The Insert Credit Show

Ep. 435 - Never Underestimate a PS4 Player from Kentucky Named Josh, with Catherine Masters

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:07:55 +0000

Video Game Journalist Catherine Masters joins the panel to cover console prices, the Microsoft BDS boycott, and Bubsy helping Mario with something. Hosted by Catherine Masters, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How much more expensive can game consoles get? (04:43)

2: Why do people treat a Steam release like “the” PC release? (09:51)

3: After a year, what impact has the BDS Microsoft boycott had? (15:23)

4: What’s the deal with all these egg games? (19:05)

5: Alex Jaffe asks, what tattoo would you give to a tech bro asking for “gamer cred”? (24:55)

6: What games could you rework from single player to multiplayer? (31:10)

7: What should Catherine do instead of watching Insert Credit this week? (36:17)

8: What’s the juicy cotoure tracksuit of video games? (38:56)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokedexperts (47:45)

Recommendations and Outro (56:33):

Catherine: Hire Catherine if you’re a reputable publisher, make plans to finish things, Memory Card, Catherine’s work at The AV Club
Ash: Pursuit of Jade, revolution now
Brandon: 1000 Women in Horror, Apocalypse Hotel, 東風 by Sawteeth, Frédérick Raynal’s kickstarter for Popcorn Duel + Spinner
Frank: You can just watch Star Trek whenever you want without paying anyone money

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Ep. 434 - Go Home and Be a Family Man

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:40:25 +0000

Your Insert Credit Panel covers bargaining with publishers, sordid secrets of video game couples, and the Zohran Mamdani of esports.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s your favorite cartridge shape? (03:19)

2: As a game developer, how do you buy more time from your publisher? (08:21)

3: What are the most important skills people don’t talk about in esports? (13:16)

4: Given recent drama, what are some other secrets of video game character couples? (18:55)

5: What video game would you recommend to Mary Shelly? (27:15)

6: SteveWithaB asks, was there a time you remember being bullied for enjoying video games? (30:04)

7: What is the waking up just a few minutes before your alarm of video games? (37:47)

LIGHTNING ROUND: ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID? (41:26)

Recommendations and Outro (58:38):

Frank: Kinetica, actually donate the stuff you set aside to donate
Brandon: Suddenly In The Dark (1981)
Ash: Out of the Closet Thrift Stores
Jaffe: Donate goods to Housing Works

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Ep. 433 - The First Video Game

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:20:37 +0000

Our panel of experts discuss AI in game development, how to guide players, and Duke Nukem’s actual, real balls of steel. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: At what point is a production tool considered AI? (08:38)

2: What are the benefits of setting a game in the post-apocalypse? (15:26)

3: What’s the worst answer you’ve ever heard from a video game professional to a question? (20:43)

4: What video game facts would you put on a Snapple cap? (26:16)

5: LeFish asks, what are the best ways of misdirecting players in videogames? (33:49)

6: What are historically the smallest decisions that have had the largest impact on video games? (40:30)

7: What is the realizing you were dehydrated when the water you drink is too good of video games? (45:56)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Letters Delivery (51:26)

Recommendations and Outro (54:52):

Brandon: The videogame inspired by Philip Glass that nobody noticed, Demonschool is on sale (please rate and review), check out the library
Ash: Do whimsical things outside your normal routine,
Frank: Go out and find stuff
Jaffe: Stay indoors

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Ep. 432 - Brandon Sheffield at GDC 2026

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:55:36 +0000

Necrosoft Games Director and Intrepid Reporter Brandon Sheffield interviews fellow developers and attendees of GDC 2026.

Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Brendon Chung, Tony Grayson, Laura Michet, Chris Pruett, Phil Salvador, and Antonio Uribe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Antonio Uribe, AKA Fáyer, creator of PancitoMerge and Dig! Dig! Dino!, on baked goods and making a Playdate game (04:14)

2: Phil Salvador, Library Director of Video Game History Foundation, on building a library (21:56)

3: Tony Grayson, Director of Antonblast for Summit Sphere, on platformers (36:08)

4: Laura Michet, Narrative Director of Blendo Games and writer of Skin Deep, on comedy in video games (50:05)

5: Brendon Chung, Creative Director of Skin Deep from Blendo games, on signposting in immersive sims (01:02:03)

6: Chris Pruett, Director of Games at Meta, on modern horror games (01:17:35)

7: Brandon Sheffield, Writer and Director of Demonschool, on AI and being home from GDC (01:29:00)

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Ep. 431 - Mr. Bustle

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:40:09 +0000

Our heroes convene to discuss the changes at Microsoft and Sony, the liberation of Cookie’s Bustle, and the Year of the Horse.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What does the landscape of console gaming look like now and in the future? (03:58)

2: When in a video game would you prefer to play as yourself, versus a character with a distinct personality? (12:45)

3: If you had to lock in video game aesthetics forever, would that point be right now, or another time? (17:36)

4: What was the endgame for the Cookie’s Bustle patent troll? (23:59)

5: Frank, talk about the weird NextFest experience you had (32:03)

6: The AV Club’s Catherine Masters asks: Happy year of the horse! What does a AAA horse game on the level of Forza or God of War look like? (41:34)

7: The AV Club’s Catherine Masters asks, what would the Pink Pony Club be like as a place in a game? (48:52)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Year of the Horse - Mane Six (54:56)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:06):

Brandon: The second Kekko Kamen movie, Riverbend (1989): 6K Restoration Kickstarter, The Caller (1987), don’t overexert yourself while exercising
Ash: Touch grass, move your body, look at the sky
Jaffe: Go to physical therapy

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Ep. 430 - Pac-Man 2cular

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:19:18 +0000

The panel reviews Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, deeming it the most British Japanese game ever, and potentially the future of video games. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Why is this game like this? (06:16)

2: If you had to live in a house shaped like a video game character, who would it be? (38:53)

3: What other video game sequels take such a big swing they deserve the subtitle “the New Adventures?” (41:08)

4: Spencer Gifts asks, should Zelda style game be called adventure games or should point and click games be called adventure games? (46:56)

5: Let’s talk about the hot girl in Pac-Man 2. (52:56)

6: Let’s talk about the arcade segments stapled onto this game. (58:17)

7: Is this a good game? (01:03:37)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - The New Adventures (01:13:21)

Credit Report (01:21:06)

Recommendations and Outro (01:22:45):

Frank: Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures
Brandon: The Feminine Complex, Corpse Mania (1981), Total Recall 2070, donate to Trans Continental Pipeline
Ash: Read Aftermath, pay for journalism, take a walk in the sun
Jaffe: Share your interests with people

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Ep. 429 - Baby Brawler, with Topher Florence, Vanessa B, and Pro Kesadia

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:15:21 +0000

Ash Parrish hosts the blackest episode of Insert Credit yet, with an all-star panel of former guests and contributors. Hosted by Ash Parrish, with Topher Florence, Vanessa B, and Pro Kesadia. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Is there still a place for live service games right now? (05:01)

2: Who should be the next Nintendo character to get hit with the baby ray? (13:46)

3: If you were taking up the mantle of MF Doom, what cartoons would you use in your skits? (17:42)

4: Who is the “I would have voted for Obama for a third time” of video games? (20:51)

Insert Credit Quick Break: Brenton Woodrow’s Marathon (25:35)

5: Alex Jaffe asks, which 21st century video games would be best for a 1980’s DiC-style cartoon? (26:52)

6: Brandon Sheffield asks, why is the Sega Genesis for black people? (31:51)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Cookout (38:09)

Recommendations and Outro (52:50):

Vanessa: twitch.tv/pleasantlytwstd, Relooted
Ash: Review the games you like
Pro_Kesadia: twitch.tv/pro_kesadia, Romeo Is A Dead Man
Topher: topherflorence.bsky.social, make some bundt bread

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Ep. 428 - Even More Games of the Year 2025

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:47:57 +0000

Editor Esper Quinn joins Ash and Brandon to cover the rest of 2025’s best games.

Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Ash Parrish and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (02:28)

2: Soulstone Survivors (05:38)

3: Let Them Come: Onslaught (06:21)

4: Vital Shell (06:38)

5: to a T (07:39)

6: Ball x Pit (10:49)

Arkanoid

7: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (16:20)

8: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (18:11)

Blasphemous

9: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (19:46)

10: Terminator 2D: No Fate (25:20)

11: Blade Chimera (29:03)

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth

12: Squeakross: Home Squeak Home (31:32)

13: Unbeatable (34:45)

14: Ambrosia Sky: Act One (37:06)

PowerWash Simulator

15: Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To (38:54)

Lofi Girl

16: Skin Deep (41:27)

Laura Michet

17: Angeline Era (44:43)

18: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (47:39)

19: Birdcage (51:24)

20: JAIL DICE: Roll to Break (53:17)

Devil Dice

21: Magic: The Gathering®—FINAL FANTASY™ (56:54)

22: Hell Is Us (01:03:59)

23: Hades II (01:13:47)

24: Shadow Labyrinth (01:16:42)

25: Doom: The Dark Ages (01:21:49)

26: The Dark Queen of Mortholme (01:26:30)

27: Pokemon Legends: Z-A (01:30:00)

28: Hotel Barcelona (01:35:53)

29: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy (01:39:43)

30: Shujinkou (01:45:24)

31: Haste (01:49:32)

32: AI Limit (01:53:06)

33: Super Robot Wars Y (01:54:29)

34: Routine (01:58:03)

35: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (02:03:15)

36: Blast Rush LS (02:10:29)

Blast Rush

37: Advent Neon (02:12:37)

38: Donkey Kong Bananza (02:16:02)

39: Cronos: The New Dawn (02:23:03)

40: Absolum (02:27:01)

Streets of Rage 4

41: Monster Prom 4: Monster Con (02:31:14)

42: Dreams of Another (02:33:58)

43: Date Everything! (02:37:49)

44: Kingdoms of the Dump (02:43:18)

45: Blippo+ (02:45:38)

46: Full Metal Schoolgirl (02:56:39)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

47: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (03:00:40)

Outro (03:18:04)

48: Despelote (03:20:56)

Outro, Part II (03:21:24)

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Ep. 427 - Game of the Year 2025

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:18:49 +0000

Insert Credit nominates and ranks the fifteen best video games of the year 2025.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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(Finalized list appears at the bottom of the show notes, don’t spoil yourself!)

SHOW NOTES:

1: Ash Parrish’s First Nominee (05:20)

2: Brandon Sheffield’s First Nominee (09:27)

3: Frank Cifaldi’s First Nominee (14:46)

4: Ash’s Second Nominee (20:34)

5: Brandon’s Second Nominee (24:50)

6: Frank’s Second Nominee (28:01)

7: Ash’s Third Nominee (32:37z)

8: Brandon’s Third Nominee (37:53)

9: Frank’s Third Nominee (43:24)

Frank’s Top 5 Albums of the Year (54:01)

10: Ash’s Fourth Nominee (59:31)

11: Brandon’s Fourth Nominee (01:05:41)

12: Frank’s Fourth Nominee (01:08:50)

13: Ash’s Fifth Nominee (01:14:37)

14: Brandon’s Fifth Nominee (01:22:01)

15: Frank’s Fifth Nomination (01:27:41)

16: Alex Jaffe’s First Nomination (01:33:29)

THE INSERT CREDIT GAME OF THE YEAR 2025 TOP 16:

Silent Hilf ($69.99) [14 hrs]
News Tower ($24.99) [9.5 hrs]
South of Midnight ($39.99) [11.5 hrs]
Wanderstop ($24.99) [10.5 hrs]
Hollow Knight: Silksong ($19.99) [28 hrs]
Blue Prince ($29.99) [26.5 hrs]
Dead Take ($14.99) [4 hrs]
Promise Mascot Agency ($24.99) [12.5 hrs]
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii ($59.99) [36 hrs]
Windswept ($19.99) [9.5 hrs]
Hypogea ($9.99) [2.5 hrs]
Asura the Striker ($14.99) [0.5 hrs]
The Roottrees are Dead ($19.99) [11.5 hrs]
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater ($69.99) [12 hrs]
Call of Ponchy: Mahjong Warfare ($0.99) [??? hrs]
Demonschool ($24.99) [31.5 hrs]

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Ep. 426 - Fortnite for Boomers

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:20:14 +0000

The finest minds in video games discuss the evolution of turn-based combat, turning pixels into symphonies, and the devastating return of Violence Island.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What tips you off that someone discussing video games has no idea what they’re talking about? (06:08)

2: How have turn-based battle systems evolved over 30 years? (11:58)

3: On what occasions have you wished a game was harder? (17:27)

4: If we were to re-establish an official video game seal of quality, what would be the qualifying criteria? (21:41)

5: Syswivv asks, what kind of video game would Andy Warhol have made? (28:08)

6: Describe Bubsy 3D: Bubsy Visits the James Turrell Retrospective to Ash (32:24)

7: What’s the best use a game has ever made of being able to click in the analog stick? (34:39)

8: Who is your favorite video game character to debut in the last ten years? (40:39)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (46:02)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:52):

Brandon: The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1993), Gnosia, yucca
Ash: Put chili crisp on everything, Support Laid-off Vox Media Workers
Frank: Lil’ baby potatoes

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Ep. 425 - Hooves for Nipples

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:14:34 +0000

Our heroes confront video game movie adaptations, how controversy sells games, and Tom Cruise in Sonic 3 & Knuckles the Porn Parody the Official Game of the Movie.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank “Baseball” Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What are some good games with built in breaks? (08:20)

2: Which character has suffered the biggest design downgrade in video game history? (15:50)

3: Who’s your Mario? (21:29)

4: Is the average video game based on a movie better than the average movie based on a video game? (25:42)

5: SaveaSaturn asks, what game that you’ve never played would you take to a desert island with you? (31:39)

6: What makes bad video games successful? (38:30)

7: What is the “Maybe it will happen today” of video games? (44:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Genshin Impact (49:54)

Recommendations and Outro (56:38):

Brandon: From the Fields granola, Dosa Chips, American Rickshaw (1989), please review Demonschool positively on Steam
Frank: Rate and review things in general

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Ep. 424 - Insert Credit Annual #7

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:33:20 +0000

As has become tradition, Insert Credit ranks the best games of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Frank’s Mom’s Favorite Game (08:56)

Super Mario series

2: Ash’s Cousin Eric’s Favorite Game (14:07)

3: Brandon’s Partner Christina’s Favorite Game (19:45)

4: Frank’s Co-host Ash’s Favorite Game (25:08)

5: Ash’s Friend Nicki’s Favorite Game (34:34)

6: Brandon’s Dad’s Favorite Game (39:52)

7: Frank’s Best Friend and Editor Esper’s Favorite Game (45:31)

8: Ash’s Friend Will’s Favorite Game (55:34)

9: Brandon’s Friend Scott’s Favorite Game (01:04:38)

10: Frank’s Friend Lucy’s Favorite Game (01:11:42)

11: Ash’s Cousin Jason’s Favorite Game (01:24:29)

12: Brandon’s Former Coworker Christian’s Favorite Game (01:32:36)

13: Frank’s Wife Amanda’s Second Favorite Game (01:38:38)

14: Ash’s Husband Travis’s Favorite Game (01:42:33)

15: Brandon’s College Friend and Insert Credit Co-Founder Vincent’s Favorite Game (01:47:42)

16: Frank’s Pal Ian’s Favorite Game (01:52:31)

17: Ash’s Sister Alexis’s Favorite Game (01:59:53)

18: Brandon’s Friend Chaz’s Favorite Game (02:06:00)

19: Frank’s Other Friend Ian’s Favorite Game (02:10:48)

20: Ash’s Best Friend Abby’s Favorite Game (02:17:11)

21: Brandon’s Coworker Tara’s Favorite Game (02:28:43)

Final List (02:28:43)

View the finalized list right here!

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Ep. 423 - Explode My Bones

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:13:31 +0000

The panel reviews Mr. Bones, a Sega Saturn classic featuring frustrating design choices, a certain comedy level, and skeletism.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How did we get here? (03:57)

2: What are the good versions of the ideas presented in this game? (27:20)

3: Brenton Woodrow asks, which Saturn or Dreamcast game that never had a sequel is best suited for a sequel in 2021? (37:02)

4: If not Mr. Bones, what’s the best skeleton in a video game? (42:04)

5: Let’s talk about this game’s comedy level (44:46)

6: What can we learn about the blues from this video game? (51:07)

7: Do you like Mr. Bones? (56:43)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Mr. Organs (01:02:31)

Credit Report (01:08:16)

Recommendations and Outro (01:13:08):

Brandon: The All New, All Astonishing Insert Credit Patreon, May I Ask For One Final Thing?, Journal with Witch, Blackhawk Museum
Ash: Ball x Pit, touch grass, tell people you care about them, this empire shall burn too
Frank: someone make a thread in the forums of media where fascists lose and die

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Ep. 422 - Gearslop

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:28:57 +0000

Our heroes convene to discuss the Sega Game Gear, the most satisfying punch in video games, and sports MMOs.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What kinds of video games do you think we’ll never see again? (07:27)

2: What’s the most satisfying punch you can throw in a video game? (12:15)

3: Which Game Gear games are most faithful to their source material? (17:07)

4: The Adaptation Game - Betty Boop (21:50)

5: littleboat asks, what is the word of the year in videogames? (27:42)

6: Are there sports MMOs where everybody is one player? (35:38)

7: Has making a video game gotten harder or easier over time? (39:42)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Baldur’s Gate III (45:15)

Recommendations and Outro (52:52):

Frank: King Leo peppermint
Brandon: Dickens Fair, Dark Angel (1990), Cat Eyed Boy
Ash: Greyhound (2020), I, Claudius
Jaffe: I, Podius (for Ash), Pluribus (for Brandon), Ragman (1991 series) (for Frank), leave us a review, watch a couple Insert Credit Show episodes in a row on YouTube, support us at patreon.com/insertcredit

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Ep. 421 - Clearing the Question Hole

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:53:18 +0000

Frank, Ash, and Brandon spend the end of the year clearing out the Question Hole, finding brainslop, Tommy Tallarico’s new alias Sammy Salazar, and the death of Sonic the Hedgehog. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: MarkJ asks, what’s the most inappropriate time and place for a video game merchant to set up shop? (04:02)

2: Call Me By Your Name asks, which game would you play until eternity ends? (7:30)

3: David asks, what would it take to make a consistently funny game? (10:36)

4: Ryan asks, if you could be the best in the world at one video game what would it be? (12:37)

5: NVB asks, how would you bring back text adventure games? (13:56)

6: Gallander asks, do you have any game or experience that makes you reflect on how things that once were won’t ever be again, or makes you too sad? (14:58)

7: Horizontal Hold asks, what video game soundtrack is most analogous in its sound as it is to its gameplay? (16:56)

8: Billy asks, what modern non-arcade games would be improved if only available in arcades? (18:25)

9: Corey asks, what is the next phenomenon that will be predicted by a Hideo Kojima game? (19:18)

10: SvenserSblant asks, how has working in the game industry impacted your ability to enjoy games? (22:20)

Game Boy Advance

11: Gaagaagiins asks, what would be the for a cool run? (23:58)

12: MDS asks, if you knew better in the past, what game or console would you have been super into? (27:20)

Online Multiplayer: Two Game Blister Pack Pairing (30:36)

13: FLCL Forever asks, If Sega had nigh-unlimited money, what could they have done to save the Saturn? (32:47)

14: Chin asks, what do you think of violence in video games? (39:31)

15: Dan Cantou asks is licensed crap inherently worse than original crap? (41:39)

16: Malcove asks, how do we make a Studio Ghibli game? (44:37)

17: Chopemon asks, what setting would you design for a Resident Evil-style one location video game? (45:52)

18: Devilsblush asks, who is your favorite developer of video games you aren’t interested in playing? (48:35)

19: TapeVulture asks, how can we describe Yuji Naka’s legacy? (49:39)

20: Dilson asks, how could loading screens be made better? (52:43)

21: Eric Hamilton Schneider asks, if you discovered a door into a video game world, what would would you be most happy is real? (54:17)

22: Garrett asks, how can or should pinball continue its evolution? (57:23)

23: BreadyToDie asks, which games do time travel the best? (01:00:01)

24: Katon asks, do you think Terry Basio could make a Donkey Konga game work? (01:02:06)

25: Spencer asks, do a majority of game players have an unhealthy relationship with games? (01:03:08)

Recommendations and Outro (01:04:24):

Brandon: Touring After the Apocalypse, Priscilla Chan’s Autumn Colors, Paradox’s first album, be nice to each other
Ash: Love in the Clouds
Frank: Try to relax

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Insert Credit Gaiden #15 - The 2025 Feast, with John Linneman

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:40:02 +0000

DigitalFoundry’s John Linneman returns for what is seemingly becoming an annual event: sitting with Brandon Sheffield to discuss games purchased while in Japan. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman..

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Brandon’s F1 Triple Battle, F1 Circus Special: Pole to Win, and F1 Circus ’92

2: John’s Ridge Racer V demo and Japanese Ridge Racer 6

3: Brandon’s Out Live: Be Eliminate Yesterday

4: John’s Tengai Makyō: Daiyon no Mokushiroku - The Apocalypse IV

5: Brandon’s Knight Rider Special

6: John’s Virtua Fighter for PC

7: Brandon’s Volfied

8: John’s Namco History Vol. 4

9: Brandon’s Koudelka and Clock Tower II demos

10: John’s Hungry Ghosts

11: Brandon’s RayForce soundtrack

12: John’s Goemon: Shin Sedai Shūmei!

Ganbare Goemon series

13: Brandon’s Anearth Fantasy Stories: The First Volume

Seiya Monogatari: Anearth Fantasy Stories

14: John’s Gunparade Orchestra

15: Brandon’s Cardcaptor Sakura: Clow Card Magic

16: John’s Virtual Boy Wario Land

17: Brandon’s Macross VF-X2

18: Brandon’s The Note

Doctor Hauzer

19: Brandon’s Laplace no Ma

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Ep. 420 - The Weed Episode, with Patrick Miller

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:02:37 +0000

Insert Credit Fighting Game Correspondent, author, and cannabis connoisseur Patrick Miller joins the panel to answer questions Jaffe wrote while stoned, and play another round of Smokey Bong Bluntry.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Patrick Miller. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

0: How does smoking weed or other drugs affect playing video games? (07:05)

1: Are video games art? (13:16)

2: Apart from military or law enforcement, what are the most suitable professions for a video game character to have?(14:39)

3: How do you sell Densha de Go to Americans? (20:45)

4: Take a title of a Western Video Game, pretend it’s a Japanese Video Game, and then localize the title for a western audience. (24:06)

The Insert Credit Quick Break: Videolamer.com (31:32)

5: Moshworld asks, design a Yakuza side story about weed (32:54)

6: Has a game company or game series ever had more than just one good logo design? (38:19)

7: Who are the Phineas and Ferb of video games? (44:21)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Smokey Bong Bluntry - Hard Mode No Zeldas (49:43)

that short of Brandon rattling off all them damn games

Recommendations and Outro (54:56):

Brandon: Kamikaze Girls (2004), Azumanga Daioh, The Outfoxies, Check out old websites, play Christmas NiGHTS and Blue Stinger
Frank: Check out the Video Game History Foundation, play Raw Danger! and Sonic Adventure
Patrick: Play golf at the Montclair Golf Course, From Masher to Master 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Becoming a Fighting Game Player
Ash: Take your PTO, put a coat on that baby

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Ep. 419 - Half-Life 3: Rd Person

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:29:13 +0000

Guest host Esper Quinn asks Frank, Ash, and Brandon about Xbox’s Black Friday failure, The Game Awards, and creative uses for soy sauce. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Vanessa B asks, what is the most ridiculous fighting game outfit you’ve seen and what about it irks your nerves? (04:51)

2: You guys see the Nex Cube outsold the Xbox on Black Friday? (09:29)

3: If you ran a video game history foundation, what would you do with an unreleased NES game? (18:30)

4: Given that we record this show on the Thursday before it’s released, recap what happened at The Game Awards (23:46)

5: Yeso asks, if video games had a currency, who would be on the $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills? (30:05)

6: What age should a person play their first video game? (37:27)

7: What is the soy sauce of video games? (41:04)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Even More Magic the Gathering Cards (45:39)

Recommendations and Outro (52:47):

Frank: The Video Game History Foundation’s Winter Fundraiser Calendar of Events
Brandon: Bullets Over Summer (1999), Jai D - Keichitsu Vol.1, Yoshie Kashiwabara - Luster, please review Demonschool

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Ep. 418 - Keep Cringe Alive, with Vanessa B

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:53:04 +0000

Crystal Dynamics and GDQ Community Manager Vanessa B joins Ash and Brandon to talk about Horses discourse, engaging with game communities, and Juri’s feet. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Vanessa B. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s the best community in speedrunning? (04:57)

2: How does a community manager keep the fanbase of a series engaged between release cycles? (13:23)

3: Here in 2025, how do you explain the significance of Lara Croft? (20:54)

4: What is Gex like in real life? (30:17)

5: spencergifs asks, how would one make a video game that had the fewest amount of players while generating the largest amount of discourse and content? (37:07)

6: Are there specific racial stereotypes within the video game industry and community that we have to contend with? (43:29)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Synestheatre (50:05)

Recommendations and Outro (01:10:21):

Vanessa: Back to Black 2026, Speeding Through the Holidays
Ash: Sit with art that makes you uncomfortable
Brandon: Under Siege (1992), the blu-ray commentary for The Hunted (1995) if you’re interested in the craft of making movies, Unglued - Way Back When
Jaffe: Demonschool

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Insert Credit Gaiden #14 - Arcadevania, with Ben Fiquet

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:17:41 +0000

At Tokyo Game Show 2025, Necrosoft’s Brandon Sheffield (Demonschool, Hyper Gunsport) interviews Lizardcube’s Ben Fiquet (Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Streets of Rage 4) on animation, working with larger studios, and the right amount of exploration in action games. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

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Ep. 417 - Large Mangle

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:35:47 +0000

Frank, Ash, and Brandon hang out and talk about Steam’s censorship, friendslop, and the Never Gonna Give You Up of video games.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How, if at all, should video game distribution services be screening submissions of video games? (05:15)

2: Where is the line between inspiration and plagarism? (11:40)

3: What are the best video game tiles? (16:43)

4: What is the newest kind of video game? (22:36)

A Statement from Frank Cifaldi (30:01)

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

5: Esper Quinn asks, who is the best game developer in literature? (32:33)

6: Should every roleplaying game have romance options? (39:56)

7: What is the Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up of video games? (45:44)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Jaffe didn’t come up with a name for this one but he’s asking the panel to name games from a specific year and they’re knocked out if they can’t (54:12)

Recommendations and Outro (01:19:29):

Brandon: Please review Demonschool on Steam if you’ve bought it, Doritos has three levels of spiciness now
Ash: News Tower
Frank: Lucky That Way by Brad Fregger

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Ep. 416 - Impulse Rifle

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:38:38 +0000

A game historian, a game journalist, and a game developer discuss Half-Life 3, The Game Awards, and mpreg.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

Demonschool
Mpreg
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Mr. Mom (1983)
Junior (1994)
Joe Pesci
Michael Keaton
Beetlejuice (1988)
Hideo Kojima
“Welcome to the virtual zone. I hope you enjoy yourself.”
Kasha varnishkes
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Shake Weight
America’s Test Kitchen: How to Make Brussels Sprouts Taste Good
Brandon’s Vegetarian Gravy
- Start with a roux
- Add milk (oat is probably fine)
- Add nutritional yeast, soy sauce, herbs like sage and thyme, cumin, beer if you want
- Just keep cooking it up until it tastes tangy
- Optional: add a smidge of vinegar
Ash’s Greens
- Sautee Turkey necks until kinda brown
- Add chicken stock, sauteed onions, garlic, whatever
- Braise meat until tender
- Add greens (not kale)
- Add seasonings (bay leaf, thyme, sage, pepper, mustard powder, smoked paprika, garam masala, whatever)
- Boil another 20-30 minutes
- Add a little apple cider vinegar but not too much

1: What happens at an independent game development studio immediately after they release the game they’ve been working on for years? (13:18)

2: What are the best possible conditions under which to play a video game for review purposes? (16:22)

3: What can we say about Rebecca Heineman? (22:28)

4: What video game would have the best lipstick and nail polish line? (31:13)

5: Low Guppy asks, if you could take the assets of any videogame and make a completely different game with them, which game would you use and what would you make? (36:59)

6: BreadyToDie asks, how hard should a game push a player to play a certain way? (39:08)

7: What effect does The Game Awards actually have on video games? (43:47)

8: How are they going to one-up the Gravity Gun? (49:22)

LIGHTNING ROUND: One Sentence Review but it kind of also becomes Name Design halfway through (54:52)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:57):

Brandon: All Those Moments by Rutger Hauer, please review Demonschool on Steam if you’ve bought it
Frank: Windswept, review the games you like
Ash: Let the people in your life know you love them, Sailor Moon Abridged

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Ep. 415 - The Demonschool Episode

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:19:05 +0000

Go back to hell! Insert Credit celebrates the release of Demonschool by analyzing trends in indie releases, the best grids in games, and of course, woke. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s the difference between setting a video game in high school and setting a video game in college? (03:33)

2: Do indie developers find success by making what they want to play, or by following the market? (09:18)

3: What are the best grids in video games? (14:49)

4: When making a video game, how woke should it be? (20:39)

5: Tom Arrow asks, how did the rise and fall of Blockbuster video impact videogames? (27:39)

6: How much does the average video game player want to be challenged? (34:13)

7: What movie is Demonschool of video games? (40:02)

8: What’s the Empire Records (1995) of video games? (42:01)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Trashtalkal RPG (43:21)

Recommendations and Outro (48:20):

Brandon: Demonschool
Ash: Demonschool, consider running for office
Frank: Demonschool, Pluribus
Jaffe: Call and yell at your representatives

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Send in YOUR ideas for fun video game blister pack pairings to show@insertcredit.com as an audio recording 1 minute or less in length and maybe we’ll play it on air in a future episode.

