Over nearly 30 years, the Metal Gear series has changed how they use music to tell their stories. In this episode, Michael goes over every major entry in the series to see how they use music in their unique ways.Minigame is a short essay podca

How BioWare Uses Music To Tell A Story

Feb 7th, 2022 6m 54s

BioWare are masters at telling stories in videogames and in this episode, Michael goes over how music plays a role in their storytelling process.Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each bite-sized episode di

The Importance of Character Themes

Dec 28th, 2021 6m 19s

This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. In this episode, he looks at how theme music for characters like Master Chief and Sephiroth can tell us so much about these ic

Introducing the Minigame Jukebox

Oct 11th, 2021 6m 35s

This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. From the sci-fi soundtrack of Mass Effect inspired by films from the 60s and 70s to the bombastic score of Assassin's Creed, h

Is Cyberpunk 2077 Truly Cyberpunk?

May 2nd, 2021 6m 45s

CyberPunk 2077 has already been the target of many criticisms, mostly related to technical issues and other design problems. But what about the game's story. Unfortunately, despite the game's marketing, the game only loosely falls into the cybe

The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games

Mar 28th, 2021 6m 11s

It's understandable to want videogames to avoid political discussion, but since games are art, politics are inevitable. Despite their apolitical exterior, simulation games like Sim City are full of political messages.Minigame is a short essay p

Creating Your Brain in 'Disco Elysium'

Feb 28th, 2021 8m 25s

Most RPG's allow you to create your character based only on their stats, but what if there was a game in which you create a personality? Disco Elysium is that game. In this episode, @farristhewheel takes a look at Disco Elysium's character crea

Adrift in the Afterlife of "Summerland" - An Interview With Developer Conner Rush

Jan 24th, 2021 25m 25s

Conner Rush of Fyre Games joins us to discuss game development, becoming an overnight success on TikTok, and his new game Summerland. Summerland is available for free on Steam and itch.io Conner's Social Media: fyregames.com twitter.com/fyregam

Halo, Destiny, and The Role of Lore

Oct 18th, 2020 8m 14s

The stories of Halo and Destiny can be confusing. In this episode of Minigame, Michael (@farristhewheel) tries to unpack not just the stories of these two series, but the overall role of lore in a games’ story.Minigame is a short essay podcast

The Small Vastness of the World of ‘Hitman’

Sep 20th, 2020 10m 9s

It’s easy to get burned out by the size of many open world games. Especially if it’s just for show. The Hitman series is a prime example of how smaller worlds can feel huge and present opportunities for new ways players can create their own sto

Time Flies By on The Last Express

Aug 30th, 2020 7m 36s

The Last Express is a game all about running against the clock in a period of history that feels like is running out of time. In this episode of Minigame, Michael explores the role that time plays in this mystery-adventure game that just so hap

Do You Own Your Humanity in The Outer Worlds?

Aug 3rd, 2020 8m 8s

In The Outer Worlds everything has a cost. From womb to tomb, your life is dictated by the big business in town. But does this fantasy world have roots in reality?MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristh

How Morrowind Is A Better Adventure Than Skyrim

Jul 5th, 2020 8m 7s

Skyrim is undoubtedly one of the most played games of all time, but in this episode, Michael goes on an adventure through the series' third entry, Morrowind, and despite the archaic presentation, has a more meaningful quest.MINIGAME is a short

Introducing Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

Jun 12th, 2020 1m 30s

Check out Gom Jabbar in your favorite podcasting app and let’s explore the universe of the classic Sci-Fi series, DuneFollow Gom Jabbar on your favorite podcast platform: https://link.chtbl.com/lpm-gjLearn more about your ad choices. Visit me

The Comfort of Gaming in Quarantine

May 17th, 2020 9m 7s

A health scare causes Mike to go into quarantine. While there, he rediscovers the comfort and power that video games can provide.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel).Each bite-sized episode di

Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane

Mar 22nd, 2020 8m 35s

Death Stranding is an odd game full of mystery and intrigue. However it also shows that sometimes it is the mundane aspects of life that makes things feel the most comfortable in times of need.MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hoste

The Story of Our Stuff in One Night Stand

Feb 23rd, 2020 6m 35s

All that stuff around you is not just junk, it’s the story of your life. In this episode of MINIGAME, Michael explores the game One Night Stand and learns more about a mysterious companion by using the stuff in her bedroom.Second Nature by Audi

Fearful Choices in Until Dawn

Jan 26th, 2020 5m 53s

While Until Dawn is full of gore and kills, the storytelling itself is the scariest part of the game. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives into the themes or cen

What Makes a Good Star Wars Story?

Dec 15th, 2019 6m 12s

With Rise of Skywalker just down the corner, @farristhewheel takes a look at Star Wars games of the past to see where the series has gone right and wrong.Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Twice a month, Michael

End of Season 5 of Lore Party

Nov 10th, 2019 1m 17s

Executive Producer of Lore Party, Abu Zafar breaks down the end of this season of Lore Party content.

Bury Me, My Love - Minigame Classics

Oct 13th, 2019 9m 31s

This episode originally aired on September 10, 2018It’s one thing to read about the Syrian refugee crisis in an article, or to see it on TV. But only a video game like Bury me, my Love could make the tragedy feel so real.MINIGAME is a short ess

Neo Cab and The Stories We Tell in the Dark

Oct 6th, 2019 7m 1s

With Apple releasing their new gaming service, Apple Arcade, Michael takes a look at Neo Cab, one of the more unique games in the library and discovers that sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones we tell each other when the lights g

How Two Developers Interpreted the Fallout Universe

Sep 15th, 2019 10m 12s

Interplay and Bethesda. The two main developers of the Fallout franchise. Despite working with the same canon, the two developers handled the universe very differently. In this episode, Michael explores the franchise as a whole and the themes a

Minigame Classics - Making Your Own Lore in 'No Man's Sky'

Aug 18th, 2019 9m 9s

The story is whatever you make it in No Man’s Sky. Only a video game can give you the tools and the world to craft a narrative only you can. That’s why we love games.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saying Goodbye to Mass Effect in the Citadel

Aug 11th, 2019 9m 2s

Mass Effect 3 disappointed many long time fans. However, in this episode, Michael discusses the final DLC and how it was the perfect ending to the Mass Effect TrilogyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices