Gamer Podcasts

Nicktock wrote:
Higgledy wrote:

Just listened to the Pixel by Pixel podcast about Bioshock Infinite, after finishing the game.

Flipping the cover art for the game. Best... pro-tip... EVER.

I know right! I'm still working on our spoilercast. Should be out by the end of the year.

Great. I'll look forward to it.

Really liked the RambleCast's post-mortem of Extra Life this year. I feel bad for forgetting to check in when we got home from vacation, but it sounds like it was a lot of fun. How hard is it to get setup with streaming for these things?

It depends on your equipment. My Roxio Game Capture HD has an option to stream straight to Twitch (well, Justin.tv, but same thing), but it is primarily built for the PS3 and Xbox 360. So I was facing difficulties with the Wii-U, and due to a stupid decision on my part, actually screwed the software AND driver for the device up. So I had to uninstall everything, switch USB ports, and then reinstall from scratch to get it working like new. Even so, Wind Waker HD kept dropping. Wonderful 101 behaved much better, but still dropped once.

Otherwise, it looks like most of my games streamed fine, but none of them as nice as XSplit did for Killing Floor. So I have a feeling Roxio doesn't do the best job of sending stuff, and the quality certainly takes a hit.

If you want to do Extra Life, I definitely suggest setting time aside several weekends before to work on issues.

I've only heard 3 or 4 but I think the Besties might be new my favorite gaming podcast.

It's as much fun as MBMBaM but it's focused enough to be consistently listenable. Are they still making MBMBaM? Because that was hilarious.

oilypenguin wrote:

I've only heard 3 or 4 but I think the Besties might be new my favorite gaming podcast.

It's as much fun as MBMBaM but it's focused enough to be consistently listenable. Are they still making MBMBaM? Because that was hilarious.

Definitely, they never stopped, and they're still hilarious!

I don't play modern military shooters like Battlefield and Call of Duty, but I liked the side-discussion this week on the Ramblecast about the future of that sub-genre. I didn't know Titanfall (which looks closer to an old-school shooter than a modern one in some ways) isn't shipping with a single-player campaign (currently?) but that seems like a defining moment like when Epic and Id both announced Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament were going to focus on multiplayer instead of providing a unique set of levels for single-player.

I'm also surprised EA is letting them do that since EA has traditionally been one of those "check all the boxes" publishers in the past. But if this is an indication that publishers are letting devs focus on what's important in the next generation (ie. solid gameplay first, checklist features later) then that's a good sign of things to come. Although the cynic in me is thinking that maybe this is more of a cost-cutting maneuver (I can't imagine multiplayer is more expensive to develop than a highly cinematic single-player campaign) instead of a conscious desire to focus their efforts on what's best for the game.

Yup, it lacks a single player campaign. Whether that means it lacks a story I'm not completely certain, however. There have been times that I've gotten a very Brink vibe, and other times it sounds like it's all multiplayer all the time.

oilypenguin wrote:

I've only heard 3 or 4 but I think the Besties might be new my favorite gaming podcast.

It's as much fun as MBMBaM but it's focused enough to be consistently listenable. Are they still making MBMBaM? Because that was hilarious.

I wouldn't say it's my favourite, but ironically since they changed their format to be just about sitting around talking about what they are playing, it got far more interesting to listen to.

And yes, MBMBaM continues to be the funniest podcast available.

ccesarano wrote:

Yup, it lacks a single player campaign. Whether that means it lacks a story I'm not completely certain, however. There have been times that I've gotten a very Brink vibe, and other times it sounds like it's all multiplayer all the time.

From what they said in interviews the story is revealed through the multiplayer. It almost sounds like you can play through the missions in order to get the story/stories and then maybe replay them later out of order. They have been a little cagy about it really.

As an FYI to anyone that follows The RambleCast, we won't be recording as usual next week as instead we plan on doing a group hangout for Spike VGX, this year's name for their video game awards. They're streaming it online, and for some reason I find it necessary to subject myself to what will inevitably cause me to lose all faith in the industry for a few hours.

I don't know if we'll be recording any of it, partially because we first tossed out the idea of using Google Hangout. We might still use Skype instead, not sure. However, if you'd be interested in watching with us, send me a PM and I'll tally interest. The show is Saturday, Dec. 7th starting at 6pm ET/3pm PT.

Booze will be consumed.

Great idea! Just don't be focused on being/acting negative or sarcastic as it may come off false or plain intolerable.

I can see that. I just figure it'll be fun at the very least to enjoy with other people for a change, and to possibly even reflect on the year. Last year I know I was pleasantly surprised how many awards The Walking Dead got, including GOTY I believe. Plus, they do also tease announcements, which could bring in some interesting discussion and speculation.

As I said, not sure if I'll be recording or not. If we hang out through Skype, certainly. If we do a Google Hangout, then likely not.

The latest episode of Pixel by Pixel is great and I've watched /afk. Great film and pretty sobering. I don't think I was very controlled with my WoW play but, fortunately, I just realised one day that I had to stop playing completely and was able to do it and not to go back. If I hadn't been playing a priest, and finding instances more stressful than fun, then I'm not sure I would have been able to break away.

RambleCast We have boxing day in the UK. I'm pretty sure we franchised it out to the Canadians. I hate clothes shopping so I tend to do 90% of my clothes shopping in the sales after Christmas. Boxing day is for lying on the sofa in the living room like a beached seal watching TV and eating with my family.

I never knew what Boxing Day was either. Thought it was an awfully weird name when I was younger but never bothered to ask.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

I never knew what Boxing Day was either. Thought it was an awfully weird name when I was younger but never bothered to ask.

When I was young I decided it must be because there are sports, including boxing matches, on the TV.

All you need to know is Boxing Day is our Black Friday (at least in Canadia)

Alright, I'll be using Skype to do the VGX group shenanigans this Saturday. If you'd like to be a part, send me a message and I'll give you my Skype username.

I reccommend the recent Jesus Crust episode if you want to jump back in to MBMBaM. The brothers were particularly on point that day. Propositions is still the best ever though.

I miss the head-to-head nature of the old Besties format, but I feel like games didn't come out quickly enough for each episode to be good, and some of their rationalizations got real weak. The new Besties is much higher quality, and a great games podcast overall. I would love to see a Besties style talk for Game of the Year stuff though, that last episode they did was great.

That one, and the GiantBomb GotY stuff are just my jam. It's one part seeing how the sausage gets made, and it's another part listening to the guys get passionate about the games they loved.

Squee9 wrote:

I reccommend the recent Jesus Crust episode if you want to jump back in to MBMBaM. The brothers were particularly on point that day. Propositions is still the best ever though.

For lapsed listeners like me, what episode number was it?

I haven't seen anybody say anything about this podcast yet, but everyone should really check out Tone Control. Steve Gaynor (one of the creators of Gone Home and the lead on Minerva's Den, the DLC that is *stellar* for Bioshock 2.) hosts a podcast talking to various game designers/creators. No other podcast has gotten me so inspired, thrilled and thinking about games and game design the way this podcast has. I literally leave myself notes and have to pause the episode because my brain wanders so much and I'm so enrapt in the story about the specifics of that game designer and how they came into the industry.

The podcast is like miniature GDC topics, but they're conversational and funny and relatable to the listener. I hope Steve really keeps it up. Listening to these podcasts really feels like building a relationship with games and the designers, (and with Steve also!) in a way I never really have felt before with an audio program (except maybe the Giant Bombcast. RIP Ryan Davis.).

Also, this post might be a little ramble-y, and sorry about that! But I really feel that this podcast is a truly great one and well worth anybody to give it a look and listen. It might not impact you the same as it does for me, but I think anyone that's receptive to thinking about games/game design and listening to talented people talk about such things, (which I'm sure PLENTY of people in this forum are!) will leave with a greater appreciation and inspired.

/rant

Le0hart85 wrote:

I haven't seen anybody say anything about this podcast yet, but everyone should really check out Tone Control. Steve Gaynor (one of the creators of Gone Home and the lead on Minerva's Den, the DLC that is *stellar* for Bioshock 2.) hosts a podcast talking to various game designers/creators. No other podcast has gotten me so inspired, thrilled and thinking about games and game design the way this podcast has. I literally leave myself notes and have to pause the episode because my brain wanders so much and I'm so enrapt in the story about the specifics of that game designer and how they came into the industry.

The podcast is like miniature GDC topics, but they're conversational and funny and relatable to the listener. I hope Steve really keeps it up. Listening to these podcasts really feels like building a relationship with games and the designers, (and with Steve also!) in a way I never really have felt before with an audio program (except maybe the Giant Bombcast. RIP Ryan Davis.).

Tone Control is really good.

Note: Steve used to be on the Idle Thumbs podcast (and still pops in every now and then). The first Tone Control is him interviewing Jake and Sean about The Walking Dead, which makes it especially Idle Thumbsy.

