Not Your Mama's Gamer

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn tackle the topic of walkthroughs. Do we use them? When, why, and what kind? As always we have some very strong opinions.What We're Playing:Untitled Goose GameCat LadySurviving the AftermathFinal Fantasy XIVTemtemJourney to the Savage PlanetShop TitansBreath of the WildBig Book of MadnessHearthlandsWhat We're Reading:The Deep by Rivers SolomonSlay by Brittany MorrisFive Dark FatesWhat We're Drinking:Spiced Rum and Dr. PepperVandermill VandyJ&B on the rocks

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn talk about their top 10 games of the decade. Check out what we have to say about what made the cut and why.What We're Playing:Octopath TravelerFire Emblem: Three HousesThe StretchersMario and Rabbids Kingdom BattleLife is Strange 2Finished Jedi: Fallen OrderImhotepCat LadyCodenames DuetLittle Dragons CafeRomancing Saga 3HearthlandsWhat We're Reading:The Deep by Rivers SolomonMidnight Son by James Dommek JrWhat We're Drinking:White Zinfandel, Water, Half shot of Coconut RumCoffee and GumballheadMountain Dew Kickstart and Vandermill Totally RoastedOur Lists:Alisha:Fallout: New VegasState of Decay DishonoredBreath of the WildSlay the SpireMGSVLife Is StrangeBloodbornePokemon GoPandemic Legacy Honorable MentionFirewatchPTUntil DawnStardew Valley Things I should have played but didn’t:BrothersOuter WildsPapers, PleaseJordyn:MinecraftUntil DawnForgotton AnneAssassins Creed: BrotherhoodNight in the WoodsLegend of Zelda: BoTWLife is StrangeDivinity Original Sin 2Mass Effect 2Overcook

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn are chatting about things they'd suggest for holiday shopping lists and of course a conversation about accessibility breaks out.What We're Playing:Woven*Bee Simulator*Pokemon SwordStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order*Sparklite*Death StrandingTorchlight IIWhat We're Reading:The Deep by Rivers SolomonAlias Grace by Margaret AtwoodFive Dark Fates by Kendare BlakeWhat We're Drinking:GuinessRed WineHot Toddy* Sam received PR codes for these games for streaming and review purposes, but all opinions are honest.

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn are chatting about their experiences playing Obsidian's new RPG The Outer Worlds (2019).What We're Playing:The Outer WorldsMan of MedanOvercooked 2 DLCLEGO: Force AwakensNine ParchmentsSupermarket ShriekOutwardDead by DaylightHearthlandsCitadel Forged with Fire*Bless UnleashedLuigi’s MansionCall of Duty:Modern Warfare*What We're Reading:Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane BuxtonFive Dark Fates by Kendare BlakeWhat We're Drinking:Coffee and Stone Ruination double IPA 2.0Whiskey SourSquirt and Mango Raspberry Vodka* Sam received PR codes for these games for streaming and review purposes, but all opinions are honest.

This week Sam and Alisha are joined by Kishonna Gray (@kishonnagray) talk about parenting (and being women) while doing the game studies scholar grind.What We're Playing:Apex LegendsStranded Sails*Knight's Quest*Indivisible*Cat's Quest*Trine 4*Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair*Ni No Kuni (Switch)Space TeamJack Box gamesHearthstoneWhat We're Reading:SlayThe SimilarsThe Water DancerWhat We're Drinking:You don't want to know!* Sam received PR codes for these games for streaming and review purposes, but all opinions are honest.

This week Jordyn and Sam are joined by NYMG alum Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo (@ashleybiancuzzo) to talk about Sea of Solitude (Jo-Mei Games 2019) (and games in general) and mental health. N.B. We are not speaking as mental health professionals, but as gamers and people with our own unique set of experiences, so your mileage may vary.What We're Playing:Elder Scrolls OnlineWoW ClassicGears 5 *Borderlands 3The Sims: Realm of MagicRe:Legend *MinecraftVampyrUnravel 2What We're ReadingPetStorm of LocustsFive Dark FatesWhat We're Drinking:Orange-Vanilla SeltzerCiderboys Pineapple HulaFat Tire* Sam received PR codes for Gears 5 (from Microsoft) and Re:Legend (from 505 Games) for streaming and review purposes.What We're Playing:Elder Scrolls OnlineWoW ClassicGears 5Borderlands 3The Sims: Realm of MagicRe:LegendMinecraftVampyrUnravel 2What We're ReadingPetStorm of LocustsFive Dark FatesWhat We're Drinking:Orange-Vanilla SeltzerCiderboys Pineapple HulaFat Tire

