The Two Vague Podcast Ben Cheknis

This week Ben is excited to talk to Andrea about her role as a project manager at Joystick Ventures for the games “Star★Vaders,” “Big Boy Boxing,” and “Chicken Police: Into the Hive!”  But first, Andrea and Ben have each been playing games with an abundance of atmospheric tension, suspense, and dare we say… creepiness.  After sharing these experiences with each other, they dive right in and have a very interesting conversation about the funding, developing, promoting, and marketing of independently made video games!
00:00:20 - Rituals, runes, pools, Pacific Drive, weeping angels, and Andrea’s introduction00:06:18 - A startup background, changes in the games Andrea plays, and still a console girl00:10:27 - How Joystick Ventures chooses, team diversity, and the “open world” game00:13:38 - Development, production, and what a project manager at Joystick Ventures does00:16:48 - Facilitating development, fostering relationships, and balancing a number of projects00:20:51 - Hungarian game noir, challenges in working globally, and Discord communication00:25:00 - Summer showcases, Andrea says hello to Norah, and PAX versus other trade shows00:28:52 - Ben talks about attending PAX as press, networking for the show, and playing games00:31:34 - Public relations, marketing, activating the pillars, and demographic strategy changes 00:37:05 - Segmenting based on interest instead of demographics, and audience clusters00:39:26 - New monster, determining appropriate platforms, and Steam infrastructure flexibility00:42:32 - The growth of Steam, the FTC’s noncompete announcement, and speculation 00:46:15 - Movement toward independent games, and closing the show
Follow Two Vague on…Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcastFor show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
 
References, Links, and Tags
Joystick Ventures - https://www.joystickventures.com/
Star★Vaders - https://star-vaders.com/Wishlist Star★Vaders on Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/StarVaders/Check out the 2VP episode we did with Star★Vaders lead designer Eddie - https://www.twovaguepodcast.com/e/episode-94-nature/ 
Big Boy Boxing from Soupmasters -  https://soupmasters.com/Wishlist Big Boy Boxing on Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1680780/Big_Boy_Boxing/Check out the 2VP episode we did with Big Boy Boxing lead designer Martin - https://www.twovaguepodcast.com/e/episode-95-animate/
Chicken Police: Into the Hive (the sequel to Chicken Police: Paint hit Red) by The Wild Gentlemen - https://thewildgentlemen.com/Wishlist CP:ItH on Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2362090/Chicken_Police_Into_the_HIVE/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #PodernFamily #InterviewShow #GamersofThreads #Gamer #JoystickVentures #StarVaders #BigBoyBoxing #ChickenPolice #IntoTheHive
 

Ben and Star host 2VP this week, so shake off that tired feeling, take a moment to collect yourself, and be cool… daddy-o!  There are lots of definitions to cover before getting in to the conversation.  From music to an artistic subculture movement to one of Ben’s favorite BMW “comercials,” there is much to talk about.  Star teaches Ben about Taylor Swift and a couple of Generation Z phrases.  Ben gets really excited about being able to do his oddly specific Bob Dylan impression, and bringing up his favorite movie director.  Games discussed in this episode include “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” “Hogwarts Legacy,” “Pacific Drive,” “Ultros,” “Cadence of Hyrule,” “Crypt of the Necrodancer,” “Alice: Madness Returns,” and “Hi-Fi Rush”
