Recorded 3/9/2020

When's the best time to release a game? Spring? Winter? Do AAA and Indie studios share the same release window concerns? How has the advent of social media and content creators influenced changes in game marketing?

In this episode Anthony & Skylar discuss their thoughts on game release windows including their experience of how they have and haven't changed over the years.

Join us as we discuss Ori and the Blind Forest, One Hour One Life, Yes Your Grace, and more!

Recorded 3/2/2020

Greater immersion or superfluous constraint? Satisfying execution or an encroachment of autonomy? Quick Time Events are one of the most divisive gameplay elements found in a wide range of games. In this episode Skylar & Anthony discuss their thoughts on Quick Time Events and whether they are a good addition in games.

Join us as we discuss Shenmue, Halo, Spy Party, Call of Duty, and rhythm games!

Recorded 2/24/2020

The PlayStation controller is trash?? The Wii Nunchucks are amazing?? Anthony has broken how many Xbox One controllers?? Skylar held what as a baby??

This week, Anthony & Skylar discuss and rank video game controllers! Join us as we discuss Gameboys, button presses, and weirdly shaped hands!

Recorded 2/17/2020

Are your brain's biases still being manipulated by clever game developers to force you to enjoy the games you love?

A cognitive bias is a systematic error in thinking that affects the decisions and judgments that people make. Did you know there are over 100 of these cognitive biases?

This week Anthony and Skylar continue discussing some of these biases and explore how they can affect game design, business, and marketing. Join us as we discuss Halo, Rocket League, gaming communities, Ben Franklin, and why that guy at work might seem so annoying!

Recorded 2/10/2020

How in the world do games make money if they still cost $60? How can games be free to play if they cost over $50 million dollars to develop and market? How will subscription based services change the gaming industry? Will indie studios survive the new landscape?

Anthony & Skylar discuss these and other related topics in this week's episode of Koalatea Time! Join in as they discuss CD Projekt Red, The Witcher 3, No More Robots, Descenders, and more!

Recorded 2/3/2020

Every so often a new technology emerges that brings new gameplay experiences to existing venues. In his book "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses" Jesse Schell captures the insight of thinking about where players play games as the lens of "The Venue" and how making a game for a particular venue impacts choices in game design.

In this episode, Anthony & Skylar discuss how Augmented and Virtual Reality are poised to revolutionize not only the gameplay experiences they enable but also the venues in which we play them.

Join in as they discuss The VOID, Beat Saber, Pokémon GO, and more!

Recorded 1/27/2020

Continuous technological advancements constantly change the games we play, but not the places we play them. In his book "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses" Jesse Schell captures the insight of thinking about where players play games as the lens of "The Venue" and how making a game for this venue impacts choices in game design.

In this week's episode, Anthony & Skylar focus on exploring the venue of "The Hearth" a central place in the home where many people of differing skill levels enjoy a gameplay experience together. Join in as they explore how Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, Mario Party, The Mind, Halo, and other games succeed in this venue!

Recorded 1/20/2020

2019 has come to a close and with that the 2010 decade is over! In this episode, Anthony and Skylar discuss their favorite games of the decade and the reasons why those games deserve to be there.

What elements go into the design of a game for it to become one of our favorites? Will there be any overlap on our lists? Will we talk about Halo? Tune in and find out!

Recorded 1/13/2020

Are your brain's biases being manipulated by clever game developers to force you to enjoy the games you love?

A cognitive bias is a systematic error in thinking that affects the decisions and judgments that people make. Did you know there are over 100 of these cognitive biases?

This week Anthony and Skylar discuss some of these biases and explore how they can affect game design, business, and marketing. Join us as we discuss Ori and The Blind Forest, Portal, Anthony's adventures to the Microsoft Store, and why the things we learned as cavemen don't really help us very much anymore!

Recorded 1/06/2020

• What are the differences between cooperative and competitive experiences in games?

• What kinds of mechanics facilitate these different game modes?

Anthony & Skylar discuss this and what they personally enjoy out of these different game styles as they discuss their time playing Spy Party, Portal, Halo, Rocket League, and more!

Recorded 1/20/2020

Anthony & Skylar discuss the conflicting interests video game studios face in creating and maintaining an intellectual property (IP) in the modern video game industry.

• How do studios balance their creative vision, business needs, fanbase expectations, and industry advancements?

• How do business realities impact AAA and Indie video game design?

Their discussion touches on Alien: Colonial Marines, Overwatch, Activision, EA, and more!

Recorded 12/23/2019

Come spend some Koalatea Time with the founders of gaming studio K.O. Koala Entertainment as they discuss various topics related to games and the gaming industry.

• What makes a good toy?

• Are toys games?

• How can toys play a part in game design?

• Does the public perception of games equate that of toys?

Join Anthony & Skylar as they explore how these topics apply to Rocket League, Halo 5, and other games!

Recorded 12/16/2019

Anthony and Skylar talk about some of their most memorable video game experiences and the design elements that were used to create them.

Their discussion dives into their experiences playing Halo 2, BioShock Infinite, The Last of Us, The Witness, and more!