Games at Work Podcast Game

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<><<set $prep_time to 45>><<set $player_host to "Andy">><<set $has_vision_pro to false>><<set $used_ai to false>><<set $inventory to ["Chocolate Bar"]>><<set $completed_tasks to []>><<set $ces_event to (random(1, 100) <= 50)>><>

<> <<if passage() isnot "Start">> <div class="hud-bar"> <div class="hud-top-row"> ⏳ Prep: $prep_time Mins 🎙️ Host: $player_host </div> <div class="hud-items-row">🎒 Items: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>></div> </div> <</if>> <>

<><<set $prep_time to 45>><<set $has_vision_pro to false>><<set $used_ai to false>><<set $inventory to ["Chocolate Bar"]>><<set $completed_tasks to []>><<set $ces_event to (random(1, 100) <= 50)>><> Welcome to ''Games at Work.biz''! First, choose which co-host you are playing as today: * <<link "Play as Andy" "Select Host">><<set $player_host to "Andy">><</link>> * <<link "Play as Michael R" "Select Host">><<set $player_host to "Michael R">><</link>> * <<link "Play as Michael M" "Select Host">><<set $player_host to "Michael M">><</link>>

You are playing as ''$player_host''! <<if $player_host is "Andy">> Your co-hosts on the call today are ''Michael R'' and ''Michael M''. <<elseif $player_host is "Michael R">> Your co-hosts on the call today are ''Andy'' and ''Michael M''. (You're itching to talk about World of Warcraft and spatial computing!) <<else>> Your co-hosts on the call today are ''Andy'' and ''Michael R''. (You're ready with disciplined martial arts focus for an analytical discussion!) <</if>> The online recording call goes live in ''45 minutes'' ($prep_time minutes remaining). You haven't prepared at all! What do you do? [[Open Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<> <<if $prep_time <= 0>> <div class="event-banner" style="background:#8b0000; border-color:#ff4500;"> 🚨 TIMEOUT ALERT: The virtual call is LIVE! You ran out of time! </div> [[Panicked joining of the virtual call...|Ending Mastodon Timeout]] <<else>> <<if $ces_event>> <div class="event-banner"> 🎰 SPECIAL EVENT: It's CES Week in Las Vegas! Weird gadgets, smart home oddities, and robot pets are flooding the news feeds! </div> <</if>> Choose your preparation task ($prep_time minutes remaining): <ul> <<if $completed_tasks.length > 0>> <li>[[🎙️ Head into the Recording Booth NOW (Finish Prep)|Evaluate Booth Entry]]</li> <</if>> <<if $ces_event and not $completed_tasks.includes("CES")>> <li>[[🎰 Deep Dive on Weird CES Tech Gadgets (-20 min)|CES Event Prep]]</li> <</if>> <<if not $completed_tasks.includes("Phone")>> <li>[[💬 Message Ian "epredator" Hughes or a Friend (-20 min)|Message a Friend]]</li> <</if>> <<if not $completed_tasks.includes("Mastodon")>> <li>[[🌐 Browse Mastodon Timeline (-10 min)|Check your Mastodon timeline]]</li> <</if>> <<if not $completed_tasks.includes("Bean Traders") and $player_host isnot "Andy">> <li>[[☕ Meet up at Bean Traders Coffee Shop (Durham, NC) (-10 min)|Bean Traders Prep]]</li> <</if>> <<if $player_host is "Michael R" and not $completed_tasks.includes("Special")>> <li>[[🥽 Put on your Apple Vision Pro (-15 min)|Spatial Computing Prep]]</li> <<elseif $player_host is "Andy" and not $completed_tasks.includes("Special")>> <li>[[🥷 Check your Raspberry Pi & EMFCamp notes (-15 min)|EMFCamp Prep]]</li> <<elseif $player_host is "Michael M" and not $completed_tasks.includes("Special")>> <li>[[🥋 Review Serious Games & EduTech research (-15 min)|Serious Games Prep]]</li> <</if>> <li>[[🐔 Wing it! (No prep)|Wing it!]]</li> </ul> <</if>> <>

