HatchetJob.com

Steve Ritchie is one of the most important pinball machine designers in the world.  In this show you'll hear about his background, his career and the remarkable stories behind some of the best pinball tables in history.

In our yearly HatchetJob awards AKA Insert Category, we invent awards for the videogames we played in 2014 - yes 2014 - from the serious to the stupid, from sex robots to sociopathy.  Can you guess which titles won the ‘Ubiest Ubiboo’ and 'Decrease in real-life stalking' awards?   This show was recorded in February 2016. Music Velveteen Skies by Carosone  

In our yearly HatchetJob awards AKA Insert Category, we invent awards for the videogames we played in 2013 - yes 2013 - from the serious to the stupid.  Can you guess which title won 'It's a condition!' ?   This show was recorded in February 2015. Music is 80/90 Pieces by destinazione_altrove    

In this show we discuss playing The Last of Us with a parent (who watches it as if it were a film) and whether the game, and its story, are deserving of the praise heaped upon them.  There are spoilers for the game and the film 28 Weeks Later. Brother in the Land The Floating World    

Roboticist and educator Dr. Julie Carpenter tells us about her research with bomb disposal experts, how society might have to change as robots become more advanced and even what happens when a robot powers down in front of a small child.  Recorded late August 2014.   Julie's website Festo seagull drone: http://youtu.be/9YGLZXEwRVc Festo kangaroo: http://youtu.be/_4luJ0ZSqy8 Music is Open by Com Truise    

In our yearly HatchetJob awards AKA Insert Category show, we invent awards for the games we played in 2012 - yes 2012 - from the serious to the stupid.  Can you guess which title won Wub Wub? Music is Don't Go (RumbleStep Mix) by CDK Gootecks speaks to disabled gamer Broly

Dr.Tom Stafford is a lecturer in psychology and cognitive science at the University of Sheffield.  He explains why the way you practice affects how good you get at something - and he's got 850,000 people to back him up. Axon game:  http://axon.wellcomeapps.com/ Github: https://github.com/tomstafford/axongame Tom's blog: http://www.tomstafford.staff.shef.ac.uk/?p=221 Tom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomstafford

We discuss Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Edward Snowden's revelations about the NSA and how games should portray governments in the future. Some spoilers about locations and plot devices.

We're taking submissions for the 3rd annual Insert Category awards from HatchetJob.com.   Invent an award for a game released in 2012. Music from Incompetech.com

We discuss Bioshock Infinite & touch on topics such as racism in the early 20th century, meaningful choices in games & how we're being asked to pay for unfinished stories.  M: Paradise is Lost A: Mauerhuhn

We discuss Sleeping Dogs, Ni no Kuni and Rumble in the Dungeon.  The first part of the show is about AI, cloud computing and human resources.  Skip to about 9m15s for the start of Sleeping Dogs. Rumble in the Dungeon rules PDF Music is Crazy Drunk (feat. FORENSIC/4nsic) Spaztits Mix by Phi-ode

Far Cry 3 has been praised from the highest mountain to the darkest jungle glade.  But is the game more prey than predator? Music: Amanita Muscaria by Jeris

We speak to Johnnie Excel, competitive eater and StarCraft 2 player, about competitive eating's culture, tactics, future and more. Johnnie's YouTube channel CNN article on Kobayashi arrest S: Put Your Hands Up (Dubstep Version) A: Chandubaba

We talk about Dust: An Elysian Tail, find out what it's like to go game shopping in Yongsan (South Korea's Akihabara) and find out if Crysis is more pavement than playground. Music is Nadeya (Club Mix) by Destinazione Altrove, used a sample from Nadeya from Mentorrecords featuring Afroganic.

For our alternative 2011 'GOTY' show, we asked listeners to make up awards and choose games to win them.  That way, games win awards that reflect how you felt about them, not how the industry decides to categorise them.  The show has one bit of swearing, but it's a heck of a doozy. Background music: http://incompetech.com/ Outro: Candy in the Sun by Koortwah.

