Podcast
The Midnight Lantern
Hosted by Shawn Barlaan · EN
Shawn Barlaan and JC Ryan take a seat at the Midnight Lantern to explore the ins and outs of the gaming world through the eyes of aspiring artists and game designers.
Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/akaSwanTV
Join our discord for more: https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S2 E4: Friendship and Existential Anxieties in Competitive Game Playing
Aug 7, 202100:49:56Tap to summarizeShawn and JC discuss listener responses, as well as problems relating to enjoying cooperative gameplay over competitive games. They discuss angst related to worth, competence, human development, and death while contemplating their own experiences with competitive games and elo structures. They also discuss the juxtaposition between the perspective of the game designer and the game player, and try to off perspective to the issue.
Transcribe →S2 E3: Difficulty In Video Games & Spicy Food
Jun 15, 202100:50:32Tap to summarizeWith a scuffed intro and iconic off beat metaphors and analogies, The Midnight Lantern returns with an episode discussing the design of difficulty in video games and why we play them. We respond to the youtube video: "Why You Keep Playing Brutally Tough Games" by Daryl Talks Games (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8cavOfbwHw) and break down our own personal perspective and experience when approaching difficult games and how designing challenges for players could be a great tool for art to be experienced. Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk
Transcribe →S2 E2: Intentional Fundamentals, The Witness, & Fighting Games
Jan 22, 202100:45:24Tap to summarizeThe Midnight Lantern continues the discussion from various episodes about our learning process and pursuit of performance when it comes to video games and hobbies. JC reflects on his experience with "The Witness", a puzzle adventure indie game, while Shawn reflects on his return to video games for the new year. Topics include game design, competitive nature, psychology of learning, and more! Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk
Transcribe →S2 E1: Hades Game Design, Discussing Identity, & Revisiting High Performance
Jan 8, 202101:04:56Tap to summarizeWe're back with a new season to kick off the new year! On this episode we finally discuss our experience playing Hades and its great game design (15:45). Then we dive into a conversation we've been struggling with recently with the connection between hobbies and identity (31:50), and then revisit the ideal of high performance in gaming and life (52:30). Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk
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S1 E6: Intrinsic Motivation in Game Design
Oct 8, 202001:09:55Tap to summarizeAfter a short break, we're back at the Midnight Lantern and take a look at the motivation behind designing value in video games (12:15). Based on Game Maker Toolkit's video about the psychology of rewards, we discuss intrinsic vs extrinsic rewards in various games including Super Mario Odyssey, MMORPGs, and Old School Runescape. We also talk about the potential and need for companies like DreamHaven (25:00) and our observations on approaching video games (40:37). Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk
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S1 E5: Flow State, Conscious Competence, & The Effect of Podcasting
Sep 9, 202001:02:49Tap to summarizeWe finally catch up and record an episode to discuss our various approaches to gaming and life which opens up the conversation to the psychological analysis of learning and actualizing progress. We also talk about what missing the podcast has done for us these past few weeks. Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk Follow us at: Shawn: https://www.instagram.com/shawnjbarlaan/ https://twitter.com/shawnjbarlaan/ JC: https://www.instagram.com/j.c._ryan/ https://twitter.com/JcReeno77/
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S1 E4: Narrative in Game Design as a Unique Art Form
Aug 6, 202000:55:43Tap to summarizeOn today's episode we discuss the element of an authentic community, importance of narrative in game design, and how gaming can be used as a unique medium for artists to express things impossible to express elsewhere. Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk Follow us at: Shawn: https://www.instagram.com/shawnjbarlaan/ https://twitter.com/shawnjbarlaan/ JC: https://www.instagram.com/j.c._ryan/ https://twitter.com/JcReeno77/
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S1 E3: The Classic Sacredness of Chess & Melee, and Game Longevity
Jul 21, 202000:49:33Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Midnight Lantern, we take a look at what defines the longevity of games, the sacredness of classic games such as chess, and relate everything back to Super Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo Gamecube. Catch the stream at https://twitch.tv/SwanStudioTV Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk Follow us at: Shawn: https://www.instagram.com/shawnjbarlaan/ https://twitter.com/shawnjbarlaan/ JC: https://www.instagram.com/j.c._ryan/ https://twitter.com/JcReeno77/
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S1 E2: Runescape, Competitive Gaming, and Today's Social Issues
Jul 9, 202001:18:29Tap to summarizeWe're back at the Midnight Lantern to explore our perspectives on competitive gaming in Valorant and Super Smash Bros. Melee, our recent fascination with Old School Runescape, and dive into mental health awareness and the social issues of today including racism and sexual harassment. Do your research and support the movements to make a change in the world! https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ Join our discord for discussions and hangouts! https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk Follow us at: @shawnjbarlaan on all platforms. @jcreeno77 on twitter. @j.c._ryan on instagram.
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S1 E1: Accepting Change & Designing "Fun" in Gaming
May 6, 202001:04:01Tap to summarizeWe take a moment during quarantine to catch up on life and gaming, and take a deep dive into game performance and design. Follow us at: @shawnjbarlaan on all platforms. @jcreeno77 on twitter. Join our discord for future updates and announcements: https://discord.gg/hp3Uqrk
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