'PySound and MusicBFXRReasonGarage BandReaperProject ManagmentTrelloVisual Understanding EnvironmentVisual Studio CodeCodecksCodecks did not exsist at the time of this episode, but later became a episode sponsorCode Editors / IDEsSublime TextVisual StudioMonoDevelopJet BrainsFlash BuilderFDTFlash DevelopNotetakingGoogle KeepEvernoteOneNoteOther ResourcesHumble Indie Dev BundlesMIdwest Game Jam Resources

Once a month, the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developers Association holds a public meetup, where all are welcome to view presentations, plug their projects, and network with others.As chair of the IGDA-TC, Ryan Foss coordinates and hosts the meetup, and his example helps foster a welcoming and supportive environment for Twin Cities gamedevs. In this episode, we talk to Ryan about what it takes to maintain an "extracurricular activity."Extracurricular ActivitiesEventsIRLInternational Game Developers Association, Twin CitiesMinnesota Virtual Reality and Human-Computer Interaction GroupIGDA-TC podcastRyan FossGuestAs chair of the IGDA-TC, Ryan Foss coordinates and hosts the meetup, and his example helps foster a welcoming and supportive environment for Twin Cities gamedevs.External linkIndependent Game Developers Association, Twin Cities Chapter

Our 10th(!!!) episode has your nice hosts teetering on the edge of not-so-niceness as they each describe something they just don't get (or don't quite like) in gaming, and hope the other two can bring them around.0:01:28Watching GamesEVO Fighting Game TournamentThe Controversial Dichotomy Between Sports and eSportsJesse AaronHuffington PostAchievement HunterRooster TeethThe Best of Modern Warfare MythbustersDefend teh HouseYouTubeContradiction: Spot the Liar!Giant BombHer Story"On Let's Plays"That Dragon, Cancer0:13:00Narrative in GamesLudonarrative Dissonance in BioshockClick NothingHow many times can you enter the cell? - Batman: Arkham KnightYouTubePortal 2 - funniest quotesultrasoftcoreYouTubeThe Stanley ParableBrothers: A Tale of Two Sons - Ending - EpilogueYouTube0:29:27Board GamesDungeon! (created by Martha's dad, David Megarry)Animal Town Games: Save the Whales, Dam Builders, Nectar CollectorEvolutionStar Trek: AscendancyPuerto RicoPandemicFlashpoint

Some firsts in this episode: Our first iTunes review (thanks, Abdiwak!), our first episode of interconnected topics, and our first big ideological disagreement (ooo, drama!).0:01:33Gaming MasteryGamer Motivation Profile quizQuantic Foundry0:20:45Strategy Guides and Wikis(Martha) Pokemon Crystal guideNintendo Power(Stephen) Donkey Kong Country 2 guideNintendo Power's Dragon Warrior giveawayPress the Buttons0:38:30Designing Party GamesUltimate Chicken HorseWe Didn’t Playtest This At All!SpaceteamJackbox Party PackSave the WhalesSushi Go!Overcooked

Musician and educator Troy Strand joins the club to talk about writing music for indie games and working with indie devs, and your nice hosts do a lot of learning. Troy also shares details about his new crowdfunding platform Raisable.Music for Indie GamesAudioVerdant SkiesVenture AcademyRaisableTroy StrandGuestTroy Strand is a musician and educator, who creates music for Minnesota game developers among other things.External linkhttps://twitter.com/yellowchordVimeo Music Demo Reel

In this special episode, your nice hosts say some nice things about a few games they played and loved in 2016, and talk a little about what they're looking forward to in gaming for 2017.Martha got new insulation material for our ice-cold clubhouse.Doing it right.Martha's Nicest (2016)OvercookedOverwatchMark's Nicest (2016)Paper Mario: Color SplashStar Trek: AscendancyStephen's Nicest (2016)ConceptDivinity: Original SinConsensus Pick (2016)Beach Ball Valley

Our first Co-Op Recap episode features writer and developer Adia Alderson to discuss all things Interactive Fiction!Interactive Fiction - WikipediaInteractive FictionNarrative[Tools]Ink Scripting LanguageChoiceScriptTwineInform[Discussion]Writing Ages in Myst - WikiaThe Lost PigStrong Bad - Thy DungeonmanHitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy game - BBCHitchhiker's Guide To Douglas Adams' Secret Gaming Passion - Game Informer PodcastInteractive Fiction DatabaseGDC Talk "Ink: The Narrative Scripting Language" - Joseph Humfrey , GDC[Outro]Glitch Event: Story ForgeAdia Alderson on Twitter - @Adia_AldAdia AldersonYour Evil HostsGuestAdia Alderson is a Software Engineer and web developer. She currently works at Slalom.Adia loves narrative games and announcing to you what’s going to happen next in suspenseful movies and TV shows. Adia is the first to see the flaws, and point them out to you, and the last to follow directions, which makes her a perfect member of the Evil Games Club.External linkAdia's Twitter

Our post-Xmas episode features "happiness, all over the place," multiple instances of the word "chill," and is covered with Mark's since-Thanksgiving sniffles.SUPERHOT VR Review - Ben Lang, Road to VR0:02:36Bugs!Street Fighter II designer opens up about the cancelling 'bug'Game DeveloperIndie Game Project Management with TrelloMichael CannBethesda. Bethesda Never Changes...Regression testingWikipediaGoat Simulator Hits Xbox One With "Millions of Bugs"Eddie MakuchGameSpot0:20:55Game Jams!Global Game Jam (January 20 - 22 , 2017)Gamecraft.mn (Minnesota GGJ site)Midwest Game Jam 2016 gamesHow to Get the Most Out of a Game JamChrister Kaitilatuts+Ludum Dare0:42:08Developer Art!Better Programmer Artgamedev.netWhite Boxing Your GameGame DeveloperBehind Borderlands' 11th-hour style changeGameSpotThe Legend of Zelda at Spaceworld 2000

Without Glitch, there would be no Nice Games Club, so we were very happy to welcome the Executive Director and co-founder of GLITCH, Evva Kraikul, to share with us what it takes to build a community of game makers, how to get involved, and the "small moments that define a community.”Resources for Game MakersGlitch.mnGlitch ConnectGamecraftMetropolitan Regional Arts CouncilMinnesota State Arts BoardThe McKnight FoundationNorthern Spark - Twin Cities MNMeetup.com searchHow to create an Eventbrite eventIGDA Chapters listingGameNest - San FransiscoGlitchCityLA - Los AngelesHand-Eye Society - TorontoBabycastles - New York CityThe Video Game Industry's Problem With Racial Diversity - NewsweekHow Diversity Makes Us Smarter - Scientific AmericanEvva KraikulGuestEvva Kraikul is a Founder & Creative Director at GLITCHProjectsClaw BreakerExternal linkGLITCH

Nothing can stop us, not even good jazz at high volume!MN Gamedev Twitter Bot0:02:00Westworld as a Video GameWhat People Who Make Video Games Think of Westworld - io9Evan NarcisseIO90:11:44Crafting SystemsMinecraft's unique crafting systemNo Man’s Sky is an existential crisis simulator...Peter SudermanVoxLittle AlchemyDoodle GodLittle Inferno0:27:30Designing Games for Non-GamersBoom Blox, a Steven Spielberg/EA GameWikipediaOperant Conditioning Chamber (aka Skinner Box)WikipediaVideo Games Are BoringBrie CodeGamesIndustry.biz