"Fun" and Games Podcast
513 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 43 ratingsGeoff Moonen and Matt Storm chat about their love of games, the evolution of gaming as an artistic medium as well as sometimes bring on guests from within or even outside the industry to chat about gaming.
Matt Storm also produces the minisode series called Side Quests. Every episode is a different host talking about a game they love and why they love it!
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Episodes
Side Quests Episode 25: Super Mario Galaxy with Zero Score
September 07, 2020 13:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, streamer, Youtuber and hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, Zero Score! The game he is talking about today is Super Mario Galaxy by Nintendo. You can find this episode's host on twitter, listen to his podcast, watch his Youtube channel or watch him on Twitch!
Episode 86: The Evolving Lineup
September 04, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBMusician, friend of the network and all-around gaming nerd Greg Steiner join Matt & Geoff to discuss sports video games. The oldest video games were sports approximations and, as games technology has evolved, sports games are often at the forefront to create a more "real" experience. But they're also at the forefront of some questionable business practices. Where can we capture the thrill of the game, without draining developers and consumers in the process? Check out Greg's band, Love is ...
Side Quests Episode 24: Katamari Damacy with Geoff Moonen
August 31, 2020 13:00 - 14 minutes - 33 MBSide Quests is back and for this episode we welcome back one half of the "Fun" and Games Podcast duo, actor, voice over artist, and Prince of All Cosmos, Geoff Moonen. The game he is chatting about today is Katamari Damacy by Keita Takahash and Namco! You can find this episode's host on twitter or on his website!
Side Quests Episode 23: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean with Rebekah Valentine
August 28, 2020 13:00 - 13 minutes - 30.7 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is senior staff writer/podcaster for gamesindustry.biz, creator/host of The Cozywood Kitchenette, and good-willed traveler, Rebekah Valentine! The game she is talking about today is Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean by Monolith Soft, Tri-Crescendo and Namco! You can find this episode's host on twitter, see her work at gamesindustry.biz and check out her upcoming podcast The Cozywood Kitchenette!
Side Quests Episode 22: Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen with Wout aka The Hashtagonist
August 24, 2020 12:00 - 11 minutes - 26.4 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is Public Relations Coordinator at Evolve PR, and Arisen, Wout aka The Hashtagonist! The game he is talking about today is Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen by Capcom! You can find this episode's host on twitter and and his work with Evolve PR here!
Episode 85: Finding Views
August 21, 2020 13:00 - 57 minutes - 79.3 MBPhotographer and friend of the network Rob Starobin join Matt & Geoff to discuss in-game photography. As the visuals of AAA games evolve we find ourselves with beautiful sights and varying methods for capturing and sharing them. How does taking photos in a physical space differ from the digital? You can view Rob's photography at: https://www.instagram.com/robstarobin/
Side Quests Episode 21: Dragon Age 2 with Liana Ruppert
August 17, 2020 13:00 - 9 minutes - 8.73 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is Editor In Chief of Prima Games, Editorial Director for Greenlit and ReKTGlobal, a streamer, writer and the Champion of Kirkwall, Liana Ruppert! The game she is talking about today is The is Dragon Age 2 by BioWare and EA! You can find this episode's host on twitter, see her work at Prima Games and watch her on Twitch!
Side Quests Episode 20: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind with America Online At Aol Dot Com
August 14, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 7.43 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is burlesque performer, graphic designer, streamer and member of the Blades, America Online At Aol Dot Com! The game she is talking about today is The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind by Bethesda! You can find this episode's host on twitter or watch her on Twitch!
Side Quests Episode 19: Ori and the Blind Forest with Adam Bankhurst
August 10, 2020 13:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, streamer, writer and spirit of the forest, Adam Bankhurst! The game he is talking about today is Ori and the Blind Forest by Moon Studios and Microsoft Studios! You can find this episode's host on twitter, listen to his podcast, or watch him on Twitch!
Episode 84: We Built This Beta on Feedback Polls
August 07, 2020 13:00 - 52 minutes - 71.8 MBNow that most gaming platforms are connected to the internet by default, it's easier for upcoming titles to run betas, server stress tests, and allow other forms of early access. What responsibility, if any, does the general gaming public have to developers (and each other) when the curtain is lifted before the release date? Matt & Geoff discuss.
