Fun, But Why? artwork

Fun, But Why?

19 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 30 ratings

A podcast by game developers discussing the game play and design of fun, memorable video games from their past. A round table format features weekly guests that discuss a choice game or experience.

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Episodes

2.05 - Shadow of the Colossus with Mark Wood

March 03, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MB

Sully and Cardell discuss Shadow of the Colossus with Visual Effects artist Mark Wood - boss fights that wonderfully realize the fantasy of fighting a truly massive foe, and the narrative cohesion that follows feeling bad about a great victory. Join our community discord here and discuss the game of the week: https://discord.gg/caHG3B9

2.04 - Fire Emblem with Jennie Hsu

February 25, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MB

Sully and Cardell discuss Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade with producer Jennie Hsu - permadeath, compelling characters, and the art of crafting a story driven tactical experience. Join our community discord here and discuss the game of the week: https://discord.gg/caHG3B9 This episode is sponsored by Proletariat, Inc. Join the team here: https://proletariat.com/careers

2.03 - League of Legends with Sebastian Rodriguez

February 18, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 66.6 MB

Sully and Cardell discuss League of Legends with QA member Sebastian Rodriguez - how League of Legends introduces a thousand micro-decisions that you need to stack up to a winning match. Join our community discord here and discuss the game of the week: https://discord.gg/caHG3B9 This episode is sponsored by Proletariat, Inc. Join the team here: https://proletariat.com/careers

2.02 - Bioshock with Caleb Wheeler

February 11, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 59 MB

Sully and Cardell discuss Bioshock with QA member Caleb Wheeler - how environment design and the creative presentation of information can keep a player locked into a game experience, in spite of their realized fears. Join our community discord here and discuss the game of the week: https://discord.gg/caHG3B9 This episode is sponsored by Proletariat, Inc. Join the team here: https://proletariat.com/careers

2.01 - Pokemon: Emerald with Paul Murray

February 04, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MB

Sully and Cardell discuss Pokemon: Emerald with Producer Paul Murray - what it brings to the Pokemon series, and why it's so compelling. Join our community discord here and discuss the game of the week: https://discord.gg/caHG3B9 This episode is sponsored by Proletariat, Inc. Join the team here: https://proletariat.com/careers

Season 2 (Coming 2/4)

January 28, 2020 15:00 - 1 minute - 1.21 MB

Fun, But Why? returns next Tuesday, February 4th! Our next game is "Pokemon: Emerald". Join the discussion at our community discord: https://discord.gg/caHG3B9

1.6 - Night Trap

January 07, 2019 19:56 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MB

A discussion of Night Trap and the... interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Dan discuss the wonders of full motion video games, game content debates of the 90's, and whether or not Night Trap could be an interesting game today. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.6 - Night Trap with Dan Brakeley

January 07, 2019 19:56 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MB

A discussion of Night Trap and the... interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Dan discuss the wonders of full motion video games, game content debates of the 90's, and whether or not Night Trap could be an interesting game today. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.5 - Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem with Heidi Foland

December 26, 2018 08:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MB

A discussion of Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Heidi discuss the characters, non-linear storytelling, and intersting horror mechanics found in this somewhat-forgotten gem for the Gamecube console. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.5 - Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

December 26, 2018 08:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MB

A discussion of Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Heidi discuss the characters, non-linear storytelling, and intersting horror mechanics found in this somewhat-forgotten gem for the Gamecube console. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.4 - Left 4 Dead with Seth Sivak

December 19, 2018 08:00 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MB

A discussion of Left 4 Dead and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Seth discuss the actions of L4D's AI director, the challenges of designing for dynamic difficulty, and whether or not Left 4 Dead could be made today. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.4 - Left 4 Dead

December 19, 2018 08:00 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MB

A discussion of Left 4 Dead and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Seth discuss the actions of L4D's AI director, the challenges of designing for dynamic difficulty, and whether or not Left 4 Dead could be made today. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.3 - The Sims with Kristen Carter Ogles

December 12, 2018 13:23 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MB

A discussion of The Sims and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Kristen discuss the pure dollhouse fantasy that is The Sims franchise, including the ballad of Ned Scissors, Santa babies, and resurrection. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.3 - The Sims

December 12, 2018 13:23 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MB

A discussion of The Sims and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Kristen discuss the pure dollhouse fantasy that is The Sims franchise, including the ballad of Ned Scissors, Santa babies, and resurrection. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.2 - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

December 05, 2018 08:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MB

A discussion of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Norm discuss the legacy of what Norm argues is the last great 3D platformer. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.2 - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time with Norm Nazaroff

December 05, 2018 08:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MB

A discussion of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Norm discuss the legacy of what Norm argues is the last great 3D platformer. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.1 - Path of Exile

November 24, 2018 04:53 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MB

A discussion of Path of Exile, its expansions, and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Jesse discuss the wonders of synergistic loot systems and what it means to live for the grind. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

1.1 - Path of Exile with Jesse Kurlancheek

November 24, 2018 04:53 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MB

A discussion of Path of Exile, its expansions, and the interesting elements of its design. Game developers Sully, Cardell, and Jesse discuss the wonders of synergistic loot systems and what it means to live for the grind. Extra-Life details: https://extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427

Show Preview

November 24, 2018 04:17 - 1 minute - 955 KB

Welcome to "Fun, But Why?", a discussion podcast where game making hosts, John Sullivan and Cardell Kerr interview their game developer friends about a game that they find fun. This is a six-episode series consisting of those conversations. Welcome! Extra-life donation page: https://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=331427