Non-violent games and how games can make you happy | S6 E7

Happiness comes in many forms, especially when it comes to video games. So what is it that video games do that can help you feel happy, and is there anything that connects the games that make us feel this way? We also take a look at non-violent video games, the rise of these through indie games and the sheer variety of gameplay mechanics you can have that are non-violent.

James Batchelor, compiler of Non-Violent Game Of The Day and UK Editor of GamesIndustry.biz, joins Jem, Matt, and Peter for a joy-filled discussion about all of this and more.

Show notes

• NVGOTD on tumblr
• NVGOTD on Twitter
• James Batchelor at GamesIndustry.biz
• James Batchelor on Twitter
• Check out our own non-violent games 🐠 Megaquarium and 🚀 Mars Horizon

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What aspects of sword fighting are most important to get right in a game? | S6 E6

Hosts Jemima and Matt are joined by another incredible guest in this weeks episode. Sword fighting expert Fran talks to us about weapons in video games.

Which games do it well? Which games do it badly? What is most important to get right when showing the complexities and brutality of using weapons? We look at The Witcher, Mount & Blade, Nidhogg, Skyrim, For Honor, and more.

Games discussed in this episode

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord - Medieval Combat Simulator & RPG

• • • Intro to the game - 0.00 - 0.30
    • Tournament fight - 3.00 - 4.21
    • Siege fight using spear, throwing weapons, and sword - 13.19 - 14.30

For Honor - Medieval Action Melee game

• • •  Intro to the game - 0.00 - 0.30
    • Two handed sword fight vs AI 1.53 - 2.12
    • Fight vs other player 0.50 - 1.25

Skyrim - Action RPG, wizards, dragons, classic

• • • Sword and shield combat
    • 2 handed sword and then 2 handed axe combat  10.35 - 11.00

Nidhogg - side-scrolling two-player fighting video game, with fencing

• • • Fencing vs AI 0.42 -  1.08
    • Fencing player vs player  21.24 - 21.40

The Witcher 3 - Action RPG - The best one ever

• • • Sword fight vs NPCs - gorey watch out! 

Mordhau - multiplayer medieval fighting PVP game

• • • Game intro -  0.00 - 0.30
    • Rapier fighting
    • Fighting with hammer

Show notes

• Want to know more? Fran's new podcast By the Sword looks at the modern study of the ancient art of swordplay
• Want to try your hand at sword play in real life? Find a Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) club near you
• For our UK listeners By the Sword.net is for HEMA events for women and NBs in the UK run by Fran
• The School of the Sword is Fran's HEMA school so you can learn along with our guest

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Colonies on Mars and Robots on the moon | S6 E5

It's the final episode of our 3 part Mars Horizon special with amazing guests from the UK Space Agency!

Jem, Matt, and Tom are joined by Paul Smith, Robotic Exploration Programme Manager🤖 at the UK Space Agency.

Hear about the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover, featured in Mars Horizon, from someone who works on the mission and has even seen the rover up close! We also find out all about colonising Mars, and robots in space, and talk about how we explore this in our game.

Show notes

• Watch our Mars Horizon livestream with Paul 
• Watch our 'Games about Mars' panel discussing Space Exploration and gaming
• Follow the UK Space Agency on Twitter
• Buy Mars Horizon

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🕹️ Check out our latest titles: 🐠 Megaquarium and 🚀 Mars Horizon

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Find all of the Season here

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Why we must work together to land on Mars | S6 E4

It's the second episode of our 3 part Mars Horizon special with amazing guests from the UK Space Agency!

This week Jem, Matt, and Tom are joined by Dr Alice Bunn, International Director at at UK Space Agency.

Dr. Bunn explains how space agencies co-operate and collaborate, why this is so important, and how space exploration affects our daily lives. We talk about how this collaboration will help us get to Mars.

We also discuss how you can interact with other space agencies in Mars Horizon and how we show their collaborative, and sometimes competitive, relationships in our game.

