Game/Life Balance U.S‪.‬ Cody Gough and Jonathan Martin

Jon reviews his new Steam Deck in our 2022 holiday special! …but probably not the holiday you’re thinking of. Plus: Cody lost his expensive headphones but WON a brand-new gaming PC, and he and Jon discuss whether it should become part of a new VR rig. They also recount their recent experience at a friend’s wedding in Wisconsin with some of the best cocktails basically ever, then wrap up by reminiscing about their favorite Nintendo 64 memory to celebrate the 64th episode of Game/Life Balance U.S. Sit back and enjoy a Wisconsin brandy old fashioned while you listen!


Theme song credit: Subterranean Kamikaze by Juan Medrano and zircon via OverClocked ReMix - download at https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01730
Visit our sister show in Australia at https://gamelifebalanceaustralia.com
Check out other geeky podcasts on the GonnaGeek Network at https://www.gonnageek.com/

Cody reviews alcoholic Mountain Dew and Jon recaps his Allegiant Stadium and Cosmopolitan bottle service experiences. They also discuss disgusting malt beverages, $1,500 bottles of vodka, and Las Vegas vibes. Plus: Cody went to another symphonic performance of Distant World: Music from Final Fantasy, and Jon has returned to Eorzea to play critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, which includes a free trial with unlimited playtime up to level 60 and includes the award-winning first expansion Heavensward.


Theme song credit: Subterranean Kamikaze by Juan Medrano and zircon via OverClocked ReMix - download at https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01730
Visit our sister show in Australia at https://gamelifebalanceaustralia.com
Check out other geeky podcasts on the GonnaGeek Network at https://www.gonnageek.com/

Jon helps Cody talk through his home gaming setup and explains how kids destroy houses. Plus: Jon’s basement cricket and escape artist dog; a FULL GAMER review of Assassin's Creed Origins; a debate about movies that are more than 3 hours long; and trading time for loot in “sit back” versus “lean forward” video games such as critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, which includes a free trial up to level 60 with unlimited playtime and includes the award-winning first expansion Heavensward.


Theme song credit: Subterranean Kamikaze by Juan Medrano and zircon via OverClocked ReMix - download at https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01730
Visit our sister show in Australia at https://gamelifebalanceaustralia.com 
Check out other geeky podcasts on the GonnaGeek Network at https://www.gonnageek.com/

Hear how Hades holds up in 2022 and how Cody and Jon handle gaming around their kids. In their first episode from a 3-year hiatus, you'll also hear about where they've been, why they're back, and whether a sound effects soundboard can make the show even worse than it already was in the first place.


Intro music credit: Subterranean Kamikaze by Juan Medrano and zircon via OverClocked ReMix - https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01730 
Outro music credit: Unity by TheFatRat with permission - https://soundcloud.com/thefatrat/thefatrat-unity-1

Cody and Jon record their first episode together in 2019, and hilarity ensues. Also in this jam-packed episode: Cody dives into Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, and Jon reviews Hollow Knight and Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden. They also talk about Xbox Game Pass, Risk of Rain 2, the TV shows Silicon Valley and Star Trek: The Next Generation, and micheladas. Having a core exercises for swimming will make you a better, stronger swimmer.



Show Notes:



* Join the GonnaGeek Discord server, where you can chat with Cody, Jon, and several other members of the GonnaGeek Network: https://discord.gg/yBBBtGT

* To nominate an SNES Classic game for them to review on a future episode, email unqualifiedpodcast@gmail.com or tweet at Cody @ProducerCody and/or Jon @eatplaygame

* Find Game/Life Balance U.S. on the GonnaGeek Network, on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more!

* Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission

* Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

* Learn something new in just a few minutes every day on Cody’s daily podcast for Curiosity.com

Elliot Callighan, composer and sound designer for media and adjunct professor at DePaul University, joins Cody to discuss his new project, Unlock Audio. It’s a tool for re-framing game audio to make it developer-centric from both a creative and business perspective. They also talk game design education, sound design, and — of course — what video games they’ve been playing lately! 10 tips for creating a stylish kid’s room on a budgetPaint. Painting remains one of the most affordable ways to decorate a space. Use stickers. Wall sticker art is one of the most popular ways to decorate a child’s room — and one of the easiest. Stick with twins. Try to DIY. Infuse color and texture. Add greenery. Repurpose and recycle. Add a mobile,  click for more decorating tips.

Elliot is a classically trained violinist and pianist, metal guitarist and electronic music enthusiast with degrees in Music Composition and Sound Design for Cinema. Currently, Elliot is an independent Composer and Sound Designer, a Soundpost Co-Chair for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Overture Council as well as Adjunct Faculty in the Film & Game programs at DePaul University. His work has been featured in campaigns for United Airlines, The Chicago Advertising Federation, GMC, The Godrej Group, Chevrolet Motors, The Goodman Theatre as well as many independent films and games. In addition, he is an Officer and Platoon Leader in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Show Notes:



* Elliot Callighan discusses:



* How he got into composing and sound design for media, including video games.

* Why anyone who’s interested in working on video games should participate in a game jam.

* His new project, Unlock Audio: “I think we’re on the cusp of how game audio is done professionally, just because it’s a lot more straight-forward and simple and easy for everyone.”

* Video games that feature the U.S. military or are actually used by the military, and why he’s thinking about audio as part of his role in the Illinois Army National Guard.

*  Where voice acting falls into the “sound design” umbrella, and what it’s like working with voice actors when working on audio for video games and related media.

* The way students are approaching video game development and sound design differently than they did just a few years ago.

* Nerding out over Heroes of the Storm and an indie game called The Cursed Forest.





* Visit Elliot Callighan’s website, RamovaMusic.com

* Check out his new project at UnlockAudio.com

* Elliot’s DePaul University faculty bio

* Hear Cody’s 2017 interview with Elliot on the Curiosity Podcast: “21st Century Composing: Scoring Music For Film And Video Games”

* Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with a hr...