<aside> <img src="/icons/video-game_gray.svg" alt="/icons/video-game_gray.svg" width="40px" /> This is the playthrough guide for Gas Station Story!

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Have a response for a discussion or reflection question? Leave a 60 second voice message and you’ll have the chance to be featured on a future podcast episode!

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If you you prefer writing, or have any questions or additional comments, please send them to [email protected]. Thanks so much!

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Listen to the podcast on https://open.spotify.com/show/3zGV5U6x6oayRT3KxOz41P?si=79c7b4ae31c54dfe or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geeks-grounds/id1673175947

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About Gas Station Story

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You may especially enjoy this if you like:

• Retro, Game Boy style titles
• Narrative games with (a few) mini-games to help ground the experience
• Slice-of-life stories that aren’t idealistic.
• Games with multiple endings and where your decisions matter.

The game is structured into four in-game days (along with an intro and concluding section), and it will take an estimated 5-8 hours to play to reach one of the endings.

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Why Gas Station Story?

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I was intrigued by the idea of a slice-of-life tale that wasn’t about the idealized version of life. Rather, Gas Station Story forces us to examine what life under late-stage capitalism and galaxy-wide conflict looks like for someone living pay-check to pay-check. This game isn’t necessarily a “happy” one, but at the same time — depending on your choices — there are glimmers of hope and beauty to appreciate.

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Content Warnings & Notes ⚠

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• I couldn’t find a specific rating for the game, but would recommend it for 16+. More specific details if you click on the toggle!

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Geeks & Grounds Timeline / Important Dates 🗓️

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Please note that this timeline is a general breakdown and suggestion for if you’d like to stay on track to finish the game by the time we have our monthly hangout! Feel free to play at your own pace: play in one big session, or even break it up further into smaller bits.

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Reflection & Discussion Questions

1. There are Big Events (™) happening all around us as we live our lives. How do you balance awareness of what’s going on, taking actions within your community, as well as the ability to stay present in day to day routines and tasks? (I’ll write my response in the next newsletter – feel free to write me your thoughts, and I’ll respond!)
2. Have you worked a retail or service job before? How did having this experience (or not) impact your impressions and reaction to the game?
3. What were your thoughts about the gameplay (in particular: how the POS evolved)? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
4. What ending did you get? How did you feel about it?