This week we look at this Fall's upcoming games and talk about the ones that we are most looking forward to. Some surprising, some not so surprising.What We're Playing:CatastronautsLovers in a Dangerous Space TimeCoffin RotUnravel TwoBoard Games (Mysterium, Harry potter Hogwarts Battle, Sushi Party Go)Dream DaddyThe Church in the DarknessFire Emblem: Three HousesWoodle Tree 2 DeluxeBear with MeThe Tower of BeatriceSlay the SpireLIS: Before the StormBreath of the WildWelcome To Your Perfect HomePokemon GoWhat We're ReadingFeminism, Labor, and Digital Media by Kylie JarrettBraiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of PlantsMrs. Sherlock HolmesWhat We're Drinking:Peach-Ginger Honey WineGlenlivetPeach Margarita

This week we had a conversation with TreaAndrea Russworm (@ProfessorTMR UMass-Amhearst), Amanda Phillips (@NazcaTheMad Georgetown University), and Angela Rain Kim (@angelarainkim UMass-Amhearst) about the #30Games90Days project and the struggle of playing video games as a scholar. Settle in for an amazing conversation as we talk about games and shit (quite literally).What We're Playing:Injustice: Gods Among UsDream DaddiesProject High RiseDandaraBinding of IsaacPhoenix Wright: Dual DestiniesLife is Strange Before the StormAzulEmily is AwayHaloGears 5 Tech TestDragon Quest Builders 2What We're ReadingRainbow Arcade CollectionHow to Play Video Games ed. by Matthew Thomas Payneand Nina B. HuntemannThe Girl on the Train by Paula HawkinsLola by Melisa by Scrivener LoveThe Erotic Life of Racism by Sharon Patricia HollandThe Mad Man by Samuel R. DelanyBabel-17 by Samuel R. Delany7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart TurtonSaga comicsThe Obelisk Gate by N.K. JemisonWhat We're Drinking:Grapefruit RadlerGlenlivet

This week we had a conversation about summertime gaming. We talked about everything from having more time to having less time for gaming in the summer and everything in between.What We're Playing:Sea of SolitudeThe Sinking City Stranger Things 3Dead by DaylightSherlock Holmes The Devils DaughterPortal 2My Big SisterAzulSagradaWelcome to Your Perfect HomeWhat We're ReadingWar Storm (Red Queen 4) by Victoria Aveyard7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart TurtonHunger by Roxane GayTrail of Lightning by Rebecca RoanhorseWhat We're Drinking:Grapefruit Shandy312Flat TireJose Cuervo Pink Lemonade Margarita

This week we had a conversation with Bonnie (Bo) Ruberg (University of California, Irvine), author of Video Games Have Always Been Queer and co-editor of Queer Game Studies, about their latest book and queer game studies.What We're Playing:State of Decay 2; HeartlandCrash Team Racing Nitro FueledKatamari Gears of War UltimateHalo: Combat EvolvedWhat We're ReadingVideo Games Have Always Been Queer by Bonnie RubergKing's CageTwo Dark ReignsTrail of LightningWhat We're Drinking:Sneaky SneakyGlenlivetBlueberry Moscato

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn talk about the best (and worst) of E3. Now you get to hear what we are most and least excited for and hear us talk about the predictions we made in the last episode. What We're Playing:WargrooveState of Decay 2; HeartlandL.A. NoireElder Scrolls OnlineWhat We're ReadingVideo Games Have Always Been Queer by Bonnie RubergCrazy Rich AsiansThree QueensWhat We're Drinking:GuinessGlenlivetJose Cuervo 1800 Peach Margarita

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn talk about their E3 hopes, dreams, and predictions. We get the specifics of the Death Stranding bet between Sam and Alisha and so much more!What We're Playing:Dead by DaylightNidhogg 2SpeedrunnersMafiaSagradaHearthstoneState of Decay 2Marenian Tavern Story: Patty and the Hungry GodDauntlessFell Seal: Arbiter’s MarkMinecraftWhat We're ReadingVideo Games Have Always Been Queer by Bonnie RubergThey Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South by Stephanie E. Jones-RogersWhat We're Drinking:Bay Bridge Rose Wine3 Floyd's GumballheadJose Cuervo 1800 Peach Margarita

This week Sam, Alisha, and Jordyn talk about their experience playing Bendy and the Ink Machine (Joey Drew Studios, 2017). Sam tries to pay penance for giving in the Solo cups...What We're Playing:Bendy and the Ink MachineGlass MasqueradeSims 4: StrangervilleBrawlhallaRocket LeagueRage 2Overcooked 2: Campfire Cook OffBorderlands 2 State of Decay 2What We're ReadingTrail of Lightning by Rebecca RoanhorseRed Queen Series by Victoria AveyardVideo Games Have Always Been Queer by Bonnie RubergThe Girls by Emma ClineLord of California by Andrew ValenciaWhat We're Drinking:Oliver Soft Red with Lime ExtractOld Fashioned and 3 Floyd's GumballheadPink Grapefruit Sparkling Water with Mango Pineapple vodka

