The Midnight Lantern

Shawn Barlaan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • GAMES

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

Episodes

  1. 08/07/2021

    S2 E4: Friendship and Existential Anxieties in Competitive Game Playing

    Shawn 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.

    50 min

  2. 06/15/2021

    S2 E3: Difficulty In Video Games & Spicy Food

    With 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

    51 min

  3. 01/22/2021

    S2 E2: Intentional Fundamentals, The Witness, & Fighting Games

    The 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

    45 min

  4. 01/08/2021

    S2 E1: Hades Game Design, Discussing Identity, & Revisiting High Performance

    We'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

    1h 5m
  5. S1 E6: Intrinsic Motivation in Game Design

    10/08/2020

    S1 E6: Intrinsic Motivation in Game Design

    After 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

    1h 10m
  6. S1 E5: Flow State, Conscious Competence, & The Effect of Podcasting

    09/09/2020

    S1 E5: Flow State, Conscious Competence, & The Effect of Podcasting

    We 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/

    1h 3m
  7. S1 E4: Narrative in Game Design as a Unique Art Form

    08/06/2020

    S1 E4: Narrative in Game Design as a Unique Art Form

    On 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/

    56 min
  8. S1 E3: The Classic Sacredness of Chess & Melee, and Game Longevity

    07/21/2020

    S1 E3: The Classic Sacredness of Chess & Melee, and Game Longevity

    On 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/

    50 min
  9. S1 E2: Runescape, Competitive Gaming, and Today's Social Issues

    07/09/2020

    S1 E2: Runescape, Competitive Gaming, and Today's Social Issues

    We'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.

    1h 18m
  10. S1 E1: Accepting Change & Designing "Fun" in Gaming

    05/06/2020

    S1 E1: Accepting Change & Designing "Fun" in Gaming

    We 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

    1h 4m
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn Barlaan
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shawn Barlaan