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Video games are not just for entertainment. They can also be a powerful tool for education, especially when combined with immersive technologies like virtual reality. Experiential learning is at the core of many indigenous cultures, including Torres Strait Islanders, which led Rhett Loban to create a one-of-a-kind VR game that captures his peoples traditions and customs in a whole new way. Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on...

Milton Guasti had spent 10 years of his life recreating Metroid II, until Nintendo claimed copyright infringement, merely a day after its release. There was always a chance that the lawyers would come knocking, but what Milton didn’t expect was for his hobby project to become the game that an entire community was counting on.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch Articles: Better Than...

Virtual Reality has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. And while the tech is still developing, it has great potential to solve real world problems. By combining the Unity game engine and haptic technology, one tech startup is using VR to create fully immersive training simulations. This episode comes from the podcast Moonshot, from Lawson Media.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook,...

Minecraft is one of the highest selling games of all time, and the blocky, 8-bit sandbox is especially popular with kids, due to the freedom its gameplay offers. But for children with Autism, that freedom is often challenged when playing online, where bullies and trolls are a barrier in their experience. This was a problem that Stuart Duncan set out to solve, creating a dedicated Minecraft server for Autistic kids and their families.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay...

Hades is the fourth title from Supergiant Games, and one the best games of 2020. A rogue-like dungeon crawler, inspired by Greek mythology, you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, as you attempt to escape the Underworld, fighting your way through waves of enemies. The game posed a unique challenge for Audio Director Darren Korb when he came to compose the music. This episode, we explore the soundscape of Hades and how the music and sound design was carefully crafted to provide a thrilling...

For as long as video games have been criticised for their sedentary nature, developers have sought to get players off the couch, encouraging physical movement through fitness style games. From the Power Pad to Wii Fit, Nintendo have been a leader in 'exergaming', but these experiences often feel more like gimmicks than serious workouts. In 2019, the introduction of Ring Fit Adventure looked to change that.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow...

For most of us, games are a fun hobby. But for some people, they can be genuinely problematic. Cam Adair struggled with gaming addiction for ten years, until he hit rock bottom. Now he's working to ensure compassion and support is available for others like him, in a community where addiction is often overlooked or misunderstood.  Episode Transcript, References & Resources Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch If this...

When the Xbox 360 was launched in December 2005, Microsoft had accomplished a significant objective that would give it the edge in the console war - beating Sony's PS3 to market by almost a year. But a few months later, a huge problem began to surface - a major hardware defect that threatened to destroy the entire Xbox brand.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch

In the span of around 12 months, the release of the very first iPhone and the launch of the App Store created a whole new appetite for mobile games, empowering a generation of indie developers in the process. But one small decision, to support in-app purchases for iOS games, would change the marketplace forever.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch

Video games allow us to embody different people and inhabit other worlds. But when you can't be your true self in the real world, exploring virtual ones takes on even greater importance. For transgender people, like Jessica Janiuk, games are a safe space for escapism and discovery, and provide empowerment to embrace the real you.  Episode Transcript & References Become a Gameplay Member Join our Discord Follow Gameplay on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Twitch

Which game controller is your favourite? Which gamepad is the worst? You probably already know your answer to both of these questions. It’s a very personal thing, because controllers are central to our overall playing experience. And yet, designers are tasked with creating a controller that needs to appeal to everyone. Impossible. While gamepads have evolved a lot over the years, one particular innovation has remained constant. It started with a simple design solution, that subsequently...

Introducing Gameplay - an independent show about video games and the virtual worlds that power culture and community. Episodes published every two weeks. Find out more at our website: gameplay.co.