Just in time for Christmas, it’s the first annual Chic Pixel Plus Holiday Special! And a special podcast it is, as I have none other than esteemed game critic Brad Gallaway with me to discuss Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale, monster media, two iOS games with the word “puzzle” in their title, and, of course, all things holiday related!
In addition to reminiscing a little on Christmases past and divulging a little of what’s bringing us cheer this year, we also chat about a few of our favorite games from 2013 and unanimously declare it to be the year of the PSP.
Super Asian Bundle Blast – http://bundleofholding.com/index/current (ends 24 Dec!)
Brad’s top games of 2013 – http://drinkingcoffeecola.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/the-top-10-games-of-2013-according-to-me.html
We’re all a little mad here on the Chic Pixel Plus podcast! In this more-than-a-little-late episode, I’m joined by dynamite duo Roy and Sarah of My Fair Hunter, Culty, and Asobee fame to chat all about their various creative endeavors along with the usual Japanese entertainment fare. In addition to discussing craft beers, Monster Hunter (how could we not?!), Kingdom Hearts1.5 HD, Persona, and the anime Silver Spoon, we manage to turn half the internet against us with our lack of interest in Vocaloids.
Opening ♫ – Monster Hunter Tri Main Theme
Closing ♫ – Levan Polkka – Hatsune Miku
This week on Chic Pixel Plus, Elliot Gay (@ryougasaotome) makes his triumphant return after 10 long episodes to celebrate the preteen years of the podcast!
… Rather, we mostly talk about how he likes to inflict pain upon himself in the form of bad media for the entertainment of others.
In this jam-packed 2 hour+ episode, we discuss miserable 14 hour plane rides, moms, the kissing RPG Exstetra, the third Madoka Magica movie, Senran Kagura “boob ninja” Burst, the baby-making RPG Conception, (Xbox)Ones and (PS)Fours, anime we’re watching, a couple important Nintendo releases… and a hell of a lot more! Stick around for our first ever Q&A session at the end!
In the 10th episode of Chic Pixel Plus, it’s 100% more hip nerdy ladies as I’m joined by Alison Rapp (@mnemosynekurai), researcher, product marketing specialist at Treehouse, and self-proclaimed feminist waifu! We chat about our nerdy academic pursuits, how she landed her sweet new job at Nintendo, and have a lot of feels about Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Our Madoka discussion (beginning at 00:41:30) assumes you’ve watched the 12 episode anime, and I’d hate to spoil such a great show for anyone, so be sure to turn the episode off when you reach that section if you intend to watch it someday!
Kotaku article on Treehouse – http://kotaku.com/inside-the-treehouse-the-people-who-help-make-nintendo-1301809672
In a fall anime special of Chic Pixel Plus, Shaun makes his triumphant return so we can throw down our first impressions of five new anime: Kill La Kill, Log Horizon, Kyoukai no Kanata, Samurai Flamenco, and BlazBlue Alter Memory. We also briefly discuss Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Rayman Legends.I may have jumped the gun by proclaiming this podcast episode 10 when it is in fact episode 9 (you’ll see what I mean when you tune in), but the fact that Chic Pixel Plus is now on iTunes is 100% accurate! In the interest of keeping the iTunes descriptions short, I’m going to start cutting back on the content of these posts. But please subscribe, and leave a (hopefully positive) review!
This week on Chic Pixel Plus I’m joined by Andrew of The Menu Bar podcast for a very special crossover episode… The Pixel Bar!
In honor of The Menu Bar (which I highly recommend if you’re interested in Apple and general tech discussions, among other things) we start things off a little differently by having some deep thoughts on podcasting and internet friendships. Then, it’s east meets west as we swap manga and graphic novel recommendations, where I manage to actually make my favourite series sound infinitely less interesting than they actually are. We touch on everything from Paranoia Agent to Monster, Sandman to Blacksad and even have a quick discussion of one of our current mutual favourite cartoons, Adventure Time! Pour yourself a drink and pull up a chair…
Since I’m on vacation this week, I wasn’t able to put in intro and outro music, but I promise the podcast is as fun content-wise as ever! In true Menu Bar spirit, we also ramble on for a good 10 minutes before the podcast “officially” starts, so I’ve chopped that bit out and added it in at the end for those interested in checking it out.
Why, if it isn’t another episode of Chic Pixel Plus! I bet you were getting worried, huh? Well never fear, both myself and Chic Pixel Plus are alive and well! A bout of a fiendish flu had me out of commission for most of the week, but I’ve finally bested the microbes. I promise the next episode won’t be so hellishly late!
This week I’m joined by someone so famous they even have their own Wikipedia page! Hayden Scott-Baron is a professional game designer, illustrator, and manga artist, so it was great to virtually sit down and chat with him about his interests, inspirations, and past and current projects. His game experience ranges from the LostWinds series to Tumbledrop, and he even came in second place in the the third volume of the UK & Ireland edition of the Tokyopop Rising Stars of Manga contest. I could go on, but I think it’s best if you just listen to the podcast and hear the man speak for himself!
Not only do I grill Hayden about his professional life, but we talk extensively about anime, manga, and games, as well. In particular, Hayden teaches me a thing or two about importing and the joy of interesting games that aren’t necessarily good. We also reminisce about the early days of anime in the west, while Bomberman Fantasy Race makes us stop to consider the possibilities of a Bomberman universe canon… The podcast clocks in at just about two hours, making it my longest yet, but I do hope you give it a listen!
In the interest of getting this podcast up in a timely manner, I’ve decided to come back and add the time codes later, as I’m not sure how useful they are to folks anyway. Please let me know if you like to have them!
Opening ♫ – Mr. Driller’s Theme – Mr. Driller Drill Land
Closing ♫ – Theme Song – Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea Get in touch with Hayden via Twitter or his website!
