Not So Secret Thanks a Lot Bryan Tactical Espionage Santa Xperience 2013/2014 Results

The gifts have been given. The games have been played. Here now stand four members of the DV Cast in the bright, fresh year of 2014 to conclude the Not So Secret Thanks a Lot Bryan Tactical Espionage Santa Xperience 2013. Stephen embarks on a decidedly Japanese RPG in Ys I, Bryan cautiously peers into the tiger-infested jungles of Far Cry 3, Cameron runs off at the speed of love to meet Sonic Generations and Sonic CD head on, and Zachary cackles with mad glee at the prospect of tearing into bottom-of-the-barrel motorcycle wreck Ride to Hell: Retribution. Will these games become beloved favorites for all of time or will they ruin Christmas forever? Both of these outcomes are profoundly unlikely! Opening/ending song: Christmas in the Village (Silver Bells), originally from Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals and remixed by Dale North.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_43cd1e2c621f42bda72c9f655e76cbe5/Not%20So%20Secret%20Thanks%20a%20Lot%20Bryan%20Tactical%20Espionage%20Santa%20Xperience%202013%202014%20Results.mp3]

Not So Secret Thanks a Lot Bryan Tactical Espionage Santa Xperience 2013

Welcome one and all to the second annual Espionage Santa Xperience! The DV Cast may be taking a little break from regularly schedule episodes of podcastery, but they are a generous lot and have drawn names in secret (se-cret; sēkrit; easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent) to spread the holiday cheer of Steam with one another. Although the results cannot be here divulged, know that each and every gift given is practically a parody of the person giving it-- maybe you can even guess what's underneath the digital wrapping paper! Tune in next week to see how each member took to his assigned slice of Christmas magic. Opening/ending song: Christmas in the Village (Silver Bells), originally from Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals and remixed by Dale North.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_80e192db876a42f0ace35a448d6fe425/Not%20So%20Secret%20Thanks%20a%20Lot%20Bryan%20Tactical%20Espionage%20Santa%20Experience.mp3]

A Christmas Kerfuffle

As daylight fails, the glow of a thousand thousand homes takes up the torch, bringing hope, and peace, and light to that most special night of Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, the DV Cast are stranded in a ski cabin, no more than a shaken bottle of rage-flavored soda, and should the pressure become too great, just might destroy Christmas and their beloved little podcast. Scriptwriter Bryan returns to the theoretical stage in this follow up to his critically acclaimed audio drama How a Little Podcast Saved (and Nearly Ruined) Christmas, inviting you and yours to partake in this dark middle chapter of a tinsel-tailored trilogy. Please, then: dim the lights, start the fire, and listen on. Also, Disembodied Voices would like to extend a Christmas High Five to everyone!

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_280bb19ff5e94d22b5a93ef2d49500cf/A%20Christmas%20Kerfuffle.mp3]

Disembodied Voices: The Documentary

Disembodied Voices is a cutting-edge tour de force of modern podcasting, but it, like many things that exist, had a beginning. This captivating documentary chronicles the lives of four unlikely friends as they struggle against colossal odds, creative freedom, and each other. Discover how the DV Cast came-- and almost ceased-- to be from the brutally honest recordings of Stephen, Bryan, Cameron, and Zachary. As part of the 100th Anniversary Regarding Episode Count Than Actual Years, Disembodied Voices: The Documentary is a deeper look into the astounding podcast with occasional yetis. This is history. For a full list of credits, click here.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_78c2df0a02d54e8193629fc56baac5f2/Disembodied%20Voices%20The%20Documentary.mp3]

A Necessary Dissertation

Necessary In this experimental, introspective episode of Disembodied Voices, join Stephen and Bryan as they converse about a very important game that gave them a new respect for this emerging medium.

[audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_0fc387f77eca4a8185902a18981ccc0d/A%20Necessary%20Dissertation.mp3]

Intermission: The Stephen and Bryan Show

Zach and Cameron are gone; lost in the hustle and bustle of life like so many wayward tumbleweeds. Stephen and Bryan are busy playing World of Warcraft and, without the peer pressure from their esteemed colleagues, have no reason to stop. You, listener, are a special VIP guest on their trip through Shadowfang Keep, a perilous dungeon teeming with ghosts and switches that don't do anything. Although you can't actually see or hear the game and Bryan leaves his brother alone for a full unedited ten minutes, the adventures you'll have in Azeroth will never be forgotten. Monsters and unsanitary kitchens don't phase the two heroes one bit as they depend on each other and moist cornbread to charge forth, never ever giving up until the bitter end, during which they give up. Best of all, Cameron will have a fit that this episode was recorded in the first place. [audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_65939538f8b3455ab76361103d729642/Intermission%20-%20The%20Stephen%20and%20Bryan%20Show.mp3]

Random Encounters: Another Castle

This second installment of Random Encounters spins the eternal wheel of randomness and selects a game never before discussed on Disembodied Voices. Armed with the knowledge that they're dealing with a Kickstarted platformer with randomly generated levels, Stephen and Bryan flounder (PUN-- it'll make sense later) around in an attempt to find say something coherent. Unfortunately, this only serves to confound them and possibly anger Jonathan Blow, so please listen in to give them moral support. [audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_c1295c14d7f94660a649aa6dbb392402/Random Encounters - Another Castle.mp3/]

Music: Precious Metals, originally from Pokemon Gold Version and remixed by Benjamin Briggs, Insert Rupee, and halc.

