Space-Cast! #19. Attacking the Bloc
In the midst of a time of social unrest, one game dares to investigate the polarities of popular protest. That game is Bloc by Bloc by T.L. Simons and Greg Loring-Albright. For today’s episode, join Dan, T.L., and Greg as we discuss how their game offers both contradiction and clarity in politics, violent and nonviolent disobedience, popular expropriation, and the danger of having an uprising stolen from under your feet. Bloc by Bloc: Uprising is currently funding on Gamefound.
Listen over here or download here. Timestamps can be found after the jump.
Timestamps
1:30 — introducing Greg Loring-Albright and T.L. Simons
16:05 — where did Bloc by Bloc come from?
24:08 — what Bloc by Bloc represents and evokes
32:17 — designing an openly political game
40:12 — can games influence action?
51:15 — Bloc by Bloc on violence vs. nonviolence
59:23 — exploring contrasts: looting vs. mutual aid
1:07:07 — preventing Bloc by Bloc from being misread
1:14:58 — depicting cooption, paranoia, and police action
1:35:55 — what Greg and T.L. hope players get from Bloc by Bloc
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Posted on February 23, 2022, in Board Game and tagged Bloc by Bloc, Board Games, Out of Order Games, The Space-Biff! Space-Cast!. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.
SPACE-BIFF! 
this is a very interesting interview. May as a future podcast, you can discuss boardgames adaptation theory with the academic co-designer… reminds me of the Cylons essay you wrote
Who would that be? I’m always happy to consider somebody for review!
One of your guests for Bloc by bloc, is doing a Phd related to adaptation between video games and boardgames. I think that’s super interesting, and I’m wondering what makes a video game to bg adaptation work.
Aha! I understand now. Thank you for clarifying.
Dan, these thematic explorations are such goldmines. Thank you for taking the time to share them with us. This discussion is particularly timely given the events of the past 24 hours.
When we recorded this episode two weeks ago, I had no idea it would release during a massive hybrid war! Bless the people of Ukraine.
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