Story x Story #123: Non Fungible Talkfest (NFTs & The Metaverse)

Gina December 26, 2022 No Comments
This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome back video game lawyer Rahul Gandhi to discuss everyone’s favourite topics…blockchain, NFTs and the metaverse! We aim to have a (somewhat) balanced discussion on these Web3 technologies in the video games space. Along the way, we break down what they are, why they matter to video games…and why everyone seems to hate them.
This may be our most controversial episode yet. The industry is already littered with failed NFT experiments and passionate backlash, so we make an effort to go beyond the outrage, dig into the technology to gain a better understanding of it all.

Story x Story #112: Where The Legal Players Dwell (Video Games) – https://anchor.fm/mayamada/episodes/Story-x-Story-112-Where-The-Legal-Players-Dwell-Video-Games-e1mmdli

Ubisoft says more of its games will be getting NFTs, despite the initial backlash – https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-says-more-of-its-games-will-be-getting-nfts-despite-the-initial-backlash/

Square Enix announces NFT project Symbiogenesis – https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-announces-nft-project-symbiogenesis

Electronic Arts CEO doesn’t commit to NFTs on latest investor call – https://www.polygon.com/22914579/electronic-arts-ceo-andrew-wilson-nfts-investors-call-discussion

The Video Game Industry Was Hot on NFTs. Then Came Hacks and a Market Meltdown – https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/crypto/features/the-video-game-industry-was-hot-on-nfts-then-came-hacks-and-a-market-meltdown

The voice of Joel from The Last of Us steps away from NFT project after outcry – https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/31/22910633/troy-baker-voiceverse-nft-voice-actor-project-the-last-of-us

Worms publisher Team17 announces, promptly cancels NFT project following backlash – https://www.polygon.com/22912714/team17-nfts-aggro-crab-games-playtonic

The metaverse does not exist yet—here’s what you are being sold in its name –https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/the-metaverse-does-not-exist-yet-heres-what-you-are-being-sold-in-its-name

What Is the Metaverse, Exactly? – https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse

Why Video Game Makers See Huge Potential In Blockchain—And Why Problems Loom For Their New NFTs – https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2022/01/06/why-video-game-makers-see-huge-potential-in-blockchain-and-why-problems-loom-for-their-new-nfts/

Rahul’s Twitch channel – https://www.twitch.tv/Rahulahoop_

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Rahul online:

https://twitter.com/rahulahoop_

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #122: The People’s Anti-Hero (Black Adam)

Gina December 26, 2022 No Comments
This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome the Dynamic Duo of Greg Driver (Ace Comicals) and Annabel Anzy (Melanin Gamers) for a super powered deep dive into the latest DC film, Black Adam (from 28:39). We get stuck into this bombastic blockbuster to examine what worked and what didn’t across the story’s rollercoaster journey.
It’s a comic book film over a decade in the making so we take time to debate narrative choices, which characters stand out and answer some listener questions too! This week’s storytelling tip is all about developing the False-Ally Opponent character in your story.
Other stories we’re enjoying: Gotham Knights, Born A Crime, Death of Superman, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher, Spy x Family, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, Paddington, Return of Mary Poppins, Dragon Quest Heroes 2, Saga, Castlevania, Mr Robot

Story x Story #102: Vengeance In The Twilight Hours (The Batman) – https://anchor.fm/mayamada/episodes/Story-x-Story-102-Vengeance-In-The-Twilight-Hours-The-Batman-e1hg0pe
138: Ace Comicals Presents – The Death and Return of Superman Part I – https://www.acecomicals.com/138
Black Adam is GREAT! | Video Essay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGMHizuvklo
Black Adam’s comic book history and powers, explained – https://www.gamesradar.com/who-is-black-adam-and-what-are-his-powers
The Rock deserves a better superhero debut than Black Adam – https://www.vox.com/culture/23415069/black-adam-movie-review-rock-deserves-better

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Greg online:

https://twitter.com/battou of https://twitter.com/AceComicals

Find Annabel online:

https://twitter.com/Anzy_aa of https://twitter.com/melaningamers

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #121: Behind The Story With Simran Whitham (Video Games)

This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome the founder of FORMAT, Simran Whitham, to unpack the story that is his journey into the world of video game events. Described as “the ultimate gaming social”, FORMAT is a nightlife event for gamers and non-gamers alike, and we discover how Simran found a passion for events and outreach that led him to create a platform for game studios, developers and fans to come together and have fun!
Simran talks about how family support shaped his outlook, and the lessons he has learned along the way from some of the biggest names in the games industry. We also learn about the places he has travelled to and how spending time away from video games has enriched the work he does today.