<><<set $prep_time -= 20>><<run $inventory.pushUnique("Bizarre CES Smart Pet Feeder")>><<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("CES")>><> You spend 20 minutes sifting through Las Vegas press releases! You uncover 3 absurd gadgets: an AI-powered pillow that sings operatic lullabies, a smart pet feeder that plays World of Warcraft victory sounds, and a LEGO smart brick that controls your espresso machine! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

You open your messaging app to ping a contact for episode topic ideas. <<set $prep_time -= 15>> <<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Phone")>> * [[Message Ian "epredator" Hughes for Second Life, Avatar & Metaverse updates|Message Ian]] * [[Try another friend]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 15>><<run $inventory.pushUnique("Virtual World Artifact")>><> You message Ian "epredator" Hughes! He replies with details on Second Life virtual world archives, 3D avatar history, digital twins, and martial arts discipline. He even shares rare insights from early virtual worlds! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 15>><> Your friend goes right to voicemail! Do you keep trying or call in sick? * [[Phone another friend...|Message a Friend]] * [[Give up and call in sick for the session|Ending Give Up]] * [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 10>><<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Mastodon")>><> You check out your Mastodon timeline. In amongst the boosts, cat photos, CES gadget news, and German tongue twisters, you find two interesting options! ''You ask yourself:'' "Wait, is this hemp-based Twine?" No, it's game software! * [[Vibe Code an AI subagent to write show notes (-25 min)|Vibe Code AI]] * [[Follow the link to build a Twine game (-25 min)|Follow link]] * [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 25>><<set $used_ai to true>><<run $inventory.pushUnique("AI Subagent Script")>><<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("AI")>><> You prompt an agentic AI LLM to "vibe code" an entire podcast script, analyze Robot Overlord threat levels, and generate extra guac for the show notes! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 15>><<set $has_vision_pro to true>><<run $inventory.pushUnique("Apple Vision Pro")>><<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Special")>><> You put on your ''Apple Vision Pro'' headset and enter spatial computing mode. Floating windows fill your room with RSS feeds, CES gadget previews, World of Warcraft raid timers, and 3D LEGO models! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 15>><<run $inventory.pushUnique("Serious Games & EduTech Research Notes")>><<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Special")>><> You review your latest research on serious game design, educational mechanics, and interactive simulation frameworks. With focused martial arts discipline, you gather sharp talking points for the virtual call! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 15>><> You follow the link, watch a quick tutorial video, and open the Twine editor! ''Build Your Twine Game Mini-Puzzle:'' What is the opening passage title for your game? * [[Passage 1: ":: Start" (Classic Infocom Style)|Twine Puzzle Step 2]] * [[Passage 1: ":: Main Menu" (GUI Style)|Twine Puzzle Step 2]]

<><<set $prep_time -= 10>><<run $inventory.pushUnique("Published Twine Game")>><<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Twine")>><> Now add the branching choice and type your magic spell: * [[Type "XYZZY" for good luck & link to ":: Ending"|Prep Hub]] * [[Link to ":: Goose Migration Patterns"|Prep Hub]]

