Nice Games Club - a gamedev podcast!
Leisure:Video Games
"The lensing effect of the window." Theming vs. Aesthetics; Parries [Nice Replay]
2025-01-30
Download
Right click and do "save link as"
#361
"The lensing effect of the window."
Roundtable
2024.08.22
It’s hot in the clubhouse and hot in Ellen’s greenhouse this week, so your hosts are eager to crunch through some discussion. Ellen introduces the concept of the MDA framework, and the differences between Theming and Aesthetics, and Stephen comes to a major conclusion about parrying.
Theming vs. Aesthetics
0:06:40
Ellen Burns-Johnson
Game Design
The MDA Framework
-
Wikipedia
Ellen promised Dictionary.com definitions, so here you go:
Aesthetics
-
Dictionary.com
Theme
-
Dictionary.com
We talked about theming and aesthetics for a GameJam Game from a previous episode
The Bike Boom
Alien Isolation Themes explored n : Demystifying the Terror of Alien Isolation
-
Andy Robertson
,
Wired
Parries
0:28:56
Stephen McGregor
Game Design
Stephen's list of why parries are so popular:
1) A way to reward mastery or paying attention
2) Rewards participation
3) An appreciable way to consider mastering the game
The different variations of Parrying
1) Just Dodges
2) Traditional Parrying (miss = block)
3) Dynamic Parrying release parrying
4) Alternate button (paper mario parrying)
EVO Moment 37
-
Wikipedia
More Episodes
Revisiting Your Games (with Andy Korth)
2025-08-07
2025-08-07
Nice Thinking: "Untitled Memory Mechanic"
2025-07-17
2025-07-17
Nice Games Jam: "Head in the Clouds"
2025-06-26
2025-06-26
Video Game History (with Adrian Sandoval)
2025-06-05
2025-06-05
Video Game IP Law (with Haley MacLeon)
2025-05-08
2025-05-08
Nice Games Jam: "Time Traveler Estate Sale"
2025-04-10
2025-04-10
Get this podcast on your
phone, FREE
