PlayWrite - The video game idea podcast

This is the podcast for lonely gamers who wish they had friends to share their crazy ideas with. It’s for the creative who feels like they could use a bit of inspiration. I’ve only recently started listening and I’m already quite sure this will be one of my favorite podcasts ever!

Probably every gamer has come up with a game idea or story, and PlayWrite is a great podcast to explore those ideas. Each episode includes 3 game pitches (one from each host and one from the community) involving game style, story, and/or design with 10 minutes of brainstorming for each game. The podcast has covered a large number of genres, and while I'm not a fan of every pitch that's been made I enjoy hearing the creative process as the hosts analyze the idea and think of story and gameplay that would improve it. Also it was a great touch to add a community pitch. I'm not a game designer and yet I'm sure I'm not the only one that has an idea for a game that I wanted tell people about. If I were to have a criticism, it seems more often than not the pitch is more of an idea on game mechanics than story. There’s nothing wrong with that, but my hope is that as more people pitch ideas we’ll hear a larger variety of stories. After all, isn't it the story that often makes a game with familiar mechanics become a great game? (The Last of Us, for example.) All that said this podcast is a great listen, and has already produced many game pitches that I keep thinking about and wish I could play right now!

I have only one complaint, none of these amazing sounding games exist. So, come on game devs, there are hours of great ideas in here!

I have been a long time listener to Cain&Rinse and when they announced an offshoot which became Sound of Play I was thrilled. Having enjoyed the many episodes since then I was surprised to hear that one of the creators was once again gracing the internet with a new form of podcast gold. Although only the pilot has currently been released, the two host are very comfortable behind the mic and have set clear expectations of what one can expect from Playwrite. Hearing the first two ideas pitched I found myself wanting to put down my headphones and load up games designed off of the ideas. I doubt I will have any well thought out ideas to contribute myself, but I eagerly anticipate all future episodes. If you are at all a fan of video games and want to delve deeper into the creative process, this show is a new must.