Join Alanah Pearce (game writer), Mike Bithell (game director), and Austin Wintory (game composer) as they talk about all the games, movies, TV and 'whatever else' that took their interest that week, from three unique perspectives in the games industry.
…
continue reading
A podcast about Iran's nuclear and missile programs and international efforts to halt them, hosted by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control. Iran Watch Listen features in-depth discussions on Iranian proliferation and illicit procurement, plus the related issues of export controls and sanctions. This occasional podcast is part of the Wisconsin Project's Iran Watch website. It brings forward non-partisan, expert voices offering a range of perspectives on one of the most pressing proli ...
…
continue reading
…
continue reading

1
171. A Chat to the Creator of Blue Prince!
1:05:44
1:05:44
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:05:44This week, Alanah, Mike, and Austin sat down to chat to Tonda Ros - the director of Blue Prince. Apologies for Tonda's echo!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
170. We love Blue Prince (but maybe won't finish it, is that okay?)
1:08:24
1:08:24
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:08:24Alanah and Austin chat Blue Prince, addictive video games, and Satisfactory.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
In this episode of Iran Watch Listen, we sat down with Behnam Ben Taleblu and Michael Eisenstadt, experts on the strategic challenges posed by Iran. We discussed the opportunities and pitfalls facing the second Trump administration as it makes a last-ditch effort to prevent Iran’s increasingly advanced nuclear program from crossing the threshold to…
…
continue reading

1
169. From The Banner Saga to Towerborne (ft. Arnie Jorgensen)
1:13:53
1:13:53
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:13:53This week, Mike, Alanah, and Austin chat to co-founder of Stoic, the creators of The Banner Saga and, more recently, Towerborne!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah and Mike discuss the Switch 2 presentation!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah and Mike start out by talking about the lay-offs across WB Games, then jump into talking about Microsoft's newly announced AI "Muse", and then we - finally - get Alanah's thoughts on Who Framed Roger Rabbit.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
166. Talking to Eternal Strands director Mike Laidlaw!
1:13:01
1:13:01
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:13:01This week, Austin and Alanah sit down to talk to Mike Laidlaw, the game director of Dragon Age: Origins who most recently started his own studio and make ETERNAL STRANDS. Which Austin also worked on, because of course he did. He cannot be contained.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
165. The Studio Making Four Games A YEAR!? (ft. Xalavier Nelson)
1:27:01
1:27:01
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:27:01Apologies for the delay here - the audio file was corrupted! This week, Mike and Alanah are joined by Strange Scaffold's Xalavier Nelson Jr to talk about how the studio makes so many high quality games, and what it really means to be a good game director.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
After a break due to the LA fires - which we talk about to begin with here - we chat about a recent 200-page document called "The State of Video Games in 2025" from Matthew Ball. If you'd like links to the charities we mentioned, please check those out on the YouTube version of the podcast!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
Happy four years of PWL! Sorry about Mike's audio here, we don't know what happened.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
162. Can Indies Save The Games Industry?
1:01:31
1:01:31
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:01:31Alanah left her job at Sony, and Mike got in trouble for saying something on Bluesky. We discuss the state of the games industry now that it's December 2024, and the notion that "indies will save" everything.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
We're back from a brief hiatus! Immediately discussing: should Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree be nominated for GOTY even though it's a DLC? Also: Mike announced another video game!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
160. We Love 11 Bit Studios
1:01:42
1:01:42
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:01:42This week, FROSTPUNK 2!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, AUSTIN TURNS 40 (technically over a week ago at the time of publishing). So, we indulge him with almost an entire episode about Star Wars (Outlaws) and video game bugs.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
In this episode of Iran Watch Listen, we sat down with Hanna Notte and Jim Lamson, experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. We discussed the history of Iran and Russia’s military relationship, how it has changed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and areas where both countries might benefit from deeper co…
…
continue reading

1
158. Should Games Cost More?
1:13:01
1:13:01
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:13:01This week, Alanah, Austin, and Mike discuss the economic state of the games industry and if game prices need to go from $60 to $70.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
157. This Episode is Mostly About The Expanse
1:01:40
1:01:40
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:01:40After a month off, we have returned to bring you TOP QUALITY VIDEO GAME CONTENT! But mostly, a lot of us talking about the TV show The Expanse. And Sex in the City?Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
156. GamePass gets a Price Increase
1:09:37
1:09:37
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:09:37Austin, Mike, and Alanah chat about Austin's demanding freelance schedule, the GamePass price increase (and GamePass' impact as a whole), and the Halifax Harbor Explosion. Note: almost all details of said Halifax explosion are, indeed, incorrect.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
Alanah and Mike discuss OLD game development! And Myst!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
154. Our thoughts on Summer Game Fest... & Music Licensing
1:16:33
1:16:33
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:16:33This week we talk about Summer Game Fest and, because we never stay on topic, music licensing! Also featuring Rahul.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This episode features journalist Nathan Grayson chatting to Mike and Alanah about the state of games journalism (and that side of the industry) in 2024. This comes after IGN announced multiple aquisitions.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah and Austin chat to one of the creators of the Fallout franchise, Tim Cain, all about the Fallout TV show. Includes spoilers.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
151. From Actor to Game Director!
1:14:21
1:14:21
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:14:21This week, we talk to Abubakar Salim about his transition from actor to full-blown game director. How did he do it!?Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
150. WE TURN ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY!
1:28:10
1:28:10
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:28:10Featuring Rahul Kohli, and the return of Troy, AND we're all in the same room!?Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Mike and Alanah chat about GDC, LinkedIn, business cards, and give great life advice.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
In this episode of Iran Watch Listen, we sat down with Wolf-Christian Paes, an expert on arms and maritime security who served on the U.N. Panel of Experts on Yemen from 2018 until 2023. We discussed Iran’s support for the Houthi rebel group, the ways in which arms are smuggled into Yemen, and the challenges of enforcing the arms embargo imposed on…
…
continue reading