<<goto "Evaluate Booth Entry">>

<> You open the show with a deep dive into the weirdest tech gadgets unveiled in Las Vegas! <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Absurd gadgets! Reminds me of programming LEGO Mindstorms to feed the cat!", "Sensational! Like finding a box of obscure open-hardware prototypes at EMFCamp!", "Brilliant show! Classic CES madness at its finest!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("Singing AI pillows! Pure operatic perfection! Best CES coverage ever!", "Worthy of a World of Warcraft victory parade through Orgrimmar!", "Magnificent! Even better than the new Apple Vision Pro demos!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Thorough gadget evaluation. Structured, entertaining, and disciplined. Szia! Approved!", "Solid analytical breakdown. Executed with martial arts focus. Szia!", "Excellent session. High academic value for serious games research. Szia!")>> <</if>> ''Your co-hosts award YOU the CES Gadget Master trophy and extra chocolate!'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> Your AI agent orchestration worked flawlessly! You present a fully vibe-coded show with extra guac! <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Brilliant! Like programming a LEGO Mindstorm robot or Raspberry Pi to do your homework!", "Proper British engineering! Orchestrating subagents like a smooth EMFCamp workshop!", "Splendid work! Zero hallucinations and 100% extra guac!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("Pure magic! Operatic perfection! Worthy of a World of Warcraft victory raid!", "Bravo! A performance so smooth it belongs on stage at the Durham Savoyards!", "Outstanding! Even better than a surprise Apple keynote drop!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Impressive agentic workflow. Executed with true martial arts discipline. Szia! Approved!", "Methodical and structured. Highest marks from the Serious Games track! Szia!", "Disciplined execution. Better than building a 3D printer out of redstone. Szia!")>> <</if>> ''Your co-hosts offer YOU chocolate and extra guac this time!'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> With time to spare, you build the game, save it, and publish it to your co-hosts. <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Not bad! Bit like finding the exact LEGO brick you needed on the first try.", "Solid build! Like getting a clean compilation on a Raspberry Pi project!", "Proper result! Hemp-based or not, it works!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("Magnificent! A performance worthy of Gilbert & Sullivan — I'd give a standing ovation if I weren't wearing my Vision Pro!", "Worthy of an operatic finale! The crowd goes wild!", "Sensational! A real Pirates of Pizzazz production!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Efficient execution under pressure. Disciplined, martial arts level focus! Szia!", "Structured and logical. High educational game value! Szia!", "Quality debrief. Respected under tight deadlines. Szia!")>> <</if>> ''Your co-hosts offer YOU chocolate this time!'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> Second call's the charm! You get topics on Second Life virtual worlds, EMFCamp, World of Warcraft, and Minecraft cat emitters. <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Borrowed bricks still build a wall. I'll take it.", "Solid topics! Messaging Ian is always a winning move.", "Good effort! Virtual world history makes for great show notes.")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("A late aria is still an aria! Simply operatic!", "Wonderful energy! Worthy of a World of Warcraft guild meeting!", "Bravo! The audience is thoroughly entertained!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Adequate. Preparation via any channel is still preparation. Szia!", "Disciplined adaptation under time constraints. Szia!", "Good recovery. Process over panic. Szia!")>> <</if>> ''You bring chocolate anyway, out of habit.'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> You fumble explaining Twine, then start building it live on air. Dead air gets fixed in post, and the show turns out great anyway! <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Bit wobbly at the start, held together in the end, like flat-pack furniture.", "A bit rough around the edges, but dead air gets fixed in post!", "Survived the session! Proper British perseverance!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("The audience never saw the understudy step in — bravo! Like singing 'Baby Got Back' in the style of Pirates of Penzance!", "High drama on air! Pure operatic flair!", "Unscripted chaos, but what a show!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("A recovery under pressure. Sounds like trolling the basement arcade for speakers. Respected.", "Focused recovery under time crunch. Respected. Szia!", "Improvised execution. We'll debrief at ECGC. Szia!")>> <</if>> ''You offer chocolate for their patience, promise to prep better next time.'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> You ran out of prep time! The red light came on while you were still frantically scrambling! <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("You ran out of time! Bold, frantic, but impressive composure under pressure!", "Living on the edge! Reminds me of soldering a badge right as the EMFCamp talk begins!", "Total prep time collapse!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("Chaos, yes! But chaos with FLAIR — and real Pirates of Pizzazz!", "Pure high-wire operatic drama! Bravisimo!", "Thrilling panic performance!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Improvisation is a discipline too. You passed.", "Controlled chaos. Martial arts composure under fire. Szia!", "Close call. Preparation discipline needs work, but respected. Szia!")>> <</if>> ''Chocolate offered, slightly out of breath.'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> What a miserable excuse for a recording session! No one had any good ideas, and you wind up talking for 30 minutes about Canadian goose migration patterns — whether a W pattern is more efficient than a V pattern! <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Thirty minutes on geese! I've built LEGO Mindstorm robots faster than that decision-making!", "Geese migration! Absolutely dreadful topic prep!", "A flock of geese! Proper disaster of an episode!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("I nearly cried, and not from the beauty of it!", "A tragic opera of an episode! Tragic!", "Not even a World of Warcraft wipe was this painful!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Focus was... absent. We will debrief at the East Coast Game Conference.", "Complete breakdown of preparation discipline. Szia.", "Unstructured chatter. Academic value: zero. Szia.")>> <</if>> ''You offer your co-hosts (and audience) chocolate for making them suffer through the inane chatter.'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> Straight to voicemail twice. You call in sick for the recording session. <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("You rang it in. Properly rang it in.", "No-show! Proper disappointment!", "Left us stranded like a LEGO set missing its core brick!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("Devastated! Simply devastated! And not in the good, operatic way!", "An empty stage! The curtain fell before the show even started!", "Raid cancelled! Total heartbreak!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("Discipline lapse. Expected better.", "Zero preparation. Total absence of focus. Szia.", "Failed debrief. Process broken. Szia.")>> <</if>> ''Chocolate is the only move you've got left.'' ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>

<> <<set $prep_time -= 10>> <<run $inventory.pushUnique("Freshly Brewed Bean Traders Coffee")>> <<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Bean Traders")>> <> You stop by ''Bean Traders Coffee Shop'' in Durham, NC! <<if $player_host is "Michael R">>You order your legendary 6-shot espresso while Michael M shares insights on serious game design.<<else>>Michael R powers up with his legendary 6-shot espresso while you share insights on serious game design.<</if>> You grab a hot, freshly brewed cup of Bean Traders coffee to fuel your virtual call! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<> <<set $prep_time -= 15>> <<run $inventory.pushUnique("EMFCamp Badge Hack & Pi Cluster Notes")>> <<run $completed_tasks.pushUnique("Special")>> <> You inspect your open-source Linux workstation, reviewing notes on East Midlands Cyberland (EMFCamp) badge hacks, MQTT telemetry, and Raspberry Pi hardware clusters. You're ready with open technology insights! [[Return to Prep Dashboard|Prep Hub]]

<> <<if $completed_tasks.includes("Bean Traders")>> <<goto "Ending Bean Traders">> <<elseif $completed_tasks.includes("CES")>> <<goto "Ending CES Winner">> <<elseif $completed_tasks.includes("Twine")>> <<goto "Ending Follow Link">> <<elseif $completed_tasks.includes("AI")>> <<goto "Ending Vibe Code Success">> <<elseif $completed_tasks.includes("Phone")>> <<goto "Ending Friend Answers">> <<else>> <<goto "Ending Record Now">> <</if>> <>

<> <div class="hud-bar"> ☕ BEAN TRADERS COFFEE POWERED ENDING | PREP BUDGET REMAINING: $prep_time MIN </div> Fueled by a hot cup of ''Bean Traders Coffee'' (and 6-shot espresso energy), your virtual call goes live in peak form! The episode flows effortlessly with sharp banter on game design, open hardware, and tech culture. <div class="inventory-box"> 🎒 Inventory Brought to Booth: <<print $inventory.join(", ")>> </div> <<if $player_host isnot "Andy">> ''Andy:'' <<print either("Bean Traders coffee! That explains the extraordinary velocity of this episode!", "Proper caffeine levels! Top tier podcasting performance!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael R">> ''Michael R:'' <<print either("Sensational! Six-shot espresso energy combined with top tier tech discussion!", "A flawless performance! Worthy of an operatic standing ovation!")>> <</if>> <<if $player_host isnot "Michael M">> ''Michael M:'' <<print either("High energy debrief. Serious game analysis executed with precision. Szia!", "Disciplined flow from start to finish. Outstanding show! Szia!")>> <</if>> ''See ya!'' [[Play Again?|Start]] <>