Gaming The System - The Feminist Gaming Podcast
The podcast where 3 intersectional feminists examine gaming and games through a feminist lens.
New Episodes every Thursday.
Alex, Jem and Matt believe gaming is good. Gaming is good for relaxation, for learning, for bringing people together and for your mental health. But like all media, there is both good and bad and we want to address how we make gaming a safe and healthy environment for women and minority groups (although lets not forget that people of colour are the global ethnic majority).
We want to see the small steps towards an intersectional feminist future that have been made in games to go further. We are Gaming the System because we want to see our beloved world of Gaming reflect the values we hold dear, and until it does we are here to shine a light on what needs to change.
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PAYPAL & PATREON
If you want to support us, you can send us a one-off donation via paypal or subscribe monthly to our Patreon.
For paypal, send your donation to:
wearegamingthesystem@gmail.com
For patreon:
patreon.com/gamingthesystem
Episodes
258 episodes
Death in Games, Part 3: Grief, Memory, and Meaning (Episode 256)
In the final part of our series on death in games, we shift from mechanics to meaning. We explore how modern games use grief, memory, and emotional pacing to create more honest depictions of loss than many linear stories can manage. From Sp...
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41:25
Death in Games Part 2 Learning to Die Better: How Games Shape Our View of Death (Episode 255)
In this second episode of our three-part series on Death in Games, Jem, Alex, and Matt dig deeper into how death is portrayed across gaming, and what that means for how we understand grief, resilience, and the human condition.We...
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30:20
Death in Games Part 1 - Between Story and Respawn (Episode 254)
In this episode, hosted by Jem, the GTS team explores how games use death as a storytelling tool, a gameplay mechanic, or a cheap shot. From emotional companion deaths to endless respawn loops, we dig into what death actually means in ...
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30:26
253 - Crunch Culture: MindsEye Disaster - Part 02
Gaming Industry Crunch Culture: Deadlines, Management, and MisogynyIn this episode of 'Gaming the System,' Alex, Gem, and Matt dive deep into the challenges of the gaming industry, addressing the pressure of deadlines, the impact of poo...
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37:39
252 - Crunch Culture: MindsEye Disaster - Part 01
Examining Crunch Culture in the Gaming Industry | Gaming the System PodcastIn this episode of Gaming the System, hosts Alex, Gem, and Matt delve into the pervasive issue of crunch culture in the gaming industry, sparked by a recent cont...
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42:59
251 From Sparks to Steeds: AI Companions in Video Games
Join us for part three of our artificial intelligence in gaming series as we explore the fascinating world of companion characters in video games. In this episode, we delve into various types of AI companions, including both human and animal ch...
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44:32
Beyond the Script: Can AI Make NPCs Real? (Ep 250)
In the second half of our AI in gaming discussion, we turn to the rise of intelligent NPCs – and what happens when they start to think for themselves. Could AI make game worlds richer and more believable, or would it destroy the structure and c...
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36:25
249 AI in Gaming Part 1 – The Co-Pilot Conundrum
In this first of two episodes exploring AI and gaming, Jem, Matt, and Alex discuss the arrival of AI co-pilots — new tools from Microsoft and Google designed to sit within your game and offer real-time hints, walkthroughs, and quest support.
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47:49
248 - Top 9 Best Gaming Franchises
In this episode, we explore a more positive topic by listing our top favorite gaming franchises of all time. Each of us shares three of our most beloved game series, highlighting what makes them special and impactful. We discuss the classic Spy...
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35:06
247 - Top 9 Disappointing Games
In this episode, we create a round-robin list of our top 9 most disappointing games. Each of us shares three games that failed to meet our expectations for various reasons, from clunky gameplay and poor expansions to soulless sequels and childh...
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35:58
Breaking News: EA Bought Out — What Does It Mean for Gaming?
In this Gaming the System breaking news episode, Jem, Alex, and Matt dive into the shocking $55 billion sale of Electronic Arts (EA) — the publisher behind The Sims, Battlefield, and Dragon Age — to a consort...