This week’s horrible buzzer was sent in by Death_Strandicoot. Thanks! To submit your own horrible buzzer, send an original recording no longer than two seconds in mp3 or wav format to show@insertcredit.com, and maybe we’ll use it on the show!

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Ep. 414 - Insert Credit Does Not Endorse Drunk Driving

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:56:42 +0000

Our beloved heroes convene for games that are clearly psyops, the Rocky Horror Picture Show of video games, and the shocking return of the Improv Zone. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Pro_Kesadia asks, if you could choose any character from any source of media to be your mentor for any profession who would it be (02:04)

2: What are the most interesting win objectives you’ve seen in a game? (08:14)

3: Which two video games not from the same series should be sold as a package? (13:47)

4: IMPROV ZONE - Even More Unused MLB SlugFest 20-03 Voice Lines (19:34)

5: Cracking Jonze asks, other than Call of Duty which video games are psyops? (26:40)

6: What are habits people pick up in game development that carry over to the rest of their lives? (31:48)

7: Design a communal video game experience equivalent to Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) (37:04)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Is It Wrong to Retitle Video Games For a Podcast? (41:52)

Recommendations and Outro (48:05):

Frank: We Launched the NES 40 Years Ago Today - Gail Tilden, Lance Barr, Bruce Lowry - PRGE 2025 Portland
Brandon: don’t watch Weird Science (1985)
Ash: Have your pets spayed or neutered

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Ep. 413 - Men Be Shopping, with Pro_Kesadia

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:04:53 +0000

Streamer and esports commentator Pro_Kesadia joins the panel to cover Halo on PlayStation, 4th-party game studios, and the Knife Economy. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Pro_Kesadia. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What are the first things that stick out to you when playing a new game? (04:31)

2: What are some aspects of games some people in games care about a lot, but most players don’t think about at all? (10:51)

3: Which esports have the best commentators, and what makes them the best? (16:12)

4: Which character has the best hair in video games? (21:19)

5: Death Strandicoot asks, what does Microsoft’s shift to third party mean for gaming? (28:03)

6: What do Twitch streaming audiences most frequently misunderstand about Twitch streamers? (33:44)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Persona 5 (45:11)

Recommendations and Outro (53:52):

Brandon: BuyBust (2018), Oldies.com catalog
Frank: The Beths - No Joy
Ash: Donate cash to your local food bank, don’t narc on shoplifters
Pro_Kesadia: Twitch.tv/Pro_Kesadia, Tiktok.com/@Pro_Kesadia, @Pro_Kesadia.bsky.social, check out a smaller creator and make their day

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Ep. 412 - Specdracular 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:02:08 +0000

Fearsome Frank Cifaldi, Ash And Bones Parrish, and Brandon Deathfield mash through FMV horror games, nepo babies, and a surprising Alucard cameo in the spookiest episode of the year.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Colin Spacetwinks asks, what would be the best horror story to turn into an FMV point-and-clock adventure? (01:43)

2: What are the most unintentionally terrifying video games? (09:01)

3: Where do you stand on large scale open world traversal in video games? (15:00)

4: What role does nepotism play in video games? (21:02)

5: Which musical artists would you recommend for a triple-A horror game? (28:46)

6: What are the most successful instances of rebranding in video games? (35:05)

7: How do games reach an intended audience? (41:32)

FRIGHTENING ROUND: The Monster Match (48:26)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:51):

Brandon: The Hitcher (1986), Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Ash: You can just do stuff
Frank: Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Jaffe: Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Nope (2022)

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Ep. 411 - Zebrataur, with Colin Spacetwinks

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:40:21 +0000

Writer and photographer Colin Spacetwinks joins the panel to talk about discovering new games, games for furries, and the correct pronunciation of FIFA. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Esper Quinn, Brandon Sheffield, and Colin Spacetwinks. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How do you discover more obscure video games? (08:27)

2: What’s the most heated argument you’ve ever had with someone over a video game opinion? (16:05)

3: What is the most efficient way to establish a video game character’s personality? (25:12)

4: Which games are for furries, and which games are for monsterfuckers? (29:57)

5: Psinuxi asks, what do you recommend as a bedtime game? (36:43)

6: What is the Space Ghost Coast 2 Coast of video games? (40:57)

7: What is the Sinners (2025) of video games? (47:07)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Circle K Corral (53:51)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:30):

Esper: Insert Credit Show, 52 Pickup, DC Action News, Topic Lords, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads
Brandon: Survivor (1987), play games that are bad like Hi-Leg Fantasy
Ash: support your local businesses
Colin: thecatamites games
Jaffe: spacetwinks.bsky.social, spacetwinks.itch.io

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Ep. 410 - Games Somerton, with Mathew Kumar

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 03:07:51 +0000

Writer and developer Mathew Kumar guest hosts the panel, covering the Balatro of coin flips, Bitmap Books bad decisions, and especially crude actions performed by Rabbids. Hosted by Mathew Kumar, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Why are coin flips so hot right now? (02:47)

2: What was Nintendo thinking with the weird baby animation? (08:29)

3: How does Bitmap Books dig themselves out of the hole they just dug for themselves? (14:47)

4: Who will make the reconstruction-era Assassin’s Creed game now? (21:40)

5: Esper Quinn asks, if you could take the assets from any existing game and make a different game, what would you take from, and what would you make? (29:47)

6: What’s the video game you have the warmest feelings about? (36:47)

7: The Zine Fairy has gifted you with resources and time to make a bizarrely specific zine. What’s it about? (43:06)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Matt Farley & Charlie Roxburgh Films (49:41)

Recommendations and Outro (58:04):

Frank: Disney’s Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers
Brandon: Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)
Ash: Get some sleep
Mathew: Help Rebecca Ann Heineman Fight Aggressive Cancer, exp. zine, Mathew Kumar’s Patreon

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This week’s horrible buzzer was sent in by Matt McNeely. Thanks! To submit your own horrible buzzer, send an original recording no longer than two seconds in mp3 or wav format to show@insertcredit.com, and maybe we’ll use it on the show!

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Ep. 409 - Silent Hilf

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:47:31 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield cover Silent Hill f, the sacrifice of EA to the monster of private capital, and thirty PlayStation hot takes. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Y’all playin’ that Hilf? (05:29)

2: EA got bought. That’s not good, right? (14:53)

3: What do you think the CEO of Nintendo of America does? (21:03)

4: Which real world non-extinct animal is presented as the most powerful in video games?(24:39)

5: What is a “real gamer?” (26:35)

6: Are there protest video games? (32:02)

LIGHTNING ROUND: 30 Years of PlayStation (42:02)

Recommendations and Outro (52:51):

Brandon: Kimimi the Game Eating She-Monster, Coyote Media, skip the commentary track for Blood of Heroes, Makeruna! Makendou 2 - Versus Menu Music
Frank: Silent Hill f, Coyote Media
Ash: Log off, get your uterus checked out if you have a uterus
Esper: J2ME, DoCoMo i-mode, KDDI ezWeb, etc. The Mobile Gaming of ol’ thread, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads (i actually watched this the day after recording but since I write the show notes i’m going to recommend it here, it’s less than 2 hours to watch the whole first season and it’s incredible)

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Ep. 408 - Nacho Cheevos, with Merritt K, Simone de Rochefort, and Liz Ryerson

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:09:03 +0000

Special guests Simone de Rochefort, Liz Ryerson, and merritt k have a very normal episode discussing obscure Doom wads, action game brand deals for jeans, and sending celebrities to Silent Hill. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Merritt K, Simone de Rochefort, and Liz Ryerson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What is the most niche video game you have the most opinions about? (03:42)

2: What are the most complex buzzwords in video games that are actually useful for discussion? (12:16)

3: If you could go back to the primordial soup of video game music, what would you add? (17:58)

4: If you could send any real world celebrity to Silent Hill who would it be? (22:11)

5: Kiko B asks, what are the nacho cheese and cool ranch of video games? (30:18)

6: Which video game character could you see yourself being friends with, but would also be the most annoying person in your friend group? (33:33)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Arcade Of Our Own (40:14)

Recommendations and Outro (53:41):

Liz: Michael Haneke films, submissions are open for the Experimental Game Showcase
merritt: Vampire: The Masquerade — Night Road, If You’re Driving, Close Your Eyes
Simone: Strange Antiquities

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Ep. 407 - Generosity Friend, with Lucy James

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 04:28:52 +0000

Gamespot’s Lucy James joins the panel to cover the Nintendo Direct, $100,000 collector’s editions of games, and being friends with Sonic characters. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Lucy James. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How about that Nintendo Direct? (04:10)

2: What are the greatest acts of hubris in the history of game development? (11:03)

3: When has a video game benefitted the most from the involvement of a celebrity? (17:16)

4: What features would you include in a $100,000 collectors edition of a game? (23:25)

5: SwirlTheNumber asks, could there ever be a good Garfield game? (31:00)

6: What are some examples of video game writing you really love? (38:19)

7: Which video game character do you think you could be friends with, but would be the most difficult person in your friend group? (44:42)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Hollow Knight (50:34)

Recommendations and Outro (54:42):

Frank: Support your local PBS station
Lucy: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, GameSpot and Friends Per Second
Ash: Anciliary Justice, 30 Minute Missions
Jaffe: 52 Pickup, DC Action News

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Ep. 406 - Sextuple A, with Esper Quinn

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 04:57:09 +0000

Podcast Editor and Game Industry Analyst Esper Quinn joins the panel to cover why Silksong’s price doesn’t matter, what the A’s in AAAAA-Game stand for, and the Loudness War. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Ash Parrish asks: Frank, have you gotten to the ladder in Snake Eater? (06:34)

2: What is the hardest console, currently and historically, to develop video games for? (10:54)

3: What is the most common thing to change in a video game’s first sequel? (16:47)

4: What do each of the A’s in Quintuple A stand for? (22:01)

5: Anonymous asks, why do so few indie games share their price before launch? (28:17)

6: What is the main reason someone will buy a video game? (34:51)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Clown Car (42:30)

Recommendations and Outro (48:51):

Brandon: Final Draft if you want to watch a bad competition show, release Tracie Spencer’s Naturelle album from 1993 if you work for Capitol Records
Ash: Great British Bake-Off, Wildcard Kitchen
Frank: Antiques Roadshow
Jaffe: Esper Quinn is available for audio and video editing services
Esper: Alex Jaffe is available for hosting and voice acting services, follow my partner and love of nine years Ripley, don’t watch Big Brother

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Ep. 405 - Rear Tickle

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:32:59 +0000

The panel discusses the best pixel artists, Clair Obscur’s greatest weakness, and In Which Lake Is Carmen Sandiego? Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How do you pick a video game release date? (06:44)

2: Is there anything from a video game that would be fun to build, gunpla style? (13:44)

3: Who does the best sprite work in video games? (18:41)

4: Design “Where in Ohio is Carmen Sandiego?” (24:55)

Ohio
Carmen Sandiego series
Minot, North Dakota
Land of 10,000 Lakes
Fargo, North Dakota
Howard the Duck
Cleveland, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Drew Carey
The Drew Carey Show
Devo
Free Stamp
The Horseshoe
Buckeye
Cleveland Guardians
Hope Memorial Bridge
(Editor’s note: Ash is incorrect in claiming that Pennsylvania is cooler than Ohio. I insist she regrets the error. -Esper)
Flag of Ohio
Flag of Puerto Rico
Flag of Indiana

5: Terapixel asks, have video game controllers been “solved?” (31:46)

6: What elements of a game should be opaque or invisible to the player? (38:21)

7: Who is the Jackie Chan of video games? (45:00)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Trash Talk (50:35)

Recommendations and Outro (56:08):

Brandon: Check out the library, Upír z Feratu (1982)
Ash: Take a walk in a cemetery (without your dog)
Frank: Learn homerow

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Insert Credit Gaiden #13 - The Intended Game, with Oli Clarke Smith

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Promise Mascot Agency and Paradise Killer game director Oli Clarke Smith goes on a game dev deep dive with Demonschool’s Brandon Sheffield, discussing everything from tooling, workflows, localization, voice acting, making a “PS2-style” game, and of course, movement mechanics. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Oli Clarke Smith. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

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Ep. 404 - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield discuss Demonschool’s release date getting sniped by Silksong, thoughts on lost media, and E3ster. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Is Bubsy back? (05:44)

2: Victoria Tran asks, what’s the best video game purchase you made for under $20? (17:53)

3: SteveWithAB asks, what is the most adult E-rated game? (24:03)

4: What most fascinates you regarding lost media? (29:55)

5: From a studio standpoint, what does the last two weeks look like before a video game comes out? (41:34)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Alphabrecs (51:50)

Recommendations and Outro (59:40):

Brandon: My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (1989)
Frank: King of the Hill reboot if you liked the original
Ash: Be nice to Ash, it’s her birthday whenever today is!

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Ep. 403 - It's Okay to Shut Up, with Victoria Tran

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 03:33:23 +0000

Innersloth Communications Director, Wholesome Games organizer, and author Victoria Tran joins the panel for game industry tax tips, thoughts on the “cozy game” genre, and checking Ash’s sauce privilege. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Victoria Tran. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Esper Quinn asks, which video game has the best music? (05:09)

2: When have you had to make an exception to a personal rule about video games? (11:04)

3: Which games have been failed the most by their marketing? (16:30)

4: What are the easiest ways to trick investors into giving you money? (24:39)

5: What kind of games are particularly prone or resistant to toxic community? (30:03)

6: How do we feel about cozy games? (36:57)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Among Us (48:03)

Recommendations and Outro (53:34):

Victoria: Mastering Community Management, the “Best Fishing Minigame” panel at PAX West
Frank: the “Launch of the NES” panel at PAX West
Brandon: Figure out the Intrusive R, don’t turn your french fries around when double dipping
Ash: Recommend your favorite master grade gunpla kits to Ash on the forums

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Ep. 402 - This Man's Sky

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 03:00:00 +0000

The finest minds in video games discuss The Sims 5, good sewer levels, and playing CD-i games with Eugene Levy. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Liz Ryerson asks, are there any actually good sewer levels? (03:05)

2: When are you personally motivated to replay a narrative-driven singleplayer game you’ve already finished? (08:33)

3: How do we feel about continuing to update a game, instead of releasing a new one? (13:49)

4: How would you design The Sims 5? (20:03)

5: What role has playing video games had in your lives for making friends? (26:24)

6: What’s the deal with Stop Killing Games? (34:18)

7: What are your F.A.Q.s? (42:21)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Mad Men or Kingdom Hearts? (50:26)

Recommendations and Outro (59:02):

Frank: Computer Entertainer, pirate The Naked Gun (2025) and the originals
Brandon: the first third of U.S. Marshals (1998), Buy Demonschool on September 3, 2025 (that’s pretty soon!), please tell streamers you like about the game
Ash: Buy porn, call Visa & Mastercard

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Ep. 401 - Let's Gather Some Magic, with Esper Quinn

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:41:57 +0000

Video editor, white-blue-black player, and show note writer Esper Quinn planeswalks with the panel to discuss their first experiences playing Magic: the Gathering. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Brandon, Frank, and Jaffe, how were your experiences with Magic: the Gathering? (04:13)

2: Why was this Final Fantasy Magic set so successful? (35:37)

Online Multiplayer: What is the first AAA game? (45:29)

3: Spencer asks, what can video games learn from card games? (49:07)

4: Which video games best represent each of Magic’s five colors? (58:21)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Magic Names and Art (01:05:40)

Recommendations and Outro (01:16:15):

Esper: Read comics by companies other than Marvel or DC like The Power Fantasy or East of West
Brandon: Black Sabbath, Ludwig
Ash: Anciliary Justice
Frank: Come see Frank on his “Not Afraid to Say It!” Tour at Long Island Retro, PAX, and Portland Retro Gaming Expo

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Ep. 400 - The Insert Credit Best Game Developer List

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 06:36:02 +0000

Insert Credit nominates and celebrates the greatest, most influential, and most personally beloved game development studios of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

View the finalized list at insertcredit.com!

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Brandon’s First Pick (08:00)

2: Ash’s First Pick (12:29)

3: Frank’s First Pick (14:59)

4: Brandon’s Second Pick (19:05)

5: Ash’s Second Pick (24:39)

6: Frank’s Second Pick (28:23)

7: Brandon’s Third Pick (34:43)

8: Ash’s Third Pick (37:56)

9: Frank’s Third Pick (41:24)

10: Brandon’s Fourth Pick (48:49)

11: Ash’s Fourth Pick (52:52)

12: Frank’s Fourth Pick (57:01)

13: Brandon’s Fifth Pick (01:02:23)

14: Ash’s Fifth Pick (01:08:27)

15: Frank’s Fifth Pick (01:16:24)

16: Brandon’s Sixth Pick (01:21:06)

17: Ash’s Sixth Pick (01:27:40)

18: Frank’s Sixth Pick (01:32:20)

19: Brandon’s Seventh Pick (01:37:27)

20: Ash’s Seventh Pick (01:43:34)

21: Frank’s Seventh Pick (01:50:52)

Celebrated Mentions (01:55:14)

Ranking Nominees (02:03:35)

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Ep. 399 - The Best Kusoge, with Liz Ryerson

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:43:54 +0000

Writer, musician, and NYU guest lecturer Liz Ryerson joins the panel to define “Triple A,” genres of kusoge, and film envy. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Liz Ryerson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What was the first triple A video game? (03:55)

2: Is it easier to write about a good video game or a bad video game? (10:47)

3: What’s the best kusoge? (16:51)

4: What is the “don’t watch past season 8 of The Simpsons” of video games? (22:51)

Online Multiplayer: How do YOU define an indie game? (28:14)

5: What sports videogame do you pick to play with Champ Bear? (32:00)

6: What are the rules of video game music? (43:24)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Price Is Sprite (51:00)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:15):

Brandon: Don’t buy from Mod Retro because they’re owned by war profiteer and weapons developer Palmer Luckey, Everdeep Aurora, learn to pronounce Japanese words if you’re starting a youtube channel about Japanese games
Ash: Foundation, furries
Liz: Love and Mercy (2014) (for normals), Castration Movie (2024) (for non-normals), The People’s Joker (2022)

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Ep. 398 - Horse Wives

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:38:06 +0000

The Insert Credit panel you know and love discuss developments in game journalism, gacha games about girls who are horses, and what happens when you put Coke Zero in espresso. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Ash, you used to write for Kotaku, right? (03:29)

Kotaku

2: Ash, what’s your read on this whole G/O Media selling Kotaku to Gizmodo’s parent company? (03:36)

3: When is it cool that a video game changes the rules on you, and when is it annoying? (08:55)

4: What non-video game piece of media do you think has inspired the most video games? (13:20)

5: Design 3 new characters for Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (18:27)

Minigame: Gacha Time! (24:44)

6: Alex Jaffe asks, what is an indie game? (33:13)

Minigame: 18 Questions - Real Person Who Has Appeared in the Greatest Number of Video Games (38:31)

7: Gemstonez asks, please rank and discuss the PlayStation games mentioned in the song “My Console” by Eiffel 65 (43:12)

Recommendations and Outro (50:39):

Frank: Vent your PC heat out of your home’s chimney, Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose
Brandon: Check your airplane console for Bejeweled 3 which is the good version of Bejeweled without microtransactions, ZPF
Ash: Make more root beer floats, The Murderbot Diaries

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Ep. 397 - Regular Taxi

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:05:16 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish and https://bsky.app/profile/brandon.insertcredit.com cover Microsoft killing the game industry, the cast of the Street Fighter movie, and the definition of “indie game.” Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What is the Starbucks of video games? (05:07)

2: Nicole Carpenter asks, what video game character is the worst patient at the dentist? (10:25)

3: What is something you always want your character to be able to do in a video game? (16:32)

4: What do we think of the casting for this Street Fighter movie? (20:37)

5: What is an indie game? (28:16)

6: rejj asks, what was your first favorite game, and which game replaced it? (34:27)

7: What the hell is wrong with video games? (40:38)

8: Brandon, how was your trip to London and Paris? (47:20)

9: Frank, how was your trip to Chicago? And, recommendations (55:43)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Frank’s Movie Title Game (01:05:39)

Outro (01:17:46)

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Ep. 396 - Horse Valet, with Nicole Carpenter and Will Jagielski-Harrison

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 02:11:34 +0000

Game journalists Nicole Carpenter and Will Jagielski-Harrison join Ash Parrish to discuss the state of game journalism, World of Warcraft, and gamer girl bathwater stolen valor. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Nicole Carpenter, and Will Jagielski-Harrison. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How fucked is game journalism? (03:23)

2: How do you recommend a game to someone in a way that will get them to play it? (08:24)

3: Happy pride! How does queerness and queer narratives manifest uniquely in games, in contrast to other media? (11:44)

4: What the hell is going on in the story of World of Warcraft? (16:17)

5: SteveWithAB asks, what’s the worst job in a video game? (26:32)

6: What do you think was the hardest video game in history to make? (32:56)

7: Who in video games do you trust? (38:15)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Zelda Maker (40:49)

Recommendations and Outro (52:08):

Nicole: Save Spot, Reese’s Take 5
Ash: Date Everything
Will: Essence of Azeroth, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2

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Ep. 395 - We've Got Enough Nuts McSquirrels

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:32:12 +0000

Your Insert Credit panel covers open world games, the Tango & Cash NES platformer, and the many secrets of The Ooze. Plus, credits are spent to make everyone to play a game. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Ash, how was Summer Game Fest? (02:16)

2: merritt k asks, which classic film should have gotten an inexplicable platformer on the NES? (10:22)

3: When should a video game have an open world? (16:23)

4: Happy pride! What are some extremely complicated things developers can do to make their games more queer? (24:20)

5: Littleboat asks, what is the worst goo in a videogame? (29:04)

6: How were 90’s video games informed by their wider historical context? (35:15)

7: What is the “BlueSky is dying” of video games? (41:32)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Famicom Feud - Repeatedly Novelized Game Series (47:45)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:29):

Brandon: Support your alt weeklies, Guns and Guts (1974)
Ash: Subscribe to the Patreon at a $10 level to get drag names from Ash, Steam Next Fest

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Ep. 394 - Fortnitification, with merritt k

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:38:59 +0000

Writer, podcaster, and friend of the show merritt k joins Frank and Brandon to answer Esper’s questions on intercompany crossovers, the definition of 2.5D, and Gay Fire Emblem. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How do we feel about corporate crossovers in video games? (03:57)

2: What aspects from other media are worth bringing to video games? (09:41)

3: What are some simple things video game developers can do to queer up their games? (13:58)

4: Come up with a trailer for SGF in six minutes or less (20:50)

5: Alex Jaffe asks, in 2025, who is each major console maker’s target market? (26:07)

6: With regards to JRPGs specifically but all games broadly, when do you need to play a game, and when is it okay to just watch a longplay? (32:30)

7: What is a 2.5D game? (39:53)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Game (43:38)

Recommendations and Outro (54:45):

Merritt: If You’re Driving Close Your Eyes, Other Strangeness on patreon
Brandon: Mami Ayukawa - SMILE, TESMart HDMI switcher, support protestors
Frank: Fund people whos creative work you enjoy
Esper: Don’t rank Cuomo, DC Action News

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Ep. 393 - Sephiroth Bader Ginsburg

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:03:00 +0000

A historian, a journalist, and a developer answer a host’s questions regarding the Sony State of Play, various consistencies of pie, and video game drag names. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Do we have any thoughts on the Sony State of Play yesterday? (06:02)

2: Does anyone have any stories about pie? (12:00)

3: What is the best video game you know you’ll never play? (18:40)

4: Happy pride! Let’s come up with some video game themed drag names (24:04)

5: James asks, I had a dream where Alex Jaffe told me “You can’t say that, there’s only one pun that’s allowed at insert credit summer camp.” What’s that pun? Also, what’s insert credit summer camp like? (29:26)

6: What’s the most work you’ve put into a video game related project that never really went anywhere? (37:39)

7: What is the Bride of Frankenstein of video games? (45:07)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - The Sims 4 (48:30)

Recommendations and Outro (53:47):

Brandon: Dr. Bronner makes chocolate now, The Singing Thief (1969), Whorepion
Frank: Don’t piss your pants, open the door instead
Ash: D’Hora, Liu Sang, Ho’ Rai Cho, Ho’tal Khan, Jackoffson Briggs, Chronica
Jaffe: Sign up for Patreon to receive your gacha pull!

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Ep. 392 - Neutered Hyper Fighting

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:13:35 +0000

Your Insert Credit panel faces parrying mechanics, Elden Ring Nightreign’s AMV theme and sexy bird men, and Hotel Rwanda but with Mario. Plus, a sneak peek at an unreleased Famicom game! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What makes a game edgy? (03:49)

2: How do you feel about critical hit systems in games? (10:21)

3: Ash Parrish asks, pro- or anti-parrying? (17:14)

4: What would JRPGs look like from other European countries? (23:37 )

5: Magnanimus asks, what’s the best game on the Wikipedia page “List of games notable for negative reception?” (30:41)

6: Which video game character do you think the most actual human people have been named after? (36:49)

7: Create a definitive ranking of the five best Pac-Man games (40:59)

8: If your dog or cat suddenly became a human being, what video games do you think they’d be into? (45:43)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - JAV Titles (51:47)

Credit Report (01:03:40)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:00):

Frank: We’re Dumping 125 Mystery Prototype ROMs!
Brandon: Wind Breaker, thanks for being a left-wing person, not the movie Blackenstein (1973)
Ash: The Apothecary Diaries, touch grass, Dropout.tv
- Picture of Bu
- Picture of Gus

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Ep. 391 - Deploy the WonderSwan

Mon, 26 May 2025 06:05:20 +0000

The finest minds in video games reconvene to cover Chicago game industry history, schadefreude, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

Metaphor: ReFantazio

An Update to the Insert Credit Prize Wall (03:32)

1: Frank, what’s up with Duelin’ Firemen? (05:57)

2: DIDDY WATCH: Frank, Nintendo has produced evidence that Diddy Kong is still alive and will be in Bananza. When have you been wrong about a video game before? (13:46)

3: What’s the greatest love story in a video game that isn’t a dating sim or RPG? (19:19)

4: When have you gotten the most personal joy from a video game company’s misfortune? (25:05)

5: Isla asks, what is a game mechanic or system you really like that is in a game you don’t like? (32:01)

6: Liz Ryerson asks, what are some of your favorite video game sound effects? (38:18)

7: What is the hack stand-up comedian making jokes about airline food of video games? (44:01)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Who’s the Boss? (50:37)

Credit Report (01:01:13)

Recommendations and Outro (01:02:16):

Brandon: Ghostwire: Tokyo
Frank: Stay tuned for a possible “Let’s Figure Out What’s On These Taito EPROMs” stream from the VGHF, possibly on the 28th
Jaffe: Mailbag Mountain - Live Unboxing 1000 Pounds of Video Game Magazines
Ash: Last Defense Academy: the Hundred Line

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Ep. 390 - Fix Your Kingdom Hearts or Die, with Liz Ryerson

Mon, 19 May 2025 07:06:28 +0000

Musician, writer, podcaster, and friend of the show Liz Ryerson joins the panel for Giant Bomb’s resurrection, the next video game-based Magic the Gathering set, and the introduction of gacha mechanics to the podcast format. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Liz Ryerson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Any Austin asks, which video game bar would provide the best three-mile walk home after a night out that ended kind of badly? (03:45)

2: Brandon Sheffield asks, what is the can opener of video games? (11:14)

Can opener

3: What do you think we could have done with Giant Bomb? (14:30)

4: Which video game should the next Magic: the Gathering set be based on?

5: KikoB asks, aside from 50 Cent, what recording artists should have their own video games? (33:43)

6: Is there something you used to love in video games that has overstayed its welcome? (40:09)

7: What is the “I Got This Before I Knew He Was Crazy” bumper sticker of video games? (45:36)

LIGHTNING ROUND: This Ain’t No Game (50:09)

Recommendations and Outro (01:03:45):

Brandon: Ozone (1993) (but this particular recommendation is only for Ash) Katedralen, Man Under Erasure
Ash: Touch grass
Liz: The King of Comedy (1982), The Mask (2023), B3313, Um - Martha Skye Murphy, Liz Ryerson on Patreon, stay tuned for a stream on game visibility

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Ep. 389 - Middle Kick Button, with Any Austin

Mon, 12 May 2025 08:23:58 +0000

Youtuber, statistician, and cartographer Any Austin joins the panel to determine whether open world games should have minimaps, how to become a Sega Man, and the relationship between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Any Austin. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

SHOW NOTES:

1: Brian David Gilbert asks, which video game do you wish you could scrub from the memories of everyone in the world except for you? (08:08)

2: What’s the platonic ideal in open world games for you? (14:25)

3: What’s something you’ve seen in a video game that you’ve appreciated the developers putting much more work into than was even a little bit necessary? (20:07)

4: If you were isekai’d into a generic fantasy setting, what would your job be? (27:15)

5: Psinux asks, how does a Sega kid become a Sega man? (33:23)

6: What’s the best mountain in a video game? (37:37)

7: What is the BBC’s Planet Earth of video games? (43:30)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Price is Sprite (49:20)

Credit Report (01:01:20)

Recommendations and Outro (01:02:10):

Brandon: If you’re looking to make friends, try joining a forum (forums.insertcredit.com or otherwise)
Frank: Spiritual Warfare
Ash: The Righteous Gemstones
Austin: Shout out to air traffic controllers, Turks and Caicos Islands, forums, Any Austin on youtube

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Ep. 388 - Big Heads, Big Hearts

Mon, 05 May 2025 06:33:44 +0000

The panel mourns the loss of two titans of video game journalism, considers the future of games reporting, and imagines a horse covered in human skin. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

SHOW NOTES:

1: Let us begin by mourning the losses of game journalism (02:42)

2: DIDDY WATCH: What does it mean that Cranky and Rambi are in Donkey Kong Bananza? (24:58)

3: Brian David Gilbert asks, if your typical fashion had stat boosters attached to it, what would they be and why? (29:25)

4: How do you convince people to buy horse armor in 2025? (39:18)

5: How would each of you specifically design a video game for the other two panelists? (44:01)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - ? (47:03)

Recommendations and Outro (53:28):

Brandon: Eine Kleine Beng-beng Musik by dis.placed, The Seventh Curse (1986), Promise Mascot Agency
Ash: Aftermath, Remap, VGBees, support journalism
Frank: Enjoy, support, and share smart media
Jaffe: DC Action News

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Insert Credit Gaiden #12 - GDC 2025, with Liz Ryerson and Brandon Sheffield

Sat, 03 May 2025 00:40:36 +0000

The 2025th Game Developers Conference has ended, and only Liz Ryerson and Brandon Sheffield covered it in the way it was meant to be covered: on-the-floor stories from the industry’s finest minds, and an extensive tour of booths reflecting the state of video games as we know it. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield and Liz Ryerson, with Leaf, Schera Wyss, Frank Cifaldi, K.K. Dream, Alexander Martin, Ty Underwood, Leo Burke, Max Kreiger, and Justin Bortnick. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

Brandon talks with Leaf about Funko taking down itch.io (00:00)
Liz seeks the origins of Slugworld with Schera Wyss (13:01)
Brandon chats with Frank about game history (17:02)
Liz trades business cards with K.K. Dream (30:17)
Liz joins friends to reveal the current state of video games, based on the GDC Expo Floor booths (42:24)

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Ep. 387 - Ethical Banana Diamonds, with Brian David Gilbert

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 01:24:58 +0000

Brian David Gilbert of Dropout.tv, Unraveled, and his own excellent youtube channel joins our panel to cover Switch 2 preorders, Donkey Kong dating your friends, and the legendary Nier butthole. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Brian David Gilbert. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: We’re recording this the day that preorders have gone live for the Switch 2. What’s the worst case you’ve ever seen of Preorder Madness? (08:05)

2: What’s the right amount of bullshit to put in a video game? (15:13)

3: How would video games be different today if when you died in the game, you died in real life? (20:45)

4: How would you describe the character of Donkey Kong? (23:51)

Insert Credit Quick Break: DC Action News (32:47)

5: Magnanimous asks, is there any old video game slang you’d bring back? (33:36)

6: Which video game vehicle would receive the best JD Power & Associates car rating? (39:00)

7: What is the Tom Hooper’s Cats of video games? (43:54)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Arcade of Our Own (51:20)

Credit Report (01:06:59)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:21):

Frank: Watch Tempo on YouTube for a second and decide what you think about it
Brandon: Minako Yoshida’s Dark Crystal, Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch
Ash: Go outside and take a walk
Brian: VVVVVV, brian david gilbert on YouTube, Um, Actually

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Ep. 386 - Trapped in the Question Hole

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 05:57:55 +0000

Frank, Ash, and Brandon begin an endless and inescapable descent into our listener-submitted Question Hole, and in the process learn to run an inn, make Ash crack up at Metafore ReFantazio again, and mention the same four guys that get mentioned every episode. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What are your all-time favorite single performances on a game soundtrack? (02:52)

2: Whywhy asks, what is the Megalopolis (2024) of video games? (04:40)

3: Spencer asks, what are the trademarks of your favorite game designer’s styles? (05:33)

4: Seth asks, how would you develop a game that portrays publishers negatively? (06:30)

5: Fruinblacksberk asks, if you could bring one person in the video game industry back to life who died a premature death, who would it be? (08:49)

6: Chopemon asks, what game should get a remaster with a good/dumb name? (09:40)

7: Riley asks, who is the tallest character in video games? (10:37)

8: Gaagaagiins asks, have we already seen the service game with the shortest lifespan, and the service game with the longest lifespan? (11:32)

9: LeFish asks, which video games are most likely or best suited to a Broadway musical adaptation? (12:48)

Yakuza series

10: BreadyToDie asks, has a video game ever affected your real life ideological bent? (13:18)

11: Is Officer Zuffle from Ooblets copaganda? (14:14)

12: XCT asks, what are some of the panel’s favorite video game sequels in a different genre? (14:44)

13: Cheapy asks, who drives the coolest motorcycle in video games? (16:59)

14: Gaagaagiins asks, what are some of the best games you can play for $0? (17:46)

15: Anatoliu asks, what game would you send to all of Nintendo Power’s 1990 subscribers? (19:01)

16: connorr asks, who is the PS3 of human beings? (20:17)

17: Kiko B asks, what aspect of game design is most commonly misunderstood? (21:55)

18: Suda 68.999 asks, what two or more games would best compliment each other if stitched together with mods? (24:27)

19: Kyle asks, how would you implement skateboarding in modern games? (26:03)

20: Cole asks, which video game sounds could also serve as great text message tones? (27:42)

21: SpencerGifs asks, if a game has multiple versions, how do you decide which to play? (29:14)

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

22: Classic Anonymous asks, who is the William Randolph Hearst of video games? (30:09)

23: Dark Saikan asks, do you know what Neal Stephenson’s blockchain thing is? (31:24)

24: Rice9 asks, do good critics make good designers? (32:16)

25: Camillo asks, what is the cane from Citizen Kane of video games? (34:21)

26: Propellher asks, what is the most dad game of all time? (34:52)

27: What’s the most daddy game of all time? (36:38)

Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator

28: Chopemon asks, what is your Gamer forum signature? (36:53)

29: SpencerGifs asks, what should a Nintendo baby play to grow out of Nintendo babydom? (38:16)

30: Yeso asks, what is the tucking in your shirt of video games? (39:18)

31: LeFish asks, who is the Sister Rosetta Tharpe of video games? (41:04)

32: Bebedor asks, what steps are you taking to get John Carpenter on the show? (44:34)

33: Yuji asks, what video game will still be played 5,000 years from now? (45:35)

34: SpencerGifs asks, how do the video game generations break down if you go by design innovation? (47:08)

35: ASmallRabbite asks, what is the most finally making it to an inn with 1hp and no potions moment in your real life? (48:32)

36: Nemoid asks, how can public institutions like libraries foster positive relationships with game enthusiasts? (51:38)

37: Spencer asks, why did so many companies throw their hat in the console ring in the fifth generation? (55:07)

38: Gaagaagiins asks, what is the best and worst default jump button? (58:44)

39: Anonymous asks, what is the Ween of video games? (01:01:31)

40: Gruntin’ Gary asks, in what ways have video games become more and less accessible over the years? (01:02:56)

41: RepelHer asks, does the panel just generally never cry, or is there something about video games specifically? (01:04:24)

42: Spencer asks, is video game marketing different from other marketing? (01:08:20)

43: SecretBilly asks, what niche types of game player would historical figures have been? (01:12:13)

Recommendations and Outro (01:14:33):

Brandon: Speed Racer (2008), The Golden Buddha (1966) or From Beijing with Love (1994), Flying Saucer Video
Frank: watch two things with an actor at the same time
Ash: The Boondocks, send Ash recommendations for Chinese historical harem dramas

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Ep. 385 - David Uncage

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:33:44 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield answer Alex Jaffe’s questions on A Minecraft Movie, canceling people in gaming, and most importantly, the SCUMPI II. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

Downfall (2004)

1: Mike Drucker asks, what’s an exactly correctly rated game? (01:49)

2: Ash, what was it like covering a console launch? (06:45)

3: What do you think A Minecraft Movie is? (13:30)

4: Who would you go back in time and cancel? (19:19)

Insert Credit Quick Break: Undercover Shot, available as NES cartridge and digital download (24:17)

5: Blabbo asks, what game developer or studio would you free from their current IP? (25:45)

6: What’s a question you’ve always had about video games but haven’t been able to get a good answer for? (30:56)

7: What is the drinking eight glasses of water a day of video games? (37:15)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Game Name Chaining (42:05)

Credit Report (44:33)

Recommendations and Outro (44:50):

Frank: PEPPERED: an existential platformer
Ash: let’s not do this Lightning Round again, The Blue Prince, Promise Mascot Agency, Monaco 2, Talos Principle Remake, Crashlands 2, Hollywood Animal, Pilo and the Holobook, Girls Made Pudding, Signal Creek, Willow Guard, Harpagun, Kaya’s Prophecy, Time Gal & Ninja Hayate HD, SnowRunner, Dave the Diver DLC
Brandon: let’s do this Lightning Round again, check out the Galaxies Showcase, vote for Barbara Lee, do not vote for Lauren Taylor, Yuen Hop Co, Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland
Jaffe: DC Action News

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Ep. 384 - Keighleyme Pie, with Mike Drucker

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:43:55 +0000

Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Mike Drucker joins Brandon and Esper in answering Alex Jaffe’s questions on the Nintendo S2iitch, the ultimate fan experience, and the impossibility of defending your Persona 5 romance choice. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Brandon Sheffield, Esper Quinn, and Mike Drucker. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Hey, you guys hear about the Switch 2? (03:19)

2: What’s the hardest problem you’ve ever had to solve in game writing or localization? (09:16)

3: What games have fundamentally changed the way you think about video games? (13:52)

4: Improv Zone: My Uncle at Nintendo (19:25)

5: Steve with a B asks, what is the best thing about the video game industry, and what is the worst thing about the video game industry? (24:55)

6: What is the best video game ad you’ve seen on an actual television? (28:41)

7: Who is the Jimmy Fallon of video games? (35:08)

8: Brandon asks, what’s it like writing video game award shows? (40:41)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Panic at the Disco! Singles (46:10)

Recommendations and Outro (50:07):

Mike: Good Game, No Rematch available on Amazon and Other Better places
Brandon: Harvey Keitel’s accent in Star Knight (1985)
Esper: DC Action News, Common Side Effects

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Insert Credit Gaiden #11 - Aaron Stewart-Ahn Is a Very Silly Boy

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:34:33 +0000

Screenwriter Aaron Stewart-Ahn hangs out with Brandon to talk about why plot isn’t so important, the career resurgence of Nicolas Cage, and Werner Herzog’s splash damage. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Aaron Stewart-Ahn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

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Ep. 383 - The Monster...Hunter

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:44:26 +0000

The finest minds in video games cover both GDC and the Nintendo Direct, furniture options when playing games, and jade dizzies. Plus, a credit is spent! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

Credit Report (03:16)

1: merritt k asks, what game would you give the modern rerelease treatment? (04:55)

2: Brandon Sheffield asks, what is the wearing a metal band t-shirt of video games? (10:43)

3: How was GDC and the Nintendo Direct? (16:23)

4: What do you look for in a new couch? (23:47)

Insert Credit Quick Break - Crime Lake (30:53)

5: Nick asks, describe the first hour of David Cage’s Monster Hunter spin-off. (32:03)

6: What’s the weirdest video game opinion you’ve ever heard in your life? (36:34)

7: Were video games corrupting the youth? (39:51)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Roblox (44:54)

Recommendations and Outro (48:39):

Brandon: Prince of Prussia, Bio-Zombie (1998), Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls (2023)
Frank: A Cat’s-Eye View of Japan
Ash: Donate to public media
Jaffe: DC Action News

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Ep. 382 - Proustian Bargaining at GDC 2025

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 01:43:22 +0000

Brandon Sheffield subjects well known video game characters who just happen to be attending GDC 2025 to the famous Proust Questionnaire. Yes, we know it’s pronounced “proost.” Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Matthew Burns, Frank Cifaldi, Naomi Clark, Nikki Grayson, David Hellman, merritt k, Shannon Liao, Laura Michet, Alx Preston, Liz Ryerson, Phil Salvador, and Derek Yu. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

Luigi, via merritt k (00:14)
Rick Taylor, via Derek Yu (07:12)
Astarion Ancunín, via Shannon Liao (11:34)
Squall Leonhart, via Phil Salvador (13:55)
Headcrab, via Laura Michet (17:50)
Samus Aran, via Alx Preston (20:53)
Miles “Tails” Prower, via Liz Ryerson (25:44)
Alan Wake, via Matthew Burns (31:02)
Geralt of Rivia, via Naomi Clark (36:08)
Django, via Nikki Grayson (41:30)
Tim, via David Hellman (45:15)
Princess Peach, via Frank Cifaldi (47:37)

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Ep. 381 - Gamer Water, with merritt k and Eric Silver

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 05:58:19 +0000

Writer/comedian merritt k joins Ash, Brandon, and guest host Eric Silver to figure out why Pokemon games look bad now, why Insert Credit doesn’t talk about Nintendo, and the LeBron James of Video Games. Hosted by Eric Silver, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Will mainline Pokemon games ever not look like garbo again? (04:00)

2: What is the best sword or gun in video game history? (10:10)

3: Why doesn’t Insert Credit talk about Nintendo more? (15:06)

4: What aspects of Insert Credit Show have evolved to outlive other podcasts? (19:55)

PC Engine

5: If someone discovered a wellspring of video game water, what would we use it for in the real world? (23:24)

6: Alex Jaffe asks, are video games cool? Have they ever been cool? What is the coolest that video games have ever been? (29:17)

7: Does your interest in games reflect or influence how you feel about tabletop roleplaying games? (34:26)

8: What is the LeBron James of video games? (45:38)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Shoot, Collaborate, and Listen (52:21)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:41):

Brandon: Tesla Takedown, 5 Calls, Ninja Busters (1984) if you need to suffer, The Keep (1983)
Ash: Make Thai tea with boba at home
merritt: The Insider (1999), Fledgling Manor
Eric: Thank a Podcast Editor Today, Attach Your Resume, Join the Party

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Ep. 380 - Gamer Oil

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 02:44:49 +0000

The finest minds in video games assess their feelings on the current state of the medium, how best to scam gamers, and Midwest Zelda. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How do you feel about video games right now? (05:53)

2: Rank these from best to worst: the x button, the o button, the square button, and the triangle button. (15:22)

3: What’s the difference between a ROLE playing game, a role PLAYING game, and a role playing GAME? (20:08)

4: Make a video game music playlist to play over the speakers at a dentist’s office. (24:37)

5: Catherine asks, what are some of the most interesting cases of putting out a game again? (29:32)

6: Catherine asks, what do you think is the game most-played by people who “don’t play games”? (40:56)

7: Catherine asks, how do you sell snake oil to gamers? (44:38)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Zelda Maker (50:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:04:32):

Brandon: Naked Killer (1992), California Fire Relief Bundle

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Ep. 379 - Charmy Bee Is a Freak

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 01:59:31 +0000

After being assigned the task of playing Knuckles’ Chaotix with their romantic partners, our panel returns with questions and opinions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: How was everyone’s Knuckles: Chaotix experience? (02:25)

2: Explain Knuckles Chaotix (07:24)

Sonic the Hedgehog

3: What did you think of the boss fights? (13:11)

4: Let’s talk about the 32X, and the bonus stages (19:03)

5: VGHF Archive Dive: Knuckles Chaotix (25:45)

6: One of the Good Pauls asks, who would you want to be chained to in a series of platforming challenges? (33:40)

7: What makes for a good multiplayer platforming experience? (37:10)

8: Let’s talk about character variety in one player and co-op games. Who does this the best? (41:04)

Overcooked

9: Why aren’t Sonic and Tails in this game? (46:57)

LIGHTNING ROUND (For Ash Only): Which Sonic Characters are Black? (49:43)

Recommendations and Outro (57:58):

Frank: Chained Together
Ash: 5 Calls, Steam Next Fest
Brandon: Melt-Banana, California Fire Relief Bundle

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Ep. 378 - Old Weird Game Feast 2, with John Linneman

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:15:15 +0000

DigitalFoundry’s John Linneman joins Brandon Sheffield once again to delve into their video game collections, and contemplate liquid-cooled 3DOs, India-exclusive PS2 games, and the sensation of removing $300 worth of cellophane. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with John Linnemann. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

SHOW NOTES:

1: Tomak: Save the Earth Again (02:44)

2: Pyramid Intruder (06:32)

3: Congo: The Movie: The Lost City of Zinj (11:56)

4: Thexder (15:14)

5: First Kiss Monogatari (19:34)

6: Galactic Pinball (22:16)

7: Screamin’ Mad George’s Paranoiascape (27:43)

8: Darius II (31:43)

9: Pup-Breeder (34:32)

10: Tryrush Deppy (37:43)

11: Ginga Ojōsama Densetsu Yuna (41:46)

12: Skyhammer (47:15)

13: Colors (55:13)

14: Phase Paradox (59:27)

15: Hanuman: Boy Warrior (01:04:28)

16: MTV’s Beavis and Butt-Head in Virtual Stupidity (01:07:56)

17: Asuka 120% Special: BURNING Fest. (01:11:57)

18: ActRaiser 2 (01:15:33)

Auto Modellista

19: Manic Game Girl (01:18:51)

20: Chiki Chiki Boys (01:22:02)

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Ep. 377 - Even More Games of the Year 2024, with Kris Graft

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Friend of the show Kris Graft joins Ash and Brandon diving into the rest of 2024’s games, from GOTY contenders to Soccer 2: The Even More Beautiful Game. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Ash Parrish and Kris Graft. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (03:48)

2: Helldivers II (12:03)

Helldivers II

3: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (15:04)

4: Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (19:15)

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure

5: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (20:48)

6: Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (23:50)

7: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (25:04)

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

8: Mario & Luigi: Brothership (26:29)

Mario & Luigi: Brothership

9: Palworld (27:36)

10: Ace Attorney Investigations Collection (30:03)

11: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden (32:12)

12: Tokyo Xtreme Racer (37:25)

13: The Rogue Prince of Persia (41:17)

14: Dubio (43:23)

Dubio

15: Cruel (45:18)

Cruel

16: Hades II (46:31)

Hades II

17: GranBlue Fantasy: Relink (49:23)

18: Marvel Rivals (52:52)

19: Thronefall (55:41)

Thronefall

20: Tales of Kenzera: Zau (56:42)

21: Arco (59:55)

22: South Park the Pinball Machine (01:02:30)

23: Princess Peach: Showtime! (01:05:28)

24: Unicorn Overlord (01:07:11)

25: Tomb Raider I•II•III: Remastered (01:11:57)

26: Penny’s Big Breakaway (01:14:57)

27: Pepper Grinder (01:18:58)

28: Castaway (01:20:40)

Castaway

29: The Crush House (01:22:00)

The Crush House

30: Read Only Memories: Neurodiver (01:23:38)

31: SCHiM (01:25:17)

SCHiM

32: Sonic X Shadow Generations (01:26:55)

33: Black Myth: Wukong (01:30:20)

34: Rise of the Rōnin (01:37:08)

35: Manor Lords (01:40:24)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Brandon’s Remaining Games (01:43:17)

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Ep. 376 - Game of the Year 2024

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation, Ash Parrish of The Verge, and Brandon Sheffield of Necrosoft Games choose and rank the twenty-one best video games of the year 2024. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

Credit Report (03:42)

1: Frank’s first nomination (09:45)

2: Ash’s first nomination (14:06)

Mouthwashing

3: Brandon’s first nomination (19:47)

4: Frank’s second nomination (24:26)

5: Ash’s second nomination (30:54)

6: Brandon’s second nomination (36:35)

7: Frank’s third nomination (42:18)

8: Ash’s third nomination (47:37)

9: Brandon’s third nomination (52:49)

10: Frank’s fourth nomination (59:10)

11: Ash’s fourth nomination (01:09:29)

12: Brandon’s fourth nomination (01:18:01)

13: Frank’s fifth nomination (01:24:33)

14: Ash’s fifth nomination (01:33:31)

15: Brandon’s fifth nomination (01:37:49)

16: Frank’s sixth nomination (01:44:37)

17: Ash’s sixth nomination (01:51:22)

18: Brandon’s sixth nomination (02:02:44)

19: Frank’s seventh nomination (02:09:58)

20: Ash’s seventh nomination (02:14:52)

21: Brandon’s seventh nomination (02:23:48)

View the finalized and ranked list at insertcredit.com

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Insert Credit Gaiden #10 - Brandon in Tokyo, 2024

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:07:32 +0000

Brandon Sheffield roams the streets and parties of Tokyo Game Show 2024, interviewing famous developers, spotting soba restaurants affiliated with drift tracks, and espousing the beauty of Neo Geo Pocket sprites. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Christian Whitehead, Paul Veer, Hunter Bridges, Yohan Leclerc, Brad Flick, Dylan Cuthbert, and KC. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

starting things off with caveats (00:24)
a town called suwa (01:19)
christian whitehead, are you sonic’s step dad? (14:31)
paul veer, tell us about fuga memories of steel (23:13)
hunter bridges, say what you were trying to do with the neo geo pocket emulator (28:43)
yohan leclerc, what do you think about the encroaching AI problem? (35:10)
brad flick, tell us about dialogue editing (40:09)
running into dylan cuthbert on the train (46:59)
the process for getting a business pass at tokyo game show (01:07:59)
kc, what happened to your other chair? (01:10:37)
last day in tokyo (01:13:35)
mission success (01:15:56)

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Ep. 375 - Like a Destiny, with Ed Zitron

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 06:17:25 +0000

Journalist, podcaster, and PR person Ed Zitron joins the panel for the reveal of the Video Game History Museum Library, how to tell when a PR person is lying, and a precise rundown of how fucked video games are. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Ed Zitron. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Credit Report (05:01)

1: Aaron Stewart-Ahn asks, have you ever gotten in serious trouble playing a multiplayer game? (05:12)

2: Frank, tell us about the newly online Video Game History Museum Library (11:01)

3: Who do you think has the best PR team in video games? (19:52)

4: How fucked are video games? (27:31)

5: LeFish asks, rank from best to worst: 1080 Snowboarding, Excitebike, F-Zero, Mario Kart, and Wave Race. (34:13)

6: What is exactly as satisfying in real life as it is to do in a video game? (37:49)

Ace Attorney series

7: What is the Queens of the Stone Age of Video Games? (40:45)

LIGHTNING ROUND: 21 Questions (43:41)

Recommendations and Outro (55:11):

Ed: Better Offline
Frank: John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
Brandon: Whatever you gotta do to feel better about things you have Brandon’s permission, Star Trek: Lower Decks

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Ep. 374 - Cage Rage Gauge, with Aaron Stewart-Ahn

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:33:51 +0000

Screenwriter Aaron Stewart-Ahn joins a panel guest hosted by Esper to cover the current definition of “good graphics,” Nicholas Cage’s sublime beauty, and seeing Attack of the Clones on acid.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Where are your favorite places to hang out in open world video games? (06:20)

2: When is it most obvious that zero research went into a particular video game scene? (15:15)

3: Design a video game where the main hero is played by Nicolas Cage. (20:54)

4: Design a video game where the main villain is played by Nicolas Cage. (25:16)

5: Spencer asks, what are games biggest strengths as a medium? (30:56)

6: What do “good graphics” mean in 2025? (38:11)

7: What is the Decemberists of video games? (44:46)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design – Czech New Wave Classics (49:37)

Credit Report (57:01)

Recommendations and Outro (57:24):

Ash: Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Three Kingdoms
Brandon: And Give My Love to the Swallows (1972), Kin-dza-dza! (1986), exercise
Aaron: Rejection

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Ep. 373 - Switch Boy Advance

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 04:21:59 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield assemble to cover the Switch 2, video game console Marxism, and the shocking return of our most controversial segment. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: merritt k asks, which 90s platformer mascots do you think will never get a cash-in nostalgia-baiting revival? (03:31)

2: How bout that Switch 2? (09:37)

3: What are the characteristics of a Nintendo video game? (16:55)

4: Improv Zone - MMO Raid (22:48)

5: BluntForceMama asks, what is the optimal point in a game’s life cycle (ie, how long after release) to play it? (28:17)

6: Which video game fandom has the highest barrier of entry? (34:10)

7: What’s the ratio of great 2D games to great 3D games? (37:29)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Quester’s Fest (41:00)

Recommendations and Outro (44:12):

Brandon: Lowrider, California Fire Relief Bundle on itch.io
Ash: History of Rome podcast
Frank: don’t be a dumb bad guy, get your cat one of those cat hamster wheels
Jaffe: Mulholland Drive (2001)

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Ep. 372 - Dracula Jerky, with merritt k

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 08:37:26 +0000

Writer, game designer, and friend of the show merritt k joins the panel to discuss GDQ runs, the Radiohead of video games, and skeleton bone boobs. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: If you had to design and perform a gimmicky GDQ speedrun, what would it be? (05:13)

2: What are the popular games within the monsterfucking community? (12:03)

3: What tricks do video games do to convince players that they’re much bigger than they actually are? (18:39)

4: The Annual Public Domain Adaptation Game - Popeye (24:57)

5: a small rabite’s mom asks, why are there so many deserts in video games? Every time I see you playing one of these things you’re in a desert. (31:22)

6: What is the Radiohead of video games? (35:26)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Draskula (39:31)

Credit Report (44:57)

Recommendations and Outro (45:30):

merritt: Fledgling Manor
Frank: Drac’s Night Out
Brandon: Send recommendations for movies about killin nazis, listen to Malice Mizer if you want to feel like a dracula
Ash: Interview with the Vampire, make more games about killing klan members

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Ep. 371 - Insert Credit Annual #6

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 09:44:00 +0000

As has become tradition, Insert Credit ranks the best games of all time, or at least 87% of them: the ones the industry won’t sell you anymore. Plus, the first ever spending of credits on Insert Credit Show. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Round 1 - Frank’s First Nomination (08:13)

2: Round 1 - Ash’s First Nomination (13:08)

3: Round 1 - Brandon’s First Nomination (16:12)

4: Round 2 - Frank’s Second Nomination (19:34)

5: Round 2 - Ash’s Second Nomination (28:00)

6: Round 2 - Brandon’s Second Nomination (32:43)

7: Round 3 - Frank’s Third Nomination (36:50)

8: Round 3 - Ash’s Third Nomination (43:37)

9: Round 3 - Brandon’s Third Nomination (51:06)

10: Round 4 - Frank’s Final Nomination (01:02:04)

11: Round 4 - Ash’s Final Nomination (01:09:02)

12: Brandon’s Honorable Mentions (01:15:17)

12: Round 4 - Brandon’s Final Nomination (01:18:18)

13: Frank and Ash’s Honorable Mentions (01:20:19)

Why do games go out of print? (01:24:58)

Credit Report (01:37:58)

THE INSERT CREDIT ANNUAL #6

Silent Hill
Raw Danger!
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Crazy Taxi
NBA Jam
Tekken 3
Rock Band
Animal Crossing (GCN)
Virtua Cop 2
Puyo Puyo~n
Mr. Bones
Concord

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Ep. 370 - Holiday Question Hole Special

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 01:07:58 +0000

The three finest minds in video games plumb the depths of our listener-submitted Question Hole, dredging up all manner of holiday cheer, the Floridafication of America, and the return of Seaman. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Tradegood asks, what is the best video game to play on a first date? (03:04)

2: Kiko B asks, aside from jumping and running, what are the most important verbs in a platform game? Are there any that don’t get the attention they deserve? (06:28)

3: Breadytodie asks, which is the better racing game series: Initial D or Wangan Midnight? (07:34)

4: Goonbag asks, what’s the most shame you have ever experienced playing a video game? (08:48)

5: Hobart Painsborough asks, why do so many games lie to the player when they say “press any button to continue” when in reality “any button” does not, in fact, allow you to continue? (11:23)

6: A small rabite asks, is the Mana series the most mismanaged Square-Enix franchise? (12:43)

7: LeFish asks, who is the coolest videogame character whose design is family friendly or specifically aimed towards kids? (13:27)

Sonic the Hedgehog

8: Tom Arrow asks, I recently noticed while playing the Dreamcast that a bunch of these games feature an arcade-style race against the clock mechanic. What was the deal with that? (13:43)

9: Connrrr asks, can playing a video game be a form of puppeteering? (15:48)

10: Michael from Cyprus asks, it was Alain Badiou I think that said “ Most people resort to the certainty of misery than the misery of uncertainty.“ What two Video Games ultimately answer to the two paths? (16:27)

11: LowGuppy asks, what video game most needs a sequel subtitled “On the Beach?” (17:55)

12: Spencergifs asks, what is the best video game that is not played with a controller, mouse and keyboard, or arcade stick (19:19)

13: Rice_9 asks, when looking at a new game online, do you watch the video, read the copy, or look at screenshots first? (21:39)

14: Why Why asks, how do you make destructible items fun to destroy? (22:01)

15: Psinuxie asks, what are some later games that figured out design fundamentals? (23:29)

16: Dustin asks, what was a favorite multi-disc game for you? (26:36)

17: BluntForceMama asks, is GTA 6 late to the party regarding Florida culture? (29:18)

18: Anonymous asks, how do one’s actions in the human realm affect which video game world you go to when you die? (30:39)

19: Anders Matsen asks, what specific elements make up a “hang out game?”