00:00:21 - Again with the third person, the unspoken bond, and TLoZ: Tears of the Kingdom00:03:48 - Andrew’s side quest, Star tried unique Japanese Pringles, and too many ducks00:05:18 - Ben talks about Pacific Drive, Star’s PS5 goals, and a playable acid flashback00:09:43 - Borscht ingredients, Ben’s poetry decade, the subjectivity of art, and time signatures00:12:20 - Buckle your notebook, club or whip, and off brand Duck Hunt, and MatPat’s show00:15:47 - More verbs, birds flying, cooking, sailing, and Star explains “bro boats” to Ben00:18:47 - On to the nouns, Star doesn’t know “cop speak,” a surprise, and back to Beatniks 00:20:59 - “Old timey” phrases, of German origin, word confusion, and our music choice bpm00:23:51 - The solicitation purr, Ben’s cat impression, and the “Intro to Rhythm” class final00:26:40 - Cowbells at daybreak, even for a Canadian, and an excuse for Swiftie Star00:29:17 - Taylor Swift’s latest album, Patti Smith, “No tea, no shade,” and 100 percent00:34:37 - Trading friendship bracelets with 12 year olds, and Ben’s FAVORITE impression00:36:03 - Beyoncé and the West drama, “Beat the Devil,” and Star summarizes Alien00:41:44 - Tony Scott movies, the original “True Romance” ending, and on to video games 00:44:07 - The “Crypt of the Necrodancer” franchise and the connection to Hi-Fi Rush00:46:45 - On paper, mediocre 2-D platform elements, and Chai’s backstory and origin00:50:25 - Beautiful visuals, no target locking, feels very linear, and uninspired boss fights00:54:41 - No “real” replay value, great music (but not enough), and angry dance music00:56:50 - A difference in opinion on Ye, no actual wives were harmed, and keeping time  00:59:18 - Star’s better final thought, beating the mulch, and a hitman for slumlord Tom Nook   Follow Two Vague on…Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References, Links, and Tags
Ben recommends checking out this awesome game… “Pacific Drive” developed by Ironwood Studioshttps://www.pacificdrivegame.com/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #PodernFamily #InterviewShow #GamersofThreads #Gamer #IronwoodStudios #KeplerInteractive #Ultros

This week Andrew and Ben have a word inspired by our 2nd (insert air horn sound) review code (and for the PS5 no less)!  But first… a little bit of housekeeping featuring the one and only star of a single “The Three Stooges” episode, the "magic” 8-ball.  As you know, the gentlemen are fond of complicated math, so prepare for that AND a long definition segment.  Other topic diversions include: self help books, Ironwood Studios’ first release “Pacific Drive,” beverages, Juice Newton, superhero movies, French food, Ben’s review of Juicy Realm,” and 2VP merch ideas.
00:00:21 - Sausage, Tucson’s Zine Festival, and Andrew gets help from Asplenia Studios!00:02:40 - Ben’s “almost first kiss,” 2VP merch possibilities, and help from Dr. Faith Harper00:07:22 - Low budget time travel, a borscht-centric show, and Bethesda games on PS500:09:07 - Playing Pacific Drive, the joys of repair putty, and the “Herby-esque” station wagon00:12:02 - Sort of a college word, and calculating the Magic 8-Ball equivocation percentage00:17:20 - Magic 8-Ball facts, an obscure “The Three Stooges” episode, and cocktail concepts00:19:05 - Brendan Fraser, the Orange Julius, in Swedish, and prune juice is helpful sometimes00:23:10 - Juicing up, too soon, usage over time, cratered in the 1970’s, and pulp preferences00:26:19 - Meat juice, a favorite kindergarten food of Ben, AZ snails, and living in slug country00:30:05 - A direct to bathtub situation, the Tim Burton Superman movie, and the multiverses00:33:36 - Superhero popularity waning, favorite food truck movies, and Colm Meaney roles00:37:27 - The Fall Guy theme, the Beetlejuice window, and one of Ben’s favorite Judds 00:39:35 - The origin of a slogan, fruit chews facts, and coastal Oregon’s saltwater taffy 00:43:25 - Andrew’s Juice Newton memory, Deadpool movies, and the “Queen of Hearts” song00:47:50 - The theory springs a leak, bringing the horns, and a new tagline for the show 00:49:56 - The story of Juicy Realm, movers and shooters, the gameplay loop, and avocados00:52:30 - A comic strip style, PS5 is not required, powers and weapons, and saving seeds00:55:15 - Taking chances with weapons, the four biomes, room types, and less than the cost00:58:04 - Three ups, two payers, four sticks, no cups, three downs, and Ben recommends01:01:21 - Fan art creations, a cup of coffee, “comfy” tracksuit merchandise, and final thoughts A BIG THANK YOU to PM Studios and Team Critical Hit for our PS5 review key for “Juicy Realm!”
