Story x Story

mayamada

Welcome to the Story x Story podcast! We're having great conversations on stories we love plus giving you tips on creating your own. Join mayamada co-founder Nigel and gaming lifestyle content creator Tazziii every week as they talk about stories across pop culture. From deep dives into the most interesting film, TV, comics, anime and video game stories, to interviews and in-depth discussions with incredible guests each time!

  1. Story x Story #241: The Roundtable in the Naughty Corner (Video Games)

    5D AGO

    Story x Story #241: The Roundtable in the Naughty Corner (Video Games)

    NOTE: We recorded this episode before Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond left Microsoft. For Nigel and Tazziii’s initial take on that news, watch The Studio77 Report for Spring 2026 on the mayamada YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9Tw-70R9as4?t=1805 Our first video game roundtable of 2026 sees Nigel and Tazziii sit with Mathew Allcock, Wayne Emanuel, and Janelle McCurdy to discuss the games they're playing and the video game news stories that have caught their attention (from 21:31). We get into a range of stories including the implications of Valve's Steam Machine and Steam Frame delays caused by the ongoing RAM crisis and debate what rising RAM prices mean for the cost of gaming as well as the potential impact on next-generation console release schedules. The conversation then turns to whether Xbox's multi-platform strategy is actually working and the cost to their brand, while also looking into Larian Studios' controversial AI troubles and Nintendo's ambitious cinema plans. Games being enjoyed this week: Reanimal (PC), My Little Puppy (PC), Resident Evil Village (PS5), The Alters (PC), Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PC), Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike (Xbox 360), FC26 (PS5), Divinity Original Sin 2 (PC), Lego Fortnite (PC), Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (PS4), Animal Crossing (Switch), Lego Fortnite (PC), Sifu (PC), God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (PS5) Connect with Wayne online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-emanuel-7846a812Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_wayneemanuel Connect with Mat online: Website: https://thewobblygamer.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewobblygamerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewobblygamerTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thewobblygamer Connect with Janelle online: Website: https://janellemccurdy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellemccurdyyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janellemccurdyBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/janellemccurdy.bsky.social

    2h 6m
  2. Story x Story #239: Supercali-APXGP-alidocious (F1: The Movie)

    FEB 5

    Story x Story #239: Supercali-APXGP-alidocious (F1: The Movie)

    Were back from our recording break with Season 8 of Story x Story! This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into F1: The Movie (starting at 23:53) with our guests: content creator Mavitivo plus filmmaker and inventor Jabril Muse. We explore how Brad Pitt's role in Hollywood may be reflecting the film's themes of redemption and the dynamic between experience and youth on the race track. Despite its straightforward narrative, we discuss how F1 is shows that a simple story can still be effective when executed at a high level, proving that a story can be greater than the sum of its parts. This week's storytelling tip focuses on designing protagonists who learn from each other, creating character relationships that drive growth. Other stories we're enjoying: Poker Face (Peacock), Hijack (Apple TV+), Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO/Max), Sentimental Value (Cinema), It Was Just an Accident (Cinema), Silo (Apple TV+), Slow Horses (Apple TV+), Shrinking (Apple TV+), Children of Benin Kingdom by Dinah Orji (Book), Ameku MDDoctor Detective (Crunchyroll), Yakuza Fiancé (Crunchyroll), Fire Force (Crunchyroll), Spy x Family (Crunchyroll), Rick and Morty (Netflix), His & Hers (Netflix), Carry-On (Netflix), People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix), Marty Supreme (Cinema) Connect with Mavitivo online: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mavitivoTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/mavitivoTikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@mavitivo

    1h 42m
  3. Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Building Game Communities & Education (Livestream)

    JAN 29 · BONUS

    Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Building Game Communities & Education (Livestream)