20: Will Heydt Minor asks, is the world ready for Seaman 2? (35:36)

21: Kyle Karesh asks, what game series is better to play in chronological order rather than release order? (37:54)

22: Cara Esten asks, what video game would make the memory of a traumatic event worse? (38:49)

23: Dilson asks, what makes in-game lore compelling? (39:22)

Credit Report (52:00)

Recommendations and Outro (52:37):

Brandon: Do what you can
Frank: Help those around you
Ash: Keep hope alive

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Ep. 369 - Wednesday Difficulty, with Chris Remo

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:48:55 +0000

Composer, designer, and puzzler Chris Remo joins the panel to cover how specific instruments evoke moods in games, Mad Libs as branching path narrative, and VR’s Myst problem. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Chris Remo. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s the right way to modulate crossword puzzle difficulty? (06:04)

2: What particular moods or vibes in video game soundtracks are most closely associated with specific instruments? (12:24)

3: Did any of those Wordle clones have any merit? (16:41)

4: If I haven’t been convinced to get into VR by now, am I beyond reach? (22:53)

Insert Credit Quick Break: Charles Greenberg (33:27)

5: Death Strandicoot asks, what are some interesting company interactions or rivalries in gaming? (34:41)

6: What is the TCM documentary about the making of The Day the Clown Cried of video games? (41:16)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Burning Questions (47:51)

Recommendations and Outro (51:34):

Brandon: Play Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams…
Frank: Play Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit with curious kittens if you have the chance
Ash: Mouthwashing
Chris: youtube.com/chrisremo, The Brutalist (2024)

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Ep. 368 - Are You There, God? It's Me, The Witcher

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:31:33 +0000

Frank, Ash and Brandon design games based on historical events, explain the plot of Earth Defense Force, and discover why women have hollow bones. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What historical events would it be interesting to recreate in a video game? (06:03)

2: What video game do you like that you believe the greatest percentage of people who have played it do not like? (11:22)

Credit Report (14:58)

3: Has there ever been an unreleased video game that you were glad never came out? (15:16)

4: Explain the lore of Earth Defense Force in 6 minutes (19:51)

Insert Credit Quick Break: Puppycam! (25:50)

5: Rin asks, how often do you use button remapping? (26:32)

6: What’s the best prison or prison sequence in a video game? (34:32)

7: What is the Christopher Nolan’s TENET of video games? (40:27)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Famicom Feud - Past Game Awards Winners (44:26)

Recommendations and Outro (54:01):

Brandon: Subway (1985), Miho Nakayama’s albums Mind Game, Catch the Night, Angel Hearts and Hide ‘N’ Seek
Ash: The Verge’s premium subscription

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Ep. 367 - Rings Aren't Coins

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 02:01:17 +0000

our Insert Credit Panel covers how a video game might be political, new games for dead consoles, and the Jaffe Cut of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Are all video games inherently political? (04:58)

2: How do video game trailers lose you? (10:38)

3: Which game console has the best library of games released by third parties after its discontinuation? (15:37)

4: Design a new boot-up screen for the PlayStation 6 (21:00)

5: Captain asks, what makes a video game coin enjoyable to pick up? (27:17)

6: Frank, what can you tell us about the state of game preservation this year? (33:54)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - No Man’s Sky (39:25)

Credit Scores (42:51)

Recommendations and Outro (42:55):

Brandon:
- Do stretches before you go to bed and after you wake up
- if you have a dog that won’t pee on dirt when it’s wet or cold try getting some mulch
- Wicked (2024)
Jaffe:
- The Marvelous Land of Oz: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman
Ash:
- Only see Gladiator II (2024) for Denzel chewing scenery
- The Verge’s premium subscription
Frank:
- The return of The Video Game History Hour

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Ep. 366 - Xboxen

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 06:07:07 +0000

The full Insert Credit panel covers what Xboxes are, Fatal Fury movie casting, and dog football. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Credit Report (04:06)

1: Is this podcast an Xbox? (04:48)

2: What is the most fortunate accident in video game history? (10:22)

3: Which video game genre on the whole compares best to its correspondent film genre on the whole? (15:29)

4: What class should be added in the next Dragon Quest 3 remake? (21:09)

Insert Credit Quick Break: The Storied Sword, available digitally and physically (26:57)

5: Pro Skater 4 asks, how would you cast a Fatal Fury movie? (28:36)

6: If you could instantly put any game on every iPhone, what would it be? (35:34)

7: What’s the Air Bud (1997) of video games? (41:02)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Bart Vs. The Simpsons (46:23)

Recommendations and Outro (54:09):

Frank: Please donate to the Video Game History Foundation this Giving Tuesday
Brandon: more of a review than a recommendation, but The Beekeeper (2024) is like John Wick but not very good and doesn’t make any sense and doesn’t have stakes, “dune scene” from untitled louise weard castration movie, Shangri-La Frontier if you like anime with leveling up
Ash: Stream Not Like Us as much as possible
Jaffe: One Piece

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Ep. 365 - Post-Crisis Sonic 2

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 01:44:33 +0000

The finest panel in video games covers Sony buying Kadokawa, relitigates what counts as games versus DLC, and brings you the exclusive reveal of the Nintendo Listo. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: Brandon, two years ago when Microsoft bought Blizzard Activision, you proposed something that would be really funny that Sony could do to retaliate. Do you remember what it was? (05:35)

2: At what point is a game’s DLC worth judging as its own entity? (12:08)

3: What’s the biggest gulf in difference between a game’s singleplayer and multiplayer modes, and what’s the biggest golf in video games? (21:17)

4: What is the Nintendo Listo? (24:58)

Apology Corner: None of the Hansons from Hanson are dead (32:54)

5: Feral asks, what are your favorite completely missable areas in video games?

6: What is the Morbius of video games? (42:50)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Arcade of Our Own (48:37)

Recommendations and Outro (01:03:37):

Frank: Maybe play Dragon Quest XI, but more specifically, just lean into being comfortable right now
Brandon: Dark Crystal - Minako Yoshida, The Ballad of Sacco and Vanzetti, know that the Hakkaider blu-ray is a bad quality transfer
Ash: (For Geoff Keighley specifically) Get the Flute Guy and ReFantazio Chanting Monk on the same stage to heal the world

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Ep. 364 - Way More Chooms, with Kieron Gillen

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 06:51:39 +0000

Author and journalist Kieron Gillen joins the panel to cover the golden age of games journalism, Squaresoft’s 1996 SNES licensed X-Men JRPG, and the mysterious Hat Man. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Kieron Gillen. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s the difference between game culture and comics culture? (04:44)

2: In tabletop game design, how do you make a game that allows players to do anything, while maintaining a unique identity? (10:03)

3: What’s the closest a video game has come to ruining your life? (17:19)

4: The year is 1996. Squaresoft wants you to design their final game for the SNES, a licensed X-Men RPG. What have you got? (27:22)

5: PersonalMatthew asks, how important is it that someone writing about videogames be “good” at videogames? (34:33)

6: What was the golden age of video game journalism? (40:53)

LIGHTNING ROUND: High Scoring (47:22)

Recommendations and Outro (57:22):

Kieron: The Power Fantasy, We Called Them Giants
Frank: Go read Kieron’s comics
Brandon: If you’re feeling cold tuck your shirt into your pants, Manga documentary 1982, The Great Cleric if you want some extremely mid anime, follow Brandon on Bluesky
Ash: Game Changers on HBO Max

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Ep. 363 - Love in the Time of Dragons

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:28:55 +0000

Your new Insert Credit panel, now including Ash Parrish of The Verge, discusses Dragon Age fanfiction, the best video game music of the last ten years, and a Spice Girls nude code. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Ash Parrish. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

The beginning of this episode features some words from Brandon Sheffield on personal loss, the election, and what we can do going forward. The usual intro begins at (09:01). Thank you.

1: Have video games completely realized the concept of importing your data from one game to the next? (20:59)

2: What do people really mean when they talk about learning curves? (27:46)

3: What’s up with video games having “Dragon” in the title and then not having very many dragons? (33:41)

4: Which video game character is tattooed on the most human bodies? (38:47)

The Insert Credit Quick Break: Puppy Cam! (44:34)

5: Esther Weinbach asks, what is the most important thing you’ve ever learned from a video game? (45:38)

6: Can you think of a single piece of memorable video game music from the past ten years? (54:37)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Celebrity Gamers (01:00:09)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:00):

Brandon: Give your coupons to people who seem like they need them, Monoxide Brothers, Megumi Hayashibara’s The Characters Taught Me Everything
Ash: Get a puppy, the What is White French Dressing? episode of Aw, Would You Look At The Time
Jaffe: 52 Pickup, the first three seasons of Slayers

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Ep. 362 - Official Mario Bong, with Mathew Kumar

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 03:37:03 +0000

Game designer and author Mathew Kumar joins a panel guest hosted by editor Esper Quinn to cover famous famiclones, the latest in Nintendo developments, and Tommy Tallarico’s unexpected ascent into backgammon legend. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Mathew Kumar. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: merritt k asks, what are some of the more interesting bootleg or knockoff consoles? (06:50)

2: What The Hell Is Going On At Nintendo? Part II Chapter 2 - Online Network Test (20:16)

3: What The Hell Is Going On At Nintendo? Part III - Nintendo Music (26:50)

4: At this point in your life, what would it take to get you to play more video games? (32:34)

5: Is Tommy Tallarico a backgammon champion now? (40:37)

6: Alex Jaffe asks, what is the strongest emotion that video games can produce? (43:49)

Super Princess Peach

7: If you, somehow, wrote an essay for every game you’ve finished, what would you do with those? (51:04)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Magic: the Gathering Cards (58:24)

Recommendations and Outro (01:10:45):

Frank: UFO 50
Mathew: It’s very easy to replace your showerhead and shower cartridge, Every Game I’ve Finished 14>24 by Mathew Kumar
Brandon: Mariko Tone - Purple Rose
Esper: The YouTube version of this very podcast

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Ep. 361 - Specdracular 2024, with merritt k

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 05:30:17 +0000

Writer and game designer merritt k joins the Insert Credit panel on the most haunted podcast of the year, delving into how one really evokes fear in games, Skibidi Toilet costumes, and vampire streaming services. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s the most you were ever scared by a video game? (08:34)

2: How do you scare someone in a text or turn-based game where you aren’t required to act immediately? (16:32)

3: What are the best ghosts in video games? (22:26)

4: What are some last-minute DIY video game costumes our listeners can make at home? (28:03)

5: Nineteenletterslong asks, what are the grossest looking hands in video games? (35:17)

6: Without looking anything up, what do you think the “Tails Doll” creepypasta is about? (41:23)

7: What is the The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) of video games? (45:41)

8: Merritt, have you worked on any video games with compelling narratives about awful people? (49:34)

FRIGHTENING ROUND: Dating Draculas (58:53)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:22):

Merritt: Fledgling Manor on Steam and itch.io, Retro Game Zine Issue 001 - It Came From The Desert,
Frank: Vote, and not Republican.
Brandon: Vote for Harris regardless of whether or not you like her and her many problems, let’s get those fascists back in the ground where they belong, Hiruko the Goblin (1991), Desert Golfing
Jaffe: Consider phone banking for the Environmental Voter Project, send us your homemade Horrible Buzzers to possibly hear them in the show!

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insert credit #360: tim rogers enjoys 36 xbox 360 games

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:43:39 +0000

View the full video for this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi7Sfj3quMA

00:00 - introduction 20:06 - #36 22:53 - #35 25:26 - #34 27:50 - #33 30:29 - #32 33:03 - #31 25:41 - #30 38:27 - #29 41:08 - #28 43:50 - #27 46:30 - #26 48:54 - #25 51:56 - #24 54:16 - #23 56:50 - #22 59:41 - #21 1:02:23 - #20 1:04:39 - #19 1:07:07 - #18 1:09:54 - #17 1:12:31 - #16 1:15:03 - #15 1:17:25 - #14 1:19:51 - #13 1:22:38 - #12 1:25:06 - #11 1:27:46 - #10 1:30:26 - #9 1:33:11 - #8 1:36:08 - #7 1:39:02 - #6 1:41:49 - #5 1:44:32 - #4 1:47:07 - #3 1:49:40 - #2 + #1 2:00:44 - outroduction

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Ep. 359 - Be Curious, with Ash Parrish

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:05:56 +0000

Ash Parrish of The Verge returns as host to implement new segments, consider community Halo grievances, and weigh evidence that Frank might have been the first person to ever draw a dick in Pictochat. Hosted by Ash Parrish, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: When did animals pivot from enemies to allied NPCs in video games? (13:58)

2: (New Segment) What the hell is going on at Nintendo? Part I - Alarmo (23:00)

3: What should Nintendo’s next lifestyle product be? (31:20)

4: What the hell is going on at Nintendo? Part II - Switch Online Playtest (34:15)

5: (New Segment) r/OffMyChest (43:00)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Metaphor: ReFanpastio (01:19:28)

Recommendations and Outro (01:29:34):

Frank: Own your media, if you know what Frank means, and Frank don’t mean disks, if you know what Frank means
Brandon: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, 12 Angry Men (1957), don’t forget to watch good things if you’re a person who enjoys trash things, The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Tim: Frankenstein (1931)
Ash: The Animatrix (2003)

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Ep. 358 - Soak the Hippo, Save the World, with Ash Parrish

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:48:57 +0000

Reporter for The Verge Ash Parrish guests hosts our panel as they correctly guess the discourse around Zelda and Dragon Age, briefly review Megalopolis, and develop a free exclusive phrase you can use! Hosted by Ash Parrish, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Are there any games that take heavily from Jewish mythology? (11:01)

2: How do you feel about the direction Dragon Age is going? (19:16)

3: What is the Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis (2024) of video games? (36:56)

4: Design a serious triple-A video game about Moo Deng (44:45)

5: How can Nintendo make a well-rounded all-ages video game with a female protagonist that isn’t Samus? (48:34)

6: Design a game starring either Princess Peach or Zelda (56:58)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (01:03:32)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:43):

Frank: Sometimes you should have a burrito
Tim: See Megalopolis (2024) in theaters. If you want it to be a good movie, watch Metropolis (1927), Metropolis (2001), Nosferatu (1920), and at the lowest framerate possible Intolerance (1916), as well as Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), and also you should have seen The Godfather (1972)
Brandon: Reservation Dogs season 3, the original Bubblegum Crisis OVAs, The Left Hand of Darkness
Ash: Appleseed (1988), Dandadan

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Ep. 357 - Playing Nice, with Jason Schreier

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 20:59:42 +0000

Journalist and author of Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment Jason Schreier sits for an interview on Blizzard’s many transformations, diversity scores, and what ultimately happened to Starcraft Ghost and Project Titan. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Jason Schreier. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

1: Was there something about Blizzard in particular that made you want to write a book? (03:21)

2: Did you actually interview more than three hundred people for this book over three years? (06:19)

3: Was there anyone you couldn’t get an interview with? (07:45)

4: What was your personal investment in Blizzard before writing this book? (08:22)

5: How would you describe Blizzard’s brand identity? (11:03)

6: When did the “mergers and acquisitions” era of the video game industry really begin? (12:31)

7: Is the “loremaster” a real thing? (16:14)

8: What was the deal with “diversity scores?” (18:42)

9: How involved was Bobby Kotick in development? (20:55)

10: How did Titan become Overwatch? (26:10)

11: If you had to pick an Overwatch character to be the new CEO of Blizzard, who would be best and who would be worst? (27:15)

12: EvanArnett asks, in the early 2000s, World of Warcraft was the game most associated with gaming addiction. What was Blizzard’s stance on that? (27:58)

13: Yeso asks, do you still stand by your EPIC/5 review for Final Fantasy XIII on rpgamer.com? (31:01)

14: Aleph asks, what is the Day the Clown Cried of Video Games? (32:22)

15: Is there a book about games you’d really like to read, but have no interest in writing yourself? (34:44)

Midway Games

16: What should readers take away from Play Nice? (37:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Rapid Fire Blizzard Trivia(38:23)

Recommendations and Outro (42:11):

Jason: Triple Click
Jaffe: 52 Pickup

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Ep. 356 - Zeus's Mistress, with ThorHighHeels

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 02:49:58 +0000

Video essayist and composer ThorHighHeels joins video game historian Frank Cifaldi to answer questions about the Dreamcast’s legacy, the PS5 Pro, and penis worms. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi and ThorHighHeels. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Question 1: What does the Dreamcast represent? (02:04)

Question 2: Is it ever worth getting the Pro version of a console? (07:28)

Question 3: When in your experience have recent video games been most nakedly attempting to generate a meme? (12:56)

Question 4: What happened to everybody that was making browser flash games? (17:09)

Question 5: Which phylum in the animal kingdom has the best monster design? (18:38)

(Content warning: most of these are links to types of worms)

Phylum
Mollusca (Mollusks)
Acanthocephala (Thorny headed worms)
Acoelomorpha (Without gut)
Annelida (Little ring)
Arthropoda (Jointed foot)
Brachiopoda (Arm foot)
Bryozoa (Moss animals)
Chaetognatha (Longhair jaw)
Chordata (With a cord)
Cnidaria (Stinging nettle)
Ctenophora (Comb bearer)
Cycliophora (Wheel carrying)
Echinodermata (Spiny skin)
Entoprocta (Inside anus)
Gastrotricha (Hair stomach)
Gnathostomulida (Jaw orifice)
Hemichordata (Half cord)
Kinorhyncha (Motion snout)
Loricifera (Corset bearer)
Priapulida (Penis worms)
Phoronida (Zeus’s mistress)
Tardigrada (Slow step)
Xenoturbellida (Strange flatworm)
Vetulicolia (Ancient dweller)

Question 6: Psynuxie asks, what is the “George R. R. Martin should just hire a ghost writer to finish the series” of video games? (21:50)

Question 7: Ayla asks, what is the most specifically personalized video game recommendation you’ve offered to someone? (28:06)

Question 8: LeFish asks, what game would be most improved with the addition of Satan? (32:46)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Guess the Top 10 Vtubers (35:25)

Recommendations and Outro (42:05):

Thor: Electroplankton
Frank: King of the Hill

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Insert Credit Gaiden #9 - Flapjacks and Threena

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 07:38:26 +0000

While our panel is scattered, enjoy a Bonus Credit-style arrangement of good conversation among brilliant friends. Featuring Frank’s SDCC misadventures, Brandon’s X-Men 97 opinions, and Tim’s pitch for the Bioshock movie. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

The Insert Credit Patreon

Horrifying Knowledge Regarding the Flapjack (00:54)

Brandon summons Frank specifically to inform him of another appalling revelation regarding the insidious British.

Having a very normal morning on this very normal day., the forum thread Brandon mentions
Flapjack
Pancake
Granola

Ep. 348: Pre-show (07:12)

Frank is going to a cereal panel at San Diego Comic Con. Jaffe got a job as the official Question Answerer in the DC Comics Official Discord Server, and got Cool Gel Foam Headphone Pads. Tim demonstrates his lowly stature with his blown-out headphones, as a visual gag.

Ep. 348: Extended break (11:20)

Mimsy has excellent comic timing. Brandon needs a haircut. Frank would listen to some nerds talk about there being too much Star Trek, but is avoiding the Browncoat Meeting Room. Jaffe wonders what a Firefly fan is even like in 2024. Jim Henson is back now. We don’t know if Nurse Nancy can revive people from the dead.

Ep. 349: Pre-show (14:17)

Special guest Simon Parkin lives very close to The Repair Shop. Brandon enjoys the names of cities that are near rivers. Tim wishes he had a room.

The Repair Shop

Ep. 349: Extended break (17:11)

Tim believes the Dreamcast 2’s slogan should be “en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast” and invents a future Lightning Round in the process. Brief dog talk!

Ep. 349: Post-show (19:03)

Tim finds the perfect video game for Queen Elizabeth. Brandon thinks her tiktok channel would be pretty interesting.

Ep. 350: Pre-show (20:24)

Frank shows off a few of his purchases from his time at San Diego Comic Con, and shares a story about being behind enemy lines. Brandon briefly reviews X-Men 97. Funko fans are very special, and get it. Tim shares something with the panel but not with you, and has a very meticulous reason for it.

Ep. 351: Pre-show (32:16)

Brandon and Jaffe improvise some Seinfeld theme music. Tim’s dog smells unpleasant at time of recording. Frank shares his recommendation. Brandon shares one last Snake Break observation.

Ep. 352: Pre-show (35:59)

Tim wanted to talk about a few more Street Fighter games during the recent episode ranking them. Brandon always ends up making the same person when presented with a character creator. Tim shares what he considers the only way to do it, regarding character creators.

Ep. 352: Extended break (38:50)

Movie talk! Jack Black is in a bunch of video game movies. Frank is not eating pisketty. Brandon ponders the future of seafood. Tim gives his pitch for a Bioshock movie.

Minecraft Movie Trailer: Jack Black, Jason Momoa Team Up
Jack Black Steps Away From Tenacious D After Kyle Gass Jokes About Trump Assassination Attempt
Cento Crushed Red Pepper
Borderlands (2024) Official Trailer (CONTENT WARNING: THIS LINK WILL TAKE YOU TO A TRAILER FOR THE BORDERLANDS MOVIE, CONSIDER THE RISKS BEFORE OPENING)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The Last of Us (TV series)
‘Bioshock’ Movie Still in the Works With Reduced Budget
Tár (2022)

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Ep. 355 - Burger Ring'd By Astro Boy

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 04:40:21 +0000

Your Insert Credit Panel takes a look at the failure of Concord, finds the Normandy Beach of Racing Games, and gets ready to Wake n’ Quake. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Question 1: Which games have the nicest fans, and which games have the smartest fans? (04:07)

Question 2: What’s the most you’ve been hurt by a video game? (10:45)

Question 3: Let’s talk about Concord. Have we seen the death of multiplayer shooters outside the free to play model? (16:43)

Question 4: Which businesses in 1994 would you try to expand arcade cabinets to? (25:33)

Question 5: MoxBagel asks, select the ideal game for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and Fourthmeal. (34:45)

Question 6: Which has the best game design: duck hunting, deer hunting, or fishing? (50:32)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (57:26)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:54):

Tim: Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn

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Ep. 354 - FunkoStop

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:58:48 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield convene once again to eulogize Game Informer, give Tim Walz more Dreamcast games, and declare themselves Clown Man. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Question 1: Game Informer is dead. Let’s talk about it. (03:17)

Question 2: What was the last game you bought in a store? (10:16)

Question 3: Game Science recently released Black Myth: Wukong to creators with warnings against discussing “feminist propaganda.” What? (15:50)

Question 4: What games would you add to Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz’s Dreamcast library? (21:36)

Jaffe’s Snake Break (29:06)

Question 5: Feral asks, are there any games that you played as a child that you’ve never been able to find, or must have dreamt? (30:05)

Question 6: What’s the most underutilized real world location for driving games? (36:17)

Question 7: What are the best video games to play on your birthday? (41:54)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Wikipedia Shootout (48:25)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:28):

Brandon: If a big notification pops up when you hit caps lock and you’ve installed Logi Options+ at any point, you can disable that in Logi Options+, and also you should disable the AI stuff in there, They Cloned Tyrone (2023), Star Trek: The Animated Series
Jaffe: Great Pretender

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Ep. 353 - Selfish Survival, with Holly Nielsen

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:49:14 +0000

Historian, writer, and narrative designer Holly Nielsen joins Alex and Brandon to cover 19th century party games, Ayn Rand’s The Bachelorette, and David Attenborough narrating Monster Hunter. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Brandon Sheffield and Holly Nielsen. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Ridge Racer series

Question 1: Based on the state of play in the 19th century, which modern video games would past audiences enjoy the most? (03:03)

Question 2: Y’all seen the news lately? (07:20)

Question 3: What were the most successful video games of the 16 and 32 bit eras to come from countries that didn’t dominate the market? (17:30)

Question 4: Adapt Atlas Shrugged into a video game. (21:57)

Brandon’s Snake Break (29:06)

Hungry Snake Woman (1986)

Question 5: Gaagaagiins asks, other than Saturn Bomberman, what are some ways in which multiplayer games keep eliminated players involved? (30:24)

Question 6: What episode would you pitch for that Amazon Secret Level show? (38:39)

Question 7: What is the selecting a thermostat temperature to reflect your priorities in comfort, cost, and environmental impact of video games? (44:58)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Job Interview (50:32)

Recommendations and Outro (57:49):

Brandon: Former Glory by Atlas_493, Fallout
Holly: Trap (2024)

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Ep. 352 - Poster's Delight

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 05:42:12 +0000

Insert Credit reunites to contemplate The Perfect Jump, share earnest pitches for the Bioshock movie, and witness the long-awaited (and possibly last ever) Violence Island Tournament of Champions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

View this episode on YouTube

SHOW NOTES:

Question 1: Why do we see floatiness in games as a bad thing? (02:04)

Question 2: Design a brand new status effect that has never been in a game. (07:45)

Question 3: What cost-saving measures would you recommend for the Bioshock film? (13:51)

Insert Credit Quick Break: Capitalism Is The Constraint by Optimal Monopoly (20:12)

Brandon’s Snake Break: (21:34)

Question 4: Rice_9 asks, what is your favorite video game magazine cover? (24:39)

Question 5: What is a sokoban? (35:36)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island Tournament of Champions (37:17)

Recommendations and Outro (49:55):

Brandon: Weekend Players - Pursuit of Happiness, The Summer Hikaru Died
Frank: You can just buy dehydrated cheddar as powder called DHC, Cento Diced Hot Cherry Pepper Hoagie Spread
Jaffe: Leave a 5-star review on iTunes with your vote on whether to return to Violence Island, or destroy it forever!