Format website – https://format.gg

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Simran online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimranWhitham | https://twitter.com/FormatGG

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #120: Button-eyed Optimists (Coraline)

Gina November 6, 2022 No Comments
Nigel and Tazziii welcome YouTuber Daniel Morris to the show for a spooky deep dive into the stop-motion animation Coraline. We dig into what makes this well crafted story so creepy for young and older audiences while marvelling at the effort required to create such stunning visuals. The storytelling tip this week is all about setting the tone for your story.
Other stories we’re enjoying: House of the Dragon, Andor, Disney Dreamlight Valley, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Better Place, Spy x Family, She Hulk.

20 Wild Details Behind The Making Of Coraline – https://screenrant.com/coraline-behind-scenes-details-making-trivia/
Coraline: 5 Things The Movie Got Right (& 5 The Book Did Better) – https://screenrant.com/coraline-book-vs-movie-adaptation
The Terrors of Family Ties in ‘Coraline’ – https://filmschoolrejects.com/coraline
Coraline | Charming Horror (analysis) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bNFXEmhkJY
How Coraline Borrows from Ancient Forms of Storytelling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR3Q3IAMVXM

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Dan2Di2 online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dan2Di2

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #119: Not Your Climate Casanova (Weathering with You)

Gina October 10, 2022 No Comments
Nigel and Tazziii welcome manga artists Inko and Chie for a deep dive into Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering with You. We go on an emotional journey of young love within impending disaster to discuss this wonderfully animated feature. Along the way, we debate the environmental message of the film as well as the significance of the handgun in the narrative and Japanese society. This week’s storytelling tip is all about your protagonist’s false beliefs and actions. 
Other stories we’re enjoying this week: Bloodlands, Delicious in Dungeon, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., She-Hulk, One Piece, Malcolm In the Middle, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Lighthouse Witches, Witch Way Hollows Bay, Stray, Isola, Odd Taxi.
Story x Story #77: I Guess It’s A Time Mechanic (Your Name) – https://anchor.fm/mayamada/episodes/Story-x-Story-77-I-Guess-Its-A-Time-Mechanic-Your-Name-e17egje
Story x Story #32: Narrative Unclouded By Disneyfication (Princess Mononoke) – https://anchor.fm/mayamada/episodes/Story-x-Story-32-Narrative-Unclouded-By-Disneyfication-Princess-Mononoke-efip17
Weathering With You Is More Than It Seems – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdhFDmSCmoQ
Weathering With You director explains why his movie isn’t really about fighting climate change – https://www.avclub.com/weathering-with-you-director-explains-why-his-movie-isn-1847372714
‘Weathering With You’ Director Makoto Shinkai Shares Essay About Film’s Commentary on Climate Change – https://collider.com/weathering-with-you-makoto-shinkai-essay-climate-change
‘Weathering With You’: A Bittersweet, Coming of Age Love Story – https://medium.com/theblurb/weathering-with-you-a-bittersweet-coming-of-age-love-story-35da9e9a8b76

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Inko online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yokkoishoichi

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #118: Behind The Story With Cara Gaffney (Comics)

Gina October 10, 2022 No Comments
This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome comic artist and writer Cara Gaffney to talk about her journey as into the world of comics. We discuss her anthology project Tilt: Six Tales, successfully funded on Kickstarter this month and how she tackles the concept of digital immortality in her story “In Lilac & Silver”.
Cara  talks about her personal comic projects and what she learned from developing her craft in…underground “Original Comic Tournaments”?! We also discuss representation and the need to depict diverse relationship in stories, plus give a ton of advice for new and aspiring comic creators.
Cara Gaffney’s website – https://caragaffney.com
Tilt: Six Tales Preorder – https://www.quindriepress.com/books/p/tilt

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Cara online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriadneArca

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #117: The Art of Moving On (Up)