Ben’s Review of Juicy Realm 3 UPs:- 2 player local Co-op - Amazingly goofy Sunday funny paper cartoon graphics with a wide variety of creative weapons- After clearing the game the first time, difficulty modifiers are added so you can accumulate more seeds when you clear a biome, but it is entirely optional.
3 DOWNs:- No Option for online co-op gameplay- Some minor UI anomalies do exist that make weapon modifier selection difficult at times- Not balanced as much as I would have hoped… there is one character selection that is clearly superior and a number of weapons that are the most effective
DO BUY/PLAY… If you want a thrifty purchase with an arcade-like feel, but with the some of the variation, depth, and replay value of a rouge lite!  If you like games similar to Hades and Cult of the Lamb, you may want to check it out.  Even at full price, it’s a steal!
Follow Andrew / Partly Robot IndustriesHis website: https://partlyrobot.com/On Instagram: https://instagram.com/partlyrobotOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@partlyrobotOn Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/partlyrobot
Follow Two VagueOur website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References, Links, and Tags
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP

Ceramicist and former fashion industry designer Jackie joins Ben this week to talk about a topic that impacts our physical AND digital lives.  Jackie has a great deal of experience and interest in design, but now she is shifting her focus to digital.  Ben shares his 90s / early 2000s fashion and Rory Gilmore’s boyfriend choices before getting to the definition.  Other topics discussed include: fashion, digital trends, puzzle video games, commerce, the mobile gaming market segment, and video game trend predictions for 2024.
00:00:21 - Voices, a determined Mango, a Masters in a week, and ceramic artist burnout00:03:13 - Craft vs. fine art mediums, dabbling, designing jewelry, and creativity in commerce00:06:46 - Emulation, higher education, Ben’s harsh sting, and the Pantone color of 202400:10:30 - Sharing and kindness, on your bum, and the 2VP sweatpants merchandise plans00:13:39 - An elder Millennial, Urban Decay, Ben is team Dean, and digital marketing trends00:17:10 - Jackie’s Google UX Design certificate, flavor of the month, and Ben’s meal kit idea 00:19:05 - The definition, media toxicity, Jackie is a Google person, and relatively new word 00:23:21 - Inspired by the Narrative episode, popularity, and changes in the fashion industry00:26:07 - Universally “in,” the speed of digital trends, navigating e-commerce, and hobbies00:30:37 - Blurring the line, and stories of creatives dealing with the corporate environment 00:33:47 - Questioning what big companies say that gamers want, and the mobile touchpoint00:36:27 - Trending celebrity names, Jackie’s gaming timeline, Purikura, and visiting the coffee00:40:14 - Jackie realizes her love of puzzle games, subway stories, and Netflix’s Knittens 00:44:12 - Weekly cat fashion shows, Juicy Realm’s premise, and Ben explains “bullet hell”00:46:40 - Konami’s 1993 Super Famicom game “Pop'n TwinBee” (Jackie CONFIRMED)!00:49:03 - Digital licenses, subscription models, Bethesda exclusivity, and favorite soups00:52:28 - Catching Pokémon, getting vaccinated, AR examples, and why is it appealing?00:56:04 - Expensive VR gear, doing virtual things while walking, and generative AI in games00:58:34 - Jackie plays devil’s advocate, thoughts on AI, self-expression, and AI voices01:04:11 - Ben’s new Google contact, a soul, sampling artistic works, and voice royalties01:07:13 - Ben is starstruck, the Paula Abdul briefing, and Jackie’s closing thoughts     01:10:29 - The cyclic nature of trends, no Cabbage Patch Kids, and adding wrinkles
Follow JackieHer website: https://www.jactse.com/Her storefront: https://www.madbrooklyn.com/On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad_brooklyn
Follow Two VagueOur website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcastOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcast
For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com
References, Links, and Tagshttps://www.urbandecay.com/https://www.pantone.com/
Ben says,“PAULA ABDUL… please be on the podcast!”https://paulaabdul.com/
#Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #PodernFamily #InterviewShow #GamersofThreads #Gamer #PaulaAbdul #PantoneColor2024 #UrbanDecay 

To get you all excited for April 15th, Andrew joins Ben for a game review!  They were under the impression that math was fun… until they tried this game.  From relatively unknown game developer Intuit Inc. comes TurboTax!  Andrew and Ben are playing different versions of the game, so they share their varied experiences with each other and YOU!  Spoiler alert… as a game TurboTax is a dud, but as tax preparation software it’s fairly solid.  Ben says, “NEEDS ZOMBIES!”