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Ep. 351 - Dirtbag von Doom

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:34:42 +0000

The panel answers listener questions buried deep at the bottom of our Patreon bag of dirt, and in the process concept Brawl Playing Games, remake The Princess Bride, and gain a time bonus! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Question 1: MVB asks can a sports game be good enough to get people into the real sport? (07:55)

Question 2: Matt asks, of Frank, Tim and Brandon, who has cumulatively sold the largest value’s worth of other people’s products through various casual recommendations and endorsements? (13:29)

Question 3: Jack Thompson, Not That One, asks what game would be most improved by a Sega Arcade-style announcer, and what would they say? (18:58)

Question 4: Kory asks, what have you chosen to use in a video game despite it not being the best choice, and why? (20:56)

Question 5: Malcove asks, what type of video game would The Princess Bride be? (25:45)

Brandon’s Snake Break (30:32)

Question 6: Dilson asks, are there any video game cover bands you actually like? (32:44)

Question 7: Sleepynice asks, in the spirit of metroidvania, what portmanteaus can you make from two game titles to codify other microgenres? (37:45)

Question 8: Connor asks, what video game manual is the exemplar of what all video game manuals should be? (42:18)

Question 9: Winking Winking Face asks, what is the Robery Downey Jr. returning to the MCU of video games? (47:53)

Question 10: Spencergifts asks, who is Mario? (54:14)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Nick says name ten horror games not made by a Japanese developer (57:33)

Recommendations and Outro (58:41):

Brandon: Scavengers Reign, Common Side Effects
Tim: Purchase an E-350 Super Duty Van and move to the upper west side of Manhattan

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Ep. 350 - The Great Insert Credit Ranking Show

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:21:32 +0000

Insert Credit ranks Street Fighter, Metal Gear Solid, Mega Man, Fallout, Doom, and Disaster Report’s mainline games to find the best of each series. Plus, a snake fact! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Brandon’s Snake Fact Corner (03:50)

Ranking One: Street Fighter series (06:57)

(View the finalized Street Fighter series rankings right here on insertcredit.com)

Ranking Two: Metal Gear Solid series (23:07)

(View the finalized Metal Gear Solid series rankings right here on insertcredit.com)

Ranking Three: Mega Man series (27:07)

(View the finalized Mega Man series rankings right here on insertcredit.com)

Ranking Four: Fallout series (31:51)

(View the finalized Fallout series rankings right here on insertcredit.com)

Insert Credit Quick Break: the DVLSBLSH Full Color Book Series (33:39)

Ranking Five: Doom series (34:55)

(View the finalized Doom series rankings right here on insertcredit.com)

Ranking Six: Disaster Report series (41:20)

(View the finalized Disaster Report series rankings right here on insertcredit.com)

Recommendations and Outro (47:42):

Brandon: Walgreens Potato Chips, Have’a Corn Chips
Frank: If you’re having a bad time at a convention, try just being a cool person who hangs out
Tim: Consider carrying a tiny retractable tape measure everywhere you go

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Ep. 349 - Crab Up, Squad! with Simon Parkin

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 02:10:14 +0000

The New Yorker and The Observer’s Simon Parkin joins the panel to cover a new angle in game genres, the legacy of Segata Sanshiro, and aesthetic crevices. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Simon Parkin. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

Question 1: What’s the correlation in game design between fun and player freedom? (03:55)

Question 2: What is the most widely held bad take amongst gamers? (12:12)

Question 3: Come up with a new “Sega Does What Nintendon’t”-style slogan for the Dreamcast 2 (20:29)

Question 4, from CJ Mixy: at what point do games go from being “ripoffs” to part of a genre? (27:36)

Question 5: What is the reading the New Yorker for the cartoons of video games? (37:52)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Their Perfect Console (44:32)

Recommendations and Outro (56:31):

Brandon: Orchids are very nice at Trader Joes right now, Black Cat (1991)
Tim: Interview with the Vampire
Simon: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin, What Went Wrong Podcast

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Ep. 348 - Brain Hat

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:39:13 +0000

Frank, Tim and Brandon increase replay value, examine trendy new Mario 64 opinions, and search google for sgdq 2024 recommendations reddit. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What differentiates a good turn-based battle system from a bad one? (05:15)
How do you maximize “replay value” in a single player game? (14:15)
How do you start watching GDQ? (19:44)
If you had to choose a doctor from a video game to be your GP, who would it be? (30:05)
Spencergifs asks: What are the greatest video game menus? (37:21)
What is something you once believed video games would have gotten around to by now, but still haven’t? (45:25)
Which four games best represent the four conflicts of man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. society, and man vs. nature? (52:52)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Stardew Valley (55:17)

Recommendations and Outro (59:12)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Question 1: What differentiates a good turn-based battle system from a bad one?

Question 2: How do you maximize “replay value” in a single player game?

Question 3: How do you start watching GDQ?

Question 4: If you had to choose a doctor from a video game to be your GP, who would it be?

Question 5: Spencergifs asks: What are the greatest video game menus?

Question 6: What is something you once believed video games would have gotten around to by now, but still haven’t?

Question 7: Which four games best represent the four conflicts of man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. society, and man vs. nature?

Recommendations:

Brandon: Lady Reporter (1989), Don’t use Sticker Mule

Frank: GDQ, Don’t use Sticker Mule

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Ep. 347 - Drake's Retaliation

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 02:55:47 +0000

The Insert Credit Panel as you know and love them covers video game history, the Kendrick Lamar-Drake Feud, and one more trip to Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Frank, the original Resident Evil is back from the dead. What took so long? (03:56)
What has never been good in a video game? (09:58)
If all knowledge of video games disappeared overnight but games themselves still existed, what would the most popular one be? (18:14) Insert Credit Quick Break: Mannequin Deposit by The Houseflies (28:06)
BluntForceMama asks: What properties or statistics about a game should be listed on the back of the box, Nutrition Facts style? (29:28)
How do you name a video game character? (37:07)
What is the Not Like Us of video games? (42:04)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (48:00)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:01)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: That Hitman is $3 during the Steam Summer Sale (which is over as you read this, but, get it anyway, game owns)

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Ep. 346 - America! Hamburger! with Simone de Rochefort

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:21:33 +0000

Supervising Video Producer at Polygon Simone de Rochefort fills in on a star-spangled extravaganza of reward explosions, Turbo Tunnel confinement, and Sonic pogging. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Simone de Rochefort. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Brandon asks: Isn’t it kind of cool that you can buy an Xbox One and a bunch of games that aren’t exactly old for pretty cheap? (06:36)
Since Super Mario Bros, have we ever come up with anything better than pixelated fireworks to congratulate a player for completing an objective? (13:44)
What is pogging? (16:27)
What are some of the most important written documents in video game history? (22:17)
If the Republic of Gamers was a real place, what would its code of law and justice system be like? (30:50) Insert Credit Quick Break: Mannequin Deposit by The Houseflies (36:18)
TheFragranceofDarkCoffee asks: When and where would you set a Yakuza game in the United States? (37:40)
Is democracy good for video games? (46:29)
What is the most American video game? (51:48)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - State Nicknames (59:52)

Recommendations and Outro (01:10:26)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Byblos yogurt is actually Lebanese, Homebrew Games Summer Showcase 2024, try watching television on your TV now, Rags to Riches: Sustainable Fashion from Japan

Simone: Nobody can stop you from stealing The Great Gatsby

Tim: If you do have to do work for free, make sure you have a really funny reason with a really delayed punchline nobody’s ever going to see coming

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Mannequin Deposit by The Houseflies, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 345 - Tater Haters

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:19:58 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield cover Alex Jaffe’s questions about SGF showcases, the N64 controller, and DQ slime war crimes. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Ash Parrish asks: What’s your dream Summer Game Fest showcase? (05:46)
Why did the Nintendo 64 controller look like that? (14:42)
Write a musical about Akihabara twenty years ago. (20:18) Insert Credit Quick Break: Mannequin Deposit by The Houseflies (47:25)
Ponda asks: Which video games feature the best eating animations, and why is this difficult? (28:18)
Which standard 52 playing card deck game has the best game design? (34:56)
When has a game company returning to its roots most paid off? (40:06)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Soda Jerk - Car Companies (45:14)

Recommendations and Outro (52:15)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Get a DNR, get a Five Wishes document, make sure someone can access your medical records

Frank: Will your assets, Recognize your own mortality

Tim: Don’t own a lot of stuff

Jaffe: Be mindful of the mess you leave for others

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Mannequin Deposit by The Houseflies, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 344 - The Bait & Switch, with Ash Parrish

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 22:19:47 +0000

Journalist Ash Parrish of The Verge joins Frank and Jaffe for Nintendo Direct thoughts, Elden Ring as a retelling of Inuyasha, and playersexual companions. Plus, why Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is so important, by Patrick Miller. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi and Ash Parrish. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 343 - The Invention of Teabagging, with Esper Quinn

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 07:46:29 +0000

Editor Esper Quinn hosts the best panel in video games looking at the legacy of Halo, reactions to Summer Game Fest, and the origins of rude crouching. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Let’s talk about Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Showcase (06:50)
What’s your personal experience with the Halo franchise, and how has it impacted video games? (18:48)
What game, ultimately, was the Halo Killer? (23:28) Insert Credit Quick Break: The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s production of Titanic, June 21-30th (28:51)
Alex Jaffe asks: I need to play the first 3 hours of Demonschool right now. What should I do? (30:07)
Is dual wielding just a gimmick, or does it actually have interesting gameplay ramifications? (32:19)
What are the warning signs when developing a colorful companion character that they might be annoying? (37:36)
Do you think you could be friends with Master Chief in real life? (44:43)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Halo Fragrances (50:12)

Recommendations and Outro (54:20)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Byblos yogurt, Grand Bakery bagels

Frank: The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s production of Titanic, June 21-30th, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 342 - Asynchronicity 3, with Kate Willaert

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 04:13:47 +0000

Video game historian “Critical Kate” Willaert joins a panel scattered across time to cover lost and ignored media, Blobby’s Bloop Boy, and ladies roaming the street with whips. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Kate Willaert. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What kinds of video game history seem to interest you and nobody else? (02:15)
What are some of the most surprising video game firsts? (11:10)
Which console has the most good games that the least people have played? (16:56)
Has anyone discovered an unreleased video game that was actually fun to play? (21:11) Insert Credit Quick Break: Amazing Grace available now on Steam, and Demonschool demo available during Steam NextFest (25:31)
SpencerGifts asks: What is the best video game sequence that is no fun? (28:12)
Is there a video game experience you missed out on you wish you could have had? (31:42)
When shouldn’t you have a pause button? (34:37)
What can we learn about women if our only reference point is video games from the 1980’s? (37:23)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Re-Design - Commercial Failures (40:15)

Recommendations and Outro (44:14)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Consider Spyro the Dragon

Brandon: Scavengers Reign, Demonschool demo available during Steam NextFest

Kate: Why Backstory and Lore Make Bad Story Trailers, A Critical Hit!

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Amazing Grace available now on Steam and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 341 - Nixon Babies

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:23:29 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield cover the best of Sunsoft’s Looney Tunes games, soundtracks for emotions and driving, and 256-bit consoles. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Brandon asks: When do you feel like a video game was made for you? (06:19)
Should we rank the Sunsoft Looney Tunes games? (13:21)
What are the most common lies told in the video game industry? (NOTE: This segment contains MAJOR spoilers for Avengers: Endgame (2019)) (16:28)
What are the best video game tracks to listen to after a breakup? (22:46)
Magnanimous asks: If you could double any number in video games, what would it be? (28:46)
What do you look for while the credits are rolling on a video game? (34:50)
What is the memorizing all state capitals of video games? (41:10)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Kentucky Derby Winners (49:19)

Recommendations and Outro (57:24)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore, Ufouria: The Saga 2, open Moon Crystal on your MiSTer and turn on cheats for infinite lives

Brandon: Crow Country, We Never Stop

Tim: Interview with the Vampire, the best show on television

Jaffe: the first season of Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 340 - Dog Eyeballs

Mon, 27 May 2024 05:54:29 +0000

The leading minds in video games confer on past visual design choices, how bad minigames happen, and the Shenmue MMO, ShenMMO. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Brandon, can you defend this Game Developer Magazine cover? (08:03)
Why do bad minigames happen? (16:39)
What have you closed the door on in video games, both recreationally and professionally? (21:50)
If you had to wear the same video game t-shirt every day and get complimented on it or you’d die, what would it be? (27:30) Insert Credit Quick Break: Legendary Puns (35:18)
Chopemon asks: What video game “booms” have their been? (37:36)
What is the getting to the bus stop at the exact same time as your bus of video games? (44:04)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Minecraft (49:26)

Recommendations and Outro (51:47)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Spin-Clean Record Washers, wire folder racks to dry records, Crow Country

Frank: Once you’ve done the second thing in Animal Well you can youtube the rest, support video game preservation by buying a Thou Art Dead shirt

Jaffe: 52 Pickup

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Legendary Puns, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 339 - How to Like Video Games

Mon, 20 May 2024 02:39:01 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield develop a new video game show, up our Tallarico quota, and return to Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Let’s try to develop the first episode of Frank’s show with recipes for playing video games (05:30)
When have you fallen out of love with a video game you once liked all the way through playing the first time? (18:05)
What will the eight episode season one arc be for Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Tomb Raider? (24:43)
Luis asks: Was Tetris inevitable? (31:17)
Rank these actions from best to worst: sliding, spinning, flipping. (39:10)
What is the guy outside of an airport pretending he’s an Uber driver of video games? (43:00)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (51:39)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:10)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Read Only Memories: Neurodiver, Animal Well, Crow Country, Conan the Barbarian (1982) soundtrack

Frank: info@gamehistory.org if you have a bunch of old video game magazines you don’t want anymore, or buy “Mystery Box” Vintage Video Game Magazines

Tim: Connor O’Malley - Stand Up Solutions

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 338 - The Speed of Speed

Mon, 13 May 2024 17:03:22 +0000

The panel decides on a strict definition of “isekai,” finds hope for the future of video games, and writes a woke, political Big Bang Theory script. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Brandon asks: Are there any video game sequels like Dino Crisis 2? (06:18)
Apart from the racing genre, when is velocity most important in video games? (12:43)
What’s the best video game to fit the definition of an Isekai? (17:18)
Who is the unluckiest person in video games? (23:57) Insert Credit Quick Break: Meal-Morial Madness 2024 (28:44)
Owen from NYC asks: Come up with achievements for the arcade game Asteroids. (30:45)
With new reports of massive video game industry layoffs, is the party over? (36:30)
Punch up a scene involving video games for The Big Bang Theory (41:06)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Team Sonic vs. Team Mario at the Olympic Games (47:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:04:13)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Cryptmaster

Brandon: Do general maintenance, Iron Butterfly - Scorching Beauty, Irish Wish (2024)

Tim: Unfrosted (2024) if you want to watch a movie that has “too punchy” of writing

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Meal-Morial Madness 2024, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 337 - Holland Oats

Mon, 06 May 2024 07:38:07 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield divine the difference between spite and guilt, develop a cool season pass, and steal the International Prototype of the Kilogram. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

When did you first start to feel out of touch with the modern gamer? (06:14)
What role does spite play in video game development? (11:03)
How can developers make the best of it when forced to build a “Season Pass” of post-launch content? (16:47)
What’s the most vindicated you’ve ever felt by a video game? (22:17) Insert Credit Quick Break: Amazing Grace available 6/6 at 6:66 PM (27:27)
Gaagaagiins asks: What studios best at naming games? (28:52)
How do you make stealth good? (36:18)
What is the opposite of video games? (41:23)
Make a video game about the unit that establishes the pound (43:32)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Guess the User Review (47:13)

Recommendations and Outro (56:33)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: BelGioso Parmesan Snacking Cheese, pick your battles

Frank: Get an air popper

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Amazing Grace available 6/6 at 6:66 PM, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 336 - Defeating the Dirtbag, with Christa Lee

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:29:01 +0000

Our most supportive patrons have filled our dirtbag with questions, and only console modification expert Christa Lee can guide our panel through. Hosted by Christa Lee, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by MoxBagel, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Footfoot asks: Is there a single player game particularly suited to group settings? (06:34)
Spencers Gifts asks: What are your favorite moments seeing a video game developer’s fingerprints? (13:05)
Brindo asks: What are your thoughts on missable items in RPGs? (20:02)
Crumar Bones asks: What game series should IO Interactive integrate into a “Hitman Warriors” style game? (27:12)
Sneaking Mission asks: If you were to donate a fraudulent piece of video game history to a museum to confuse future historians, what would it be? (34:46)
Honky Tonk Tom asks: What are some real world businesses that have GTA-style business names? (41:07)
Kiko B asks: What job advice would you give to someone who wants to be an “idea guy?” (50:46)
Yeso asks: What would be the gamer version of Gift of the Magi? (57:38)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The ___ of Video Games Questions (01:04:26)

Recommendations and Outro (01:12:00)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Space Rangers, The Ulysses Cut of Waterworld (1995)

Frank: Viva New Vegas for Fallout: New Vegas setup

Christa: Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still, learn Japanese

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 335 - Cyber the Hedgehog

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 12:04:05 +0000

Our beloved panelists guide you through new developments in CRT photo taking, an all-clown Fallout vault, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What’s a feature you appreciate in text-heavy games? (00:42)
Frank, how do you achieve the perfect visual representation of what a video game looks like on a CRT? (09:32)
Can we nail down a definition for “easter egg?” (15:29)
Design a Fallout vault. (21:30) Insert Credit Quick Break: Project 9452, a Texas State trans gaming research study (29:05)
Isaac asks: What video game character would you most want to carry around as a Tamagotchi-style virtual pet, and what would their on-device mini games be like? (31:26)
When should one consider or avoid early access? (37:52)
Keanu Reeves is gonna be Shadow, isn’t that cool? (46:46)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Unpopular Demand (52:28)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:48)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: That Fallout show is pretty good

Brandon: Go to events curated for old people, Bob James - Jazz Hands

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Project 9452, a Texas State trans gaming research study, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 334 - On Death Row For Podcasting

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:31:47 +0000

Your wise and benevolent Insert Credit panel covers industry shifts caused by Helldivers II, decides the Dreamcast 2 launch lineup, and imagines the gritty Super Monkey Ball: Act Zero. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What can you tell from a video game’s color scheme? (03:42)
Which video game has the best original take on what the internet is? (09:17)
In games where you pick from an assortment of guys, when do you pick the big guy, and when do you pick the little guy? (15:03)
Design a fourth-person shooter. (18:53)
rose asks: What would the ideal starting lineup be for the Dreamcast 2? (25:44)
Who is the most famous person who could beat you at Street Fighter? (33:01)
What is the taking a melatonin and drinking a caffeinated beverage of video games? (38:37)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Console Genre Associations (44:02)

Recommendations and Outro (51:35)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Only use a half-cup of flour in Brandon’s “Daddy’s Dusters” Dog Treat Recipe, Klaus Nomi - The Cold Song Live, Trencher

Frank: Brandon’s “Daddy’s Dusters” Dog Treat Recipe

Tim: Ripley

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Insert Credit Gaiden #8 - Even More GDC 2024, with Liz Ryerson, Ty Underwood, Brandon Sheffield, and Frank Cifaldi

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:51:17 +0000

Liz Ryerson and Ty Underwood return to convey the physicalities and vibes of the GDC 2024 Expo Hall, while Brandon and Frank do their best to push preservation. Plus, Liz gives a definitive answer as to whether you should go to GDC. Hosted by Liz Ryerson, Ty Underwood, Brandon Sheffield and Frank Cifaldi. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments**:**

Liz and Ty scour the Expo Hall (00:33)
Frank and Brandon cover history at the (36:14)
Liz plays The Deja Vu Game with Evan Balster (51:31)
Liz helps Robert Yang with a dilemma (01:00:24)
Answers to “Is it worth going to GDC?” and/or “Should I go to GDC?” by Liz Ryerson (01:06:26)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 333 - Threetacular

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 02:50:27 +0000

Three of your favorite Insert Credit panelists cover three questions from Alex Jaffe, three listener questions, and three Lightning Rounds. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What are your favorite video game conspiracy theories? (07:06)
Which hybrid characters in video games best take advantage of both halves of their nature? (14:33)
Adaptation Game: The Three Musketeers (19:19)
BluntForceMama asks: Do you have to play a game to like it? (26:10)
Spencer Gifts asks: Where are we in video game history parallel to other media? (28:20)
Crumar Bones asks: What are some games that look better through composite output rather than component or S-Video? (33:55)

DITHERED LIGHTNING ROUNDS: Violence Island Exhibition, GameFAQ&As: Kingdom Hearts III, and Name Design: Trilogy Endings (39:24)

Recommendations and Outro (54:24)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Messengers of Love by Carmody, enjoy the new Insert Credit Forums, do a better job if you’re a person in charge of the internet

Frank: X-Men ’97

Tim: If you own 100% of your profits and are open to dying early, crunch isn’t so bad

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep 332 - Your Free Trial Has Ended

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:10:08 +0000

Returning from GDC, the Insert Credit panel churns out video game guides, Harmony of Excellence, and a new record for mentions of pubic hair. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How was GDC, Frank and Brandon? (08:34)
How do you write 50 video game guides in a week? (19:05) Insert Credit Quick Break: 8-Bit Theater 20th Anniversary Complete Script Book Do Not Sue Edition (29:38)
BluntForceMama asks: What would Final Fantasy 7 be called if it was a standalone game? (31:30)
Brandon, tell us about someone in video games. (35:30)
Frank, tell us about someone in video games. (42:51)
Tim, tell us about someone in video games. (46:29)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Popcornocalypse (58:15)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:45)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Tim: the work of Walton Goggins

Brandon: Gun It Kickstarter, Wild Zero 2 Kickstarter, Hubert Kah

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by 8-Bit Theater 20th Anniversary Complete Script Book Do Not Sue Edition, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 331 - Bye Forever GDC 2024, with Brandon Sheffield

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 02:52:49 +0000

Insert Credit reports direct from GDC 2024. Brandon Sheffield asks industry professionals maybe the most important question in the games right now: how do you reclaim your humanity during all this chaos? Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Megan Farokhmanesh, Osama Dorias, Amani Shantz, Paweł Rohleder, JJ Signal, Antonio Uribe, Ash Parrish, Mathew Kumar, and Baiyon. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

Monday - Refrigerators (00:14)
Tuesday - Talking to Strangers with Megan Farokhmanesh (03:16)
Wednesday - Hugs with Osama Dorias (10:39)
Wednesday - Self-Acknowledgment with Amani Shantz (15:18)
Wednesday - Immediate Flow with Paweł Rohleder (20:28)
Wednesday - PC-88 Games and Dish Washing with JJ Signal and Antonio Uribe (22:29)
Thursday - Gummies and Marvel Snap with Ash Parrish and Mathew Kumar (30:08)
Thursday - Baiyon playing SimTunes (40:25)
Thursday - Good Sleep with Baiyon (42:06)
Friday - bye forever (47:57)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 330 - Squadala

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:35:26 +0000

Frank, Tim and Brandon share their thoughts on Akira Toriyama, the genres that defined consoles, and CD-i memories. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Let’s discuss Akira Toriyama’s impact on art, culture, video games, and us personally (08:03)
What’s the most common misconception about video games in 2024? (23:05)
Based on a dream I had, should I learn magic, or Magic: the Gathering? (31:04)
LeFish: Are there any videogames based on works in other media that have been led by their original creators? (37:10)
Which game consoles do you most closely associate with particular video game genres? (43:51)

Recommendations and Outro (01:02:04)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: if you thought the pontification on religion and human nature in Prometheus (2012) was bad check out the deleted scenes to see how much worse it could have been, DAFENCII

Frank: Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 329 - The Nephew Line

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 04:39:18 +0000

The finest minds in video games and beyond contemplate unique input interfaces, classic adventure games, and a return to Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

With the recent closing of Rooster Teeth, how has machinima developed over the last 20 years? (03:19)
Design a themed video game controller that ties into a particular brand but would also be fun to use. (10:12)
What are the most credible depictions of gamers in media? (16:48)
How do you convince a studio executive they have a bad idea before it’s too late? (23:24) Insert Credit Quick Break: Labyrinth of Cinema (29:55)
Irish Carl asks: Rank the corpus of adventure games from Sierra On-Line, Infocom, LucasArts, and Cyan (30:51)
What are your favorite broad personality archetypes in video game supporting characters? (38:11)
Which video game would benefit most from the “World of Warcraft Classic” treatment? (43:14)
How’s the future looking right now for emulation? (46:51)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (55:01)

Recommendations and Outro (01:03:24)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Johnny’s Selected Seeds instead of Baker Creek Seeds if you’re a gardening type person who wants to avoid funding bad stuff, Gary Jagels, Zindrew Crunchy Garlic Chili Oil

Tim: Xi’an Famous Foods Chili Oil & Crisps Jar

Frank: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Labyrinth of Cinema, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 328 - Final Fantasy XVI-2cular

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 03:45:03 +0000

When the Insert Credit Panel chose Final Fantasy XVI as their Game of the Year 2023, the game industry couldn’t help but rise up and wholeheartedly, sincerely agree. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Defend your choice of Final Fantasy XVI as Game of the Year 2023 (04:55)
Testimonials From More Game Industry Thought Leaders Affirming Final Fantasy XVI is Game of the Year 2023 (18:56)
Rainbow Battle Kid asks: What are the best cases of a creator continuing a game series under a new title? (38:45)
What does a Triple B video game look like? (47:34)
Has any game ever had a good mobile tie-in? (51:25)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Soda Jerk - Musical Genres (56:50)

Recommendations and Outro (01:05:24)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Ghostbusters (2016), Benjamin Earl Turner - “HEADSPACE/BENT”

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Ep. 327 - The Third Knuckles

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:34:32 +0000

Your Insert Credit panel returns to cover the greatest leap in console graphics ever, the Sonic Cinematic Universe, and Tiara Cyberooski. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How was D.I.C.E.? (04:39)
When is taking notes while playing games fun, and when is it a chore? (13:07)
What would it take for the next Xbox to be “the largest technical leap you’ve ever seen in a hardware generation”? (18:25)
What is the future of the Sonic Cinematic Universe? (24:02) Insert Credit Quick Break: GLYDR (29:37)
Kory asks: If you had to design a fighting game with a roster consisting solely of variants of the same character, who would it be? (31:16)
Have you ever played a video game and gotten to a part where you thought, “Oh, this would have been an exciting surprise if I were a different sort of person”? (39:08)
What’s the worst love story ever told in video games? (49:10)
What makes the concept of an ancient evil returning in the present day such a staple of video games, and adventure fiction overall? (55:17)

A Message from Alex Jaffe (01:01:00)

Recommendations and Outro (01:03:02)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Tim: Get a real good chair, listen to the ad on this week’s episode of Insert Credit

Frank: GLYDR now on Kickstarter

Brandon: TimesSqKungFU

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by GLYDR which is now on Kickstarter, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 326 - Even More Games of the Year 2023

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:51:21 +0000

Action Button’s Tim Rogers and Necrosoft’s Brandon Sheffield share thoughts about every game they played that was released in 2023. Hosted by Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Games of 2023 Discussed:

