Producing Plants vs. Zombies: MLJ - Part 1

Sprout Games and beyond - Ed Allard pt1

Steve and Isaac welcome the multitalented Ed Allard for conversation about his tenure at PopCap during the golden age.  Co-founder of Escape Factory and Sprout Games, founder of Wayward Distractions, audio designer for the TIVO, and Director of Games Worldwide for PopCap Games around the time of the buyout. Ed has a very storied career and we get the privilege of talking with him about all of it. Join us!

Pour Another One Out for the Two Bells - Part 2

Isaac and Steve continue to grill and be grilled by Rich Werner, Matt Holmberg and Julie Thomas regarding the nexus of nonsense known as the Two Bells pub.  Sandwiches are discussed, as are soups, billionaires and Narnia. Pull up a stool and join us! CHAPTERS 00:00  The Unofficial PopCap PopCast 00:19  Hello and Welcome 01:45  Previously on... 02:27  Duck Hunt 03:52  Pulse of Creativity 07:19  Favorite Item 15:56  Soups 20:57  Covid  25:07  Pub at Piper's Creek 34:16  We'll Never Be Billionaires 38:59  A Two Bells Memory (or two) 47:00  Narnia 50:48  Cold Spots 52:33  Life After Death 55:38  This Beautiful Thing

Pour One Out for the Two Bells - Part 1

Isaac and Steve push Zoom to the limit to babble about the legendary "PopCap South," otherwise known as the Two Bells Pub. Plants vs. Zombies artists Rich Werner and Matt Holmberg team up with bartending superstar Julie Thomas for an unflinching sprint down memory lane. We dig up old memories of a beloved bar, examine them, and shake our collective heads at the sort of nonsense we used to get up to, all while celebrating a special place that meant so much to so many. CHAPTERS 00:00  The Unofficial PopCap PopCast 00:19  Hello and Welcome 02:27  Pop a Cap in Yer Ass 03:39  Vechey 04:50  Symbiotic 06:56  Back Tables 09:31  TTP 12:37  Belltown 14:02  Big Fish 16:46  Human Thing 19:22  Irish Noir Gangster 23:05  Some Kind of Disturbance 27:29  Meredith Storm 29:41  Smart Drinkers Drink Water 33:54  Two Bells Movie Night 36:26  Punks and Party Animals 40:05  Evil Disney Witch Ladies 46:31  That Third Place 49:30  Robo Dojo  52:01  Pure Daylight 52:29  And On That

Ultra Extreme Peggle Grand Master: Ace Rothstein - Part 2

Steve, Isaac and Ace return for a scorching Part 2 discussion about Magic Powers, Zen Balls, game names, art styles, wild adventures and more Peggle and video game programming nerd stuff than a stick can be shaken at -- all these and more are talked about in this astounding episode. Rejoice! CHAPTERS 00:00  The Unofficial PopCap PopCast 00:19  Hello and Welcome 01:25  Previously On... 02:15  We Got a Hit On Our Hands 03:57  Magic Powers Need Identities 05:06  Zen Ball 07:39  Pego Mastery 11:28  Controlling the Bucket 13:53  A Game Called Peggle 14:24  Our Peggle's Better 15:53  How To Create A Peggle Level 24:24  White Room 25:13  Walked Out 30:59  An Original Idea 34:39  Art Style - Walter Wilson 39:12  Wild Adventuers and Stories 49:40  GoBit.com 50:10  Basically Burger Shop 54:43  Scoring Systems 56:33  Speedrunning 58:38  Ultra Extreme Grand Master 59:31  Replays 1:00:45  Everything Is Feeling Good 1:02:59  It's Better When Other People Like It LINKS Gobit Games http://gobit.com

The Original Peggle Master: Ace Rothstein - Part 1

Isaac and Steve are hyped to chat with original Peggle programmer Ace "Brian" Rothstein. Chatstuff includes working for Sierra Online, how Ace and the various PopCap founders met, several unpublished games, and a goodly chunk of a deep deep dive into the glory that is Peggle. Check it out! CHAPTERS 00:00  The Unofficial PopCap PopCast 00:19  Hello, Greetings and Bonjour 00:50  Ace "Brian" Rothstein 03:39  I Call Myself a Programmer 10:53  Sierra Online 13:53  How I Became Ace 17:46  Early PopCap 21:32  Ready to Join the Good Guys 25:00  Circle Shoot (Zuma) 34:16  Deep Thoughts 37:32  Punch Patrol 42:38  Foxy Poker 44:57  Peggle 54:06  That Fever Moment 1:02:20  The Brilliance of Peggle 1:02:39  Until Next Time