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29:12
246 Gaming Together: The Potential of Board Game Cafés
In this episode of Gaming the System, we continue our exploration of community gaming, focusing on the world of board game cafés. What makes these spaces so appealing, and what role can they play in bringing people together?Jem,...
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30:36
245 Gaming the System but together
In this episode, we dive into the joys and challenges of gaming in person. From the thrill of collaborative board games like Pandemic Legacy to the immersive world of Warhammer 40K and the rise of welcoming board game cafés, w...
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24:26
244 - Exploring Split Fiction Part 2: Unpacking Themes of Trauma and Grief
Split Fiction Story and Character Analysis | Deep Dive with SpoilersJoin us for another episode as we continue our deep dive into the game 'Split Fiction'. This episode is heavily focused on the story and character development of protag...
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51:10
243 - Exploring Split Fiction Part 1: Co-Op Gaming Unpacked
Exploring Co-op Gaming with Split Fiction: Mechanics, Genres, and More!Join us in the first part of our Split Fiction series, where we dive into the latest release by Haylight Games. In this episode, we explore the co-op game mechanics,...
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46:57
242 - Gaming news - Is Roblox CEO on the rocks? BG3 turns two!
August’s gaming news gave us plenty to dig into, from serious questions around Roblox to a milestone celebration for Baldur’s Gate 3.In this episode of Gaming the System, we start with Roblox, where over 120,000 people have sign...
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27:48
241 What we did in the Summer Holidays
We took a month off over the summer, so thought we'd catch up with each other and see what we've been playing!From epic samurai adventures in Ghost of Tsushima and the fluid, meditative landscapes of Sword of the Sea, ...
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29:19
240 Open World Games – Part 2: The Joy and the Job of Exploration
In this second half of our adventure into open-world games, Jem, Alex, and Matt pick up the conversation with a focus on accessibility, open worlds done wrong, and how to define that "Je ne sais quoi" when it works.We dig into overwhelm,...
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36:13
Side Quest - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 First Impressions.
In this Side Quest episode of Gaming The System, Jem and Matt dive into their first impressions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — the surprise hit that’s quickly becoming one of the year’s most talked-about games.From th...
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41:31
239 Open World Games – Part 1: Freedom, Frustration, and Fox-Stroking
In this episode, Jem, Alex, and Matt take a deep dive into the sprawling landscapes of open-world games. From their first taste of exploration to the joys and pitfalls of the genre today.What makes a game “open world”? Are they genuinely...
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35:27
238 Uncovering Creativity – Indie Highlights from Day of the Devs Part 2
Show Notes – Gaming the System Podcast: Day of the Devs – Part 2In the second part of our deep dive into Day of the Devs, Alex, Jem, and Matt explore the imaginative and diverse world of indie gaming showcased at this vibrant even...
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30:23
237 Uncovering Creativity – Indie Highlights from Day of the Devs - Part 1
Dive into a refreshing exploration of indie gaming as hosts Alex, Jem, and Matt take a look at Day of the Devs—an indie-focused showcase brimming with creativity and community spirit. Moving beyond mainstream gaming events, this episode offers ...
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30:47
236 - Antagonists — Part 2: Femme Fatales, Loose Cannons & Why Bad Villains Fail
Last week we challenged the myth that “antagonist = evil.” Now Matt, Jem & Alex put the spotlight on female antagonists—where they shine, where they’re fetishised, and why poorly-drawn foes can sink an otherwise great game.<...
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28:32
235 - Antagonists: Beyond the Obvious (Part 1)
Antagonists aren’t just moustache-twirling masterminds—they’re the blizzard that buries you, the friend who calls your bluff, the code of honour that trips your hero. In the first half of our conversation, Matt, Jem, and Alex debunk the myth th...
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30:19
234 Negotiation, Erosion, and Resistance - June News Round-Up (Part 2)
Gaming the System – June Gaming News (Part 2) This week, we dive into two simmering stories that might not make headlines, but could have lasting impacts on the gaming industry. From the tentative end to the year-long voice act...
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30:55