The podcast gets a name. Ben and Tao run through the ups and downs of moderating a 90s era cyber space in the sci-fi web simulator, Hypnospace Outlaw. Topics include the early internet, nostalgia, when puzzles become too puzzling, minigames, microtransactions and pseudo-currencies, music genres, and the limits of satire. Spoilers from half way through, clearly delimited.

Content Warning: PEGI 12. Bad language. Hacking, piracy and heavy censorship.

Clarifications:

• The original soundtrack is mostly by Jay Tholen. It’s available on Spotify.

• The Witness is a game by Jonathan Blow (of Braid) and Thekla, Inc.

• BWL allegedly means ‘bursting with laughter’

Audio extracts:

• Papers, Please

• Halt and Catch Fire

• Satellite Anthem by Barnaby’s Chair (aka Dan Warren)