StarCraaaaaaaft!

From the deepest depths of the internet, within the farthest reaches of any known entity, there comes two men. Two men... who... aren't really all that good at StarCraft II. But hey! They certainly like to talk about it! Cameron and Bryan have been playing ungodly amounts of StarCraft II and have loads to say about it as they discuss what could make the game better or worse and how they can improve on their tired and quickly failing build order! If you happen to like either Cameron or Bryan, or maybe you just like hearing about StarCraft II, this new Disembodied Voices mini episode entitled "StarCraaaaaaaft!" (that's with seven As) will be right up your proverbial alley. Unless you don't happen to have a proverbial alley. Then you might want to just leave. Not to force you either way, of course. These are all suggestions. [audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_e96603703e5847a69d737a28829f6f97/Starcraaaaaaft.mp3/]

Random Encounters: Gone Fishin'

A new series born by necessity, Random Encounters picks a random video game from the void and forces the participants to talk about it. This inaugural episode is off to an exciting start with Gone Fishin', an MS-DOS title that nobody in the world knows about (including the panelists). All sorts of fishing mechanics are explored in great detail, from SEGA Bass Fishing to World of Warcraft, with the entire whirlpool of discussion centering around the classic gem of the good old days, Gone Fishin'. Join Stephen and Bryan for this adventure, listeners. Otherwise they'll be lonely. [audio https://www.cubby.com/p/_22a248447054404fa17a5cc5fb37a424/Disembodied+Voices+-+Random+Encounters+-+Gone+Fishin'.mp3/]

Music: Precious Metals, originally from Pokemon Gold Version and remixed by Benjamin Briggs, Insert Rupee, and halc.

Game of the Year Award Thing 2012: Other and Game of the Year

This is it. The final episode of the Disembodied Voices Game of the Year Award Thing 2012. You can soon let out that breath you've been holding since early January, but not before two more hours of riveting entertainment that just might send chills down your spine. All the awards that couldn't find a home among previous categories congregate in the Other segment as one, big party before stepping aside for the second phase: Game of the Year itself. This intense discussion quickly begins to resemble the interrogation scene from The Dark Knight as two games in particular are grilled under the spotlight of destiny. Which game will take away this grand honor? Don't scroll down to not find out! [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/78114951/DVGOtYAT%202012%20-%20Other%20and%20GotY.mp3]

The Winners of Other and Game of the Year:

Best First Impression:

  • Darksiders II
  • LEGO Lord of the Rings
  • Borderlands 2
  • Thomas Was Alone

A winner is... Darksiders II

Best Surprise (In a Good Way):

  • The Walking Dead (Cameron)
  • Nintendo Land (Bryan and Stephen)
  • Spec Ops: The Line (Zachary)

A winner is... All of them!

Best Japanese Developed Game:

  • Dragon's Dogma
  • Xenoblade Chronicles
  • Nintendo Land
  • Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing: Transformed

A winner is... Dragon's Dogma

Game of the Year: (!!!)

  • Darksiders II
  • Dishonored
  • Dragon's Dogma
  • Thomas Was Alone

A winner is... Dishonored

Game of the Year Award Thing 2012: Story

Since before the recording of human history, people have told stories of great deeds, turning life to myth and myth to life through the ages, creating something intangible yet eternally meaningful-- and all so the DV Cast can argue about video games! The Disembodied Voices Game of the Year Award Thing 2012 takes on the hefty topic of storytelling and everything that surrounds it, even if that basically just means talking about The Walking Dead and Thomas Was Alone for two hours. Vigorous debate frosted with a light layer of contention fuels this episode of tough choices and everyone was kind of tired so it's a wonder the whole thing didn't fall to pieces. Please do listen at your leisure as the adventure unfolds! [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/DVGOtYAT%202012%20-%20Story.mp3]

The Winners of Story:

Best Sequence of Narrative Events:

  • The Walking Dead
  • Spec-Ops: The Line
  • Thomas Was Alone
  • Silent Hill: Downpour

A winner is... The Walking Dead

Best New Living or Pseudo Living Entity:

  • Lee - The Walking Dead
  • Clementine - The Walking Dead
  • Thomas - Thomas Was Alone
  • Vaas - Far Cry 3

A winner is... Lee - The Walking Dead

Best Character Relationship:

  • Lee and Clementine - The Walking Dead
  • Lee and Kenny - The Walking Dead
  • Master Chief and Cortana - Halo 4
  • The Player and Claptrap - Borderlands 2
  • Thomas and Chris - Thomas Was Alone

A winner is... Lee and Clementine - The Walking Dead

Best Sense of Funniness:

  • LEGO Lord of the Rings (Stephen and Bryan)
  • Borderlands 2 (Cameron)
  • LEGO Batman 2: DC Heroes (Zachary)

A winner is... All of them!

