In this episode we discuss the emerging trend of adding massively multiplayer features to games that otherwise might be single player. Is this something we want to see more? Or is it just a way of extracting more 'value' from gamers?

• GTA 5 has sold-in over 85 million copies
• Frontier Games Hosts Massive Space Battles on AWS
• AWS re:Invent 2015 presentation from Frontier Games on their architecture
• Digital Trends: "Everyone is going to start playing MMOs again, whether they realize it or not"

Intro & outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

In this episode we are joined by Elizabeth Chesters, a user experience consultant, human-computer interaction student, and software developer. We ask her about her job, what HCI is, and what's in store in the future for how we interact with our devices.

• The Man Who Lied to His Laptop, by Clifford Nass
• City Uni Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design

Follow El:

• @echesters on Twitter
• echesters.co.uk

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion

We discuss how lives are becoming more internet connected, the history and hype around ‘smart homes’, and generally demystify the Internet of Things. Further reading:

• X10 Protocol
• Sustainable Smart Home and Home Automation: Big Data Analytics Approach
• Connected homes will take longer to materialise than expected
• Here's What TfL Learned From Tracking Your Phone On the Tube

Intro/outro music: JACKS – Runaway Fashion