Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

When did you start playing video games? What are your earliest memories? What is your journey with the medium?

My guest this week is:

Ian Ferguson! Ian is the co-host of two podcasts: Extra Napkins and the CUPodcast. You can find him on bsky as @ianferguson.bsky.social. You can also find out more about his Yokoi Kids project over at https://yokoikids.wordpress.com/.

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Atari 5200 Pac-Man

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

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Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

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Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

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See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Paragraphs, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is the bonus show, where you get to hear me, Darren Hupke, interview some of the raddest writers behind the greatest gaming books. Each episode, you’ll get to hear from a new guest as they discuss their book, talk about their process, share some details from behind the keys, and more! Whether you’re a fan of the book already or want to find something new to read, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy about what we discuss today! This week’s guest is…

Nate Drake, writer of the upcoming I Am Not Good: The History of Cheating in Video Games.

For generations of players, cheat codes were a secret handshake. A gateway to extra lives, godlike powers, and hidden worlds. But behind every cheat lies a story of creativity, rebellion, and the ever-shifting line between play and power.

I Am Not Good: The History of Cheating in Video Games takes readers on a journey through the evolution of video game cheats, from the days of secret developer codes and the legendary Konami Code, to the Game Genie, god mode glory, and the wild rise of online cheat communities.

• Written by Nate Drake
• Edited by Riley MacLeod
• Foreword by Mia Consalvo
• Cover by Greg Melo

PRE-ORDER LINK:

https://retrogamebooks.com/products/i-am-not-good-the-history-of-cheating-in-video-games

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo (I modified it) - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

I created the music.

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

What is one of your favorite gaming systems? When did you get it? Tell us the story. What are some of your favorite memories, games, or details about it?

My guest this week is:

Luis Aguasvivas is a writer and creator and has a personal blog with interviews here: https://aguaspoints.com/. He also contributes to Unwinnable. You can find him online on Bluesky as @aguaspoints.bsky.social. He is also involved with the NY Game Critics: https://nygamecritics.com/

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Nintendo

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

How do you play your games? Easy mode or the hardest challenge? What does difficulty mean to you? What is a proud gaming achievement you’ve accomplished?

My guest this week is:

Emily Merritt from NoSmallGames! Emily also streams on Twitch when not talking about games on the podcast. Find her and follow her here: https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg Find the podcast and follow here: www.nosmallgames.com

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Crow Country

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Paragraphs, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is the bonus show, where you get to hear me, Darren Hupke, interview some of the raddest writers behind the greatest gaming books. Each episode, you’ll get to hear from a new guest as they discuss their book, talk about their process, share some details from behind the keys, and more! Whether you’re a fan of the book already or want to find something new to read, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy about what we discuss today! This week’s guest is…

Nadia Oxford, co-host of the Axe of the Blood God RPG podcast and writer of the upcoming From Pixels to Prose: What Video Games Taught Me About Storytelling.

In From Pixels to Prose: What Video Games Taught Me About Storytelling, writer and games journalist Nadia Oxford traces how a lifetime spent in digital worlds shaped her craft and her understanding of narrative. From the pixelated drama of Donkey Kong to the emotional depths of Final Fantasy VI and Dragon Quest III, Oxford reveals how video games taught her about character, conflict, and the art of worldbuilding.

Blending humor, cultural insight, and personal history, From Pixels to Prose is a love letter to classic gaming and a testament to the stories hidden in our cartridges and childhoods. Oxford’s reflections will make you laugh, think, and see video game stories in a whole new light.

Written by Nadia Oxford

Edited by Justin Severson

Foreword by Jeremy Parish

Cover by Philip Summers

PRE-ORDER LINK:

https://retrogamebooks.com/products/from-pixels-to-prose-what-video-games-taught-me-about-storytelling

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo (I modified it) - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

I created the music.

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

What is one of your favorite gaming secrets or unlockables? Do you have a memory of playing inaccessible content that made you go deeper with a game?

My guest this week is:

KaL from the HG101 Top 47,858 Games of All Time podcast! KaL is one of the regular hosts, and you can listen to him weekly. You can find it wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Like, subscribe, and give him a follow on BlueSky!

----------------

Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from BattleZone Lynx

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

What is a game you consider to be one of the greatest of all time? What does the game get right for you?

My guest this week is:

Christopher K.! Christopher is a gamer and proud promoter of the fine folks over on the Insert Credit forum!

https://forums.insertcredit.com

----------------

Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Google

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

When did you start playing video games? What are your earliest memories? What is your journey with the medium?

My guest this week is:

Matt aka Stormageddon! Podcaster, DJ, writer, and so much more, you have likely seen or heard Matt all over bsky and podcasts, such as the “Fun” & Games Podcast and Reignite. Follow on bsky at @djstormageddon.com, and visit these links to find all the shows and creative outputs:

funandgamespod.com

reignitepod.libsyn.com

djstormageddon.com

----------------

Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Google

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke