It's been a year, hasn't it? I mean, they're all years, but 2009 was a special one. For starters, Way Too Casual was born. Some other stuff happened, but I can't remember. It won't be on the test, so I won't even bother to look it up. I'm way too casual to study.

To celebrate the passing of a year (and of a decade), Joe, Dora and John sat down around a cozy fireplace, sipped some sort of expensive kind of drinks we couldn't even pronounce, let alone afford (it was hot cider), and had a nice little chat about the year behind and the year ahead. How was 2009 for casual games? What does 2010 promise? We don't know. But we sure sound like we do!

So sit back, grab your cup of hot cocoa, and take a sip of our special podcast all about the year in casual gaming. Check below the jump for a full list of games with links to play them. But, you know, spoiler alert and all.

Download Way Too Casual #004
"Bye Bye 2009" (MP3, 35MB, 38:33)
Subscribe via iTunes

We can't believe we ate the whole thing. Seriously, that was a lot of food, wasn't it? Ahem. Yes, hi! Way Too Casual is back with our third casual gaming podcast, just in time to see the back end of the holiday season as it rides on by. That's fine, because Joe from FlashGameLicense along with Jay, Dora and John from JayIsGames managed to get Eli Piilonen, creator of The Company of Myself, to sit down and answer a bunch of our questions. On top of the list: why did you make a game that's so saaaad? ;_;

At the end of the podcast, we send out a call to you, listener, asking for feedback on our next discussion topic: usability. What are some common usability issues that crop up when you're playing browser games? Interface clunky and slow? Tired of movement wired to the WASD keys? It's a chance to let your voice be heard! Send us a Skype voicemail or e-mail!


E-mail: waytoocasual@gmail.com

Check out the show details after the break, and keep up with the latest podcast happenings on the official Way Too Casual website!

Download Way Too Casual #003
"The Company of Eli" (MP3, 51.5MB, 52:10)
Subscribe via iTunes

After a miniature holiday-induced delay, Way Too Casual has returned with more splendid casual gaming splendidness! For our second episode, Joe from FlashGameLicense and Jay and John from JayIsGames have summoned a guest speaker: Chris from GamerSafe.com. Why? Because we have a very serious topic to discuss, something that makes gamers near and far shudder with fear: microtransactions. That heavy topic along with a full arsenal of game reviews can be yours with one simple click!

At the end of every episode, we take some time to interact with our listeners. If you've got a question, comment, anectode or anything else to share, send us a Skype voice mail or drop us a good old fashioned e-mail. We love hearing from everyone!


E-mail: waytoocasual@gmail.com

Download Way Too Casual #002
"All microtransactioned out!"
(MP3, 64.5MB, 70:28)
Subscribe via iTunes

News:

• CGDC #7 announced, a special competition about interactive fiction games!

Featured games:

• Exoriare - A deeply intriguing alternate reality game that we're still trying to figure out.
• Forever Samurai - Gorgeous side-scrolling hack and slash action.
• Drifting Afternoon - Ferry Halim (Orisinal.com) works his magic once again.
• The Company of Myself - Philosophy meets a time-bending platformer? Sure!

Topic of discussion:
Microtransactions (*hushed gasping*): what they do for developers, what they mean to players, and how best to implement them so everyone's happy! Also: are they as evil as we want to believe they are?

FlashGameLicense and the JayIsGames staff have gone mad and decided to create the greatest thing since sliced baconbread: a podcast about Flash games! We call it Way Too Casual because, well, that's what we are. The bi-weekly episodes will focus on casual gaming news, events, reviews, and lots more. We have some great surprises planned for future episodes! It's a great way to keep up on the biggest browser game releases and current events in the world of casual gaming. All while you go on your morning jog!

In our pilot episode, Joe, John and Jay (who are entirely aware all of their names begin with the letter J) give their thoughts on four recent Flash game releases and discuss Adobe's recent iPhone-related announcement. There's also a brief allusion to an old Nintendo DS slogal and a surprise shout-out to our little armored friends!

But wait! There's more! We're not content to just talk amongst ourselves, we want to hear from you! Got a question you're dying to toss our way? Want to know our thoughts on the latest casual gaming revolution(s)? Need that recipe for brussels sprout soup? We're here to help. Leave a voice mail on Skype or drop us an e-mail. You never know, we might just use your question for the next episode!


E-mail: waytoocasual@gmail.com

And now, without further stalling for time and pointless space-occupying, we present to you, Way Too Casual!

Download Way Too Casual #001
"I Can Say Armadillo"
(MP3, 38.5MB, 44:07)
Subscribe via iTunes

News:

• CGDC #6 winners announced
• FlashGameLicense launches blog

Featured games:

• Small Worlds - a beautiful game of exploration
• Canabalt - run, jump, run, jump some more, crash into a window
• Trap Master - you get to burn, crush, and eat humans!
• Cave of Wonders - hope your keyboard is sturdy

Topic of discussion:
Adobe announces Flash Professional CS5 to have "export to iPhone app" feature