In this super-short film review, you'll hear about Brazilian films Elite Squad and Elite Squad: The Enemy Within. Music is Ice and Chilli by _ghost .

We discuss co-op game mechanics, segue into paid unlocks and invent (possibly) the worst game in the world. Music is 'Cuss The Sky' by Camburn.

Is Predator 2 a cultural artifact?  Are the Saints really needed in Saints Row 3? Is X-Com still good? Does nostalgia drive game purchases? What's it like gaming on a projector? Kara Leung interview  Box Shot AKA Smuggler's Cramp E.S. Posthumus [Post-show, a transgender listener sent the following links] Gender & presentation in Saints Row 2 How videogames helped me go from boy to girl

Universal Head produces summaries of boardgame rules.  We speak to him about how he got into gaming, how he does his summaries and what he thinks of videogames and tombstones. Universal Head's blog & summaries HatchetJob Earth Reborn video Music is 'Hero' by Jemes

Matt Magnone really likes claw machines (or crane games as they're called in the UK); you know the ones, all cuddly toys and robotic arms. We spoke to him about his claw machine experiences, insight and tips and tricks.  Tips of the claw machine.    Music is 'Give it up' by Carosone.  Show's RSS.

We speak to Staats, part of the HJ crew, about his move to South Korea; his first impressions, thoughts and insights.  Korean Sunshine Policy. Music: We Are Free ft. Snowflake, by Zep Hurme.

We discuss Deus Ex Human Revolution in the context of emergent gameplay & resource management.  We also touch on whether Disgaea 4 could be a casual game. The 'spoilerific' video. Deadly Creatures game Music: Sick by DoKashiteru.

You create the categories, you pick the winners.  In our second-annual game awards - aka Insert Category aka UGGA - we read out your submissions for notable games of 2010.  Can you guess which won 'Best use of a sandwich?' Music: Recommender by Dokashiteru / Parks on Fire (California Burning mix) by DJ Rkod / Pulse (George Ellinas Mix) by George Ellinas / Vacuuux 1 by DJ Adori  / Scott Waves to April's Salty Grace (Dance Mix) by J Lang / Emergence Drum N Bass Remix (Rough Mix) by I Am The Stev / Remember the Name (Introduction) by Jay Sinkie / Christopher Willits Remix by Acumen / Under Suspicion by JB Newman

We’re taking entries for our 2010 ‘personal best’ gaming awards: you create a category, you choose a winner.  Let's have awards which give us time to reflect on a game, not just ones which happen in December and praise AAA titles released in November. Let's have awards with personalised categories that we create, not just 'best action game' stuff that's only good for PR. Music: Kevin MacLeod  

In this short, solo, book review you'll hear about The Badge by Jack Webb.  It's a 1958 book about the Los Angeles Police Department, its people and cases.  Think of it as the real LA Noire.  Music by Kevin MacLeod.

We discuss LA Noire, Terraria and get involved in a sci-fi dilemma with The Witcher 2. I'd class the show as spoiler free.  Explanation at the start. Watch the LA Noire review on YouTube LA Noire-section music: Dances and Dames, Night on the Docks - Sax, Walking Along, Backed Vibes Clean. All by Kevin McLeod.   End music is Pushin' Daises by Jeris.

In this short, solo, book review you'll hear about Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City. A story about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, a talented architect and a ruthless serial killer. The Devil in the White City (Wikipedia)

We imagine the different ways and materials through which videogame powers and characters' abilities can be represented.  We also have a spoiler-free discussion on what it felt like to play Portal 2 compared to Portal.  Music is 'I Will Rise Above The World' by Zapac. Edward Tufte Russian gangsters and tattoos Battle High: San Bruno, Xbox indie game Loss aversion (I think this is the cognitive bias Danjo referred to) Caustic

In this extremely short, solo show, you'll hear a brief review of Paul Chadwick's comic book 'Concrete: Depths'. Touching and thought provoking, Chadwick's work about a man trapped in a concrete body is worth checking out. Paul Chadwick's website