This week we talk about the joys and problems of playing games together in co-op mode. The struggles of playing games offline and on and, of course, Sam and Alisha talk about State of Decay 2...again.What We're Playing:Inside (iOS)Dead by DaylightKitty KeeperHearthstoneOvercooked 2: Campfire Cook OffBorderlands (GOTY Edition)TruberbrookState of Decay 2What We're ReadingTrail of Lightning by Rebecca RoanhorseRed Queen Series by Victoria AveyardGames User ResearchVideo Games Have Always Been QueerHow to Play Video GamesWhat We're Drinking:Sauvignon BlancOld FashionedSneaky Sneaky (The Peach Edition)

This week we are joined by TreaAndrea Russworm (UMass-Amerhearst) to talk about Far Cry: New Dawn (Ubisoft 2019), race, and representation.What We're Playing:The Division 2Night in the WoodsInto the BreachState of Decay 2What We're ReadingThe Fifth Season by N.K. JemisinGaming Representation ed. Jennifer Malkowski and TreaAndrea RusswormWhat We're Drinking:New City Mule Ginger BeerOld FashionedJoes Cuervo 1800 Peach Margarita

This week Sam talks with EightBitBlonde (content creator, freelance community manager, and Xbox MVP) and Moto (content creator and Xbox MVP) about their work (and hers) in the games community, the MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Award Program, and other things game related.What is the Xbox MVP Award? It is an award bestowed upon people who are "community leaders who’ve demonstrated an exemplary commitment to helping others get the most out of their experience with Xbox products and services...The award allows Xbox to recognize community leaders for their contributions, while bringing other voices into game, product, and service development through direct conversations, relationships, and the annual Xbox MVP Summit."What We're Playing:The Division 2Yonder: Cloud Catcher ChroniclesAnthemTetris 99Apex LegendsWhat We're Drinking:WaterCoffee (Oddly this week we were all sick coming home from Summit)Links of NoteXbox MVP Award ProgramGeeks Respawn (Moto's podcast)Girls on Games (EBB's podcast)EightbitBlonde on Mix

This week we talk about some of our favorite books about video games. You knew we were book nerds before you got here!What We're Playing:AnthemFar Cry New DawnInsane RobotsOvercooked 2Last Year: The NightmareTetris 99Katamari RerollApex LegendsWhat We're Reading:Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia owensHomegoing by Yaa GyasiUnapologetic: A Black, Queer and Feminist Mandate for Radical MovementsWhat We're Drinking:Homemade SangriaWhiskey and GingerCiderboys Pineapple HulaLinks of NoteNYMG Episode 144 (On Katherine Isbister's book)NYMG Episode 162 (With TreaAndrea Russworm and Jennifer Malkowski)

This week we all played YIIK: A Postmodern RPG and we've come together to talk about it.What We're Playing:SamsaraSmoke and SacrificeRoterraAnthem (demo)Stardew ValleyYIIKWhat We're Reading:The Gamer’s Brain by Celia HodentGames User ResearchComputer Games and Technical Communication: Critical Methods and Applications at the Intersection What We're Drinking:Ginger Peach Sparkling WaterRed Blend aged in bourbon barrelsDry Ginger Ale and WhiskeyLinks of NoteAmerican Horror Story: The Cecil Hotel

This week look back on our favorite and least favorite games of 2018 and talk about the games we are looking forward to most in 2019. What We're Playing:SubnauticaDiablo IIIAssassin's Creed: OdysseyDivinity Original Sin IICrusader Kings IIReturn of the Obra DinnBury Me, My LoveWhat We're Reading:The Gamer’s Brain by Celia HodentAn Unkindess of Ghosts by Rivers SolomonRock Needs River by Vanessa McGradyWoke Gaming, eds Kishonna Gray and David J. Leonard.What We're Drinking:Pink TeaPeppermint tea and Horny Monk Belgian Style Ale (not together!)

This week we talk we talk about thoughtful gift giving for holidays or just because. We hope that this comes in handy for some of you who may be finishing up your holiday shopping or thinking about what to buy loved ones on any other occasion. Giving yourself the change to tell them "I see you!"What We're Playing:Kingdoms and CastlesKatamari Damacy RerollFortnite CreativeStrange BrigadeMutant Year ZeroDivinity Original Sin IIWhat We're Reading:Into the Forest by Jean HeglandSalt Fat Acid Heat by Samin NosratHunger by Roxane GayThe Hate U Give by Angie ThomasEmber in the Ashes by Sabaa TahirAn Unkindess of Ghosts by Rivers SolomonWhat We're Drinking:Coffee and Grapefruit Vodka (no, not mixed together)California Roots MoscatoReally bad vodkaSound quality differs this week because Sam was accidentally using her headset mic. Blame it on the end of the semester!