Directional – Details, episodes & analysis

Our hosts Chantal and Jörg have been busy making games, but Directional is BACK with a new season and a great guest, indie giant Rami Ismail (Ridiculous Fishing, Luftrausers, Nuclear Throne)! We're talking about the state of the games and media industries, the rise of AI and where we take our magical medium next.

While the podcast has gone through a period of hibernation, the game ‘industry’ has, well, shat the bed. In this first episode of a new season and format, Chantal and Jörg look past the doom and gloom and towards a more sustainable and beautiful future. The waves are crashing down - so let’s surf!

Notes:

C-Smash VRS on Meta Quest: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/7255247917854212/

darkwebSTREAMER: https://www.darkwebstreamer.com

Chantal’s tweet: https://x.com/thoughtrise/status/1764535542203683250

Kazimierz Dabrowski’s “Positive Disintegration”: https://www.positivedisintegration.com/

The globe is warming, the sun is out, and so the time has come for another Summer of Games—games, which as we all know, are only made by men. Or at least that's what you might think after watching the mega-sponsored trailer streams this week. In this first "off the cuff" Directional, Chantal and Jörg discuss this phenomenon (before talking about dickheads vs. interstellar naturists, naturally).

Poet and philosopher Andrei Codrescu discusses AI jiu jitsu and discovers the surprising beauty of generative poetry.

The renowned composer, songwriter and performer discusses his work, taking a stand and the transformative, universal power of music.

The host of the "Tech Won’t Save Us" podcast and author of “Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation” on our complicated relationship with tech.

“Labeling is Deeply Colonial”

Imperialist world building: we talk to Meghna Jayanth, a multiple award-winning narrative designer and writer, on how hard it is to find (or even make) games that don’t perpetuate the status quo.

"A Refuge in Hell"

We may be predominantly a videogame podcast but that doesn't mean we'll only talk about games. In this ep, we talk to The Guardian's potty mouthed cartoonist about the rebellious power of satire... and of poop. We also uncover Chantal's murderous past.

"Moving the Conversation Forward"

Leigh Alexander—journalist, author and narrative designer—in conversation about games and how they shape identities.

“This is the Start of the Gaming Warrior Poets”

The author of “The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade” discusses the deep ties between videogames & the Military Entertainment Complex.