In our discussion of Dragon Age 2, we cover subjects such as dialogue and emotional intent, whether RPGs are just job simulators and how every character in the game is constantly horny.  There is a mild, thematic, spoiler about a side quest.  We talk about the issues it raises rather than what the quest entails or how it ends. Music is Eye Magic Mix by Lasswell Tweet

We handbrake turn with racing game Fuel, Danjo turns blue with excitement talking about Gargamel and procedurally generated worlds, then we hyper combo into Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Music is L.T.H. (AA's Refix) by Abstract Audio YouTube video on how Fuel's world might have been generated An seven-second K.O. in MvC3.  High-level play at its deadliest? Tweet

We kick sand in Bulletstorm's face, power up some love for Crysis 2, limp along in FPS Breach, get deja vu with Modern Combat: Domination and trade hits with David Sirlin's card game Yomi. 1hr 2min / 59mb Music is Late Night Volition by Phonnovo Breach by Atomic Games Modern Combat: Domination trailer Sirlin Games home of Yomi / Play Yomi online for free HatchetJob Sirlin interview

We knife Assassin's Creed Brotherhood's multiplayer, try to remember Amensia: The Dark Descent, go full throttle with Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, get lost in Dungeons and Dragons' Castle Ravenloft and hide in foxholes with Combat Commander Europe. Music is 'I refuse to give up' by Rocavaco ft. MiElle Amnesia: The Dark Descent Castle Ravenloft Combat Commander Europe

We start by comparing Fable 3 to Fallout New Vegas and, spoiler, one comes off *very* badly indeeed.  Super Meat Boy captures us in his fleshy grasp and we discuss good games that have bad demos.  We even see how Civ 5 is more like a boardgame than a PC game and find out about a Civilization-style boardgame called 'Through the Ages'. Music is 'Outside Poolside' by Lasswell 1hr 33mins Ascension review Claustrophobia review Through the Ages review/overview (not ours) Nothing to Envy, website for book on North Korea Wikipedia entry for Primo Levi's book

Humans have played boardgames for thousands of years - civilisation and gaming are indivisible. I speak to Dr.Irving Finkel, a British Museum expert in ancient Mesopotamian script, languages and cultures, about his interest in games and their development, genres and history. 1hr 29mins  Music is 'Oh Dear Mr Williams - Tango? by Unreal Dm  

We discuss Frozen Synapse, a top-down, quasi-realtime tactical shooter, sidestep with the demo of Platinum Games' Vanquish and tease you about a video review of Puzzle Strike aka Puzzle Fighter the board game. 34 mins.   Puzzle Strike video review   The Worst Date Ever   Frozen Synapse website   Staats' Frozen Synapse video.  Uploaded with the game's YouTube feature.  He is the green player.  Notice how, just before his rocket is fired, the top-right red player steps back, waits, then goes forward, avoiding the rocket.

Is Castlevania: Harmony of Despair a new game with a retro heart?  How come someone who hates JRPGs can play Squeenix's 'The World Ends With You'? And what if George Lucas made The Lion King?   39 mins.   Castlevania HoD   The World Ends With You / gameplay video

We cover open worlds and 'emergent' gameplay Minecraft, talk about the best support character in gaming with Monday Night Combat and, sadly, end up being a bit mean about Moon Taxi - a game that's all about stories, but doesn't tell them very well.   49 mins.   Music is 'I Don't Hurt My Love (pseudo-format Mix)' by Vidian

In this in-depth interview, we speak to David Sirlin, author and videogame / boardgame designer, about Playing to Win, balancing games and more. He was lead designer on Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix and re-balanced Puzzle Fighter HD. His boardgames are partially inspired by videogame genres.  Note: the iTunes entry may mistakenly say he was lead designer on Puzzle Fighter HD.   1hr 27min / 62 mb Sirlin.net Sirlingames.com The mysterious book Trip Hawkins mentioned. Music is 'U Teru S. Birth of Souls' By Loveshadow  