Side Quests Episode 18: Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes with Hans Martin Jr.
August 03, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 7.44 MBSide Quests is back and so is host Hans Martin Jr! He is a podcaster, movie critic, and he's gonna take you for a ride! The game he is talking about today is Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes by Capcom. You can find this episode's host on twitter or on his podcast The Real Movie Critic Vs. The Cine-Guy!
Side Quests Episode 17: The Sims 4 with WirelessRiot
July 31, 2020 13:00 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is streamer, indie game enthusiast and fluent Simlish speaker, WirelessRiot! The game she is talking about today is The Sims 4 by EA! You can find this episode's host on twitter and you can see her stream on Twitch!
Side Quests Episode 16: Mega Man X with Scott White
July 27, 2020 13:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, streamer, writer, producer and maverick hunter Scott White! The game he is talking about today is Mega Man X by Capcom. You can find this episode's host on twitter, listen to his podcast, or watch him on Twitch!
Episode 83: Remake Demake
July 24, 2020 14:00 - 50 minutes - 69.6 MBNowadays there's so many ways to replay old and new favorite retro video games on modern tech. However, not every remaster, port, remake or update is made equal. Matt & Geoff discuss some of the pitfalls and triumphs in how these modern revisits play out.
Side Quests Episode 15: Yakuza 0 with Derek Van Dyke
July 20, 2020 13:00 - 10 minutes - 9.55 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, streamer and man of action, Derek Van Dyke! The game he is talking about today is Yakuza 0 by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega! You can find this episode's host on twitter, listen to his podcast, or watch him on Twitch!
Side Quests Episode 14: BioShock 2 with Mae Catt
July 17, 2020 13:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is writer and Big Sister, Mae Catt! The game she is talking about today is BioShock 2 by 2K Games! You can also find this episode's host on twitter!
Side Quests Episode 13: Journey with Bryden Keks
July 13, 2020 13:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is Senior PR Specialist, video game nerd and traveler, Bryden Keks! The game he is talking about today is Journey by thatgamecompany! You can find this episode's host on twitter and and his work with Evolve PR here!
Episode 82: Feat. Grant Kirkhope
July 10, 2020 14:00 - 47 minutes - 65.6 MBGrant Kirkhope, composer for some of Rare's most notable titles as well as recent great soundtracks like Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, joins Matt & Geoff to discuss his history with gaming, the evolution of video game music, and the surreal experience of artistic longevity. You can find this episode's guest on twitter here
Side Quests Episode 12: Fallout with Robert Silver
July 06, 2020 13:00 - 9 minutes - 8.46 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is filmmaker, comic artist, one half of Team Manticore and explorer of the wasteland, Robert Silver! The game he is talking about today is the original Fallout by Interplay Entertainment! You can find this episode's host on twitter and you can find his art and creations here!
Side Quests Episode 11: Alice: Madness Returns with Rowyn Golde
July 03, 2020 13:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is writer, comic artist, one half of Team Manticore and explorer of Wonderland, Rowyn Golde! The game she is talking about today is Alice: Madness Returns by American McGee! You can find this episode's host on twitter and you can find her art and creations here!
Side Quests Episode 10: Kirby Super Star with Jacob McCourt
June 29, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 8.02 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, youtuber and hero of Pop Star, Jacob McCourt! The game he is talking about today is Kirby Super Star by HAL Laboratory! You can find this episode's host on twitter, listen to his podcast, or watch him on YouTube!
Episode 81: Feat. Francesca Carletto-Leon
June 26, 2020 14:00 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBFrancesca Carletto-Leon, Game designer, educator, and community manager, joins Matt & Geoff to discuss the development of Contigo's StarCrossed, melding narrative with gameplay, and the impact of games big and small. You can find this episode's guest on twitter here Learn more about Code Coven here
Side Quests Episode 9: Fortnite with Nathan Brandt
June 22, 2020 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster and battle royale combatant, Nathan Brandt. The game they are talking about today is Fortnite by Epic Games and People Can Fly! You can find this episode's host on twitter or listen to them on The Video Game Robot Show!
Side Quests Episode 9: Fortnite with Nate Brandt
June 22, 2020 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, Tik Toker and battle royale combatant, Nate Brandt. The game they are talking about today is Fortnite by Epic Games and People Can Fly! You can find this episode's host on twitter or listen to them on The Video Game Robot Show!