Show notes

• Watch Dr. Alice Bunns TED talk on diplomacy in space
• Global Space Congress: An Interview with Dr. Alice Bunn
• Follow the UK Space Agency on Twitter
• Pre-order and Wishlist Mars Horizon

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🕹️ Check out our latest titles: 🐠 Megaquarium and 🚀 Mars Horizon

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Find all of the Season here

⭐Please do rate the podcast and spread the word!

What is it really like in Mission Control? | S6 E3

It's the first episode of our 3 part Mars Horizon special with 3 amazing guests from the UK Space Agency!

Jem, Matt, and Tom are joined this week by Libby Jackson, Human Exploration Programme Manager at UK Space Agency. We delve into the real jobs at space agencies that informed the making of Mars Horizon.

Libby shares her experiences with us including shadowing a flight director at NASA Johnson Space Centre, talking about what its like working in Mission Control during a launch, and what its like working with Tim Peake! She also rates the accuracy of Mars Horizon, and shares her advice about a career in space🚀

Show notes

• Follow Libby Jackson on Twitter
• Libby Jackson's books
• Follow the UK Space Agency on Twitter
• Watch our Mars Horizon Livestream with Libby Jackson

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Find all of the Season here

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How to get into streaming games for a living? | S6 E2

Have you ever wanted to be a streamer? Or wondered what it is like doing it as your job? Want some great tips to get started? We're here to help!

In this episode of the Auroch Digital podcast Jem and Matt are joined by streamers Grimsevers and Sizzsarz to talk about all things streaming! They share their expertise and experiences, as well as loads of great tips about building communities, finding your voice, and the best equipment to use.

Show notes

• Sizzsarz Twitch
• Sizzsarz Twitter
• Grimsevers Twitch
• Grimsevers Twitter

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Digital Tabletop Fest preview - How do you start your own games festival? | S6 E1

Season 6 gets off to a great start with our preview of the first ever Steam Digital Tabletop Fest! Auroch Digital  will celebrate games that cross between physical and digital, will make its debut October 21st thru 26th.

Hosts Matt and Jem are joined by CEO Tomas Rawlings and the newest member of the marketing team Allie to talk about their work in setting up this awesome event. Hear about the exciting panels and talks we've got planned, the benefits of a digital event like this, and how you go about organising something this epic!

We also hear from some of the participants of the festival, including: Asmodee, Grey Alien Games, and Precinct Omega. They tell us why they are taking part and what it means to them. 

Show notes

• Digital Tabletop Fest hub
• Digital Tabletop Fest Steam announcement
• Asmodee Digital
• Precinct Omega
• Grey Alien Games

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Animals in video games: simulated furry friends | S5 E8

Marketing and community manager Jemima Crow is joined by Peter and Matt to talk about animal simulation in games. They start by looking at how breeding and caring for animals translates to game design. They then focus on how animal behaviour affects player interaction and the future of animal simulation. Please rate the podcast and spread the word!

Show notes

• Video games are creating smarter animals
• Survival Game About Genetics Is Cute But Cruel
• Planet Zoo will feature “the most realistic animals in any game”
• Video games offer clues to help curb animal disease outbreaks
• Ecosystem on Steam

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Find all of the Season here

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The Oliver Twins and how to make a video game | S5 E9

We had some extra special guests in this bonus podcast episode - The Oliver twins! Mike, Jem, and Matt chat to the creators of Dizzy and games industry legends who are the most Prolific 8-bit videogame developers ever! Tune in to hear behind the scenes development stories and to get advice about starting your own career in gaming.

Please note, this episode was recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Auroch Digital team is all working from home to save lives, as are the Oliver Twins.

Show notes

• Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy - 1991
• Guinness world records
• Oliver twins official site

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Find all of the Season here

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A brief history of Space games | S5 E7

In the beginning there was a monitor. A monitor with a black screen. Then, someone made some specs of light and behold - a starfield. From there Space games have gone from strength to strength. In this episode Producer and QA manager Mike Daw takes Matt and Jem on a tour of some of the most important Space games that have been made - including suggestions from the Auroch Digital Discord!

Show notes

• SpaceWar (play online)
• Space Invaders – 30th Anniversary Developer Interview

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🎙️ Missed an Episode? Find all of the Season here

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