Game of the Year Award Thing 2012: Sound

The hill are alive with the sound of the Disembodied Voices Game of the Year Award Thing 2012, and this time audio is the star. One of the more installments in recent memory, this episode goes over the musical masterpieces of last year, along with a voice acting prize almost awarded to Mark Hamill for no legitimate reason. Subjectivity clashes with objectivity as the (very different) members of the DV Cast try to make decisions without burning to ash. You won't find a more exciting Game of the Year conversation on the Internet (or anyone still talking about Game of the Year, in all seriousness), so you have no choice. Listen, have a good time, and drop a comment if you have something you want to say! [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/DVGOtYAT%202013%20-%20Sound.mp3]

The Winners of Sound:

Best Stuff You Dance To:

  • Darksiders II
  • Xenoblade Chronicles
  • World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
  • Thomas Was Alone

A winner is... Darksiders II

Best Song of Thematic Representation:

A winner is... World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria

Best Stuff (Singular) You Dance To:

A winner is... all of them!

Words That Are Spoken Vocally:

  • The Walking Dead
  • Max Payne 3
  • Far Cry 3
  • Thomas Was Alone

A winner is... The Walking Dead

Game of the Year Award Thing 2012: Visuals

Round 2! Fight! Or, at the very least, engage in a rousing and civil discussion about video games. The topic rotates around visual splendor in the Disembodided Voices Game of the Year Award Thing 2013, so expect a lot of inadequate adjectives about the way stuff looks as two hours of quality podcast material unfold. The competition is fierce, pitting the most beautiful of landscapes against the most jaw-dropping of action sequences, and Season 3 of My Little Pony was inches away from taking home the prize. Enjoy the show, and feel free to be opinionated in the comments! Also feel free to be totally quiet. Your extroversion preferences are respected here at Disembodied Voices. [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/DVGOtYAT%202013%20-%20Visuals.mp3]

The Winners of Visuals:

Best Stuff You Look at Technically:

  • Dear Esther
  • Max Payne 3
  • Battlefield 3: Armored Kill
  • Assassin's Creed 3

A winner is... Assassin's Creed 3

Best Stuff You Look at Overall:

  • Journey
  • World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
  • Darksiders II
  • Gravity Rush

A winner is... Darksiders II

Kirby and Meta Knight Present... Best Character Design:

  • LEGO Lord of the Rings / LEGO Batman 2: DC Heroes
  • Assassin's Creed III
  • Dragon's Dogma
  • Thomas Was Alone

A winner is... Dragon's Dogma

Niftiest Visual Aside (props to Stephen for the name and correcting Bryan):

  • Sand Physics - Journey (Bryan)
  • The Panoramic Gamepad - Nintendo Land (Stephen)
  • Blinking - Dishonored (Cameron)
  • Griffon on Fire - Dragon's Dogma (Zachary)

A winner is... all of them!

Game of the Year Award Thing 2012: Gameplay

It's a new year, and that means it's time to talk about the old one! The Disembodied Voices Game of the Year Award Thing  has arrived with a gargantuan kablam, here to round up 2012's highest and lowest peaks with the subtle poignancy this podcast is known for. "Gameplay" is merely the first of many categories, so look forward to the coming weeks of more heated discussion and joyful reminiscing. The results of this episode are published below, which is an open invitation for you-- the listener-- to jot down your own winners in the comments. Friendly discussion and no hard feelings will follow. Unless you dig up the Dishonored vs. Mark of the Ninja discussion, in which case you're blacklisted. [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/DVGotYAT%202013%20-%20Gameplay.mp3]

Opening/ending song: Full Mast, originally from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and remixed by Preenus.