Little Goody Two Shoes (04:48)
Lies of P (08:55)
Thirsty Suitors (13:28) (Note: this segment contains light spoilers)
Blasphemous 2 (18:05)
The Last Faith (20:07)
Metroid Prime: Remastered (24:47)
Star Ocean: The Second Story R (27:05)
Fire Emblem: Engage (34:20)
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (39:15)
Persona 5: Tactica (42:06)
Star Wars: Jedi - Survivor (47:25)
Hogwarts Legacy (50:09)
System Shock (54:24) Insert Credit Quick Break: GLYDR now on Kickstarter (57:21)
One more thing about Hogwarts Legacy (59:00)
Dead Space (01:01:03)
Dave the Diver (01:03:12)
Immortals of Aveum (01:04:34)
Remnant II (01:05:57)
Pizza Tower (01:10:31)
Wanted: Dead (01:12:39)
Fading Afternoon (01:23:19)
Sea of Stars (01:24:13)
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (01:32:32)
Eternights (01:33:16)
Diablo IV (01:37:45)
Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath - Vengance of the Slayer (01:42:31)
Honkai: Star Rail (01:44:14)
Vernal Edge (01:49:51)
Pikmin 4 (01:53:15)
Endless Dungeon (01:54:03)
Merge & Blade (01:54:58)
Lords of the Fallen (01:56:33)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (02:00:35)
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (02:01:51)
Hyper Gunsport (02:02:47)
Chants of Sennaar (02:04:00)
Jusant (02:04:30)
Hitman: World of Assassination Freelancer Mode (02:04:48)
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (02:05:02)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Wishlist Demonschool on Steam

Tim: Post in the Goblin Bunker insert credit thread every 2PM EST on Thursdays to possibly get mentioned on accident in the show

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by GLYDR now on Kickstarter, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 325 - Game of the Year 2023, with Kris Graft

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 11:53:09 +0000

The best video game of the year 2023 is decided by VGHF’s Frank Cifaldi, Action Button’s Tim Rogers, Necrosoft’s Brandon Sheffield, and Alienware’s Kris Graft. Also, the design of the Switch 2 is revealed. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Kris Graft. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

The Nomination Process:

Frank Cifaldi’s First Nomination (02:57)
Frank Cifaldi’s Second Nomination (11:34)
Frank Cifaldi’s Third Nomination (15:00)
Brandon Sheffield’s First Nomination (29:40)
Kris Graft’s First Nomination (41:31)
Tim Rogers’ First Nomination (01:00:42)
Brandon Sheffield’s Second Nomination (01:08:25)
Kris Graft’s Second Nomination (01:19:41)
Tim Rogers’ Second Nomination (01:35:18) Insert Credit Quick Break: GLYDR (01:48:06)
Brandon Sheffield’s Third Nomination (01:49:45)
Kris Graft’s Third Nomination (02:00:06)
Tim Rogers’ Third Nomination (02:14:02)
Brandon Sheffield’s Fourth Nomination (02:20:36)
Tim Rogers’ Fourth Nomination (02:26:19)
Brandon Sheffield’s Fifth Nomination (02:23:15)
Tim Rogers’ Fifth Nomination (02:40:02)
Brandon Sheffield’s Sixth Nomination (02:50:18)
Brandon Sheffield’s Seventh Nomination (02:53:08)
Tim Rogers’ Sixth Nomination (02:55:41)
Tim Rogers’ Seventh Nomination (03:03:25)

View the finalized ranked list in the Insert Credit Forums or at insertcredit.com

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by GLYDR which is now on Kickstarter, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 324 - Bocket Tinesters

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:35:15 +0000

Tim Rogers hosts the Insert Credit panel this week, exploring Hideo Kojima’s recent announcements, the first working game developer to reach 80 years old, and Korean butt animation. Hosted by Tim Rogers, with Frank Cifaldi, Alex Jaffe, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Choose a video game coming out in 2024 and ask Frank to play it (11:16)
When do you think you’ll stop playing video games, Brandon Sheffield? (26:32)
Did you all see the Hideo Kojima stuff at PlayStation State of Play? (39:44)
Why aren’t there more Hideo Kojimas? (55:40)
Alex Jaffe, flip a coin (01:06:53)
Insert Credit Time Capsule (01:08:01)
A Brief Medical Update (01:21:48)

Recommendations and Outro (01:29:24)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Jaffe: Reach out on Bluesky for personalized comic book recommendations between 2/5/24 and 2/11/24, 52 Pickup, Sandman Mystery Theatre for Tim specifically, Poor Things (2023)

Brandon: Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)

Tim: FREAKHUNTER, LowercaseJai, GLYDR Kickstarter

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Ep. 323 - Ntscworld

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:55:55 +0000

Your benevolent Insert Credit panel covers Palworld, video game mysteries, and the birth of a new speedrunning category, the 50% run. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Frank asks: What is the proper nomenclature for the Snatcherlike video game? (13:09)
Is Palworld satire? (20:28)
Invent a new speedrunning category (28:40)
Stephanie asks: What’s a video game unsolved mystery or urban legend want solved or confirmed? (39:35)
Which individual video game enemy has killed the greatest number of players globally? (46:47)
If you could swap any two video game sound effects between games, which ones would they be? (52:03)
Who is the Batman of video games? (56:09)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As: Sim City 2000 (01:04:37)

Recommendations and Outro (01:17:18)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Kantors Office Furniture if you want to try out office furniture in the Bay Area, use your treat dust to make new dog treats, Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (1981)

Jaffe: 52 Pickup

Brandon’s “Daddy’s Dusters” Dog Treat Recipe:

1 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup wet ingredient (pumpkin, yogurt, etc)
1/6th cup peanut butter
Treat dust

Mix ingredients “all up,” distribute on cookie sheet, bake at “lower medium” heat for 30 minutes “depending on how your oven works”

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Ep. 322 - Vehicular Treason Murder

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:17:07 +0000

The classic Insert Credit panel covers a game preservation dilemma, the 2007 Honda Shepherd, and a new mascot for Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Kim Justice asks: In games where water is lethal, at what part of the body should that water kill you? (08:19)
Is there a better way to implement communication in video games than dialogue trees? (14:06)
What are the top five most fun crimes to commit in video games? (20:36)
What would Bayonetta 9 be like? (26:49)
Brandon asks: When does bootlegging count as video game preservation? (32:41)
Gaagaagiins asks: What are some of the best (or most interesting) games you can get a physical copy of on eBay (or equivalent) for about 10 bucks USD (excluding shipping) without much trouble? (38:56)
What is usually the worst kind of vehicle to control in a video game? (42:54)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (49:05)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:46)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Srigala (1981), Columbo

Tim: Find things to interrogate about objects you take for granted

Frank: Final Fantasy VII: Remake

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 321 - Mid-Atlantic Island, with Kim Justice

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:02:55 +0000

European video game documentarian Kim Justice joins the panel to discuss a broad variety of accents, whether or not Sonic R is a British game, and a revisitation of our Best British Games list. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Kim Justice. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Has a video game ever captured the qualities of sumo? (10:46)
What are the most essential things we wouldn’t have in games today without the early European games scene? (17:46)
Apart from brand recognition, what are the advantages and disadvantages of working on a licensed game? (25:55)
What is the worst video game the most people have played? (32:52)
Carl/Charles: What would an English version of The Tairyou Jigoku’s multiple dialect options be like? (40:23)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Best British Games revisitation (50:27)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:25)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Turn off YouTube’s Ambient Mode if you watch a lot of 4:3 content on your phone, CapsuleCity.com

Kim: If you have a thumb drive with old documents sitting around, go back and read some, Kim Justice on YouTube, Kim Justice’s Wrestling Road, kim_justice on Twitch, Waterworld (SNES) - Soundtrack

Tim: If you live in the city of New York, never ride the subway ever again, check out Waterworld (1995) if you’re Frank Cifaldi, The Zone of Interest (2023)

Frank: Kim Justice as a concept

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Ep. 320 - Crafting a Criminal

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 04:04:14 +0000

Your Insert Credit panel returns to cover another death of physical media, Steamboat Willie, and The Minecraft Reality TV Show Criminal Court Case Chronicles. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Are we approaching an era without physical game releases? (04:51)
Does gameplay have to be the starting principle of a good video game? (20:00)
Public Domain Adaptation Game: Design a game based on Steamboat Willie (26:12)
Catherine: What games are best structured for playing a little bit each day? (35:21)
Following the acclaim of Pokemon Concierge, what should be the next video game show set in the world of a game but not about the game itself? (42:55)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Time Is Right (49:20)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:36)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Apologies to people who know about religions, The Tairyou Jigoku

Frank: Search a search engine for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 319 - Insert Credit Annual #5

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 03:10:03 +0000

As has become tradition, Insert Credit ranks the best games of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

The Premise This Year: Metacritic Scores Below 80 (12:29)
Round 1 - Brandon (18:05)
Round 1 - Frank (21:25)
Round 1 - Tim (23:51)
Round 2 - Brandon (26:39)
Round 2 - Frank (31:31)
Round 2 - Tim (35:04)
Round 3 - Brandon (41:32)
Round 3 - Frank (47:24)
Round 3 - Tim (53:48)
Round 4 - Brandon (01:02:46)
Round 4 - Frank (01:06:52)
Round 4 - Tim (01:12:58) Insert Credit Quick Break: Butter Dorks (01:18:43)
A Little More About God Hand (01:20:03)
Round 5 - Brandon (01:22:41)
Round 5 - Frank (01:29:05)
Round 5 - Tim (01:37:54)
Round 6 - Brandon (01:50:59)
Round 6 - Frank (01:55:54)
Round 6 - Tim (02:04:32)
Final Round and Honorable Mentions - Brandon (02:13:15)
Final Round and Honorable Mentions - Frank (02:25:42)
Final Round and Honorable Mentions - Tim (02:33:54)
Outro (02:52:03)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Butter Dorks and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Insert Credit Gaiden #7 - Saizeriya Feast: Opening Presents with John Linneman

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 07:40:45 +0000

Brandon Sheffield celebrates the end of his Japan trip by comparing video game purchases with Digital Foundry’s John Linneman. By Brandon Sheffield and John Linneman, with an intro by Alex Jaffe. Featuring the track “It’s Different Now” by Ice Choir. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments**:**

Preface (00:26)
Sitting in Saizeriya (02:55)
John: Akira Psycho Ball (04:10)
Brandon: Destruction Derby (06:39)
John: Pu•Li•Ru•La (08:30)
Brandon: Panzer Bandit (11:58)
John: Gun Survivor 3: Dino Crisis (14:08)
Brandon: Namco Anthology 1 & 2 (17:43)
John: Lethal Enforcers (19:51)
Brandon: Vib-Ribbon and Alnam no Tsubasa (21:45)
John: Hresvelgr (23:42)
Brandon: After Burner III (24:49)
John: Heavy Metal Thunder (25:38)
Brandon: Zeiram Zone (27:17)
John: Tempo (28:36)
Brandon: Community Pom (32:54)
John: Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim (34:50)
Brandon: Demolition Man (37:55)
John: Crack Down (39:39)
Brandon: Sōkyūgurentai (41:51)
John: Soldier Blade (43:20)
Brandon: Double Dragon II (46:15)
John: Thunder Force V: Perfect System (48:23)
Brandon: Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku (49:54)
John: Ø Story and Kunoichi (51:16)
Brandon: Biomotor Unitron 2 (53:48)
John: Silent Line: Armored Core III (54:48)
Brandon: Royal Stone (55:24)
Rattling Off A Few More (56:32)
Ice Choir - It’s Different Now (01:04:00)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 318 - Insert Credit Santacular, with Lucy James

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 14:28:42 +0000

Happy holidays! Gamespot’s Lucy James drops down the Insert Credit chimney to cover Welsh elves, the first official weed strain for a video game, and Dreiblade. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Lucy James. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

As the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, which three video game characters would be best at teaching Ebenezer Scrooge to change his miserly ways? (09:23)
Do sliding ice physics ever positively contribute to a video game? (15:19)
What do you think is the best selling non-video game item at GameStop as a gift this season? (21:35)
Design the greatest Santa Claus video game of all time (30:48)
How could dreidel be improved? (35:49)
Which video game company probably holds the best Christmas party? (42:43)
Based on video games, what do we know about elves? (49:05)
What is the Rankin Bass of video games? (54:53)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Christmas Songs (01:01:19)

Recommendations and Outro (01:12:28)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Check out gamehistory.org where there will be a video about a very strange game called Super Sushi Pinball

Brandon: Raiders of Atlantis (1983)

Tim: Ferrari (2023)

Lucy: Godzilla Minus One (2023)

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Insert Credit Gaiden #6 - Electric Sesame: An Interview with Jeremy Blaustein

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:05:02 +0000

Brandon Sheffield hits the Tokyo Game Show 2023 floor and interviews Jeremy Blaustein, CEO of Dragonbaby and translator of legendary games like Metal Gear Solid, Suikoden, and Silent Hill 2.

Segments**:**

How did this all start for you? (01:01)
What did you do at Jaleco? (02:02)
What games did you work on? (03:59)
Talk a little bit about character constraints in early video game localization (05:23)
How did you manage outside references in Suikoden? (09:29)
Talk a little bit about Symphony of the Night (11:49)
How does the back-and-forth in recording go? (15:24)
Were you working in isolation in the early days? (18:27)
Were you working with Kojima’s team on Snatcher? (19:54)
What’s your experience with Turbografx CD games? (21:07)
Anything interesting about the Shadow Hearts series? (22:42)
Talk a little bit more about Metal Gear Solid (25:25)
What were the unique challenges of the early era of game translation? (27:50)
How do you feel about accidentally creating iconic lines? (31:52)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 317 - Gamer Taxes, with merritt k

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 02:36:03 +0000

Author and game developer merritt k joins the panel to cover The Game Commercials, Charles Martinet’s dark side, and the return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

[audio=https://archive.org/download/insertcredit/ic317.mp3]

Questions this week:

Brandon Sheffield: What are some recent or memorable emergent situations you’ve experienced in games? (08:21)
Do we want to say anything about The Game Awards? (15:44)
What does it mean that Epic won its court case against Google? (23:32)
How would you design Mutant League Golf? (31:05)
Dicegame Uchiha: What are the most uh oh and most YEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH moments in licensed video game soundtrack history? (35:16)
What is your personal experience with LAN parties? (48:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (54:48)

Recommendations and Outro (01:14:57)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Check out the Expect No Mercy longplay on the Expect No Mercy (1997) blu-ray, TNT’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas ft. Phil Hartman (1994), Scavengers Reign

Merritt: 1900HOTDOG, LAN PARTY, Made in Canada

Tim: Watch the 2023 Game Awards just to see when Geoff says “Honkai Star Rail”

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Insert Credit Gaiden #5 - Highway Game: A Review of American Truck Simulator by Topher Florence

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:31:31 +0000

Topher Florence meditates on American Truck Simulator, confronting the friction between realistic advertisments and product placement, a Greatest Hits version of America, and the emotional palette of driving around in someone’s life’s work. By Topher Florence, with intro by Alex Jaffe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 316 - Insert Credit Game Awards Special

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:13:15 +0000

Recorded before The Game Awards, and released the week after! The Insert Credit Panel decides the video game winners of categories unwittingly submitted by listeners. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

And The Categories Are:

Gaagaagiins: Best Standardized Box Art Platform Frames (02:15)
Propelleher: Best Scoff (05:35)
rice9 : Best eSport of the 1980s (07:16)
Breadytodie: Best Overtly Political Japanese Game (08:48)
Cole: Best Campfire Scene (10:59)
IntergalacticWalrus: Best Playable Non-Anthropomorphic Animal (13:14)
Spencer: Best Game By an American Branch of a Japanese Company (16:02)
Larky: Most Incidentally Educational Game (18:59)
rearnakedwindow: Best Game Exclusive to a Legitimately Bad Console (22:13)
Alex Jaffe: Best Video Game to Name Your Band After (24:53)
ANONYMOUS GOD HAND LOVER: Game Most Like GOD HAND (27:15)
Billy: Best Underwater Tunnel in a Racing Game (28:34)
Sfwublin: Best Mine Carts (31:01)
Justin Hamrick: Most Dangerous Video Game (33:47)
Pro Skater 4: Most Evil Video Game (36:41)
Erica: Most Video Game-Ass Video Game (39:05)

Recommendations and Outro (42:08)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Tim: If you are part of the committee that plans The Game Awards with Geoff Keighley, please come up with better award categories

Frank: The Video Game History Foundation Patreon

Brandon: Mr. Ray’s Wig World - Faster Kitty Cat Play Play

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Insert Credit Gaiden #4 - Human Face On An Obi: An Interview with Masaya Matsuura

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:47:30 +0000

Brandon Sheffield interviews musician and game designer Masaya Matsuura of the band Psy・S, discussing the early days of computer graphics and sound, making music for anime, and why Vib Ribbon was so hard to get screenshots of. Intro by Alex Jaffe, edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

Preface (00:29)
How did you get into music? (03:20)
How did you start making music yourself? (05:34)
How did you move from writing jingles to full music (and which synths do you use)? (09:52)
What was the experience of “getting big” like? (11:58)
What is it like playing in front of large crowds? (14:16)
How did you end up doing music for anime? (18:07)
How did you move from there to video games? (21:42)
What made you want to start a game company? (23:48)
How did the Psy-S Remix CD-ROM game come to be? (30:49)
What was the inspiration for Vib Ribbon’s mechanic allowing you to play your own music? (34:16)
When did you decide to focus more on games than music? (38:57)
What is your sound? (41:58)
What do you learn from doing your private DJ sessions? (46:22)
Preface for live performance (53:36)
Masaya Matsuura - Funny Luv (Live at GameCity 2009)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

PaRappa the Rapper
Vib-Ribbon
Rhyme Rider Kerorican
Mojib Ribbon
Psy・S
NHK Hall
City Hunter
Metamor Jupiter
Playtechs
Tower of the Sun
Osaka Castle
J-card
Moog IIIc
Fairlight CMI
Sussudio
3DO Interactive Multiplayer
PlayStation
CD-i
PC Engine
Bonus: PSY・S★4 SIZE レーザーディスク
Bonus: “Chasing the Rainbow” at SIGGRAPH (1986) (thanks fivedollardare!)

Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 315 - Hut Shack Warehouse Emporium

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 06:56:22 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield answer Alex Jaffe’s questions about Nintendo’s last video game ever, committing fraud, and Turds of the Castle. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What’s still easier for you to do in real life than in a video game? (11:10)
How do you scam the speculative market with a storage container of five hundred copies of an underwhelming NES game? (16:49)
What will be the title of Nintendo’s last game? (24:25)
SpencerGifs asks: Has the video game controller been finalized? (34:58)
What is the video game equivalent of film’s “award bait” traits? (43:27)
Jean-Michel Basquiat said that art is how we decorate space, and music is how we decorate time. What do we decorate with video games? (52:09)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Doom (53:47)

Recommendations and Outro (58:55)

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A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Subscribe to the Video Game History Foundation newsletter, Small Saga

Brandon: Demonschool Battle Mechanics trailer

Tim: Goblin Bunker Public Access 3 on 12/9 at 6PM PST

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Insert Credit Gaiden #3 - Computer Music: an Interview with chibi-tech

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Brandon Sheffield intereviews musical artist chibi-tech on her career in chiptune, working in Japan, and breaking through the noise in front of an Akihabara busker. Featuring Brandon Sheffield and chibi-tech. Intro by Alex Jaffe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

Preface (00:24)
What are your musical origins? (02:37)
When did your music break out? (07:36)
How did you start making music professionally? (11:08)
What advice would you give someone wanting to work in Japan or with Japanese companies? (15:37)
chibi-tech - Pheromone Overdosage (20:27)
chibi-tech - Amerio no Jikan (26:09)

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A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

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Ep. 314 - Tofurtacular Thank Tank

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 04:05:30 +0000

Every member of the Insert Credit panel gathers for a feast of questions regarding cartridge consumption, Tom Cruise title changes, and Bangai-O. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How would video games be different if the concept of a sequel didn’t exist? (10:39)
How do you keep enemy encounters from feeling repetitive? (17:53)
What’s the best law to break in a video game? (24:28)
What is the best jump noise in video games? (32:03)
What’s the worst first impression you’ve had of a game due to outside circumstances? (37:58)
What video game cartridge or disc would you like to eat the most? (43:02)
What can the U.S. healthcare system learn from healthcare in video games? (49:04)
What are the greatest non-corporate rivalries in video games? (55:09)
Is it possible to make a competitive multiplayer game completely diagetic to its story? (01:00:55)
Has a piano ever been dropped on or near someone in a video game to great effect? (01:06:14)
Should fall damage be phased out? (01:11:09)
How would you explain Bangai-O to your mom? (01:18:03)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Potpourri (01:25:36)

Recommendations and Outro (01:30:02)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Tim: Check out some cheese, drink whole milk if you’re gonna drink milk,

Brandon: RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop

Jaffe: 52 Pickup

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Insert Credit Gaiden #2 - Sniffing Other's Beers

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:18:57 +0000

Brandon Sheffield continues answering your questions about Japan, and finishes ranking non-alcoholic beers encountered in convenience stores. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, introduced by Alex Jaffe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

Alex Jaffe asks: What’s the best convenience store in Japan? (01:19)
Karasu asks: What do you think of the Japanese craft beer scene? (02:10)
sosadillatron asks: Do you notice a lot fewer game centers? (03:56)
Tomofthefog asks: What’s the first thing you wanted to do in Japan that you can’t do anywhere else in the world, and did you do it? (05:05)
Alex Jaffe asks: Has anyone given you trouble for being a foreigner? And, saddleblasters asks: when has your identity as a foreigner perhaps surprisingly meant nothing? (06:22)
powderooze asks: Are there more foreigners around these days? (08:59)
Review: Suntory Lemon Sour (11:46)
Review: Value Plus Zero Feel (13:27)
Mnemogenic asks: What’s your favorite bird to hang out with in Japan? (14:23)
MDS-02 asks: Do you prefer Book Off or Hard Off? (15:30)
Lotte asks: Please go to the Wood & Plywood Museum (16:23)
BinaryFlux asks: What’re some cool places in Japan for someone going for the third time? (16:54)
mtvcribs asks: Why is Japan so much cooler than America? (18:04)
sabertoothalex asks: What are your tips for day to day living in Japan? (19:27)
marxseny asks: Are Japanese cops all ブタ野郎? (22:54)
Review: Takara Karakuchi Zeroball (24:17)
Review: Suntory White Wine (25:50)
What Did We Learn? Plus, Bonus Garlic Cheese (27:08)
A Noisy Airport Addendum Regarding Going With the Flow (29:47)

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Ep. 313 - Nintendo Apocalypse Monster

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 04:36:17 +0000

Our most popular Insert Credit panel undergoes action experiences, chases down Chester Cheevos, and delivers judgments of gaucheness. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

At what point does a strategy game become too complicated? (08:58)
Is swimming in games ever good? (15:03)
How long before release is the right time to announce your video game? (20:41)
Where would you take Sonic and his friends if they were in town? (26:06) Insert Credit Quick Break: Transgender Day of Remembrance (32:32)
Let’s talk about that Suicide Squad game and live service games (33:52)
How would you name a new console to compete with the Xbox and Playstation? (42:02)
If The Purge were real, how would that affect video games? (53:43)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - British TV Shows (submitted by LeFish) (58:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:05:27)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Consider the blu-ray commentary for the first Resident Evil movie

Frank: Marvel Spider-Man 2

Tim: Band of Brothers, The Heroic Trio (1993)

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Insert Credit Gaiden #1 - Smadori

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:49:03 +0000

Brandon Sheffield reports from various locales around Tokyo, answering forum questions and reviewing non-alcoholic beers. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, introduced by Alex Jaffe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

rejj asks: What’s it like being vegetarian in Japan? (00:31)
Review: Kirin Zero Ichi (05:45)
Review: Asahi Dry Zero (08:06)
rejj asks: Where do you get your recommendations? (10:31)
rearnakedwindow asks: Is anybody out playing PSPs/3DSes and such? (13:18)
DaveedNoo asks: When was your first trip to Japan and what did you do? (14:31)
Review: Kirin Greens Free (17:45)
Review: Suntory All-Free (19:50)
ninjapresident asks: How is the used game market right now? (21:27)
Review: Yoinai Lemon Sour (30:37)
Review: Suntory Karada Wo Amou All-Free (32:08)

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Ep. 312 - Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Expensive Tetris

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 03:24:50 +0000

Your beloved Insert Credit Show panel convenes on topics such as Sony Zelda, the Buddha’s Pickle Rick era, and the return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Phil Salvador asks: What is a game you love that you would not recommend? (07:02)
What’s the best way to pepper sidequests through an RPG? (12:47)
What’s the difference between a good artist and a good concept artist? (18:08)
What will Link’s first line of dialogue be in the live action Legend of Zelda movie? (23:47) Insert Credit Quick Break: video game union newsletter
Jerome asks: which real people have had the most legally distinct video game characters based on them? (32:05)
Why is the Streets of Rage pickup sound better than the Pac-Man pickup noise? (38:14)
What are, according to Wikipedia, some video games the Buddha might or might not enjoy? (42:29)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (49:11)

Recommendations and Outro (01:11:08)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: The Legend of Beavis

Brandon: If you’re watching Yakuza Apocalypse (2015) the only watchable version is on Tubi, Saturnalia on Steam

Tim: The new Daytona USA 2 port on Steam

Jaffe: Aftermath, 52 Pickup

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Ep. 311 - Cathcula, with Phil Salvador

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:21:34 +0000

Phil Salvador, library director for the Video Game History Foundation, steps over to the panel for Maxis facts, Five Nights at Freddy’s lore, and pigeon kings. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Phil Salvador. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Do Maxis Sim games have an evolving line of game design you can trace from title to title? (07:29)
What else could Maxis have done after The Sims 2? (15:16)
What are some interesting regional differences in video games? (22:01)
How and why do mass game company layoffs keep happening? (27:37)
Without looking anything up, what do you think Five Nights at Freddy’s is about? (34:57)
Slightly More Five Nights at Freddy’s talk (44:48)
Isla asks: What is a game mechanic or system you really like that is in a game you don’t like? (45:57)
What would it be like if video games had playable forewords? (56:46)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Who Said It? (01:01:39)

Recommendations and Outro (01:13:17)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:
Phil: The Video Game History Foundation
Brandon: Fushigi and Crimson by Nakamori Akina

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Ep. 310 - Specdracular 2023

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:30:00 +0000

Frightening Frank Cifaldi, Terrifying Tim Rogers, and Bone-chilling Brandon Sheffield rank every Resident Evil game after facing a gauntlet of qreepy questions by Affable Alex Jaffe. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How many different subgenres exist under the umbrella of “horror game?” (04:31)
What are the scariest things in non-horror games? (14:58)
What is the best kind of zombie? (20:19) Insert Credit Quick Break: See You, Space Cowboy… Cybernetics Catalogue Kickstarter (32:03)
Adapt Bobby Boris Pickett’s “Monster Mash” into a video game. (26:11)
ThatsSoRevan asks: What are the best ways to do combat in a horror game? (33:33)
What is the “My costume is I came as myself” of video games? (40:01)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Ranking the Resident Evil series (45:52)

Recommendations and Outro (57:52)

See THE INSERT CREDIT RESIDENT EVIL SERIES RANKING in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Siege (1983), The Night Eats the World (2018), Wyrmwood (2014), Cargo (2017), The Horde (2009), Republic Z (2018), Blood Quantum (2019), 6/45 (2022), Dorohedoro, Octopus Girl

Tim: The short stories of Edogawa Ranpo

Jaffe: Rain Jerks

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by the See You, Space Cowboy… Cybernetics Catalogue Kickstarter, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 309 - Jovial Duress

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 05:59:07 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield answer host Alex Jaffe’s questions and uncover the most Insert Credit thing to ever happen, the latest industry megamerger, and a giant cheese wheel. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How’d the Atari Jaguar Museum at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo go, Frank? (09:18)
Tina Carter asks: Is taking advantage of a a game’s technical system in a single-player environment “cheating”? (19:33)
What happens now that Microsoft bought Activision? (25:03)
You’re at a family dinner, and your six year old nephew asks if you’ve got any games on your phone. What do you show him? (31:30)
Tom Arrow asks: What are some other game franchises that could make interesting use of Sonic & Knuckles ‘Lock On Technology’? (35:28)
Design a minigame for Insert Credit: The Video Game. (46:03)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Video Game Baby Shoes (52:14)

Recommendations and Outro (56:01)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: DVLSBLSH zine vol. 1 and 2, check out the writing of Izumi Suzuki

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Ep. 308 - Along for the Ride in Tokyo, with Brandon Sheffield

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:55:15 +0000

Brandon reports on foot in Japan, bringing us along to retro game stores, surprise idol concerts, heist stories with chibi-tech and Playstation 2 discoveries with Colin Williamson. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with chibi-tech and Colin Williamson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

the perseverance of nakano sunplaza and shiso leaves (00:08)
a bonus travel tip regarding fresh passports (03:02)
chatting with chibi-tech in akihabara about maids, idols, and stealing stuff (06:29)
a guessing game and building sasage (18:01)
games, other names for granola, tofu for men, and sleep chocolate (20:14)
the state of japanese retro game stores (27:12)
not speaking english with pavel, and spending as much as possible on indian food (33:01)
can you hear these birds?! they’re going nuts (39:31)
something extremely curious (40:52)
nobody does japan like japan does (49:17)
wilderness reclamation (55:51)
waiting for a train in kyoto, and delaying saying no (01:00:51)
The Discovery of Zeus IV, with colin williamson (01:05:42)
towing a hearse (01:16:21)

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A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

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Ep. 307US - Tomorrowind, with Christa Lee

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:55:55 +0000

Console modification expert Christa Lee joins our stateside panel to answer the same gauntlet of questions 8-4 Play faced in episode 307J. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Christa Lee. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How has Japanese corporate culture manifested itself in the history of game development? (03:29)
What are Japanese arcades like right now? (08:54)
Design an online multiplayer game where the mechanics are intended to incorporate international time zone differences. (14:43)
Jaffe’s NieR Automata Dilemma: How is it that sometimes a video game sequel or follow-up can be technically better than the previous one in every way, but you don’t like it as much? (20:32)
What’s your approach to game localization purity? (28:19)
Which game studio has produced the most good games without releasing ANY bad ones? (37:31)
What is the “But doctor, I am Pagliacci!” of video games? (48:02)

LIGHTNING ROUND: First Person Pronouns (55:31)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:48)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Tim: Invite a friend to a movie but don’t tell them what it is, then have them do the same to you. But make sure the movie is interesting, not Expendables 4 or whatever.