00:00:20 - The third person, dog of bag poop, and Andrew (the IRS) has set a deadline00:02:20 - Ben and Andrew are playing different versions, and some facts about Intuit Inc.00:04:42 - For ages 4+, Ben turns off the noise, weaker vibrations, callouses, and columns00:06:51 - Canadian versions of TurboTax, Andrew the French spotter, and the circumflex 00:08:54 - The funny thing about French, Funk & Wagnalls, and the first AI Vice President   00:12:06 - The extra stuff and business edition, a serious side-thought, and back to taxes00:14:41 - Some recent FTC drama, Andrew’s example side-hustle, and tick infested scooters00:16:30 - Starting with the story and narrative, kinda’ like Zork, and Ben’s story summary00:18:43 - You can’t get all the State DLC, 1099 talk, and don’t get Ben started on stamps00:21:23 - Thoughts on TurboTax’s game mechanics, Andrew’s solar buff, and the wrinkle00:24:45 - Andrew’s amended tax return side quest, round numbers, and the cost of coffee00:26:06 - Too many rectangles, it’s not a race, no customizable avatars, and the discussion00:28:01 - FTC callback, micro transactions, currencies, upcoming regulations, and tips00:32:02 - The passthrough, the Sega Genesis version, and why the previous year?00:34:08 - Arizona and Oregon DLC, getting “the kicker,” and Ben’s 3 ups and 3 downs00:37:32 - Not compatible with Wave Financial, game saves, season passes, and zombies00:39:34 - Andrew has stamps, not good for concrete, Ben’s true story, and postage due00:41:34 - Thumbs up or thumbs down, lathe adjacent, and borrowing the Office Assistant
The FORMULA…Story and Narrative (SN) + Game Mechanics (GM) + Audiovisuals (AV) = a video game experience
SN - Story / Narrative - With a name like TurboTax, you might think this is a racing game… you would be wrong!  In this mostly text based “adventure,” your story can be vastly different from someone else's due to the extensive story branching.  You start out playing the role of someone who has been giving money to a government over the course of a year, and now at the conclusion of the year, you are told you have to do math and fill out forms before April 15th. You are obviously the protagonist, but it’s very difficult to determine who the adversary is. GM - Game Mechanics - For the main part of the game you are either answering questions or if you prefer, filling out the forms directly.  That’s really all of the gameplay… YAWN!  Even if you do fill out the forms and submit them to the government in time, you may still have to face a random boss fight in the form of an audit which can extend the playtime extensively. AV - Audiovisuals - There is no music!  The UI is very simplistic… and not in a compelling way. There is a timer and a checkered flag at the top of the screen, but that’s about as exciting as it gets.  Any sound effect in the game is utterly forgettable.  For the current generation of games, the graphics and audio should be much better.  Zombies are needed to add some excitement!  