The Winners of Gameplay:

Best Stuff You Play:

  • Mark of the Ninja
  • SSX
  • Dishonored
  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown

A winner is... Dishonored

Best New Thingy in a Game:

  • Pawns - Dragon's Dogma
  • Anonymous Multiplayer - Journey
  • Blink - Dishonored
  • Paint Mechanic - The Unfinished Swan

A winner is... Blink - Dishonored

Best Level Design:

  • Far Cry 3
  • Darksiders II
  • Legend of Grimrock
  • Dishonored

A winner is... Darksiders II

Best Stuff You Play With Additional Participants:

  • SSX
  • Nintendo Land
  • Total War: Shogun 2
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

A winner is... Nintendo Land

Espionage Santa Xperience

Welcome one and welcome all to the first annual Espionage Santa Xperience! To celebrate the gift of giving and, in equal turn, receiving, the DV Cast have each been randomly assigned another podcaster to shop for via Steam. But here's the catch: The recipient must play his gifted game within one week's time regardless of quality or malicious intent on part of the benefactor. The presents have been figuratively wrapped with care, awaiting this very day-- Christmas-- to be opened. Join in the jolly festivities to discover the secret treasures that lie within, and tune in next week to hear the results! Opening/ending song: Christmas in the Village (Silver Bells), originally from Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals and remixed by Dale North.

[audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/Espionage%20Santa%20Xperience.mp3]

Sonic Christmas Blast

Christmas cheer surrounds the world and binds it together like it's the Force or something, and that can only mean one thing: another Disembodied Voices Christmas Special! This time Stephen's gone mad with a burning anger about the state of modern Sonic games, and only the magic of Christmas (and ghosts wielding the magic of Christmas) can pull him from the brink of sadness come a holiday season with no blue hedgehog to find under the tree. Make sure your mug of hot cocoa is close at hand, because you'll need every drop of sustenance as you journey through the dreams of an obsessed Sonic the Hedgehog fan. There's probably a moral somewhere deep inside this heartfelt rendition of Sonic Christmas Blast, so give a shout if you can figure out what it is in between your tears of joy and sadness. The DV Cast wish you and pretty much everyone else the merriest of Christmases!

[audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/Sonic%20Christmas%20Blast.mp3]

Let's Talk About Halo 4

After this week's recording of your regularly scheduled Disembodied Voices episode went kerplunk (that's a technical term, FYI), Stephen and Bryan had an idea for redemption. Why not put up a mini-episode all about Halo 4 instead? As you can clearly tell, the idea is somewhat clever and relevant, so plug in your headphones/speakers and join the spoiler-filled fun. A confounding story is appraised, emotional depth is explored, familiar mechanics are discussed, and online multiplayer is ignored. For all your comprehensive Halo 4 reviews, this is your first and last stop! [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/Disembodied%20Voices%20-%20Halo%204.mp3]

Opening/ending song: Fell from Above (You Can't Stop), originally from Halo: Combat Evolved and remixed by Arkimedes.

Because We're Dumber Than Developers

When the DV Cast gets tired of arguing about videogames and everyone hates everyone else, an idea rises to the surface that can't possibly go wrong: Collectively create and enjoy a videogame of their own making. Join these brave souls as they pour, like, a whole weekend into building the Official Disembodied Voices Videogame from the ground up-- without Kickstarter, even. (That was a topical reference.) This third installment of the Disembodied Voices not-really-radio drama series is Cameron's debut as writer and director, so raise a glass in respect as you listen to Because We're Dumber Than Developers.

To hear other respected Disembodied Voices productions, visit the Specials page. You'll get more of the jokes that way.

[audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/98302924/Cameron's%20Production.mp3]

Intermission: The Zach & Cameron Show

Between E3 and Dragon's Dogma, Stephen and Bryan have been incredibly, incredibly lazy. To avoid further work, having Zachary and Cameron throw together a podcast on their own seemed like a really good idea at the time, and this audio recording is the result. Join the duo as they play Serious Sam 3 and talk about T-shirts, Lollipop Chainsaw, PC hardware, social lives, Mass Effect, and... pretty much anything their minds happened to bump into. The experience is just a little bit magical. Disembodied Voices will be back next week with a stupendous barrel of E3 talk, but please enjoy this intermission: The Zach & Cameron Show. [audio http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47796264/Intermission%20-%20The%20Zach%20%26%20Cameron%20Show.mp3]

Let's Play Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

Do you want to spend two hours watching the DV Cast play Serious Sam? If so, you are a weirdo. If not, you should avoid the video below at all costs. Now that you're properly pumped up, it's time to let you know what's going on! Cameron has recorded a lengthy session of Serious Sam: The First Encounter HD four-player co-op (a term used loosely in this case) from his perspective, virtually unedited and daring the world to view its carnage. If you guessed that this would produce zany antics, you would be correct. Zachary nearly falls asleep, Stephen learns that guns use bullets, Bryan is dressed as a cowboy, they all kill Cameron a multiple times, and so much more. This brand new feature is a little rough around the edges (particularly the beginning's lag), but it has what could be called potential. What do you think? Was it too long? Were the conversations guffaw-inducing? Would a less manic game work better? Should everyone burst into song at random points? Let your opinions be heard! Also, a there's a content warning attached to the video: unlike our family friendly podcasts, there is an absurd amount of blood present.

So anyway, enough with the text chatter; Let's Play Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAgkw0b_iH8