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Ten Dollars Max in Ten Minutes Max

Ten Dollars Max in Ten Minutes Max

By: Max Mulligan
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About this listen

Ten Dollars Max in Ten Minutes Max is a short-form podcast about the depth and value of inexpensive games. Each episode takes a close look at a video game that costs ten dollars or less, exploring the big ideas it brings to mind through how it plays, what it inspires and why it matters. With a curious eye and a critical voice, the show unpacks the mechanics, themes and emotional impact of each title, showing how even the most compact experiences can spark reflection, joy and surprise. These are games that do more and cost less, and we’re here to give them the attention they deserve.

Max W. Bartley 2025 Science Fiction Social Sciences
Episodes
  • A Deeper Look at Downwell

    A Deeper Look at Downwell
    Jun 9 2025

    What if falling endlessly could teach you about flow, effortlessness and presence? Join host Max Mulligan as he explores Downwell, an affordable, challenging roguelike platformer where you fall down an endless well armed with Gunboots.

    Drawing connections to Taoism, psychology and philosophy, this episode unpacks how Downwell transforms moment-to-moment gameplay into a meditative state of total immersion.

    Downwell

    • Downwell Wiki – https://downwell.fandom.com/wiki/Downwell_Wiki
    • Wikipedia – Downwell – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downwell_(video_game)

    Taoism and Wu Wei

    • Straight Bamboo – The Chef Cuts the Ox – https://straightbamboo.com/the-chef-cuts-the-ox/
    • Stephan Joppich – Wu Wei – https://stephanjoppich.com/wu-wei/
    • Einzelgänger – Taoism Philosophy Articles – https://einzelganger.co/category/philosophy/taoism-philosophy/
    • StPeter.im – Taoist Writings – https://stpeter.im/writings/tao/

    Flow Theory (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)

    • Wikipedia – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihaly_Csikszentmihalyi
    • Flow Research Collective – History of Flow – https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/blog/history-of-flow
    • Study.com – Flow Theory Video Lesson – https://study.com/academy/lesson/video/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-flow-theory-works.html

    Video Essay Covering Flow, Wu Wei, and the Taoist Charioteer Parable

    • YouTube – Don't Try | The Philosophy of Flow – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k23x5kP7dAY

    Written and Recorded by Max W. Bartley

    Produced by Kai Williams

    Intro/Outro Music by Ashley Rezvani
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    8 mins
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