Violence in Games (with Dev Jana)

This week's interview episode features Dev Jana, one half of the team behind Newt One, a non-violent music-infused 3D platformer.We talk with Dev about how Newt One transformed (through continuous iteration) from a "Mario 64" clone into a game where "there are no bad guys" and nothing you do can hurt anything.We also discuss the purpose and use of violence in video games, including the games we're all working on. When can violence be utilized effectively though mechanics and story? And when is it simply an lazy way to build tension and create challenge for the player?Violence in GamesGame DesignHappiness: The Science of Subjective Well-Being - Edward Diener, NOBAThis Is What It’s Like To Play Dishonored 2 In Low Chaos, Non-Violent Fashion - Jonathan Leak, Game RevolutionFirewatch: games without violence can be just as good or even better! - Florian Uhlemann, MediumSonic Frees the Forest Animals - Dorkly, YouTubeAddressing Conflict: Tension and Release in Games  - John Nelson Rose, Game DeveloperI Finally "Get" 'HItman' - Nick Dinicola, PopMattersTen Years Later: Videogames Not Responsible for Columbine - Andy Chalk, The EscapistWere video games to blame for massacre? - Winda Benedetti, NBC NewsUnmasking the Avatar: The Demographics of MMO Player Motivation, In-Game Prefer… - Nick Yee, Game DeveloperMetaphors: The impossibility of being literal - R.G.L., The EconomistGamer Motivation Profiling by Quantic Foundry - Quantic Foundry