Normal 0 We rock up with an alternative to 'traditional' game of the year awards - you came up with the categories, you chose the winners.  From the weird to the wonderful, these awards are as much about you as they are games - can you guess which title won 'best stubble'?   42  mins / 50 mb Music Normal 0 Recommender by Dokashiteru Parks on Fire (California Burning mix) by DJ Rkod Pulse (George Ellinas Mix) by George Ellinas Vacuuux 1 by DJ Adori Scott Waves to April's Salty Grace (Dance Mix) by J Lang Emergence Drum N Bass Remix (Rough Mix) by I Am The Stev Remember the Name (Introduction) by Jay Sinkie Christopher Willits Remix by Acumen    

Yes, we're taking on 'game of the year' awards.  They're done too early, have plodding categories and don't reflect what we really feel about games.   Come up with a category for an award and tell us which 2009 game wins it and why. Tell us  Your name and where you're from The category you've come up with and game you've chosen to win it Your explanation of the category and game How to send them Leave a comment here. Leave a phone message:  +44 (0) 20 7193 5323 By email:  [email protected] (You can send an Mp3 of your entry to that address too.  Under 10mb and one minute or less please.) Music is 'Be Easy' by AlexBeroza

We drive by ModNation Racers, mosey on down to Red Dead Redemption (with some light-ish spoilers) and zoom through Race for the Galaxy.    1hr 2 min / 59 mb   Music is 'Revolve' by hisboyelroy.   Red Dead glitches.   Race for the Galaxy on PC and Mac   Rftg tutorial videos   Rftg overview video   Understanding the symbols in RftG

  We chat about buying a PSP 3000 and rumoured PSP2; argue about Halo Reach and whether its gameplay lets it down; get an AMerican perspective on FIFA 10 (and indulge in some class warfare) and talk about killing demons and fisticuffs in Hell in Arkham Horror. 1hr 11min. / 59mb Music is 'Bored on Your Backside' by Trifonic.

We touch on Super Street Fighter IV, crack up at Danjo's Dwarf Fortress adventures, get confused by Power Grid and feel bad about killing creatures in Monster Hunter Tri.    69 min. / 59 mb   Music is 'Lies' by BlakeHT.     Dwarf Fortress tutorial vids (thanks to Tiger Walts).  

We review Apple's iPad and some games, discuss Splinter Cell: Conviction, talk about Kingdom Hearts on the DS and more.   As an experiment, this show is unedited.  Please let us know what you think.   1hr 20min / 67 MB   Music is 'Inspire Me Forever (Secret Anomaly Jonez Mix)'.>

We chat about boardgames Pandemic, Dominion, Cash 'N' Guns, Bang and Puerto Rico.  We also talk about FPS tactics and leadership and laugh about Just Cause 2 on the 360 and PS3. 1hr 12 min. / 58 MB Music is 'Brad and Chuck' by MC Jack in the Box. HatchetJob.com YouTube channel.  

We discuss the idea that games should be bundled with books and movies that deepen the player's understanding of the game and the world at large. Music is 'How Do I Make You See v1' by Ivan Chew. 55 min. / 45 MB Music is 'How Do I Make You See v1' by Ivan Chew  

We chat about BioShock 2, specifically whether it works as a sequel and the things they could have done instead.  We also touch on its multiplayer.  We then talk about MAG, a PS3-exclusive FPS. 60 mins / 57mb Music is Brad Sucks - Never Get Out (Kirill Skovpen remix).  

We discuss Mass Effect 2 and RPG Cliches, touch on Bayonetta and its health mechanics and talk about the Battlefield Bad Company 2 demo.  46 min. / 40 MB Music is 'These Are The Moments' by Omni Vista.    

We discuss Dragon Age: Origins, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, The Saboteur, iPhone games, Star Trek Online and its lifetime subscription and read out your emails. 54min / 51mbMusic is Souls of Da Insects by M3roadworx