Christa: Void Stranger

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Ep. 306.1 - Unity Tournament, with Shannon Liao

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 16:30:56 +0000

Our editor goofed up! Journalist Shannon Liao joined the panel for episode 306, which covered Unity’s then-unaddressed increase in fees for developers. The question yielded great discussion, but was missed in editing, so it is being presented here now. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Shannon Liao. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Question this clip:

Is Unity over?

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Ep. 307J - Podcast Swap Situation, with 8-4 Play

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:33:02 +0000

8-4 Play (Tina Carter, Mark MacDonald and John Riccardi) serve as your panel with Brandon Sheffield as host, covering a barrage of questions about localization, the global nature of games, and Sans. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Tina Carter, Mark MacDonald and John Riccardi. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How has Japanese corporate culture manifested itself in the history of game development? (03:08)
What are Japanese arcades like right now? (08:28)
Design an online multiplayer game where the mechanics are intended to incorporate international time zone differences. (14:04)
Jaffe’s NieR Automata Dilemma: How is it that sometimes a video game sequel or follow-up can be technically better than the previous one in every way, but you don’t like it as much? (19:08)
What’s your approach to game localization purity? (25:57)
Which game studio has produced the most good games without releasing ANY bad ones? (32:03)
What is the “But doctor, I am Pagliacci!” of video games? (37:12)

LIGHTNING ROUND: First Person Pronouns (39:44)

Bonus Question: Defend your choice of the “I” pronoun you used for Sans in Undertale. (44:03)

Recommendations and Outro (45:46)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Mark: Enhance Experience Inc.’s games John: Follow @johntv, listen to 8-4 Play, check out Masahiro Sakurai’s Youtube channel

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Ep. 306 - David Crowncried, with Shannon Liao

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:50:58 +0000

Journalist Shannon Liao joins the panel to cover game journalism, the Twitch meta, and hot sauce recommendations. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Shannon Liao. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What is, and what is not, video game news? (06:40)
When was the last time a screenshot of a video game was enough to drive interest? (14:18)
The concept of video game unions is still pretty new. How do you see it paying off? (19:57)
What is the Twitch Meta in 2023, and where is it headed? (25:40)
In the song “Player of Games,” Grimes claims to be “in love with the greatest gamer.” Assuming that you did not know anything else about Grimes, who would you think this song was about? (30:57) Insert Credit Quick Break - Hypnospace Outlaw (36:49)
LeFish asks: What can the average person do to preserve videogames outside of financial contributions? (38:36)
Who is the Christopher Nolan of video games? (44:34)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - City Pop Hits (54:58)

Recommendations and Outro (01:04:23)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Shannon: Updater, Shannon Liao’s gaming newsletter, Baldur’s Gate III Frank: Don’t complete with Frank for the things he needs on eBay, if you have any family who might have a Polaroid Freeze Frame Video Recorder please get in touch, say hello and visit the snuggle tent at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo Tim: Taeko Onuki - Aventure

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Hypnospace Outlaw, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 305 - Trouble Bobble, with Mathew Kumar and MoxBagel

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:53:47 +0000

Insert Credit Scottish Correspondent Mathew Kumar joins the panel to answer MoxBagel’s questions on Dragon Quest’s art style, mutants without souls, and Zom Brady. Hosted by MoxBagel, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Mathew Kumar. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

When has depriving you of your equipment or weapons felt best in a video game? (05:19)
What video game house would you want to live in? (08:40)
What other Bobble genres should Taito explore? (12:16)
How big of an influence on Dragon Quest is Toriyama’s art? (16:02)
What would be the best type of game to release in weekly small installments over 5-6 months like a TV show? (21:33)
What futuristic sports game would make the best transition to real life, assuming an unlimited budget? (28:29)
Has any game captured the elegant action of Yuen Woo Ping’s fight choreography? (34:34)
What game is most improved by promoting and powering up the lowliest enemy to be the final boss? (40:18)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Scottish Games Shootout (43:22)

Recommendations and Outro (53:10)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Mathew: the Games for the Weans Scottish Game Sale Frank: The Video Game History Hour MoxBagel: Raining in the Mountain (1975)

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Ep. 304 - Genre-Paul Sartre, with Ash Parrish

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:30:00 +0000

Journalist and Insert Credit favorite Ash Parrish returns to the panel as it covers Starfield’s launch, Soulslike sports games, and the perfect handheld console. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Ash Parrish. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Max Krieger asks: Pair a video game and a meal. Explain why. (07:18)
What could Bethesda have done to generate a more positive reaction to Starfield while shipping the exact same game? (15:21)
How do you make a nonviolent Soulslike? (22:23)
If you use the word genre in the same way media other than video games do, which genre of video game is best? (27:11)
What would you put in the next pack of stuff players can buy with in-game currency in Grand Theft Auto Online? (32:07) Insert Credit Quick Break: This Way Madness Lies (36:57)
Catherine asks: What makes the perfect handheld? (38:18)
What’s the drama happening in the Let’s Play community? (44:37)
If you could go back and witness the entire development cycle of one game, what would it be? (50:24)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Arcade Of Our Own (55:48)

Recommendations and Outro (01:05:24)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: Please consider adopting the adorable chiweenie Juice if you have a suitable home and want a lovely stupid dog, if you’re in the Bay Area check out FlyerMire.com, and PantsOnFlyers.org if you’re in the PNW, buy Hyper Gunsport, give Brandon a million dollars

Frank: Whatever the buffalo seasoning from Costoco is, the Costco club card, figure out one kernel at a time, Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023 in October

Ash: Don’t talk to the fuckin’ cops, check out all of Ash’s work at The Verge and get in touch if you work in or used to work in esports

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by This Way Madness Lies, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 303 - Updates on Development for the 3DO, with Max Krieger

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 04:30:00 +0000

Game developer and streamer Max Krieger joins the panel to discuss booing Elon Musk, the worst year for video games in the 21st century, and Eurobeat. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Max Krieger. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Which living person would be booed the loudest if they appeared at a video game tournament? (05:43)
How do you know if a puzzle game is too hard? (11:13)
What kind of immersive arcade experience has no one ever really tried before, or not tried hard enough? (16:43)
What was the worst year for video games from 2000 to 2020? (23:42)
You have a GDC panel but need to make sure that zero people attend. What do you title it?(30:22)
Spencer Gifts asks: Which Japanese game is the most American, and which American game is the most Japanese? (36:12)
When in visual design is ugliness a feature? (43:50)
What is the Planet of the Bass of video games? (49:29)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Box Office Bomb Reviews (54:22)

Recommendations and Outro (01:04:08)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: The Video Game History Hour Ep. 117: Nintendo Knitting Machine

Max: Aqualounge.tv, Indiepocalypse

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 302 - Gaba'd by the Goolies

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 04:30:00 +0000

The panel you just can’t get enough of covers immediate pick-up-and-play-right-now games, Charles Marinet’s departure as Mario, and the stunning return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Tim Rogers asks: what’s the deal with people thinking you need to have played earlier games in a triple-A franchise’s newest release? (04:56)
Brandon Sheffield asks: What are five games you could play any time? (14:04)
What does a Mario Ambassador do? (23:00)
Seth asks: If you could replace one of your arms with the arm of a video game character, whose arm would you pick? (34:36)
If you could only judge real world animals by the way they were presented in video games, how would your opinions on animals be different? (39:07)
What was the most significant “sliding doors” moment in video game history? (42:27)
What happens when a player reports a bug in a video game? (47:28)
What are the Mario and Sonic of food? (49:15)
Tim Rogers asks: What if Charles Martinet just starts his own video game company, and like he makes a new character named Charlieo? (53:36)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island Season 3 (55:13)

Recommendations and Outro (01:15:26)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Adopt this dog I’ve been fostering if you’re a single person or a couple without children, Steve Stanchfield’s Video Collection (Thunderbean)

Frank: Mini golf is pretty fun still

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Ep. 301 - SimCommune, with Liz Ryerson

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 06:09:30 +0000

Insert Credit regular Liz Ryerson joins the panel to cover refreshed questions about the state of game journalism, romhacks, and running studios as co-ops. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Liz Ryerson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What the hell is wrong with game journalism? (03:56)
Back in April of 2020, the panel was asked about the long term effects of the COVID outbreak on video games. What were they? (11:25)
Liz Ryerson asked: What’s the hot new genre of video game in the year 2050? (20:17)
Liz Ryerson asked: What’s your favorite romhack? (24:06)
Which games have the most accurate names? (30:52)
Who should get a PlayStation 5, and who should get an Xbox Series X? (35:22)
Can a video game studio feasibly be run as a co-op? (41:27)
How much fun should you put in a game before it starts making money? (46:42)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Ten Commandments of Video Games (52:45)

Recommendations and Outro (55:30)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Avengement (2019)

Frank: 12 Angry Men (1957), ****Fargo (1996), The Making of Karateka

Liz: Peking Opera Blues (1985), To the White Sea, follow Liz’s music on Bandcamp

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 300 - The Insert Credit Video Game

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 23:43:54 +0000

The founding members of Insert Credit Show, then known as The Insert Credit Podcast, answer our most frequently asked listener question. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Design the Insert Credit video game. (03:05)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Listen to episode 299

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 299 - Are You Out of Your Mind?

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:03:26 +0000

Fifty listener questions taking the form of “What is the ___ of video games?” are defeated by the full panel of the Insert Credit Show. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Vanilla Bean asks: What is the Aphex Twin to Radiohead to Coldplay of video games? (07:32)
John H: What is the Studio Trigger of video games? (08:46)
Danimal: Who (or what) is the Wednesday Campanella of video games? (10:14)
Henry: What is the Action Comics #1 competition of video games? (11:42)
Tomarrow: What is the meat and potatoes of video games? (12:49)
Kiko b: What is the peanut butter and jelly on white bread of video games? (13:42)
Ian: what’s the everything bagel of video games? (14:52)
Gaagaagiins: What is the 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner of video games? (15:37)
Chris B: What is the “walking by a store on a hot day that has the front doors wide open with the AC blasting and you catch a sudden blast of freezing air” of video games? (16:52)
Justin: What’s the “Live Free or Die Hard” of video games? (18:24)
BrillPickle asks: What’s the Normcore of video games? (20:10)
BrillPickle asks: What’s the healthgoth of video games? (21:09)
Spencer: what is the “going to the movies but spending the whole time on your phone” of video games? (22:08)
Cwumble Fletkh: Who is the Oedipus of video games? (23:08)
Fighting fudon: What is the “I’ve had too much coffee and now I feel like death” of video games? (23:58)
JackOakLeaf: What is the Marlon Brando as Don Corleone in The Godfather of video games? (25:24)
Jimi: Who are the Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer of video game characters? (26:21)
Jomch: What is the Frasier of videogames? (26:39)
Dillson: What is the Hatsune Miku Guitar Synthesizer Stompbox of video games? (28:00)
kory: What is the Jaws 19 from Back to the Future Part II of video games? (28:34)
Anonymous: What is the finding an onion ring in your fries of video games? (29:12)
Classic Anonymous: What is the Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud of video games? (31:22)
U G: What is the Mark Z Danielewski’s House of Leaves of video games? (32:29)
Shlooter McGavin: What is the “reading a magazine back to front” of video games? (33:26)
gordon “matty” freeman: What is the “vinyl just sounds better, dude” of video games? (34:31) Insert Credit Quick Break: Patreon listeners, please check your info because Patreon screwed up (34:57)
Maybesheforgot: What is the O Brother Where Art Thou of video games? (35:37)
Jeff Mangum: Who or what is the Neutral Milk Hotel of video games? (36:43)
Skeletoncounter: What is the Wes Craven’s New Nightmare of video games? (38:16)
Gaagaagiins asks: What is the comparison between the theatrical and extended cuts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy? (40:52)
LeFish: What is the finding out Santa isn’t real of video games? (42:42)
Anonymous: What is the going back in time to kill baby Hitler of video games? (44:09)
Charlie: Who, or what game, is the first Mark Twain of video games? (45:28)
Arvid: What’s the “built like a brick outhouse” of video games? (46:05)
Buy Gebord: What is the Society of the Spectacle of video games? (47:20)
Marxseny: What is the “It’s not a phase, mom” of video games? (48:19)
Barclay: What is The Illuminatus! Trilogy of video games? (49:20)
Crumbling Kwelfis: who is the jean-luc godard of video games? (50:29)
Dustin: What is the high school reunion of video games? (51:31)
Cole: What is the Nissan Sileighty of video games? (52:43)
La_cuna: What or who is the Ricky Jay of video games? (53:35)
Kyle: What is the Mission Impossible of video games? (55:32)
Torbjorn: Who is the Søren Kierkegaard of video games? (56:42)
Antho: What’s the Canadian tuxedo of video games? (57:40)
ana: What is the cinéma-vérité of video games? (59:06)
Snowtire: what is the Star Citizen of video games? (01:00:08)
Smander Jettz: Who is the Ezra Miller of video games? (01:01:03)
Brayden Bunker: What is the aeropress of video games? (01:02:53)
Samf Sankey: who is the Jim Varney of video games? (01:05:47)
Swift Justice: What is the BABYMETAL of video games? (01:07:03)
nate: what is the 4’33 of video games? (01:09:06)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:27)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Listen to episode 300

Tim: Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants

Brandon: Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014), Trader Joes Rice Cracker Medley

Jaffe: Sandman Mystery Theatre

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 298 - X-Commies, with Lucy James

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 02:59:00 +0000

Giant Bomb, Gamespot and Friends Per Second’s Lucy James joins the panel to cover video game convention panels, Oppenheimer, and getting Americans to care about 4X games. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Lucy James. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Is there a meaningful distinction between a minigame and a game within a game? (07:25)
How do you make a really big game without overwhelming players? (12:48)
What are the practical reasons to set a video game in the post-apocalypse? (18:38)
What are the pitfalls to avoid when organizing or participating in a video game panel? (22:02)
The Adaptation Game: Adapt Oppenheimer (2023) into a video game. (28:23) Insert Credit Quick Break: Moonstone Island on Steam (35:52)
Tom Arrow asks: What are video games that best exemplify tragedy, comedy and romance? (37:15)
What kind of video games do Americans not care about, and is there a way to change that? (43:32)
What is the “You couldn’t make Blazing Saddles today” of video games? (48:10)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Mortal Kombat (53:43)

Recommendations and Outro (57:25)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: Everything, send your full video game interviews to the Video Game History Foundation

Brandon: Kimimi The Game-Eating She-Monster, try using your own website for once if you’re one of the people who make Ko-fi

Lucy: The New York Times Mini Crossword, The Design Behind Immortality’s Occult Secrets, JeffJeff’s Bizarre Adventure S03E01: Oh, those aren’t bullets, Baldur’s Gate 3 boss on Xbox Series S and “Redefining The RPG” I Friends Per Second Episode #26

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Moonstone Island on Steam, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 297 - The Thinking Man’s Gex

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:50:33 +0000

The same panel this show started with is whole once more, covering hype cycles, the real game console generations, and the Season 2 finale of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

merritt k asks: What are some games on 80s and 90s Japanese home computers you want translations of or official releases in the west? (05:32)
What causes hype? Or, how do games become “overrated?” (11:23)
Let’s talk about “game killers” (17:25)
Who makes the best monsters? (23:53)
What are the actual video game console generations? (30:32) Insert Credit Quick Break - The Free Cheese (41:22)
From Winckle: What’s the best two button sequence in video games? (42:44)
What do you think was the most difficult game to QA test? (49:06)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island - Season 2 Finale (54:51)

Recommendations and Outro (01:12:58)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: clock out early

Brandon: hey thanks for listening and enjoying the show, we really appreciate it! And also, consider using your house like a Blockbuster if you keep collecting things.

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by The Free Cheese, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 296 - Junk Factory, with merritt k

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:25:13 +0000

Author and game developer merritt k joins the panel to cover recent industry developments, Gex, and coffin food. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Is the game development business getting better or worse? (05:43)
You heard about Gex? (10:47)
Design a new platforming mascot based around a working standup comedian. (16:32)
How do you make a game demo? (22:59)
Jim Bunt 0008 asks: If a game controls with just one hand, what do with the other? (31:14)
How has a game frustrated you most when not letting you do something you really should be able to do? (42:36)
Which video game most perfectly fits into the genre which describes it? (48:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Playground Rumors - Diablo IV (57:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:51)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

merritt: OtherStrangeness.com

Brandon: Wishlist Demonschool on Steam if you want to, watch How It’s Made on Tubi, try telling yourself an incredibly boring story if you have trouble sleeping

Jaffe: the Dave’s Not Here sketch

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 295 - Born Sold Out, with Patrick Miller

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 07:01:35 +0000

Insert Credit Fighting Game Correspondent Patrick Miller rejoins the panel to share tips on commentating esports, developing fighting game characters, and powerwashing an island covered in diarrhea. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Patrick Miller. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Have you ever made an arbitrary non-video game decision just because it reminded you of something from a video game? (03:00)
Which fighting game characters have most significantly changed how fighting games are played? (07:44)
What future expansions should PowerWash Simulator add? (15:08)
What are the qualities of a good esports commentator? (20:33)
Improv Zone - RPG AI Dialogue (23:30) Insert Credit Quick Break - Demonschool Demo on Xbox July 11 (27:44)
Yuji asks: what’s the coolest thing you can find at the edge of a world map? (28:53)
How do you make a character design “look cooler?” (35:02)
What’s the greatest comeback story in video game development history? (40:01)

LIGHTNING ROUND: State Fighters - New Challengers (46:33)

Recommendations and Outro (55:27)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Patrick: If you’re in the Bay Area get in touch and come to Caliburst Frank: TwoMorrows Publishing

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by the ID@Xbox Demonschool demo available July 11, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 294 - Final Fantastacular XVI, with Giovanni Colantonio, Gita Jackson, and Ash Parrish

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:45:34 +0000

Game journalists Giovanni Colantonio, Gita Jackson and Ash Parrish unite to make Insert Credit history: reviewing a video game. The party explores Final Fantasy XVI as a game, a story, and as a cultural artifact. Plus, the ten hottest Final Fantasy boys! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Giovanni Colantonio, Gita Jackson, and Ash Parrish. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

Talking about the game (02:57)
Talking about the story (FEATURES SPOILERS) (27:20)
Talking about talking about the game (FEATURES SPOILERS) (58:43)
Recommendations and Outro (01:25:27)

LIGHTNING RETURNS ROUND: Rank the hottest Final Fantasy boys (01:26:35)

Visit insertcredit.com for THE INSERT CREDIT RANKED LIST OF HOTTEST FINAL FANTASY BOYS (Protagonists)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Final Fantasy XVI
Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy Tactics
Devil May Cry series
Moogle
Chocobo
Pokémon universe
Forspoken
The DioField Chronicle
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Naruto vs Sasuke
Devil May Cry 5
Final Fantasy XIV Online
Naoki Yoshida
Final Fantasy XV
Cidolfus Telamon
Cid Highwind
Cid Pollendina
Dion Lesage (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Gil
Diablo series
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Final Fantasy XIII
Torgal (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Game of Thrones
Ultima (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Anabella Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Jill Warrick (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Theon Greyjoy
Benedikta Harman (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Active Lore System
The Holy Empire of Sanbreque (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Destiny
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Thedas
Byron Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
I Want to Be Your Canary
Loveless
Ralph Ineson
Ben Starr
Joshua Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)
Masayoshi Soken
God of War (2018)
Mortal Engines (2018)
Michael Bay
Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy VII: Remake
Final Fantasy VI
Blitzball
Fang
Vanille
House of the Dragon
Chain-Gang All-Stars
The Grishaverse
Shadow and Bone
Final Fantasy XVI has a medieval approach to diversity
Unsullied
Jacob Anderson
Interview with the Vampire
Dune
Pauline Kael
Dordogne

Recommendations:

Gita: follow xoxogossipgita on social media, subscribe to the gita zone on substack

Ash: follow adashtra on social media, find more of Ash’s writing at The Verge

Giovanni: follow marioprime on social media, find more of Giovanni’s writing at DigitalTrends

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 293 - Catch a Wheat! with Felipe Pepe

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:20:15 +0000

Author of The CRPG Book Felipe Pepe joins the panel to determine what CRPGs are, how to play them, and what happened with the Gollum game. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Felipe Pepe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What are the top ten video game submarines? (08:07)
What the hell is going on with Lord of the Rings games? (14:36)
What are we going to do about the name CRPG? (20:02)
How do you delineate PC game history? (25:39)
What’s a book about video games you wish existed but you don’t have eight years to write? (32:21)
Mel Stone asks: Using only video game characters that have never appeared in an RPG, create the quintessential four-person RPG party (43:47)
How do you design a video game magic system that doesn’t just rip off Dungeons & Dragons? (51:26)
What’s the best way to get ancient computer games to run on modern PCs? (58:21)

Recommendations and Outro (01:03:28)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: The Video Game History Hour with Frank Cifaldi and Kelsey Lewin

Brandon: Il Balletto di Bronzo, purchase a physical copy of Hyper Gunsport

Felipe: The CRPG Book

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 292 - Multiball, Multiball, Multiball! with Dan McQuade

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 07:02:46 +0000

Defector editor and co-founder Dan McQuade joins the panel to cover Summer Game Fest, the Apple Face Computer, and Avenders Engersgame. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Dan McQuade. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Anything at Summer Game Fest or the Xbox panel look cool? (04:42)
Dan McQuade asks: How have people reacted to the new Final Fantasy? (16:43)
Brandon, what game is Necrosoft going to make for the Apple Face Computer? (22:37)
If you had the power to change any rule in any sport, how would you use it? (34:35)
PersonalMatthew asks: Should developers always support button remapping? (42:38)
Are there any true video game stories that could be made into movies? (53:53)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As: Madden (01:07:27)

Recommendations and Outro (01:14:57)

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Save your game when playing old games, Derry Girls season 3, Yuyoyuppe’s SICK EP, Utsu-P’s song Ga

Dan: Defector, @dhm on twitter, @danmcquade on instagram

Tim: Defector

Jaffe: Detroiters (esper also recommends this)

The Show Collectively: Tetris: From Russia with Love

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Ep. 291 - Bye Forever Los Angeles, with Brandon Sheffield and Vincent Diamante

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:50:57 +0000

While attempting to promote Demonschool in the City of Angels, Brandon Sheffield joins fellow Insert Credit founder Vincent Diamante to drive a 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata, pontificate on the elusive nature of California, and shop for video games. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Vincent Diamante. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

Kicked Out of the Mix (01:02)
How Vincent Diamante Plays Treasure Games (09:32)
The Secret Place in Little Tokyo (23:48)
Car Talk: 6,666 (35:37)
Book Off Explorations, pt. 1 - Games (52:44)
Book Off Explorations, pt. 2 - Soundtracks (01:02:22)
Book Off Explorations, pt. 3 - Books (01:03:57)
Book Off Explorations, pt. 4 - A Living Museum (01:06:35)
Things Do and Do Not Change (01:12:39)
Reflection (01:37:48)

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Ep. 290 - Treasure Ranking, with Christa Lee

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:18:16 +0000

Your frothing demand for this podcast increases! Console modification expert Christa Lee joins Tim and Brandon to cover the original Konami defecting rock stars, Treasure Co., Ltd. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Christa Lee. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Not Necessarily a Eulogy For Treasure (03:44)
2D Genesis Platformers: Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, and McDonalds Treasure Land Adventure (29:26)
YuYu Hakusho Beat Em Ups: Yū Yū Hakusho: Makyō Tōitsusen, Guardian Heroes, Bleach: the Blade of Fate, and Bleach: Dark Souls (41:41)
Neo 2D Middle Era: Mischief Makers, Silhouette Mirage, Tiny Toons Adventures: Buster’s Bad Dream, Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Advance Guardian Heroes, and Gunstar Super Heroes (49:41)
Shootin’ Time: Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, Silpheed: The Lost Planet, and Gradius V (01:08:42) Insert Credit Quick Break: Archaeology Tube (01:33:59)
Bangai-O Trilogy: Bangai-O, Bangai-O Spirits, Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (01:36:07)
Punishment Zone: Sin and Punishment, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, and Dragon Drive: D-Masters Shot (01:51:21)
The Rest: Light Crusader, Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!, Wario World, Rakugaki Showtime, Stretch Panic!, Bleach: Versus Crusade, and Gaist Crusher God (02:04:53)
Finalizing Rankings (02:25:32)
Honorary Treasure Games and Final Treasure Thoughts (02:35:43)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

THE INSERT CREDIT RANKED LIST OF TREASURE GAMES

Silhouette Mirage
Gunstar Heroes
Bangai-O Spirits
Sin and Punishment
Dynamite Headdy
Radiant Silvergun
McDonald’s Treasure Land Adventure
Light Crusader
Guardian Heroes
Gradius V
Bangai-O
Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
Alien Soldier
Stretch Panic
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Yu Yu Hakusho
Bleach: Versus Crusade
Bleach: The Blade of Fate
Bleach: Dark Souls
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster’s Bad Dream
Wario World
Gunstar Super Heroes
Mischief Makers
Dragon Drive: D-Masters Shot
Advance Guardian Heroes
Geist Crusher God
Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting
Ikaruga
Rakugaki Showtime

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Archaeology Tube, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 289 - Foamstar Runner

Mon, 29 May 2023 00:42:13 +0000

Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield cover that big Sony event, art styles for games, and the thrilling return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

How ’bout that Playstation showcase? (05:13)
Other than “realistic,” “cel shaded,” and “pixel art,” name some video game art styles. (18:20)
Write some of those in-game Elder Scrolls books. (24:44)
What would make those in-game Elder Scrolls books worth reading? (27:50) Insert Credit Quick Break - Sully: A Very Serious RPG (29:42)
LeFish asks: What is the finding out that Santa isn’t real of video games? (31:26)
Tim Rogers asks: HotB, or sofubi? (35:06)
What car should be in every video game with cars? (43:02)
When do you block, when do you dodge, and when do you parry? (49:26)
Is there a system you’ve played every game for? (53:56)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (58:37)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:47)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Fight Back to School (1991), PinkPantheress

Tim: Hang out in the discord.gg/actionbutton Goblin Bunker, abandon all social media

Frank: Hear Tim out

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Sully: A Very Serious RPG, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 288 - El Podcast Regular

Mon, 22 May 2023 04:10:51 +0000

The panel you know and love reconvenes to weigh in on Overwatch 2, the GameCube handle, and Minter’s thing. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What does it mean to beat a video game? (05:04)
In the “games as service” era, when do you update a game, and when do you make a sequel? (11:20)
What’s the best non-game feature a gaming console has ever had? (18:32)
What kinds of things aren’t video games licensing that they should? (28:21) Insert Credit Quick Break: Egglien (33:12)
From ShlooterMcGavin: What would an eSports Utility Vehicle be like? (34:40)
When have game developers best anticipated player behavior? (44:21)
What games have successfully ripped off older games without anyone really noticing? (49:17)
What is the Who Shot Mr. Burns? of video games? (54:03)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As: Tears of the Kingdom (01:01:00)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:09)

