Level 30 Plus

Fresh off the lonely open black of Elite Dangerous, the Jo(h)ns consider the role that space has played in video games. What follows is a discussion of tropes, space as a setting vs space as a character, and the role science fiction plays when

Episode 41: "Learn to Take the L"

Mar 4th, 2015 58m 22s

Losing is a part of winning. Yin and Yang. Inspired by some comments made by a few football coaches on a popular NPR program, the Jo(h)ns decided to discuss what videogames can teach us about losing. The coaches seem to think the advent of the

Episode 40: "Shout-outs to Mordor"

Feb 25th, 2015 52m 5s

Narrative is important to games. Even from the earliest days of NES there were stories. Plumber rescues Princess. Space Bounty Hunter destroys alien threat. Ducks are hunted. Today, games have evolved to include sweeping narratives that encompa

Episode 39: Idle Hands (Cookie Clicker, Mountain)

Feb 18th, 2015 55m 55s

Idle hands are usually good for gaming. Who better to play video games than people with free time? Unfortunately the Juans at Level 30 Plus have found themselves with less and less time to devote to games recently.Enter the "Idle Games". A rel

Episode 38: Three Types of Mobile Gaming

Feb 12th, 2015 56m 1s

John with an H has a little theory. Or call it a generalization. Seems to him there are three ways a mobile developer can focus their game and make a name for themselves on the crowded mobile market.Focus on Art, Gameplay, or Income. There are

Episode 37: "The Handheld Experience"

Feb 4th, 2015 53m 43s

So, smartphones and tablets are a thing now. That's nothing new. Neither is playing games on the go; we've been doing that since the original Gameboy. But our experiences are changing. Folks keep talking about how smartphones and tablets will

Episode 36: Punching Up

Jan 28th, 2015 1h 7m

In this episode the Jo(h)ns continue to talk about food. Video games work their way in eventually. This time the discussion revolves around the episodic nature of the games discussed in last week's episode; Kentucky Route Zero and Broken Age. C

Episode 35: "They Changed into Chickens"

Jan 21st, 2015 55m 17s

This week, the Jo(h)ns talk about food. Yeah, really. But THEN, they talk about two games they've recently played -- Kentucky Route Zero and Broken Age. One seems to take the point-and-click genre in brand-new story-driven directions using t

Episode 34: John With an 'H' ... For Horror!

Jan 14th, 2015 1h

Welcome to 2015 fellow Levelers! We've missed you.This week, JonJon and returning guest Ben drag John with an H kicking and screaming into his first complete horror game playthrough. The game du jour is Matt Gilgenbach's literally sketchy and

Episode 33: State of the Console Address

Dec 17th, 2014 58m 20s

Part 2 of our year end wrap up the Jo(h)ns discuss the first year of the "next-gen" consoles, whether or not they are performing as well as previous transitions, their reliance on previous generation titles, and the over-all ramifications of co

Episode 32: Besterday (Last-Gen Round up Part 1)

Dec 10th, 2014 58m 29s

It's the time of year where thoughts turn to sugar plums and candy canes and best of lists. The Jo(h)ns talk about their favorite moments from the receeding generation of consoles. A send off for the PS3/Xbox 360 era.

Episode 31: Blowing off Steam (Part 2)

Dec 3rd, 2014 1h 8m

This week, the Jo(h)ns consider their recent migration from console to PC gaming. How is it that the shift felt so natural? What does it say about the current state of consoles? Why don't they feel more elitist?

Episode 30: Blowing off Steam (Part 1)

Nov 26th, 2014 54m 4s

As the holiday season approaches, the Jo(h)ns give thanks for the bounty of games that Steam provides by complaining about its flaws! No but seriously, there's a lot of complaining. But we love you, Steam! Never take your amazing sales and w

Episode 29: The Accidental Host(ful).

Nov 19th, 2014 1h 14m

In the aftermath of their #gamergate episode, the Jo(h)ns very organically decide to have a little me time in the form of (with apologies to Nerdist) a non-topic-driven Hostful episode. Nerdist, please don't sue; we mean no disrespect and you

Episode 28: #gamergate

Nov 12th, 2014 57m 14s

The Jo(h)ns have an overdue moment.

Episode 27 - Valiant Hearts: Europica, Fuck Yeah! (Part 2)

Nov 5th, 2014 1h 15m

This week, once again, John and a very sleepy JonJon brave the dangers of nighttime to talk about Ubisoft's Valiant Hearts, and touch on whether the game's visual style is suitable for its heavy subject matter.

Episode 26 - Valiant Hearts: Europica, Fuck Yeah! (Part 1)

Oct 29th, 2014 1h 4m

This week, John and a very sleepy JonJon brave the dangers of nighttime to talk about Ubisoft's Valiant Hearts, and touch on whether the game's tone is suitable for its heavy subject matter. In the intro, IT'S CAPTAINS MARVEL ALL DAY, SONEn

Episode 25 - An Old Yeller Situation (Part 2)

Oct 22nd, 2014 54m 41s

The Jo(h)ns continue their post-mortem on the Walking Dead, and touch on how, as with any artistic and storytelling medium, the player's own history can shape how they internalize the work.

Episode 24 - An Old Yeller Situation (Part 1)

Oct 15th, 2014 34m 45s

It's that time again. Another Telltale point and click adventure game has come to a close. Season 2 of The Walking Dead caught us by surprise. The final chapters wrapped up in one of the most harrowing ways possible. So of course we had to disc

Episode 23: “A Statement of Character”, Part 2 (feat. Dave Gutteridge)

Oct 8th, 2014 51m 46s

We continue talking to our friend and Tokyo comedian David Gutteridge, who gives us his perspective as someone who plays games but isn't a "gamer".Find us at --Facebook: Level 30 PlusTwitter: @level30podcastInstagram: worst_finest (JonJon)

Episode 22: "A Statement of Character", Part 1 (feat. Dave Gutteridge)

Oct 1st, 2014 49m 25s

Our friend and Tokyo comedian David Gutteridge joins us to tell us why he plays games but isn't a "gamer," and what gaming was like in Ye Oldene Dayes before the arrival of the NES.Find us at --Facebook: Level 30+Twitter: @level30podcastInst

Episode 21: Our Dinner with Zangief Part 2

Sep 24th, 2014 39m 11s

Things dip into the realm of After School Special in this, the second half of our conversation with the great bear wrestler, Zangief of Russia. Tune in to learn the wisdom that comes from survival in the cold wastes of Siberia.

Episode 20: Our Dinner with Zangief Part 1

Sep 17th, 2014 48m 15s

Pretty much what it says on the tin.

Episode 19: A Link to Our Past, Part 2

Sep 10th, 2014 51m 49s

[PART 2 OF 2] The Juans continue their discussion of their video game pasts, and lay out the responsibility the gaming community has to not be jerks. Or, more specifically, to be inclusive and nurturing yet non-pushy and non-creepy non-jerks.