In this episode we talk about early access games. Everything from their origins, where we think they're going, and some of our favourite and least favourite games we've backed or bought before release.

• "Early Access popularity growing, but only 25% have released as a full game" (2014)
• Jalada's favourites include:
  • Elite: Dangerous
  • Kerbal Space Program
  • Minecraft
• Sefran's favourites include:
  • Prison Architect
  • Shelter
  • Stardew Valley
• Some less-than-awesome examples of early access include:
  • Mighty No 9
  • Godus

In this episode we are joined by the brilliant Marti Bennett. Marti kindly agreed to tell us all about playing Pokémon competitively and recount some of her own stories and experiences of the professional Pokémon scene. Follow Marti:

• YouTube - Virtual Accomplishment
• Twitter - @MartiBennett (@VirtualAccomp for content updates)
• Twitch - Virtual Accomplishment

Related reading/watching:

• JWittz speedrun of Pokémon Trading Card Game
• Serebii
• Serebii 'Effort Values' guide
• Serebii 'Individual Values' guide
• Cybertron on Twitter, YouTube, and Twitch
• Pokémon on Twitch

Intro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion Outro music: GlitchxCity - Champion Cynthia Battle Remix

We recently got the opportunity to go hands-on with an Oculus Rift, complete with Oculus Touch controllers and two sensors. In this episode we discuss our thoughts and impressions, and what we think is in store for the future.

• Oculus Rift
• HTC Vive
• Playstation VR
• Apple ARKit
• Google Daydream
• Games we played:
  • Elite: Dangerous
  • Robo Recall
  • The Climb
  • Superhot
  • Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
• Neuralink and the Brain’s Magical Future
• Mixed Reality with Microsoft HoloLens

In this episode we discuss how video game advertising and trailers have changed, why 'footage captured in game' means nothing, and whether any of this matters at all.

• Read Patch The Process, an article about 'day one patches' by indie game dev Rami Ismail.

There's lots of videos you should watch to accompany this episode:

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince "Teen Comedy Trailer"
• Watch Dogs - E3 2012 vs PC Release
• Clash of Clans adverts
• Dead Island
• Elite: Dangerous Launch Trailer vs PS4 launch trailer
• Introducing the Overwatch League
• No Man's Sky Gameplay Trailer 2014
• "The EVE Online Experience" and "This is EVE" - Uncensored
• Overwatch animated shorts including "Infiltration"

 

In this episode of Octal FM we try to decide: Is the 3D platforming video game genre dead? Games we discuss:

• Arcade games such as Donkey Kong, Mario Bros
• Croc
• Metroid and Castlevania
• Crash Bandicoot
• Rogue-likes such as Spelunky and Rogue Legacy
• Puzzle-platformers like Super Meat Boy and N+
• Is Yooka-Laylee the return of 3D platformers?
• Snake Pass

Intro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion Outro music: Juan Medrano - Mega Man 2 "Dokuta Wairi, Rival to the Light"

In this episode we talk all about the state of difficulty in video games. Are they too easy? Too hard? Does it matter?

• Rubber banding.
• "The Noobification of games", a clip from Pure Pwnage: Teh Movie.
• Super Guide.

Intro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion Outro music: The OneUps – Funky Mario Circut (Radio Edit)

In this episode we continue our discussion theme of video game music. Instead of picking out examples we think are 'good use' of video game music, we just pick out games that have soundtracks that we think are awesome.

• Mario Galaxy
  • Listen: Gusty Garden Galaxy, Beach Bowl Galaxy
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
  • Listen: Under Heaven Destruction, Lust SIN, Queen of Rose
• Link’s Awakening
  • Listen: Village Theme, Overworld, Sword Search
• FTL: Faster Than Light
  • Listen: Space Cruise (Title), Mantis (Battle), Last Stand
• Jet Set Radio Future
  • Listen: Concept of Love, Like a Butterfly, Aisle Ten
• Banjo-Kazooie
  • Listen: Click Clock Wood, Treasure Trove Cove, Freezeasy Peak
• Honourable mentions:
  • DK Rap
  • The Sims 2 radio music

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we pick out some of our favourite uses of music in video games.

• The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker combat
  • Video of an example of combat with audio 'accents' (minor Wind Waker spoilers)
  • Listen: Middle Boss Battle
• Final Fantasy VI
  • Composed by Nobuo Uematsu
  • Listen: Terra’s theme
• Half Life 2
  • Listen: CP Violation
• Music levels from Rayman Legends
  • Listen: 'Gloo Gloo' Musical Level (video of level)
• Transistor
  • Developed and published by Supergiant Games
  • Composed by Darren Korb. Vocals by Ashley Barrett
  • Listen: We All Become and The Spine
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
  • Listen: Old Snake vs. Liquid Ocelot (Ultimate Version)

Some other games that we were considering include: Banjo-Kazooie, Journey and Audiosurf. There are many more great examples of the use of music in video games, get in touch and let us know yours! Intro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

We discuss how lives are becoming more internet connected, the history and hype around ‘smart homes’, and generally demystify the Internet of Things. Further reading:

• X10 Protocol
• Sustainable Smart Home and Home Automation: Big Data Analytics Approach
• Connected homes will take longer to materialise than expected
• Here's What TfL Learned From Tracking Your Phone On the Tube

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we take a deeper look at eSports and how it compares to more traditional sporting events.

• Inside Fnatic's Bunkr, the World's First eSports Store
• eSports news on ESPN
• Loading Bar

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion