Minigame: Bite-Sized Video Game Stories
32 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsMinigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael Farris explores how video games are more powerful and more meaningful than ever. These are the stories that stay with us long after the galaxy is saved and the final boss is defeated.
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Episodes
The Musical Advancements of the Metal Gear Series
February 28, 2022 17:00 - 9 minutesOver nearly 30 years, the Metal Gear series has changed how they use music to tell their stories. In this episode, Michael goes over every major entry in the series to see how they use music in their unique ways. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame: https://pod.link/1468424336 Follow Minigame on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mini...
How BioWare Uses Music To Tell A Story
February 07, 2022 18:00 - 6 minutesBioWare are masters at telling stories in videogames and in this episode, Michael goes over how music plays a role in their storytelling process.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame: https://pod.link/1468424336Follow Minigame on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinigamePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
The Importance of Character Themes
December 28, 2021 17:29 - 6 minutesThis season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. In this episode, he looks at how theme music for characters like Master Chief and Sephiroth can tell us so much about these iconic heroes and villains.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Follow Minigame on Twitter: @minigamepodcast Lea...
Introducing the Minigame Jukebox
October 11, 2021 14:15 - 6 minutesThis season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. From the sci-fi soundtrack of Mass Effect inspired by films from the 60s and 70s to the bombastic score of Assassin's Creed, he'll unpack the many ways music can tell stories in our favorite games.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. S...
Is Cyberpunk 2077 Truly Cyberpunk?
May 02, 2021 22:30 - 6 minutesCyberPunk 2077 has already been the target of many criticisms, mostly related to technical issues and other design problems. But what about the game's story. Unfortunately, despite the game's marketing, the game only loosely falls into the cyberpunk genre.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and fo...
The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games
March 28, 2021 22:00 - 6 minutesIt's understandable to want videogames to avoid political discussion, but since games are art, politics are inevitable. Despite their apolitical exterior, simulation games like Sim City are full of political messages.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.Visit Lore Par...
Creating Your Brain in 'Disco Elysium'
February 28, 2021 18:00 - 8 minutesMost RPG's allow you to create your character based only on their stats, but what if there was a game in which you create a personality? Disco Elysium is that game. In this episode, @farristhewheel takes a look at Disco Elysium's character creator and explains why it's far more compelling than most other character creators.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes ...
Adrift in the Afterlife of "Summerland" - An Interview With Developer Conner Rush
January 24, 2021 21:00 - 25 minutesConner Rush of Fyre Games joins us to discuss game development, becoming an overnight success on TikTok, and his new game Summerland. Summerland is available for free on Steam and itch.io Conner's Social Media: fyregames.com twitter.com/fyregamesreal tiktok.com/@treasuremanMinigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you liste...
Halo, Destiny, and The Role of Lore
October 18, 2020 20:48 - 8 minutesThe stories of Halo and Destiny can be confusing. In this episode of Minigame, Michael (@farristhewheel) tries to unpack not just the stories of these two series, but the overall role of lore in a games’ story.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow Minigame on Twitter.The Complete Story of...
The Small Vastness of the World of ‘Hitman’
September 20, 2020 18:00 - 10 minutesIt’s easy to get burned out by the size of many open world games. Especially if it’s just for show. The Hitman series is a prime example of how smaller worlds can feel huge and present opportunities for new ways players can create their own stories. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever you listen to podcasts and follow M...
Time Flies By on The Last Express
August 30, 2020 16:01 - 7 minutesThe Last Express is a game all about running against the clock in a period of history that feels like is running out of time. In this episode of Minigame, Michael explores the role that time plays in this mystery-adventure game that just so happens to be his favorite game of all time. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Subscribe to Minigame wherever...
Do You Own Your Humanity in The Outer Worlds?
August 03, 2020 01:22 - 8 minutesIn The Outer Worlds everything has a cost. From womb to tomb, your life is dictated by the big business in town. But does this fantasy world have roots in reality?MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcastWebsite: loreparty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
How Morrowind Is A Better Adventure Than Skyrim
July 05, 2020 19:00 - 8 minutesSkyrim is undoubtedly one of the most played games of all time, but in this episode, Michael goes on an adventure through the series' third entry, Morrowind, and despite the archaic presentation, has a more meaningful quest.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcastWebsite: ...
Introducing Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast
June 12, 2020 10:30 - 1 minuteCheck out Gom Jabbar in your favorite podcasting app and let’s explore the universe of the classic Sci-Fi series, Dune Follow Gom Jabbar on your favorite podcast platform: https://link.chtbl.com/lpm-gj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Comfort of Gaming in Quarantine
May 17, 2020 16:00 - 9 minutesA health scare causes Mike to go into quarantine. While there, he rediscovers the comfort and power that video games can provide.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcastWebsite: loreparty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane
March 22, 2020 20:00 - 7 minutes - 6.95 MBDeath Stranding is an odd game full of mystery and intrigue. However it also shows that sometimes it is the mundane aspects of life that makes things feel the most comfortable in times of need. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Visit Lore Party: Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcast Website: loreparty.com B - S...
Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane
March 22, 2020 20:00 - 8 minutesDeath Stranding is an odd game full of mystery and intrigue. However it also shows that sometimes it is the mundane aspects of life that makes things feel the most comfortable in times of need.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcastWebsite: loreparty.comB - Somber Ballads...
The Story of Our Stuff in One Night Stand
February 23, 2020 19:00 - 5 minutes - 5.12 MBAll that stuff around you is not just junk, it’s the story of your life. In this episode of MINIGAME, Michael explores the game One Night Stand and learns more about a mysterious companion by using the stuff in her bedroom. Second Nature by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-size...
The Story of Our Stuff in One Night Stand
February 23, 2020 19:00 - 6 minutesAll that stuff around you is not just junk, it’s the story of your life. In this episode of MINIGAME, Michael explores the game One Night Stand and learns more about a mysterious companion by using the stuff in her bedroom.Second Nature by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Artist: http://audionautix.com/MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episo...
Fearful Choices in Until Dawn
January 26, 2020 18:00 - 5 minutesWhile Until Dawn is full of gore and kills, the storytelling itself is the scariest part of the game. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less.Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_party & @minigamepodcastWebsite: loreparty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Makes a Good Star Wars Story?
December 15, 2019 18:10 - 6 minutesWith Rise of Skywalker just down the corner, @farristhewheel takes a look at Star Wars games of the past to see where the series has gone right and wrong.Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael Farris explores how video games are more powerful and more meaningful than ever. These are the stories that stay with us long after the galaxy is saved and the final boss is defeated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
End of Season 5 of Lore Party
November 10, 2019 22:43 - 1 minute - 1.78 MBExecutive Producer of Lore Party, Abu Zafar breaks down the end of this season of Lore Party content.
Bury Me, My Love - Minigame Classics
October 13, 2019 16:00 - 9 minutesThis episode originally aired on September 10, 2018It’s one thing to read about the Syrian refugee crisis in an article, or to see it on TV. But only a video game like Bury me, my Love could make the tragedy feel so real.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Neo Cab and The Stories We Tell in the Dark
October 06, 2019 16:14 - 7 minutesWith Apple releasing their new gaming service, Apple Arcade, Michael takes a look at Neo Cab, one of the more unique games in the library and discovers that sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones we tell each other when the lights go out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Two Developers Interpreted the Fallout Universe
September 15, 2019 16:00 - 10 minutesInterplay and Bethesda. The two main developers of the Fallout franchise. Despite working with the same canon, the two developers handled the universe very differently. In this episode, Michael explores the franchise as a whole and the themes and story the two developers wanted to tell. Visit Lore Party:Twitter & Instagram: @lore_partyWebsite: loreparty.comMichael's Twitter & Instagram: @farristhewheel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Minigame Classics - Making Your Own Lore in 'No Man's Sky'
August 18, 2019 15:53 - 9 minutesThe story is whatever you make it in No Man’s Sky. Only a video game can give you the tools and the world to craft a narrative only you can. That’s why we love games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Saying Goodbye to Mass Effect in the Citadel
August 11, 2019 16:00 - 9 minutesMass Effect 3 disappointed many long time fans. However, in this episode, Michael discusses the final DLC and how it was the perfect ending to the Mass Effect Trilogy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 3)
July 15, 2019 03:00 - 9 minutesMichael Farris (@Farristhewheel) examines Metal Gear Solid V and its odd place in the franchise and gives his prediction as to what we can expect from Death Stranding.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Lore Party can be found on Twitter and Instagram @Lore_Party and at loreparty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 2)
July 02, 2019 01:24 - 10 minutesIn part 2 on game designer Hideo Kojima, Michael Farris (@farristhewheel) explores the campy adventures of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and the disappointing sequel: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or central ideas of our favorite games in 10 minutes or less. Lear...
The Painful Nostalgia of Life is Strange - Minigame Classics
June 23, 2019 20:19 - 12 minutesLife is Strange is a game that confronts the realities of nostalgia, and how it can be both painful and unproductive for our lives.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Cinematic Inspirations of Hideo Kojima (Part 1)
June 19, 2019 16:54 - 8 minutesIt’s no secret that Hideo Kojima has always had ambitions to become a film director, and it becomes even more obvious when you look at the evolution of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Michael explores Kojima’s cinematic inspirations, and how Death Stranding is the continued evolution of Kojima’s ambitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to 'Minigame'
June 11, 2019 00:42 - 1 minuteMinigame is a deep-dive into video game stories and why we love them. It's part diary, part essay and each episode will be 5 - 10 minutes long. Follow mini-game on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinigamePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices