The requirements for playing Die Gute Fabrik’s Johann Sebastian Joust (or ‘JS Joust‘, or just ‘Joust‘) are high. You need the game which comes bundled with Sportsfriends, the local multiplayer compilation that Joel and I covered in Side by Side season 1 quite extensively, you need a PS4 or a computer running macOS or Linux, you need two or more PlayStation Move controllers, and you need space. Oh, and friends –physically present friends– let’s not forget those. As such, and despite owning Sportsfriends, I’ve never been able to play a real game of Joust.

Until now.

Yesterday, in an Extra Life encore, I finished The Last Guardian. I just want to type those words again.

I finished The Last Guardian.

This week Joel and I are the men who stare at goats. And barley. And clay, and bowls, and beer and various other things related to Studio Wumpus’ Sumer.

Quick heads-up: I think this is one of the best episodes of Side by Side.

In this week’s episode of Side by Side we take a look at Toys for Bob’s Playstation Archon-like The Unholy War. Yeah, Toys for Bob, the folks behind Star Control and… Skylanders.

In the first episode of our new and shiny third series, Joel Goodwin of Electron Dance and I take a look at Alientrap’s delicious roguelite shoot ’em up Cryptark.

Among the panels I attended at PAX was a talk by one of my all time favorite game developers, Hidetaka Suehiro, AKA SWERY65. SWERY is the creator of Deadly Premonition, the Twin Peaks inspired cult hit game that became one of my favorite horror titles ever made. SWERY is now crowdfunding a new title that …

I don’t want to bury the lede, so, if you read and reply to this article, you might win a small prize! Details below!

Over the next few articles I’m writing some recaps about my trip to PAX West in Seattle. While I was at the show I did the usual activities: played games, chatted with developers, and did a little cosplay. I also did something I had never done before at PAX, which is wait in line for several hours to watch other people play Dungeons & Dragons. And I also played a game which is in part about watching people play Dungeons & Dragons.

Joel’s been on a roll these last couple of weeks and managed to get out the final two episodes of season 2 which take a look at Gang Beasts and Abyss Odyssey. Next stop: season 3!

It’s time for a new episode of Side by Side and this time Joel and I venture into the psychedelic crustaceous wilds of Vomit Crabs. Chunks will be blown.

“A realistic crab fighting simulator with REAL CRAB PHYSICS. You duell [sic] each other in the form of laser vomit battles and teleportation. Just like real crabs do in the sea.”

So, uh, yeah. Video after the jump.

A trillion years ago, when my brother Marcus published his third novel Good People, a mutual friend reached out, not to congratulate him, but to warn me.

“Have you noticed that a younger brother dies in every book so far?” Vezner asked. “I think whatever he has planned for you, it’s coming closer. I’ve prepared this helpful infographic to illustrate my point.”

I found this infographic again the other day, while cleaning out my office to paint, and it still sends a chill down my spine.