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Videos

May 7, 2026

Outer Wilds Broke This Golden Rule of Gameplay #outerwilds #shorts #gaming

Outer Wilds Broke This Golden Rule of Gameplay #outerwilds #shorts #gaming

Kelsey Beachum writer of Outer Wilds discusses how the game broke a golden rule of gaming, which is that you should not create design styles that exclude certain player types.

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May 6, 2026

Outer Wilds Broke One of Gaming’s Golden Rules

Outer Wilds Broke One of Gaming’s Golden Rules

Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/3UBbtWJzu8k?si=0wCOFNJBBZFgEaWD Outer Wilds writer Kelsey Beachum discusses how Outer Wilds broke a basic rule of game design and succeeded for doing so. #outerwilds #gamedesign #gaming

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April 30, 2026

When AAA Games Took A Risk Like This

When AAA Games Took A Risk Like This

What does it feel like as a Creative Director to take a massive risk with on a AAA game? I speak with Creative Director of Far Cry 2 Clint Hocking and go behind the scenes of the Far Cry Series' most ambitious game to date. This game combined life threatening…

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April 23, 2026

Why I Crave Safety in Video Games

Why I Crave Safety in Video Games

Today we’re talking about my endless pursuit of safety in video games and my attempt to beat Hollow Knight: Silksong by darting from bench to bench in a constant search for save points and moments of peace. Featuring Kelsey Beachum, writer of Outer Wilds, and Clint Hocking, Creative Director of…

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April 19, 2026

Outer Wilds Is Still a Mystery to Its Writer

Outer Wilds Is Still a Mystery to Its Writer

Full Interview with Outer Wilds' writer Kesley Beachum here: WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UBbtWJzu8k&feature=youtu.be LISTEN HERE: https://www.podpage.com/the-examined-... Outer Wilds Footage provided by ‪@SilentLongplays • [PC] Outer Wilds - No Commentary Full Play... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xTeaoywSjI Today I sit down with Kelsey Beachum, writer of Outer Wilds, for a deeply honest conversation about the creative…

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April 14, 2026

Writing Outer Wilds: Grief Joy & Letting Go | Kelsey Beachum

Writing Outer Wilds: Grief Joy & Letting Go | Kelsey Beachum

Today I sit down with Kelsey Beachum, writer of Outer Wilds, for a deeply honest conversation about the creative process. We discuss the fear and anxiety of putting your work into the world when you've poured your heart and soul into it, and the strange phenomenon of imposter syndrome that…

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April 10, 2026

How Games Learned to Love Animals (and Let You Pet Them)

How Games Learned to Love Animals (and Let You Pet Them)

Featuring Creative Director of Far Cry 2 Clint Hocking. What did it take for the ability to pet animals to become a standard feature in AAA Games? In this deep analysis video we explore the history of interacting with animals in video games in the only way video games knew…

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April 1, 2026

The Toilet Test: Pointless Mechanics That Make Games Better

The Toilet Test: Pointless Mechanics That Make Games Better

I have a simple test when it comes to video games, if there's a toilet, can I flush it? Be it Duke Nukem, Silent Hill 2, Goldeneye, Bioshock or Heavy Rain. Today's we're discussing the beauty of flushable toilets in video games, and what it means to add that extra…

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March 24, 2026

How GLaDOS found her voice in Portal

How GLaDOS found her voice in Portal

I spoke with Portal writer Erik Wolpaw about the inspiration for Portal's super villain GLaDOS and how they went about implementing her into a game that was already in full production when they came on board to write the story. You can find my full interview with Erik here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fllNa3NfZsc&t=6s…

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March 19, 2026

The NPCs You Never Meet

The NPCs You Never Meet

Let’s talk about iconic NPCs in video games that you never get to meet. I spoke with Erik Wolpaw, writer of Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead 1 & 2, and Half-Life 2: Episode One & Two, about the power of writing in the margins — and how that led…

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March 12, 2026

Why Video Games have a Drinking Problem

Why Video Games have a Drinking Problem

Let's talk about drinking and alcoholism in video games, from the deadly hangovers of Disco Elysium to being complicit in Pam's alcoholism in Stardew Vally, we discuss the importance of having the option to 'just say no'. Please leave a comment about your own experience's with alcohol in video games.…

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March 5, 2026

Chairs as a form of protest in video games

Chairs as a form of protest in video games

A mini documentary examining the power of sitting in video games featuring Jon Ingold (80 Days, Heaven's Vault), Richard Lemarchand (Uncharted) and Julia Minimata (The Crimson Diamond). I noticed how often my interviews veer into discussion on players being given space to reflect on the world they are inhabiting within…

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March 5, 2026

Why We Play | Julia Minamata (The Crimson Diamond)

Why We Play | Julia Minamata (The Crimson Diamond)

Julia Minamata is the solo developer of the text parser adventure game The Crimson Diamond, a love letter to the classic Sierra On-Line adventures. I adored playing The Crimson Diamond and wanted to talk with Julia about the power of play in video games. We discuss her inspiration for the…

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March 2, 2026

How Nightdive Studios are Restoring the Mona Lisa of games | Larry Kuperman (System Shock Remake)

How Nightdive Studios are Restoring the Mona Lisa of games | Larry Kuperman (System Shock Remake)

Larry Kuperman, Vice President of Business Development at Nightdive Studios, joins me to discuss the art and complexity of remastering and remaking classic games. Nightdive Studios have built a well-deserved reputation for near-flawless restorations, including System Shock, System Shock 2, Blade Runner, Star Wars: Dark Forces, The Thing, and many…

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Feb. 24, 2026

The Indi Game that Inspired Uncharted

The Indi Game that Inspired Uncharted

This is The Examined Game's first ever mini doc featuring Uncharted 2 co-lead game designer Richard Lemarchand talking about the risk Naughty Dog took in slowing players down in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Listen to the full interview with Uncharted co-lead game designer Richard Lemarchand here 👇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx_uRJdqpe0&t=87s #documentary #videogames…

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Feb. 23, 2026

Taking risks in AAA Games | Richard Lemarchand (Uncharted)

Taking risks in AAA Games | Richard Lemarchand (Uncharted)

Richard Lemarchand — co-lead game designer on the Uncharted trilogy at Naughtydog, veteran of Soul Reaver, Gex and Pandemonium, and now Professor of Cinematic Arts at USC joins me to answer one question: how do you learn to take risks in AAA game design? We cover where Richard finds inspiration…

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