Side Quests Episode 8: Night in the Woods with Abu Zafar
June 19, 2020 13:00 - 10 minutes - 9.67 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, producer and adventurous investigator, Abu Zafar. The game he is talking about today is Night in the Woods by Infinite Fall! You can find this episode's host on twitter or listen to his podcasts on the Lore Party Podcast Network!
Side Quests Episode 7: Donkey Kong Country with Xeno
June 15, 2020 13:00 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is streamer and Kremling ass kicker, Xeno The game he is talking about today is Donkey Kong Country by RARE! You can find this episode's host on twitter or see him stream on Twitch!
Episode 80: Feat. Harmonix's "KFam" Katey
June 12, 2020 14:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBKatey, one of the Community Managers at Harmonix, joins Matt & Geoff to discuss the many ways the music and gaming community can intersect and a shared love of both rhythm games, and Kingdom Hearts. You can find Katey on Twitter here!
Side Quests Episode 6: Halo: Combat Evolved with Case Aiken
June 08, 2020 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, writer, actor and Spartan, Case Aiken! The game he is talking about today is Halo: Combat Evolved by Bungie! You can find this episode's host on twitter or on any of his podcasts on CertainPOV.com.
Side Quests Episode 5: Mortal Kombat 2 with Hans Martin Jr.
June 05, 2020 12:00 - 6 minutes - 6.22 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, movie critic, and defender of earth realm, Hans Martin Jr! The game he is talking about today is Mortal Kombat II by the now defunct Midway Games and created by Ed Boon & John Tobias. You can find this episode's host on twitter or on his podcast The Real Movie Critic Vs. The Cine-Guy!
Side Quests Episode 4: The Unfinished Swan with Bret Eagleston
June 01, 2020 13:00 - 7 minutes - 7.26 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, musician, and painting adventurer, Bret Eagleston! The game he is talking about today is The Unfinished Swan by Giant Sparrow! You can find this episode's host on twitter or his podcast Let's Retwatch!
Episode 79: Feat. Bethesda's Manny Perez
May 29, 2020 14:00 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBManny Perez, one of the fantastic Community Managers at Bethesda, joins Matt & Geoff to discuss his history with gaming, the joys and challenges of fostering communities in the industry, and the managing of memes.
Side Quests Episode 3: Skies of Arcadia with MJ Bradley-Lestrange
May 25, 2020 12:00 - 6 minutes - 14.4 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, writer, crafter and sky pirate, MJ Bradley-Lestrange. The game she is chatting about today is Sega's (more specifically Overworks') Skies of Arcadia. You can find this episode's host on twitter or all of her podcasts at CertainPOV.com.
Side Quests Episode 2: Gucamelee! 2 with Geoff Moonen
May 22, 2020 12:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBSide Quests is back and this episode's host is one half of the "Fun" and Games duo, actor, voice over artist, and luchador Geoff Moonen. The game he is chatting about today is DrinkBox Studios' Guacamelee! 2. You can find this episode's host on twitter or on his website!
Side Quests Episode 1: Control with Stormageddon
May 18, 2020 12:00 - 8 minutes - 8.22 MBWelcome to the premiere and pilot episode of "Fun" and Games' new short form series Side Quests! In this new series a different host will deep dive on a game they love and why they love it on each episode. This episode's host is one half of the "Fun" and Games duo, podcaster extraordinaire, and interim director, Matt aka Stormageddon. The game he is chatting about today is Remedy Games' Control You can find this episode's host on twitter or check out the majority of his podcasts here!
Episode 78: You Just Activated My Rename Card
May 15, 2020 14:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBSo many classic games start with a "Name Entry" screen. Whether it's just the file name, the main character, the whole party or beyond; Seeing the names we choose weaved into the game is part of the fun. Matt & Geoff discuss what place custom names have in games today and some of their favorites from the past.
Episode 77: Netflix & Night Creatures
May 01, 2020 14:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBMatt and Geoff are both big fans of the Netflix Castlevania series. In this episode they discuss why it works as a video game adaptation, what they enjoy about it, and what they hope for its future. Spoiler warnings for the first three seasons.
