Pixel Sift

This week we are exploring episodic content in games. Instead of getting everything at once you can now get your games in little bite sized chunks. Some of the biggest games are trying it out, and it's also being used by smaller developers . Can episodic gameplay be used in innovative and interesting ways or is it just a way to stretch out your purchases? Liam Hunt and Sam Zeid of ByteSprite Games joined us this week, and told us all about their new local multiplayer game Bramblelash, and some of the other educational games that they've been working on. You can download the Bramblelash pre-release demo here, and it's available on Windows, Mac and Linux Finally we spoke about hilarious glitches and other unintended "features" and how you can make your own fun in your game. It turns out gamers can make a game out of anything even breaking games. You can find us on all the social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch and Steam. Just search for "pixelsift" and you'll fi

This week we explore the nostalgia and the value of couch based split-screen multiplayer, both competitive and cooperative. Halo 5: Guardians will be dropping split-screen multiplayer in favour of higher graphical quality and people aren't happy. The Halo series spearheaded the console shooter, and fans are disappointed that a big part of their Halo experience is going away. There are games keeping the split-screen option so sitting on the couch with your friends playing games is still alive. We look at the inevitable remake, remaster and re-release of video games as they move to new platforms. Is this just a money grabbing exercise or is the cultural history being saved for future generations? Storytelling in gaming is a multifaceted process and some games are now dropping their dedicated single player campaigns in favour of having a deeper multiplayer experience. How does the embedded story telling compare to the player generated story telling in games? Sandbox game Minecraft will be going the opposite

Last week we told you all about the SAG-AFTRA Video Game voice actor strike, well this week they've hit another threshold.There are other rumblings in the union sphere as well with the Major eSports teams uniting for better conditions. We also chat about plans to introduce a new format of Downloadable content for the Guitar Hero franchise and how DLC has evolved over the years. Finally we talk a little bit about the ex-Microsoft developers "Twisted Pixel" of the Splosion Man fame leaving the roost and striking out on there own. When Bungie did that they made Mitch's favourite game. You can find us on social media, Discord, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube and Steam. Just search for "pixelsift"Support the show: https://sifter.store

With the pervasive nature of online and connected consoles and computers, game developers can deliver Alphas & Betas of your favourite games before they hit the shelves. With some betas acting more like a playable demo, rather than a work in progress, are we being trained to expect too much from Early Access, and in development titles or have we missed the meaning of in progress? Speaking of getting you hyped for games that aren't out yet, we tackle the big issue of pre-ordering games. With exclusive content locked behind pre-orders and individual retailers holding the keys to particular content should we be putting down hard earned cash before the game arrives, especially with games that aren't up to scratch? Finally some of the biggest actors in video games are talking are speaking in hushed tones, and concerned voices. SAG-AFTRA the union that represents actors in Television and videogames is calling for better conditions for those who work hard to make the characters more than pixels and polyg

NOTE: When we recorded this show, we were broadcasting under the name High Score, which turns out is pretty popular gaming podcast name. We are now called PIXEL SIFT. Scott talks about old school Zelda, and tuning a NES to a new TV. There is a use for analog again! Mitch runs us through a bit of Destiny's year two content, The Taken King, and the Angry Birds Movie, and good video game movie adapations. Are there any? Who knows. Gianni chats about eSports and the huge industry it is rapidly becoming, and how you could get a uni scholarship for gaming skills. Rabee tells us all about a game being developed at Murdoch University, One Hint Hitman and the process of creating sound for such a game. You can find us on social media, Discord, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube and Steam. Just search for "pixelsift"Support the show: https://sifter.store