1
148. TikTok Ban, Kate Middleton, Dune 2 & More!
1:22:27
1:22:27
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:22:27A LOT OF TOPICS THIS WEEK, WE SIMPLY CAN'T BE CONTAINED.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
147. Even More Games Industry Lay-Offs
1:03:21
1:03:21
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:03:21This week Mike and Alanah chat about the continued lay-offs impacting the games industry.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
146. Games We Wish We Could Play Again for the First Time
1:12:47
1:12:47
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:12:47It's an Austin and Alanah special, and we actually talk about video games the WHOLE TIME!? This week, we talk about games we wish we could play again, and games that fundamentally 'change' however many hours in.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
The title says it all, I don't understand what more context you could possibly need?Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
144. The Gang Has an Existential Crisis
1:26:01
1:26:01
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:26:01Apologies for the weird audio mix here. Regardless, this week we talk about Society of the Snow (a little), and then delve into the world of AI and capitalism. Again. Oh no.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This is publishing a little later than planned because of internet issues, but this week we talk about Cunk on Earth, game direction, and more! Thanks for another year of listening to Play, Watch, Listen, everyone!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
You can't talk about good games this year without also talking about lay-offs, so hey, let's do both!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
141. The Fall of the House of Usher ft. Rahul Kohli & Andy Grush!
1:26:16
1:26:16
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:26:16This week, Austin and Alanah chat to Rahul (actor) and Andy (composer and 1/2 of the Newton Brothers) about their work on The Fall of the House of Usher! Also, Stray Gods gets nominated for a Grammy, and the F1 Grand Prix debuts in Vegas. Apologies for the audio levels.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
An update on the Unity system, and an important question: do you own any baskets? Why?Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
139. We Have Questions About Starfield's Design
1:00:34
1:00:34
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:00:34This week, Mike and Alanah go over some of the biggest question's about Starfield.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
138. Explaining the Unity Engine drama ft. Rami Ismail
1:23:26
1:23:26
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:23:26We're back! This week Austin chats about Jacob Collier - apparently the best musician alive - and then Alanah asks Mike and special guest Rami Ismail all about the Unity drama.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
137. The Games Industry and Communication
1:12:15
1:12:15
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:12:15This week, Mike and Alanah discuss some of the responses to Baldur's Gate 3's exceptional quality.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
136. Taylor Swift and Stray Gods (ft. Liam Esler!)
1:22:01
1:22:01
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:22:01We have our first ever guest! Summerfall Games' Liam Esler joins Alanah and Austin to talk about Taylor Swift's enormous Eras Tour, plus, of course, the launch of Stray Gods.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah, Mike, and Austin are back to chat about Stray Gods, plus a little bit of Barbie and Oppenheimer at the very end.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, we talk about Apple's new Vision Pro and how it might assist with each of our vocations, as well as AI, again. Turns out it's still relevant. Who'd have thought?Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
133. Zelda and When Players Over-Think Puzzles
1:01:36
1:01:36
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:01:36This week (technically last week, the audio file just got stuck in processing and I didn't realise), Austin, Alanah, and Mike discuss The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and if players can be prevented from over-thinking puzzles.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
In this episode of Iran Watch Listen, we sat down with Dr. Bruce Goodwin, an expert on nuclear weapons design and testing. We discussed the steps required to build a nuclear weapon and what is publicly known about Iran’s weaponization efforts to date. The conversation took place on May 3 and was hosted by Valerie Lincy, Executive Director at the Wi…
…
continue reading

1
132. Tron: Identity and Stray Gods
1:21:42
1:21:42
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:21:42We're back from a month off! And this week, we catch up on Bithell Games' latest release - Tron: Identity. Then Austin (and his dog Canvas) join to catch us up on a game he and Troy have been hard at work on, called Stray Gods. Turns out both games excell in player choice. Neat. Did I mention Canvas?…
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah and Mike talk about what makes Zelda's recent physics so impressive, E3's cancellation, and the latest from Bithell Games - Tron: Identity!Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah and Mike aggressively interrogate Troy about his experience playing Joel in The Last of Us (spoilers).Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
Alanah and Mike talk about DICE, and how alcohol is often encouraged at games industry events (but probably shouldn't be), plus why Rocksteady may have gone from making the Arkham series to making a game like Suicide Squad.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, Alanah and Austin talk about The Grammys, and why/how Assassin's Creed: Valhalla won while games like Elden Ring and God of War were not nominated.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading
This week, all four of the Play, Watch, Listen horsemen are together to discuss the third episode of HBO's The Last of Us series. There are spoilers.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading

1
126. The Menu (again), Fine Dining, and The Last of Us Ep. 2
1:02:46
1:02:46
Відтворити пізніше
Відтворити пізніше
Списки
Подобається
Подобається
1:02:46This week, Alanah and Mike discuss The Menu, then Troy joins and the group talks about the fine dining experience and food as 'art'. Then, of course, we step into talking about The Last of Us episode 2.Alanah Pearce
…
continue reading