Episode 76: The Distant Future, the Year 2000
April 17, 2020 14:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBIn the latter half of the 20th century, no matter the medium, if you wanted to set your fiction in a distinctly "Future" time, setting it in the 21st century did the trick. But now, we're twenty years into this so-called future and we're past when a lot of our favorite games are set. Matt & Geoff see what they got right, if anything.
Episode 75: Technical Pacifism
April 03, 2020 14:00 - 54 minutes - 74.6 MBIt's probably been at least twenty years since video games were seen only as violent and gory. But it's amazing how many different games, genres and experiences can be had and shared without any violent or aggressive action. Matt and Geoff discuss why they work and some of their favorites
Episode 74: Feat. Rude Ghost's James Johnston
March 20, 2020 14:00 - 56 minutes - 77.2 MBJames Johnston, director and designer of the upcoming "Pixel Puzzle Makeout League" (PC/Switch), joins Matt & Geoff to discuss the game, the process, being an indie developer, and his history with gaming. Find out more about PPML at picross.love
Episode 73: ...
March 06, 2020 15:00 - 50 minutes - 69.3 MBVideo games can tell a wide variety of narratives and immerse us in deep experiences. Let's not ruin this with a lot of talk, all right? Matt and Geoff discuss the silent protagonist; and how they allow us to connect with a game's world without saying a word.
Episode 72: Aftermarket to Market
February 21, 2020 15:00 - 43 minutes - 59.3 MBNot every great game is built from scratch. Mods on an existing game can create a whole new property, or even game experience. Matt & Geoff discuss some notable mods that became their own thing, and the benefits of publicly accessible game engines and dev tools.
Episode 71: Going Pro
February 07, 2020 15:00 - 43 minutes - 59.8 MBWhat separates a fan creator from a professional? Probably profit. Matt and Geoff discuss some of the fan creators that have gone on to various professional careers in games.
Episode 70: Looking Ahead
January 24, 2020 15:00 - 44 minutes - 61.3 MBWelcome to 2020! Well, it's been three weeks and an episode since the year started, but Matt and Geoff are here to share their gaming resolutions for the year.
Episode 69: MagFest 2020
January 10, 2020 15:00 - 48 minutes - 66.7 MBSpecial Guest Host: Case Aiken! Geoff & Case discuss their experiences at this year's MagFest in National Harbor, MD.
Episode 68: Retrospective Deluxe
December 27, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBWith both 2019 and the 2010s coming to a close, Matt and Geoff look back on a few trends in gaming they noticed over the last decade. They also try to narrow down their choices for Game of the Year and Game of the Decade.
Episode 67: The Ending Can Wait
December 13, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 86.4 MBVideo Games would be much shorter if there wasn't so much... stuff to do. Side quests can provide a diversion in tone, a deeper understanding of a game's world, an upgrade to the main play experience and so much more. Matt and Geoff share their thoughts on side quests and some of their favorite diversions from the main storyline.
Episode 66: Press F to Give Thanks
November 29, 2019 15:00 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBHappy Holiday Shopping Season! Matt & Geoff share some of what they're thankful for in the medium of gaming. Whether little items, big experiences, great memories or just what they love about the community, there's a lot. Neither were able to mention every last thing, but Thank YOU for listening. First part of the episode is our quick Pokémon Sword review. Found 3:46 - 19:29
Episode 65: To Be, or Not 2.B.A. Master
November 15, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 82.4 MBPokémon was first released in February 1996. Since then, It has become a series, a franchise, and a trans-media phenomenon. With the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield today (as of episode release) Matt & Geoff discuss the main series' staying power and some of their favorites from over twenty years of catching and battling.
Episode 64: Take Control
November 01, 2019 14:00 - 51 minutes - 71 MBA big part of immersion in video games that can often be taken for granted is the controls. Not just a matter of the physical buttons and joysticks (or lack thereof) but the immediacy and feedback we receive when we use them. As we look to future innovations in player/controller relations, Matt & Geoff talk about some of their favorite control tweaks; some ubiquitous, some obscure.
Episode 63: 'Cross the Streams
October 18, 2019 14:00 - 48 minutes - 66.7 MBChances are, at some point, you've had to watch someone else play video games. Usually because you're waiting for your turn. However, thanks to streaming platforms, there's so many ways to voluntarily watch a game being played. Why do we choose to enjoy playing vicariously? Matt & Geoff share their thoughts and favorite watching experiences.