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Frank: Unofficial Rent-A-Hero No.1 Translation, use actual games saves and not save states if you’re using the Redream emulator, the Xbox Elite Controller Tim: the Xbox Elite Controller, the Analogue Duo Brandon: talk to your relatives about trans rights issues

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Egglien, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 287 - Rated L, with Kat Bailey

Mon, 15 May 2023 06:24:09 +0000

IGN news director and Axe of the Blood God creator Kat Bailey joins the panel to discuss Metacritic scores, ranked polls, and what the ESRB actually does all day. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Kat Bailey. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Frank Cifaldi asks: What are the best British games? (05:11)
Why doesn’t a Sight & Sound-style poll work for video games? (12:22)
How does IGN review games? (25:33)
If ESRB ratings were literal, which games would actually be for everyone, for teens, and mature? (29:43) Insert Credit Ad Break - Sully: A Very Serious RPG (36:45)
Azurelore Korrigan asks: What medium is best for adapting to video games? (38:29)
What’s something you wished video games would do, they eventually did, and now you’ve had enough? (45:14)
What counts as video game news? (50:12)
Did everyone here always know what IGN stands for? (58:09)

LIGHTNING ROUND: From Yeso - Oblique Game Designs (59:24)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:54)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Continue to listen to this if we keep doing it, I Am a Hero (2015)

Kat: Episode 400 of Axe of the Blood God with Felipe Pepe

Frank: Episode 34 of Video Game History Hour with Felipe Pepe

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Sully: A Very Serious RPG, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 286 - Musouls, with Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Mon, 08 May 2023 07:35:51 +0000

Kinda Funny Games host and producer Blessing Adeoye Jr. joins the panel to cover review scores for video games, Frank’s answer for good adventure game design, and the Capcom Five. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Blessing Adeoye Jr. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What do people expect from a review of a new game? (06:29)
Who have been the best level designers since Doom? (17:23)
How can a difficult video game puzzle keep players from losing patience and resolve to solve it? (25:06)
Let’s all record some all purpose video game sample dialogue. (33:13) Insert Credit Ad Break: 100 Gold (37:36)
Lloyd Irving asks: Rank the Capcom Five (38:50)
Koei Tecmo wants you to scout the right IP for their next Musou game. Who do you approach? (46:46)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Reccing Crew - Star Wars characters (54:42)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:06)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Blessing: Check out The Blessing Show on Kinda Funny Games and the Phil Spencer interview from Kinda Funny

Brandon: Demonschool public demo, Koudelka

Tim: Play the Shadow Hearts series and Sōkaigi if you want to play a couple other weirder lesser talked about or looked at video games that are all somewhat related to Koudelka, have a unionized workplace if you have the option

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by 100 Gold and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 285 - Daria of Sorrow

Mon, 01 May 2023 07:52:21 +0000

The panel returns to classic formation to cover UX design, Microsoft acquisition developments, gross Yoshis, and sellouts within sellouts. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

From Simone de Rochefort: What else should Microsoft acquire and make exclusive? (03:33)
What is The Day The Clown Cried of video games? (10:19)
What makes a New Game+ feature the most enticing? (11:41)
What are common terms game designers use that game players don’t? (17:10)
How can User Interface inform the themes and story of a video game? (24:52)
Let’s criticize some things we want to bring attention to. (31:13) Insert Credit Ad Break: Midautumn and Games and Feelings (37:04)
JackOakleaf asks: How long should a cutscene be? (39:55)
Which video game protagonist’s job would you want to do the least? (48:02)
What is The Day The Clown Cried of video games? (54:19)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Famicom Feud - Video Game Playboy Appearances (01:02:47)

Recommendations and Outro (01:19:47)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Plug things on different CRT inputs into different power strips to reduce interference, Bullet Train (2022), Shudder TV if you’re Frank, Joe Bob Briggs

Frank: please do not actually mark Video Game History Foundation donations as “for Playboys”

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by Midautumn, Games and Feelings, and patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 284 - Let Me Be Frank, with Simone de Rochefort

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 07:10:41 +0000

What starts as a lively episode with Polygon editor and podcaster Simone de Rochefort becomes something far more interesting when one panelist’s audio goes missing. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Simone de Rochefort. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

From Frank Cifaldi: What is the Criterion Channel of video games? (10:48)
Sega just bought Rovio. Why? (25:29)
Simone, please convince the panel board games are good. (32:26)
What’s the deal with those TikTok videos that all have Minecraft or Subway Surfer footage playing at the bottom? (38:48)
Improv Zone - Video Game Pawn Shop (42:20)
Zara asks: Have you ever recognized something deeply personal from your real life inside of a video game? (48:29)
From Ash Parrish: Who is the American Mario? (55:24)

LIGHTNING ROUND: VIOLENCE ISLAND (01:02:24)

Recommendations and Outro (01:25:26)

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: Echo Image, Spirit Posession, make more things like game stores and video stores so people can be paid to get baseline experience in a field they care about Simone: Murder, She Wrote Tim: Decision to Leave (2022), The Little Drummer Girl, Interview with the Vampire

Brought to you by Midautumn on Steam and patrons like you

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Ep. 283 - Oops! All Necrosoft, with Lotte May, Son M., and Jenna Stoeber

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 07:30:45 +0000

Necrosoft founder Brandon Sheffield sits with Necrosoft programmer Lotte May, Necrosoft producer Son M., and Necrosoft marketing director Jenna Stoeber to mostly talk about romancing Merlin. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Lotte May, Son M., and Jenna Stoeber. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What kinds of games should we be making with text? (03:05)
What are the best untapped genre mashups in video games? (05:12)
What are some under represented vehicles we should be using in games? (09:50)
Design a new fantasy sports game. (12:20)
What makes relationship systems in games compelling, and how can we make them even more compelling? (16:44)
Alex Jaffe asks: If Necrosoft stuck to its original vision of being a game studio that only hires dead people, who would be on the payroll? (23:05)
As of April 2023, how can content creators best present their work? (27:32)
How will today’s youth silo themselves in the future? (33:31)
What’s a question you’ve accidentally built your whole life around answering? (35:52)
What part of your job would you be totally fine with AI taking away from you? (41:15)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Game Companies (43:20)

Recommendations and Outro (48:01)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: Don’t forget to check if something is available new if you buy it Lotte: Necrosoft Games, Watch an episode of the original Gundam series with your friend every week Son: Necrosoft Games, Perfect Garbage Studios, wishlist Love Shore Jenna: twitch.tv/the_jenna, video essay youtube channel, patreon, fuck the algorithm

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Ep. 282 - Bye Forever GDC 2023, with Brandon Sheffield, Liz Ryerson, and Ty Underwood

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:34 +0000

Insert Credit reports directly from GDC 2023. Brandon Sheffield relives past GDC memories with new and familiar faces, while Liz Ryerson and Ty Underwood dive into the dark underbelly of Web3 Cryptopits and explore the show floor.

Segments:

Brandon picks up his badge (00:00)
Liz and Ty wait in line (02:33)
Brandon interviews Greg Miller about GDC memories (08:10)
Ty and Liz interview Evan Balster and Tammy Duplantis about why GDC is bad this year, lines, and lunch (14:46)
Brandon hangs out with Ash Parrish in a bar watching baseball (19:13)
Liz and Ty cover Web3 and the Trauma Trough with Emily Rose (23:43)
Brandon and Vincent Diamante cover planes in hurricanes, cranky old men, and meeting IRC friends (28:28)
Liz updates after emceeing the main stage (35:00)
Liz and Ty walk the expo hall and talk to Issac Io Schankler (37:30)
Brandon talks GDC memories in a bar with Kat Bailey, Wesley Fenlon, Jeremy Parish, and JJSignal (45:07)
Liz recovers after a difficult day (54:25)
Brandon shares his reason for coming to GDC (and DICE) and shares shoe repair tricks (56:26)
Liz tests positive for covid (01:03:50)
Ty reports for the Experimental Game Workshop and asks the hard questions (01:05:52)
Brandon settles on an Italian restaurant with Frank Cifaldi, Chris Charla, and Kelsey Lewin and share stories (01:10:09)
Brandon and Jenn Sandercock have a serendipitous meeting (01:29:02)
Ty scours Yerba Buena to get final thoughts on the conference (01:30:09)
Brandon gets Jim Stormdancer’s GDC memories (01:32:28)
Brandon and Ash Parrish discuss preconceptions, Kirby, Iran, and the giving nature of people at GDC (01:35:25)
Ty unwinds with Eva Khoury to get the vibe of the show (01:51:22)
Brandon runs into Mimsy and talks parties and Oakland (01:52:04)
Ty shares their final thoughts on GDC 2023 (01:55:11)
Brandon wraps up the show (01:55:50)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

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Ep. 281 - Flawful Loss, with Casey Explosion

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 07:18:26 +0000

Twitch streamer Casey Explosion joins the panel to talk Resident Evil 4 Remake, Ash Ketchum, and region locked soda machines. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Casey Explosion. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Vincent Diamante asks: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done to obtain a video game? (03:08)
Has the Steam Deck lived up to everything we thought it might be? (11:17)
How do you pick what to play next? (17:49)
How would you end Ash Ketchum’s story? (25:17)
Scoregem asks: What games have a button that lets you roleplay? (30:57)
Are there any games that do what BioShock can’t? (38:37)
What is the least evil big video game company? (45:22)
How’s that Resident Evil 4 remake? (51:30)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Fursona Royal (55:49)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:18)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Frank: Tune in to a future episode of Insert Credit Show if you’d like to hear discussion about the Criterion Channel of Video Games. Casey: twitch.tv/CaseyExplosion, Casey Explosion Steam Curator page Brandon: See if your ceiling fan can go backward for better air distribution, Frankie Rose, Mammoth Volume, Ritsuko Kurosawa Tim: Fuga: Melodies of Steel

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Ep. 280 - Zimulation, with Vincent Diamante and ThorHighHeels

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:13:05 +0000

Composers Vincent Diamante and ThorHighHeels join Tim in covering modern video game news sources, mysterious games, and excellent yacht names. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Vincent Diamante, and ThorHighHeels. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Here and now in 2023, how do you get video game news? (08:59)
What qualifies a game as mysterious? (14:39)
Tell me about a project that you really believed in at one point, but couldn’t find a way to make it come together. (18:46)
What subject could you give an unprepared GDC talk on? (28:29)
From Kyle: What’s the newest game genre, excluding overt combinations of established genres? (36:36)
Are YouTube audiences more interested in hearing about bad video games than good ones? (48:26)
Why do you think people like what you do? (54:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Pull Quotes (59:32)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:39)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Vincent: Baseball, Chair Simulator Thor: Boot up a Zed X Tim: The city of Detroit

Support on Patreon

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Ep. 279 - Cauliflower If It Makes Sense, with Jeff Gerstmann

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 06:36:40 +0000

Video game journalist Jeff Gerstmann sits down at the Insert Credit table to cover video game history, AI, and the return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Jeff Gerstmann. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Have any of you seen the news lately? (09:58)
Let’s examine the evolution of the endless runner. (21:53)
Wrestling games. Glorified character creators, or is there something there gameplay-wise? (28:22)
Definitively rank tank, healer, and DPS from best to worst. (35:52)
Kyle asks: Form a musical super group composed of video game characters. (43:38)
Are AI programs like ChatGPT good for video games? (50:44)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (01:03:50)

Recommendations and Outro (01:23:49)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: the plot of Kung Fu Traveler (2017) Jeff: Go listen to the Snoop Dogg Call of Duty: Vanguard voicelines Frank: Chicory: A Colorful Tale Tim: Croupier (1998)

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Ep. 278 - Nintendo 3DSpectacular, with Mathew Kumar

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:45:21 +0000

Insert Credit Scottish Correspondent Mathew Kumar sits with the panel just before the March 27, 2023 closing of the Nintendo 3DS eShop to cover the console’s legacy, hardware innovations, and games worth playing. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Mathew Kumar. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

How was the 3DS hardware used? (08:37)
What 3DS games need to be brought to another console? (25:04)
3DS Recommendations (38:25)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Ranking the 3DS Recommendations (01:17:55)

THE INSERT CREDIT RANKED RECOMMENDATION LIST FOR NINTENDO 3DS:

Attack of the Friday Monsters!
Shin Megami Tensei IV
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
Gotta Protectors
Kokuga
Sega 3D Classics Collection
Super Mario 3D Land
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Etrian Odyssey IV
Etrian Odyssey Nexus
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.
Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball
Persona Q (Series)
Culdcept Revolt
Picross
Pocket Card Jockey
Ridge Racer 3D

Recommendations and Outro (01:29:42)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Tim: Buy a ticket at GirlGodLive.com

Support on Patreon

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Ep. 277 - The Hitness, with MoxBagel

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 04:37:43 +0000

Guest host and frequent dirtbag Colin AKA MoxBagel keeps the panel in order as they discuss the definition of “visual novel,” fighting games, and, finally, Fortnite.

Questions this week:

What is your “The Last Starfighter” game? (05:20)
How would you redesign pinball to be more of a 30 minute experience than a five minute experience?(11:25)
What fighting game has the most creative single player campaign?(18:57)
If Capcom made a Mega Man Legends every year since 1997, what would it be like now? (24:43)
What game would have flourished with the amount of post-release support that No Man’s Sky has? (32:26)
What is your favorite novel gameplay mechanic or moment in an otherwise unremarkable game? (40:23)
What is the best video game to play in fifteen minute sessions? (47:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: World of Lords (54:22)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Frank: Metroid Prime: Remastered, the DigitalFoundry video on Metroid Prime Remastered
Brandon: When buying coconut milk and other coconut products, watch out for companies that use monkey slaves. Go to Digikey.com for purchases of electrostatic bags. Stick the stems of limp vegetables in water to refresh them.
Colin: The Taste of Tea (2004)

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Ep. 276 - Bye Forever DICE 2023

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 09:28:32 +0000

Brandon Sheffield and Frank Cifaldi report from Las Vegas, where they supposedly attended the 2023 DICE Summit, but mostly ran into used game stores and friends of Insert Credit. Featuring Alex Jaffe, Brandon Sheffield, Frank Cifaldi, Chris Kohler, Ally McLean, Mathew Kumar, and Kris Graft.

SEGMENTS

Retro City Games shopping with Chris Kohler (00:51)
Retro City Games shopping with Ally McLean (10:48)
Driving with Chris Kohler, Ally McLean and Frank Cifaldi from Retro City Games to another used game store (16:09)
Brandon discusses the plot of The $cheme (2003) with Ally McLean (25:18)
Getting lost in the car after Retro City Games #2 (27:08)
A miserable situation involving accoustic covers of popular music (38:15)
In the Circus Circus hotel room (39:17)
Walking through Circus Circus (42:15)
6 AM stories with Kris Graft (44:00)
Post-show thoughts from Brandon and Frank (58:56)

Discuss this episode in the forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

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Ep. 275 - Even More Games of the Year 2022

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:27:24 +0000

A single episode could never hope to contain all the video games of 2022 played by Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Get comfortable and sit down for a hang out with some of the rest of last year’s best. Hosted by Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Games Discussed:

Square-Enix HD-2D Games (Live A Live, Triangle Strategy, Bravely Default II, Diofield Chronicles) (07:42)
Valkyrie Elysium (26:40)
Star Ocean: Divine Force (30:52)
Voice of Cards (42:45)
Babylon’s Fall (46:22)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (54:35)
Gran Turismo 7 (58:07)
Shin chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation - The Endless Seven-Day Journey (59:20)
Sifu (01:05:12)
Rollerdrome (01:10:05)
Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (01:11:16)
NORCO (01:12:24)
Chained Echoes (01:13:38)
Cult of the Lamb (01:18:25)
The Quarry (01:18:42)
PowerWash Simulator (01:19:07)
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion (01:21:19)
NeverAwake (01:25:45)
Final Vendetta (01:26:39)
Weird West (01:27:30)
Evil West (01:29:59)
Horizon II: Forbidden West (01:33:18)
A Plague Tale: Requiem (01:41:16)
The Callisto Protocol (01:45:21)
Gungrave: G.O.R.E (01:50:45)
Splatoon 3 (01:54:38)
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (01:58:18)
Pokemon Legends: Arceus (02:00:51)
Judgment (02:02:42)
A Few More From Brandon (02:03:51)
2023 Predictions (02:11:05)
Recommendations and Outro (02:14:34)

Visit the forums to discuss this episode

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Check out shows and movies on Netflix and Tubi

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Ep. 274 - Game of the Year 2022

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:19:44 +0000

Our panel debates the rankings greatest video games of 2022, and devises cryptic inscriptions for each one so that others may follow their path. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

NOMINATIONS:

Frank Round 1 (08:37)
Tim Round 1 (12:35)
Brandon Round 1 (17:46)
Frank Round 2 (28:29)
Tim Round 2 (33:55)
Brandon Round 2 (36:49)
Frank Round 3 (44:22)
Tim Round 3 (57:18)
Brandon Round 3 (01:04:08)
Frank Round 4 (01:11:09)
Tim Round 4 (01:17:20)
Brandon Round 4 (01:24:33)
Frank Round 5 (01:33:50)
Tim Round 5 (01:47:03)
Brandon Round 5 (01:54:16)
Frank Round 6 (02:02:43)
Tim Round 6 (02:05:34)
Brandon Round 6 (02:10:14)
Frank Round 7 (02:15:14)
Tim Round 7 (02:19:30)
Brandon Round 7 (02:25:14)
Wrap-up (02:36:25)

Visit our forum thread to see the finalized list

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

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Ep. 273 - Insert Credit Annual #4

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 07:44:12 +0000

Insert Credit returns to once again rank the best games of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

NOMINATIONS:

Brandon, Round 1 (05:35)
Frank, Round 1 (10:24)
Tim, Round 1 (13:58)
Brandon, Round 2 (19:15)
Frank, Round 2 (24:45)
Tim, Round 2 (31:41)
Brandon, Round 3 (39:59)
Frank, Round 3 (46:58)
Tim, Round 3 (51:59)
Brandon, Round 4 (58:44)
Frank, Round 4 (01:04:21)
Tim, Round 4 (01:09:11)
Brandon, Round 5 (01:16:35)
Frank, Round 5 (01:19:46)
Tim, Round 5 (01:22:44)
Brandon, Round 6 (01:29:16)
Frank, Round 6 (01:34:01)
Tim, Round 6 (01:36:07)
Brandon, Round 7 (01:39:27)
Tim choosing on Frank’s behalf, Round 7 (01:41:28)
Tim, Round 7 (01:44:16)

View the finalized list at forums.insertcredit.com

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Support on Patreon

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Ep. 272 - New Donk, Michigan

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 06:03:29 +0000

Ep. 272 - New Donk, Michigan

Our beloved panel covers big game worlds, big game choices, and big twin Tallaricos. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by goop lord, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Jason Schreier asks: Which Mario stage/level/kingdom/board would you want to live in and why? (04:02)
How do you trick a player into feeling like your video game world is big? (10:23)
What do people mean when they say that choices you make in a video game should matter? (17:40)
Dirtbag Dusting - Sam: What game emotionally resonated with you most as a teen? Vermont Boy: What games are most improved by listening to something else? Anonymous: What game has the longest time between setup and payoff? (24:58)
Alex Jaffe asks: Is there any reason for a game with a controllable character to not have a jump button? (38:40)
Which video games have caused industry-wide shifts in graphical aesthetics? (45:52)
What video game characters do you think would most overuse emojis? (50:09)
Review the Rubik’s Cube. (53:57)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design (58:50)

Recommendations and Outro (01:05:13)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: Stonewall’s Jerquee, A Man Called Hawk on Tubi, reevaluate your taste prejudices every once in a while Tim: Spell a word in an interesting way if you’re a vegan snack company, don’t ask Tim about anything diet related Frank: Deweys Cookies Jaffe: See a dentist

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Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by goop lord. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 271 - FunJail, with Jason Schreier

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:03:04 +0000

Bloomberg Game Journalist and Author Jason Schreier joins the panel to cover Wizards of the Coast, the greatest story in video games, and whether or not buying games is ethical. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Jason Schreier. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Cliff Bleszinski asks: What food do you associate with your best gaming memory? (07:16)
Why is everybody so mad about Dungeons & Dragons? (15:22)
What is the greatest story in video games? (20:59)
How do you break news no one else has yet as a game journalist? (28:26)
You have an investor meeting in 6 minutes to pitch them a new social media network for Gamers. What’s your presentation? (34:51)
Spencer Gifts asks: which game console libraries boxes have the best graphic design? (40:49)
Under what circumstances is it unethical to buy a video game? (49:26)

LIGHTNING ROUND: MobyCritic (55:30)

Recommendations and Outro (58:50)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:
Jason: Triple Click
Brandon: Try eating dandelion leaves, find the fan translation of Project Eye Dol, Mad Stalker
Frank: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Support on Patreon

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Ep. 270 - Leisure Suit Locusts, with Cliff Bleszinski

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 09:55:19 +0000

Game Designer and Broadway Producer Cliff “CliffyB” Bleszinski joins a very sensual episode to cover what makes good third person shooters, Avatar 2, and disrespecting Hitman. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Cliff Bleszinski. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

From Brandon Sheffield: What makes a good third person shooter? (06:18)
Who has more power, a game director, or a game producer? (14:44)
Design a video game around the Aroma Shooter. (23:27)
Design a sequel to Frank Cifaldi’s Super Sherlock Holmes. (31:25)
Improv Zone: Guess the COG Squadron (37:04)
Seth asks: What is the best sound related to video games that is not from a video game? (43:26)
If you could design a level for an existing video game series, which would it be and what would you do? (49:58)
What was Fortnite supposed to be? (55:03)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design – Gears of War Achievements (01:00:53)

Recommendations and Outro (01:07:14)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:
Cliff: Neon White, Vampire Survivors, NORCO
Tim: Interview with the Vampire, follow MiSTerAddons on twitter, get a 4K 48-inch OLED computer monitor
Brandon: Hit “publish” on your patches submitted to Nintendo, The Equalizer, please leave a review for Hyper Gunsport on Steam if you’ve purchased it
Frank: Squeeze an airhorn at Frank Cifaldi every time he mentions the MiSTer if you know him in real life

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Ep. 269 - Pure Podcast Content, with Christa Lee

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:50:33 +0000

Console modification expert Christa Lee joins Brandon and Tim on the panel to cover raytracing in 4K at 120 fps, the things players care about that developers don’t, and the return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Christa Lee. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

From Ash Parrish: What video game would you swear into Congress on? (01:59)
What can you tell about a video game cartridge from its circuit board? (09:41)
Is raytracing just a graphical enhancement, or can it be gameplay? (15:02)
What do players think about a lot more than game developers? (20:33)
What is the best dead video game company? (26:32)
Spencergifs asks: When did video games become mainstream? (29:51)
Violence Island (36:57)
How should games signal that a “point of no return” is coming? (46:57)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokedexperts (01:02:41)

Recommendations and Outro (01:09:37) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:
Brandon: Bee and PuppyCat
Christa: Mushihimesama

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Ep. 268 - Cake Realizer Button

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 09:18:40 +0000

The original panel reunites for Frank Cifaldi’s two point-and-click adventure game recommendations, the best kind of game for Tim Rogers right now, and Brandon Sheffield’s selection as the Whitney Houston of video games. Plus, Bennett Foddy designs a new game for the Steel Battalion controller. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What’s your favorite tribute to a video game in another video game? (WARNING: This question features minor Death Stranding spoilers) (04:58)
Categorize every type of mission in a video game. (10:01)
Narratively, what is happening to a video game character when they lose a life? (13:10)
What video game should get a new remake every year? (19:58)
Design a new game for the Steel Battalion controller. (25:50)
Design a new game for the Steel Battalion controller, Bennett Foddy. (31:27)
Soup’um asks: What is the absolute minimum length a game has to be to no longer be considered ‘short’? (36:48)
What is the Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” for the soundtrack of the film The Bodyguard of video games? (50:18)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As – Fortnite (55:47)

Recommendations and Outro (59:36)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: Icey Jaye ‎- Icey (She’s Bad), Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2014)

Anti-Recommendations: Brandon: What We Left Behind - Looking Back At Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018) if you enjoy the Star Trek

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Ep. 267 - Asynchronicity 2: Holiday Spectacular

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 05:58:42 +0000

A grand cast of holiday favorites are subjected to a gauntlet of questions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, Ash Parrish, Patrick Miller, Topher Florence, Esper Quinn, Andrés Velasco y Coll, Azurelore Korrigan, Liz Ryerson, K Thor Jensen and Fūnk-é Joseph. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What are the worst trends, currently or historically, in video game character design? (w/Ash Parrish) (06:38)
Design a unique custom rule set for a fighting game tournament. (w/Patrick Miller) (11:33)
Which three video game characters would you ask to help you move? (w/Topher Florence) (14:59)
What do you do when you’re working on a game and your funding gets cut? (18:17)
What’s the best time you ever had with a bad game? (w/Esper Quinn) (21:25)
Which video game voice actors deserve wider recognition? (w/Andrés Velasco y Coll) (27:30)
What’s the best answer that someone in the game industry has given you to a question you asked them? (w/Azurelore Korrigan) (31:17)
How would you remake Indie Game: The Movie today? (w/Liz Ryerson) (37:13)
Which modern video game would be the best introduction to video games for a child? (w/K Thor Jensen) (43:21)
What’s the difference between a good video game and a cool video game? (w/Fūnk-é Joseph) (45:55)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Recommendations and Outro (47:59)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Frank: Magic Kid Googoo
Brandon: Quo Vadis 2
Ash: Pepsiman
Patrick: Goddess of Victory: Nikke
Topher: Chair Chaser
Esper: Gravity Rush series
Andrés: Windjammers 2
Azurelore: Ghost House
Liz: Soul Axiom, Uurnog: Uurnlimited
K Thor: Guardians / Denjin Makai II
Fūnk-é: Bloons TD 6

Closing song: [XMAS]「諸人こぞりて」Mix Yona [音量可変版 Ex - Pcm][X68000][1994制作] ****by Keishi Yonao

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Ep. 266 - Perspexpertise

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:17:04 +0000

Our standard party of panelists covers the newly announced God of War and Death Stranding adaptations, what they’d teach in game design school, hangout flavors, and Christopher Lambert. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Who were the kings of the lost art of video game packaging? (05:40)
Which games make the weird controllers they were designed for worth using? (12:57)
Other than fatherhood, what types of interpersonal relationships should games explore? (19:59)
What’s the worst flavor text in video games? (26:04)
In the Death Stranding movie, who should play Sam Porter Bridges? (31:17)
What questions would you put on a written exam in a game design class? (39:15)
What would you change about the last video game you played? (44:25)
How would you describe your unique perspective and how would you put that in a video game? (51:42)
How would you break down the first screen of Super Mario Bros.? (56:34)

LIGHTNING ROUND: The Price is Sprite (from Yeso) (01:04:56)

Recommendations and Outro (01:12:38)

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations: Brandon: Take a look at the Jewel of the Five Suns kickstarter, Cameron Paul 106 KMEL Powermixes, wishlist Hyper Gunsport and Demonschool on steam please thank you
Frank: Yakuza / Ryū ga Gotoku series
Tim: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Jaffe: The Blacklist

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Ep. 265 - Starfield and Friends

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 09:00:34 +0000

The panel is ill-prepared for these questions, but unites once more to cover The Game Awards 2022, cool ladies, and the greatest game of all time no one is talking about yet. Brandon Sheffield reviews the first four episodes of Bleach and One Piece. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Do we want to talk about the FTC suing to block Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard? (06:37)
From Ash Parrish: if you could lock Geoff Keighley in a room and make him reveal the video game industry’s biggest secret, what would you ask him? (09:13)
Let’s try to have a sincere discussion about The Game Awards (11:43)
Let’s predict The Game Awards (20:48)
How have video games influenced our vocabulary? (37:24)
Does a video game protagonist have to be likable? (42:47)
Insert Credit Anime Review: Bleach vs. One Piece (48:32)
Mek asks: has there ever been a good boss fight in a first person shooter? (54:54)
Which fighting game has the coolest lady? (01:00:37)
What is the Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles of video games? (01:05:24)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Improv Zone - Introducing the Nominees (01:16:20)

Recommendations and Outro (01:22:02)

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:
Frank: The Prototypes in Ed Semrad’s Basement
Brandon: Watch a few episodes of Hunter X Hunter, wishlist Hyper Gunsport on Steam

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