Ep. 207 - Specdracular 2021, with Ian Ferguson

Video game documentarian and podcaster Ian Ferguson joins the panel to assist in the slaying of that vile creature that haunts this very night, Gamer Dracula. Original music by Kurt Feldman. Mashtlevania by Max Hully.

Castle Gamer Dracula:

1. What’s the best way to orient a video game player in a space and provide direction? (02:46)
2. What’s the worst NPC in a video game? (07:49)
3. How do you create good interior design for locations in video games? (13:10)
4. What are the worst attempted comebacks in video games? (18:29)
5. Improv Zone: Monster Mash (23:50)
6. Dirtbag Triple Dive - Dusty: DeLorean of Video Games? Spencer: Do you watch the credits? MoxBagel: Shareware boom today? (28:38)
7. Which two unrelated video games would you Frankenstein together? (34:25)
8. How do video games evoke horror in a way other media cannot? (39:24)
9. What competitive game could you beat Death at? (44:32)
10. What are the greatest boss battles in video games? (48:00)

FRIGHTENING ROUND: 13 Spooky Game Names (53:26)

Recommendations and Outro (57:35)

If you don’t discuss this episode in the forums, it’ll haunt you for all your days!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

• Hirokazu Yasuhara
• Ninja Gaiden Black
• Kim Swift
• Quantum Conundrum
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction
• Killer7
• D
• Beedle
• Exile
• Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories
• NieR
• Yakuza 3
• Highlander: The Last of the MacLeods
• Grandia
• Demolition Man
• Whiplash
• Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn
• Duke Nukem Forever
• NBA Playgrounds
• Bubsy
• Ulililia
• Strider (The Metroidvania one)
• Strider 2
• Final Fight: “Streetwise”
• Final Fight Revenge
• Rygar: The Legendary Adventure
• Shinobi (the PS2 one)
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider
• Shadowrun (the 2007 one)
• Valis games
• Power Glove
• Arkham City
• Get in the Car, Loser!
• A Short Hike
• Sam & Max: Hit the Road
• DooM (the 2016 one)
• DooM Eternal
• Final Lap Twin
• World Court Tennis
• Yakuza 7: Like A Dragon
• Racing Lagoon
• Sigma Star Saga
• Undertale
• Cooking Mama
• Miltank
• Stardew Valley
• Oddworld series
• Crossed Swords
• Sonic Adventure
• Resident Evil 2
• Silent Hill 2
• Silent Hill 3
• Crypt of Medea
• Alien Vs Predator
• Metal Gear Solid
• WarioWare
• Fire Pro Wrestling
• The World Famous Vincent
• Puyo Puyo
• Asuka 120%
• Gunsport
• Builder’s Block, AKA Landmaker
• Elite Beat Agents
• Leigh Alexander
• The End
• Psycho Mantis
• Splatoon
• Zelda II
• NieR: Automata
• Rayxanber III
• R-Type

Recommendations:

Brandon: The Void (2016), Demon Wind (1990), Death Spa (1988), Arhoolie Records 40th Anniversary Collection

Frank: Watch kids get excited when picking out pumpkins from a pumpkin patch, buy some Halloween stuff for your house

Ian: Empire of Ants by Susan Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson, Extra Napkins, Completely Unnecessary Podcast, Mon Amour

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. Mashtlevania by Max Hully.