It's neat.

I totally missed Tone Control even though I remember them mentioning it on Idle Thumbs. Added the RSS feed to my music server. I'm excited that there are 4 full episodes to listen to. My running headphones are going to be set for awhile.

Kurrelgyre wrote:
Squee9 wrote:

I reccommend the recent Jesus Crust episode if you want to jump back in to MBMBaM. The brothers were particularly on point that day. Propositions is still the best ever though.

For lapsed listeners like me, what episode number was it?

It's 177. The actual name is Juicy Crust, but whatever.

Propositions is episode 77, where a guest appearance by ghost Baron Harkonnen really makes things great. Also, the origins of their use of golden Krugerrands as a joke is in there.

Their third best episode has a great section on dating where the brothers give the, "be yourself, ask her out straight up, and don't be a jerk," talk in very relatable and easy to understand terms. I forget where that one is though.

I'll also say Tone Control is awesome. I don't make games at all and it's still fascinating to listen to these guys talk about the real behind the scenes stuff behind what they worked on.

Parallax Abstraction wrote:

I'll also say Tone Control is awesome. I don't make games at all and it's still fascinating to listen to these guys talk about the real behind the scenes stuff behind what they worked on.

Talks with devs? Auto-subscribe. Excited to listen in.

Le0hart85 wrote:

I haven't seen anybody say anything about this podcast yet, but everyone should really check out Tone Control. Steve Gaynor (one of the creators of Gone Home and the lead on Minerva's Den, the DLC that is *stellar* for Bioshock 2.) hosts a podcast talking to various game designers/creators. No other podcast has gotten me so inspired, thrilled and thinking about games and game design the way this podcast has. I literally leave myself notes and have to pause the episode because my brain wanders so much and I'm so enrapt in the story about the specifics of that game designer and how they came into the industry.

The podcast is like miniature GDC topics, but they're conversational and funny and relatable to the listener. I hope Steve really keeps it up. Listening to these podcasts really feels like building a relationship with games and the designers, (and with Steve also!) in a way I never really have felt before with an audio program (except maybe the Giant Bombcast. RIP Ryan Davis.).

Also, this post might be a little ramble-y, and sorry about that! But I really feel that this podcast is a truly great one and well worth anybody to give it a look and listen. It might not impact you the same as it does for me, but I think anyone that's receptive to thinking about games/game design and listening to talented people talk about such things, (which I'm sure PLENTY of people in this forum are!) will leave with a greater appreciation and inspired.

/rant

There was some Tone Control discussions in the Idle Thumbs thread.

TheCounselor wrote:
Le0hart85 wrote:

I haven't seen anybody say anything about this podcast yet, but everyone should really check out Tone Control. Steve Gaynor (one of the creators of Gone Home and the lead on Minerva's Den, the DLC that is *stellar* for Bioshock 2.) hosts a podcast talking to various game designers/creators. No other podcast has gotten me so inspired, thrilled and thinking about games and game design the way this podcast has. I literally leave myself notes and have to pause the episode because my brain wanders so much and I'm so enrapt in the story about the specifics of that game designer and how they came into the industry.

There was some Tone Control discussions in the Idle Thumbs thread.

I did not see that. I will have to mosey on back to that thread. Thanks! Also wanted to post this up here, just for posterity sake. And to get conversation rolling on my favorite new podcast.

I know I've asked somewhere in the forums, not sure if it was in this particular thread;
does anyone have a podcast recommendation about gaming from a business perspective?

As I game less and less, I seem to enjoy more reading and listening about it, rather than actually playing.
I'm really interested in what Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve and other players in the market are doing and why, rather than hearing fanboys yelling at each other in the eternal defense of their favorite console/game/DLC/achievements.

Hobbes2099 wrote:

I know I've asked somewhere in the forums, not sure if it was in this particular thread;
does anyone have a podcast recommendation about gaming from a business perspective?

As I game less and less, I seem to enjoy more reading and listening about it, rather than actually playing.
I'm really interested in what Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve and other players in the market are doing and why, rather than hearing fanboys yelling at each other in the eternal defense of their favorite console/game/DLC/achievements.

I wish that economist Valve hired did a podcast. They probably have a couple more working for them at this point.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

I wish that economist Valve hired did a podcast. They probably have a couple more working for them at this point. :)

Holy Hell, I would listen to that. Also at school a psychologist from Red 5 gave a guest lecture on collecting and implementing data. I could listen to him and his peer at valve talk all day.