I really liked this story! Of course, Cory Doctorow introduced me to the concept of podcast fiction and to Escape Pod itself way back in Episode 27 with Craphound.
I understand the sentiment of Cory's stories being heavy with politics and internet culture; and his narative commentary is often implemented with a hammer rather than a scalpel. I cannot binge Doctorow; and I don't like every Doctorow story.
However, more often than not, I am intrigued by Doctorow's protagonists and their dilemmas as well as the gaming/IT references. In this case, I was drawn in by Brion's trip to Mars and the conditions and protocols of the voyage, etc. I then got interested in the MC game and Brion's new friends. Once I was hooked, I just went along for the ride. And in the end, I enjoyed the experience.