Ali returns to the show to lead Janine and Austin in an exploration of contemporary Tamagotchi culture, focusing on the recent Tamagotchi Uni and brand new Tamagotchi Paradise releases, before diving headfirst into one of the clearest ways that gambling/gacha culture is spreading into the mainstream: The Pop Mart Hint System. Also: You can put your finger into it and touch the slimy button. Show Notes Further Info on How and Why to Call Payment Processors Someone Did Surgery to a Tamagotchi Paradise Official Punirunes Quick Start Guide — here’s how to play! Parasocial Relationships in Social Contexts: Why do Players View a Game Character as Their Child? (Re: Travel Frog familial status)  Chapters00:00 Introduction 03:51 The World of Contemporary Tamagotchi 55:51 Pop Mart and the Labubu Culture 01:40:44 Punirunes: The Slimy Virtual Pet You Must Touch 01:52:22 Call the Payment Processors! Featuring Austin Walker, Janine Hawkins, and Ali Acampora Produced by Austin Walker Cover Art by A Liang Chan Music by Jack de Quidt
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2:00:23
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2:00:23
09: Denied Your Clocks Again
After a few episodes of exclusively appearing in the Outward Let's Play (available to $10 Patrons right here!), Jack and Janine return to Side Story proper. And oh what a trek it has been. They've crawled the the shadowy woods of a vague gothic forest. They've traversed the craggy slopes of the Australian outback. They've had to fend of both bats and BTs. And Austin? Seated comfortably in front of the microphone, Austin has many questions. Show Notes The Fort-Da Game IS in Death Stranding! Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:02 V Rising 01:02:18 Death Stranding 2 Side Story only exists because of support from listeners like you. Go to friendsatthetable.cash to support us! Featuring Austin Walker, Janine Hawkins, and Jack de Quidt Produced by Austin Walker Cover Art by A Liang Chan Music by Jack de Quidt
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2:13:00
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2:13:00
08: My Horse Books
Despite our audio editing software totally devouring Austin's file and corrupting nearly a fully produced episode file, this week's episode of Side Story could not be stopped. Not by the ups-and-downs of gacha horsegirl racing. Not by the whims of the Pokemon League. Not even by actual, real life athletic leagues and the many games they inspire. Catching a theme? Thats right, this week Austin, Keith, Dre, and first time guest Art Martinez-Tebbel dig into everyone's favorite subject: Sports. Show Notes How I Won a Tournament with the Hardest Strategy  Run Button Let's Play Silent Hill Homecoming - Part 17 - This One Is About Baseball Soulcalibur IV playthrough - Arcade mode - Yoda Adam Dunn had the weirdest career in MLB history | Dorktown "When I Point At You, You Speak" | Moneyball | CineClips | With Captions Remap: THE RETURN OF OBERHOF RACING STARTS NOW! Kofie on YouTube How to Change Rules in NBA2K! Quote Origin: When He Turned Out the Light He Was in Bed Before the Room Was Dark The Ghost of McCoy: The death of professional baseball in Rhode Island Overview on Microsoft BDS Boycott  Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:39 Uma Musume Pretty Derby 29:51 Pokemon: Scarlet and Violet 01:14:59 What Makes Sports Games Interesting 01:21:11 Baseball Is The Best Sport, or Keith: The Sports Hater 01:42:10 NBA2K, Franchise and MyCareer Modes, and the Sports Gacha 01:50:46 Interesting Weird Sports Things Happening 02:18:47 MLB: The Show's Storylines Mode 02:28:01 Lootboxes, Large Language Models, and Layoffs Featuring Austin Walker, Keith Carberry, Andrew Lee Swan, and Art Martinez-Tebbel Produced by Austin Walker Cover Art by A Liang Chan Music by Jack de Quidt (Brief additional music from Run Button Podcast theme, Statikz ft J Arthur Keenes - Let's Go To Tokyo)
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2:45:32
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2:45:32
07: The Judgmental Gamer
With Austin and Keith itching to talk about Elden Ring: Nightreign, they bring Dre--who carried the group to their first win--on for their for their first appearance on the show. Plus, some mid-game impressions of the town management, relationships, and V-Tuber-esque character design of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma. Show Notes DBFZ: GO1 Vs Leffen GREATEST SET EVER!!! CEO 2018 Digmon the Movie Soundtrack What's Wrong With You Guys? - PokeMMO | streamed 4-11-25 Stephen A. Smith foils assassination attempt (General Hospital) Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Characters Light No Fire Announcement Trailer Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:58 Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero 17:50 Elden Ring: Nightreign 1:06:08 Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma 1:37:20 No Man's Sky Featuring Austin Walker, Keith Carberry, and Andrew Lee Swan Produced by Austin Walker Cover Art by A Liang Chan Music by Jack de Quidt
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1:49:32
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1:49:32
06: The i Stands for 'I'm the Gamer?'
After promising not to talk about the Summer Games Fest for too long, Janine, Keith, and Austin spend a full hour chatting about the event's resonance with various ongoing malaises and maladies affecting games culture. Then, finally, they dig into Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. Has she also stolen their hearts, or is their dream game just a fantasy? Show Notes Unearthed Treasure Room Showcase New Virtual Influencer Is Unbelievably Bad - Jarvis Johnson (Anna Indiana context) Janine's Fantasy Life Witching Hour LP Playlist Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Summer Games Fest & the Green Games Showcase 01:09:46 Break 01:09:52 FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time 02:07:08 Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma 02:10:15 Elden Ring: Nightreign Featuring Austin Walker, Janine Hawkins, and Keith Carberry Produced by Austin Walker Cover Art by A Liang Chan Music by Jack de Quidt
Side Story is a bi-weekly podcast about games and the stories we tell about them, presented by Friends at the Table and supported by our patrons at friendsatthetable.cash.
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