Lore & Order: A Gaming Podcast

What if every game we’ve ever played has been quietly training us to solve real-life problems?In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore how video games shape the way we think. How they teach us to analyse challenges, adapt quickly, and find solutions under pressure.From puzzle solving, strategising, and fast-paced decision-making, games constantly put us in situations where failure isn’t 'Game Over' - it’s just part of the process.But how does that translate into real life?Join us as break down what problem-solving really is, and how gaming mindsets can carry over into our everyday experiences. We also reflect on the games that helped shape the way that we approach challenges today.Follow us on instagram at @loreandorderpodcastArticles referenced in this episode:Measuring Problem Solving Skills in Portal 2 - Valerie J. Shute and Lubin Wang:https://myweb.fsu.edu/vshute/pdf/problemsolvingportal.pdfA Motivational Model of Video Game Engagement - Andrew K. Przybylski, Richard M. and Ryan, C. Scott Rigby:https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2010_PrzybylskiRigbyRyan_ROGP.pdf

Have you ever stuck with a game you weren’t enjoying just because everyone else said it was incredible?In this episode of Lore & Order, we unpack the quiet pressure to play what’s popular, and why so many of us push through games that simply aren’t for us.From 'Game of the Year' hype to viral gaming moments, modern gaming is more connected than ever. But that connection comes with a trade-off: the fear that we’re missing out.We explore:The psychology behind why we feel pressured to play what everyone else is playing Chasing “masterpieces” vs chasing the momentThe power of reviews, and why we trust consensus over our own tasteThe "canon" gaming experienceGiving in to the hype or waiting for a better experience And reclaiming our tasteWe also look at the upside of FOMO; how it can expand our taste, introduce us to new genres, and occasionally lead us to something we never expected to love.So join us as we break down all things FOMO in gaming!

Modern video games are bigger, more detailed, and more ambitious than ever before. But that ambition comes at a cost.In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore how game development has stretched from quick, iterative cycles into decade-long productions - and how that shift has quietly changed our relationship with games.We reflect on growing up in an era where entire trilogies released within a few formative years, compared to today, where a single sequel can take so long that we’re different people by the time it arrives.So what happened?Join us as we break it down!Articles referenced in this episode:'Why Most People Don't Finish Video Games' - Blake Snow:https://blakesnow.com/why-most-people-dont-finish-video-games/

In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore a strange phenomenon. Why we often struggle with failure in real life, but when it comes to games...we kind of enjoy it?From Dark Souls bosses to repeated deaths in punishing platformers, failure is a constant in gaming, yet we keep coming back for more of it.We break down what makes failure in games feel so different from real life. From fast feedback loops and re-spawn mechanics, to the psychology of challenge, games create a space where failure isn’t something to fear; it’s part of the fun.So why does failing in a game feel motivating, while failing in real life can feel overwhelming?And what can we take from games to build a healthier relationship with failure outside of them?🎮 This week’s side quest: View your next real life failure through a gaming lens, and treat it as a "re-spawn point".Articles referenced in this episode:'Be a Gamer, Save the World' - Jane McGonigal'The Benefits of Playing Video Games' - Isabela Granic, Adam Lobel, Rutger Engels:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24295515/'Fail, fail again, fail better: How players who enjoy challenging games persist after failure in “Celeste”' - Natalia Hefkaluk, Conor Linehan, Anna Trace:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581923002082'Do You Perceive Life as a Threat or a Challenge?' - Jim Taylor:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-power-of-prime/202204/do-you-perceive-life-as-a-threat-or-a-challenge'The Useful Link Between Anxiety And Excitement' - Oli Hamilton:https://www.olihamilton.co.uk/post/the-useful-link-between-anxiety-and-excitement

In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore the games we didn’t just play, but shared.From late-night FIFA sessions and Halo co-op chaos, to passing the controller on Crash Bandicoot, couch gaming has always been about more than just winning. It’s about connection.We break down why playing games in the same room hits differently. From what's happening to our brain chemistry, to the shared emotions, teamwork, and rivalry that strengthen our friendships. We also explore the psychology behind it, including concepts like flow state and theory of mind, and why games are uniquely powerful at bringing people together.As online gaming rises and life gets busier, we ask, "how do we bring it back to the couch?".🎮 This week’s side quest: grab a controller, sit next to someone, and press start together.📷 Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loreandorderpodcast/Articles referenced and concepts explored in this episode:Cooperative video game play elicits pro-social behavior - Texas Tech University: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150508105656.htmTheory of Mind - Charlotte Ruhl: https://www.simplypsychology.org/theory-of-mind.html

What happens when a game gives you the freedom to be evil, and you just can’t do it?In this episode of Lore & Order, we explore morality in video games, and why so many players (ourselves included) struggle to commit to the “evil” playthrough. From obliterating Megaton in Fallout 3 to sabotaging the Genophage in Mass Effect 2, the option is there… so why do we so rarely take it?We dive into the psychology behind player choice: empathy for fictional characters, discomfort with cruelty, and how the games we play might actually reflect and shape our real world values.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loreandorderpodcast/Articles referenced in this episode:'Why Is It So Hard to Be Evil in Video Games' - Simon Hill (2011): https://www.wired.com/story/moral-choices-in-video-games/'From student to superhero: Situational primes shape future helping' - Leif D. Nelson, Michael I. Norton (2004): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103104001088'Automatic Influences of Priming on Prosocial Behavior' - Costanza Scaffidi Abbate, Stefano Ruggieria, Stefano Bocaa: https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop/article/view/603/603.html

What is it about video games that makes us feel a sense of wonder?In this first episode of Lore & Order, we explore the idea of wanderlust in gaming. That irresistible pull to explore, discover, and get lost in virtual worlds. From sprawling open-world adventures to quiet, unexpected moments of beauty, games have a unique ability to tap into our natural human curiosity.But as we get older and play more and more games, the magic can fade. Worlds feel smaller. Mechanics feel familiar. That childlike sense of wonder isn’t quite as easy to find.So what happens to our sense of wonder? And why do certain games, every now and then, manage to bring it rushing back?If you’ve ever chased that feeling of getting lost in a game world, or ignored the main quest just to see what’s over the next hill, this one’s for you.Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loreandorderpodcast/