UPs- If you do a speed run you can be done very quickly- You can receive money which makes it seem like you have accomplished something- DLC is available for your State if you want to extend your gameplayDOWNs  - Although story the branching is extensive there are really only 2 endings either you owe or you get a refund and neither of those guarantee a “good ending”- Almost more fun to fill out the forms manually, at least with that you feel

This week Andrew brings a very interesting word to the show!  Ben is up for the challenge, but first he has a review of Trombone Champ!  Then the hosts dive right into the discussion starting with literature… Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and Star Wars by George Lucas.  Coincidentally, Ben gets to talk about his biggest “Jedi: Fallen Order,” pet peeves, but then they chat briefly about constitutional law. In the “official” video games segment, Ben shares the strange development story of “The Day Before” and the numerous equivocations therein.  In closing, Andrew talks about a cola marketing scam, and Ben unintentionally alienates the 2VP audience and possibly Andrew. 
00:00:21 - Video GAMES, a cliffhanger, dream feeding, and the lamest form of time traveling00:04:55 - Ben’s Trombone Champ review start, complicated math, and Dan’s trombone idea00:09:38 - The narrative of Trombone Champ, “Funiculì, Funiculà,” and amazing audiovisuals00:13:02 - Time to toot, gilding and “turd-ing,” secrets, inner 9 year olds, and a review closing00:19:19 - Not equivocating, the definition, in Swedish, and affordable furniture solutions00:21:38 - Spirit of exploration, Oedipus’ road rage, and Andrew’s Magic 8 Ball equivocation00:24:49 - Prophecy details, the swollen foot baby, full of irony, and a bit of a cougar00:29:09 - The Porter, “nose-painting, sleep, and urine,” 3 witches, and Macbeth vs Macduff00:33:06 - Obi-Wan equivocates about Vader, retroactive continuity, and Luke and Leia kiss00:36:17 - Ben talks about “Jedi: Fallen Order,” Cal Kestis, and a plethora of ponchos 00:41:48 - Ewan McGregor noises, acting with tennis balls, and a different century’s president00:45:17 - Paying for a wall with hurt feelings, on a spectrum, and Ben’s playful equivocation 00:48:41 - The legal profession, for justice or money, and Ben’s looking at you Congress!00:50:30 - Stuart, brief entomology, the Establishment Clause of the 1st, and Pueblo Colorado00:55:46 - Line crossing, the story of “The Day Before,” and the Steam page is actually gone01:02:01 - Andrew recounts the “New Coke” marketing scheme and resulting equivocations01:05:42 - Not the “Classic, Classic Coke,” lawyers and politicians, and equivocating felines
Ben’s Trombone Champ Review Highlights  Story / Narrative - SN - (8) - You are on a quest to become the Trombone Champ by tooting your trombone, learning about and pledging allegiance to baboons, collecting and trading Trombone Champ cards, meeting strange characters, and laughing a bunch.Audiovisuals - AV - (10) - From the character models, to the song selection, the UI which looks like something you would see on a “Dance, Dance Revolution” arcade machine, to the amazing song recording quality, to the background animations while you are “tooting”, to the satirical poke a EA Sports Games micro-transaction card collection graphics… Trombone Champ is perfectly executed in this area.Game Mechanics - GM - (9) - Nothing new here, BUT the game mechanics are finely tuned and nostalgically fun.  Choose your trombone style, sound scheme, and “tomboner,” your song, and then it’s time to TOOT! You play notes by pressing a key on the keyboard, and you use the pad to control the target reticle vertically on a line on the left side of the screen. You follow the note prompts as they scroll in from the right with key presses and mousepad movements and are rated on accuracy with “Perfectos,” “OKs,” “Nices,” “Mehs,” and “Nasties.” As you string your successes together your “CHAMP” meter fills and your multiplier builds. Once you have the meter filled completely, a celebratory airhorn sounds off; the longer you keep the “CHAMP” active, the more points you score for notes and combos. Based on your score at the end of each song, you earn “toot coins” which you can use to buy sacks of 4 cards to gather for your collection.