    This week, we're sharing the closing roundtable from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream. Nigel and Tazziii are joined by three prominent voices from the gaming community: Sally Sheppard (game educator and founder of Wyrdren Games), InDeeDee (content creator and community builder), and Daniel Morrison (founder of Creative Genius Games). This conversation explores what community means for the future of gaming - especially as major UK events like EGX and Insomnia have closed their doors as standalone events. We also discuss what needs to improve in games education to better prepare the next generation of developers, and what gives them hope as we look towards 2026. It's an insightful discussion about resilience, representation, and the responsibility we all share in shaping a more welcoming gaming industry. This is our final Rewind episode before Season 8 begins next week! We'll be back in February with brand new interviews, discussions, and stories from across the creative industries. Tune in to the mayamada Twitch channel each month for more content with our hosts and the mayamada community: Studio77 Report, Casual Conversations With Comic Creators, and Games Night. Connect with Sally online: Website: https://www.wyrdren.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyrdrengamesTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sallygamedevConnect with InDeeDee online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialindeedeeTwitter: https://x.com/InDeeDeeEffectTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indeedeeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/officialindeedee.bsky.socialConnect with Daniel online: Website: https://www.creativegeniusgames.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativegeniusgamesTwitter: https://x.com/CreativeGeniusGTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@creativegeniusgames

    34 min
  4. Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Indie Dev Gameplay Interviews (Livestream)

    JAN 24 · BONUS

    Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Indie Dev Gameplay Interviews (Livestream)

    In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting three gameplay interview segments from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream, where Tazziii played indie games live while Nigel interviewed the developers behind them. First up, Vicky and Luxille from Studio Lavacado showcase their cosy tiling puzzle game Floramino. Then HaZ Dulull from Beyond The Pixels brings us Astro Burn, a nostalgic cute-em-up shooter featuring a jetpack-wearing cat astronaut. Finally, Nareice Wint of Miami Avalon shares her transition from AAA to indie development whilst showcasing Ascend. These conversations explore fantastic and practical insights from each developer, from understanding scope and building awareness around your game to the challenges of moving from AAA to the indie space. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the realities of indie game development. This is Part 3 of our Next 1UP Rewind series. Throughout January, we'll be sharing more segments from the livestream before recording new episodes for Season 8 in February! Tune in to the mayamada Twitch channel each month for more content with our hosts and the mayamada community: Studio77 Report, Casual Conversations With Comic Creators, and Games Night. Connect with Studio Lavacado online: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/studiolavacado/Twitter: https://x.com/StudioLavacadoConnect with HaZ & Beyond The Pixels online: Website: https://www.beyond-the-pixels.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazdazzleTwitter: https://x.com/HaZ_DulullBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyond-the-pixels.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haz-dulullConnect with Nareice online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/NareiceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nareicejwint

    56 min
  5. Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Lessons From a Year In Video Games (Livestream)

    JAN 15 · BONUS

    Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Lessons From a Year In Video Games (Livestream)

    In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting the first roundtable discussion from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream, where Nigel talks with three super supportive voices from across the games industry. Joining the conversation were Jarvs Tasker, Head of Communications at Happy Volcano and an award-winning accessibility advocate; Roshelle Patterson, a games UX researcher whose work spans AAA titles like World of Warcraft and indie projects focused on climate and social issues; and Dom Shaw, a passionate champion for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities with over a decade of experience across events, charity, and advocacy work. This roundtable explored the personal lessons each took from a difficult year in 2025, the invaluable power of community in sustaining creative work, the importance of putting your work out into the world even when it feels unpolished, and the real value of industry awards and recognition. Despite rocky times in games, we managed to pick out great encouragement and some practical wisdom for anyone navigating the games industry during uncertain times. This is Part 2 of our Next 1UP Rewind series. Throughout January, we'll be sharing more segments from the livestream before recording new episodes for Season 8 in February! Tune in to the mayamada Twitch channel each month for more content with our hosts and the mayamada community: Studio77 Report, Casual Conversations With Comic Creators, and Games Night. Connect with Jarvs Twitter: https://x.com/Jarvdusa Connect with Roshelle Story x Story #212: Behind The Story With Roshelle Patterson https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mayamada/episodes/Story-x-Story-212-Behind-The-Story-With-Roshelle-Patterson-Video-Games-e31t99lLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshelleantoinette Connect with Dom Twitter: https://x.com/DominicShaw94

    44 min

About

Welcome to the Story x Story podcast! We're having great conversations on stories we love plus giving you tips on creating your own. Join mayamada co-founder Nigel and gaming lifestyle content creator Tazziii every week as they talk about stories across pop culture. From deep dives into the most interesting film, TV, comics, anime and video game stories, to interviews and in-depth discussions with incredible guests each time!