Gina October 10, 2022 No Comments
We’re keeping it in house this week as Nigel and Tazziii welcome mayamada’s own Story Editor and ITV Programme Lawyer Lara-Lee Green for a deep dive into the impeccably crafted Pixar animation, Up. We take flight on a discussion about this unique Hero’s Journey with twists and turns that had us contemplating life’s meaning and the challenges of letting go to make space for new adventures in life…yes, it’s another podcast episode about an animation that raises deep existential questions! This week’s storytelling tip is all about using emotion to deliver exposition in your narrative.
Other stories we’re enjoying this week: Trying, Severance, Witch Way to Hallows’ Bay, Agents of Shield, Batman Unburied, Odd Taxi, Mr Robot, Demon Slayer.
Up Script: Scenes, Analysis, and Screenplay PDF Download – https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/up-script-pdf-screenplay-download
How ‘Up’ Teaches Us to Move On From the Past – https://filmschoolrejects.com/pixar-up
PETE DOCTER | In Conversation With… | TIFF 2015 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iml_slMLBUs#t=39m25s
Emotions in the “Up” Movie by Pete Docter – https://studycorgi.com/emotions-in-the-up-movie-by-pete-docter

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

 

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #116: Behind The Story With GrahamOfLegend (Video Games)

Gina October 9, 2022 No Comments
This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome indie video game developer Graham Reid about his journey as a solo creator. We get into the realities of life since deciding to leave his job at Snapchat to become a full time developer, and what he has learned from his previous “9 to 5” role.
Graham gives us great advice on starting small as a creator, and how he overcomes imposter syndrome to be a positive example for future generations of diverse gaming talent. In between his multiple roles making Super Space club, Graham also tells us why he’s added YouTuber to his list of job titles, and what we can expect from the rest of his journey.

Graham Reid Website – https://grahamoflegend.com
Jamaican Game Developer Society digital showcase “Windies Direct” – https://twitter.com/JGDS_Official/status/1555538499834609666

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Graham online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrahamOfLegend Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grahamoflegend

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #115: Alight Here For Rail Puns (Bullet Train)

Gina September 13, 2022 No Comments
This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome writer and photographer Mark Ōu Chéng for a deep dive into the fast-moving action comedy Bullet Train! We get on board this black comedy and its unique setting to debate where the stylised adaptation works and where it falls short of the station. With so many quirky characters and stand out moments, we have a lot of fun with this discussion…and even more fun with our (often questionable) train puns! This week’s storytelling tip is all about setting up the third act in your narrative.
Other stories we’re enjoying this week: The Three-Body Problem, She-Ra, Nope, She Hulk, Prince of Persia, One Piece, Castlevania, Sakamoto Days

Is The MCU Really Becoming WOKE? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t10tghC4ZU0
Bullet Train review – Brad Pitt goes second class in brainless action movie – https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/aug/07/bullet-train-review-brad-pitt-goes-second-class-in-brainless-action-movie
Three Act Structure in Film: A Complete Guide – https://filmlifestyle.com/three-act-structure
Journal of Creative Pursuit – Issue 2, Memory The Hidden Village of Kingsland Road by Mark Ōu Chéng – https://www.journalofcreativepursuit.com/shop/p/jocp2-memory (Use code MARK10 to get 10% off).
Mark’s Twitch Channel Pretendasaur (streaming every Tuesday and Friday) – http://www.twitch.tv/pretendasaur
Mark is also running a fundraiser for Abortion Support Network throughout September where 20% of bits and sub and 100% of donations go to helping people get access to information, travel and accommodation funding to get safe, legal abortions: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/prochoicepretendasaur

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Mark online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/markoucheng Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markoucheng

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.

Story x Story #114: Behind The Story With Mike Anderson (Video Games)

Gina September 1, 2022 No Comments
This week, Nigel and Tazziii welcome Producer Mike Anderson to talk about his journey into the video games industry. We have a deep conversation as Mike discusses the path that led him from Quality Assurance (QA) through to his current role at the London-based indie game studio Ustwo Games.
He breaks down what is involved in being a Producer as he recaps what made their breakout hit Monument Valley such a success. Mike is also an advocate for improved representation in games and talks about the case for diversity in the industry and the work he does with the POC In Play organisation. We also get into what makes the Nintendo DS such a great console!

Mike Anderson App Store Preview – https://apps.apple.com/gb/story/id1481448180

 

Find mayamada online:

mayamada.com | gamepad.events | thestoryboard.org

Find Tazziii online:
https://twitter.com/tazziii

Find Mike online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gravykun

 

A big thanks to Fisayo Karunwi for our into, outro and transition music:

https://soundcloud.com/fisayokarunwi

A big thanks to Aly Graphix for designing the podcast logo:
https://alygraphix.wixsite.com/designer

Send us questions and feedback on feedback@mayamada.com.