Episodes
The Musical Advancements of the Metal Gear Series
Feb. 28, 2022
Over nearly 30 years, the Metal Gear series has changed how they use music to tell their stories.
How BioWare Uses Music To Tell A Story
Feb. 7, 2022
BioWare are masters at telling stories in videogames and in this episode, Michael goes over how music plays a role in their storytelling process. Minigame is a short essay podcast produced and hosted by Michael Farris. Each…
The Importance of Character Themes
Dec. 28, 2021
This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. In this episode, he looks at how theme music for characters like Master Chief and Sephiroth can tell us so…
Introducing the Minigame Jukebox
Oct. 11, 2021
This season on Minigame, Michael is setting out to explore how music plays a central role in video game storytelling. From the sci-fi soundtrack of Mass Effect inspired by films from the 60s and 70s to the bombastic score of…
Is Cyberpunk 2077 Truly Cyberpunk?
May 2, 2021
CyberPunk 2077 has already been the target of many criticisms, mostly related to technical issues and other design problems. But what about the game's story. Unfortunately, despite the game's marketing, the game only loosely…
The Unintentional Politics of Simulation Games
March 28, 2021
It's understandable to want videogames to avoid political discussion, but since games are art, politics are inevitable. Despite their apolitical exterior, simulation games like Sim City are full of political messages. Miniga…
Creating Your Brain in 'Disco Elysium'
Feb. 28, 2021
Most RPG's allow you to create your character based only on their stats, but what if there was a game in which you create a personality? Disco Elysium is that game. In this episode, @farristhewheel takes a look at Disco Elys…
Adrift in the Afterlife of "Summerland" - An Interview With Developer Conner Rush
Jan. 24, 2021
Conner Rush of Fyre Games joins us to discuss game development, becoming an overnight success on TikTok, and his new game Summerland. Summerland is available for free on Steam and itch.io Conner's Social Media: fyregames.…
Halo, Destiny, and The Role of Lore
Oct. 18, 2020
The stories of Halo and Destiny can be confusing. In this episode of Minigame, Michael (@farristhewheel) tries to unpack not just the stories of these two series, but the overall role of lore in a games’ story. Minigame is a…
The Small Vastness of the World of ‘Hitman’
Sept. 20, 2020
It’s easy to get burned out by the size of many open world games. Especially if it’s just for show. The Hitman series is a prime example of how smaller worlds can feel huge and present opportunities for new ways players can …
Time Flies By on The Last Express
Aug. 30, 2020
The Last Express is a game all about running against the clock in a period of history that feels like is running out of time. In this episode of Minigame, Michael explores the role that time plays in this mystery-adventure g…
Do You Own Your Humanity in The Outer Worlds?
Aug. 3, 2020
In The Outer Worlds everything has a cost. From womb to tomb, your life is dictated by the big business in town. But does this fantasy world have roots in reality? MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Mich…
How Morrowind Is A Better Adventure Than Skyrim
July 5, 2020
Skyrim is undoubtedly one of the most played games of all time, but in this episode, Michael goes on an adventure through the series' third entry, Morrowind, and despite the archaic presentation, has a more meaningful quest.…
Introducing Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast
June 12, 2020
Check out Gom Jabbar in your favorite podcasting app and let’s explore the universe of the classic Sci-Fi series, Dune
The Comfort of Gaming in Quarantine
May 17, 2020
A health scare causes Mike to go into quarantine. While there, he rediscovers the comfort and power that video games can provide. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each…
Death Stranding and the Comforts of the Mundane
March 22, 2020
Death Stranding is an odd game full of mystery and intrigue. However it also shows that sometimes it is the mundane aspects of life that makes things feel the most comfortable in times of need. MINIGAME is a short essay seri…
The Story of Our Stuff in One Night Stand
Feb. 23, 2020
All that stuff around you is not just junk, it’s the story of your life. In this episode of MINIGAME, Michael explores the game One Night Stand and learns more about a mysterious companion by using the stuff in her bedroom. …
Fearful Choices in Until Dawn
Jan. 26, 2020
While Until Dawn is full of gore and kills, the storytelling itself is the scariest part of the game. MINIGAME is a short essay series produced and hosted by Michael Farris (@farristhewheel). Each bite-sized episode dives i…
What Makes a Good Star Wars Story?
Dec. 15, 2019
With Rise of Skywalker just down the corner, @farristhewheel takes a look at Star Wars games of the past to see where the series has gone right and wrong. Minigame is a bite-sized dive into why we love video game stories. Tw…
Bury Me, My Love - Minigame Classics
Oct. 13, 2019
This episode originally aired on September 10, 2018 It’s one thing to read about the Syrian refugee crisis in an article, or to see it on TV. But only a video game like Bury me, my Love could make the tragedy feel so real. M…
Neo Cab and The Stories We Tell in the Dark
Oct. 6, 2019
With Apple releasing their new gaming service, Apple Arcade, Michael takes a look at Neo Cab, one of the more unique games in the library and discovers that sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones we tell each oth…
How Two Developers Interpreted the Fallout Universe
Sept. 15, 2019
Interplay and Bethesda. The two main developers of the Fallout franchise. Despite working with the same canon, the two developers handled the universe very differently. In this episode, Michael explores the franchise as a wh…
Minigame Classics - Making Your Own Lore in 'No Man's Sky'
Aug. 18, 2019
The story is whatever you make it in No Man’s Sky. Only a video game can give you the tools and the world to craft a narrative only you can. That’s why we love games.
Saying Goodbye to Mass Effect in the Citadel
Aug. 11, 2019
Mass Effect 3 disappointed many long time fans. However, in this episode, Michael discusses the final DLC and how it was the perfect ending to the Mass Effect Trilogy