Podcast: Exploratory Committee

[Bond]

I've been thinking about starting a GameTavern podcast again. If I could get some feedback as to who would be interested in being on the podcast and/or listening to it that would be great.

- Hosts: Aladuf, Bond, Dyne, GameMaster

- Show Notes

[GameMaster]

Count me in!

I was going to resurrect that old thread a few days ago just to be annoying :p

[Aladuf]

Could be interesting I suppose. Do we have any examples of old podcasts that I could listen to?

I would participate (and I may) but I've attempted a "podcast" thing before and I really don't add much to the conversations.

[Swan]

What would it be about really though?

[Aladuf]

What would it be about really though?

I was wondering this too.

[BreakABone]

What would it be about really though?

If I had my way.
About how awful Canada is.
How we should move to ban Flunkie.

And me being a role model for well every generation.

[birdman]

It'd be a podcast about NOTHING!

[Dyne]

Alright; I'd be interested in talking still. :D

[The Germanator]

I'd probably listen to it just to see hear what the hell you would talk about...

[Swan]

I would be down for talking....but I don't know how to go about that

[BreakABone]

I would be down for talking....but I don't know how to go about that

I think what most podcast do is use Skype?
I could be mistaken.

But I think its like a conference call on your computer or something.

[uber_paddler]

Hmmm, this sounds really interesting. I think it's a great idea.

[Bond]

Yeah, we'd probably use Skype or iChat.

What do you think the podcast should be about?

[Bube]

Yeah, we'd probably use Skype or iChat.

What do you think the podcast should be about?
The weekly gaming nights. Like a recap of the events of the game.

And remember those interviews with forum members we used to have? Those too could be podcasted..

[BreakABone]

I say.. shoot from the hip.

Really, it would be interesting to see what comes from GTers just shooting the breeze with each other. Maybe have some broad topics. Some random threads and reactions.

I can put together the first episode if people are interested in doing.

But this is the 3rd or 4th time we are attempting it.

[GameMaster]

Yeah, we'd probably use Skype or iChat.

What do you think the podcast should be about?

They're called Skypecasts. I figure Skype would be the best to use since it's available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

I could record it.

Those of us who have been gaming together lately could talk about that.

[birdman]

I say.. shoot from the hip.

Really, it would be interesting to see what comes from GTers just shooting the breeze with each other. Maybe have some broad topics. Some random threads and reactions.

Really that's the best chance without making the podcast boring. Chemistry might factor in to how well it goes too.

[Aladuf]

True, but chemistry or not, it'll be a few guys just talking into their computers I assume. So that may hinder things. *shrugs* I'm not too sure since I've never done this before.

[uber_paddler]

Yeah, I don't think structure's really that important. If we did make a plan I doubt we'd end up following it anyway.

[thatmariolover]

I'm interested in recording and/or participating.

[The Germanator]

A DrunkCast would have to happen at some point....I think that would have either brilliant or terrible results. You never know.

[Swan]

I think the Canadian Coalition is thinking of something along those lines Germy

[flunkie44]

I would SO be up for that. Just because I'm the best newcomer.

[birdman]

I DISAGREE flunkie

[Swan]

birdman just scares me know. With his lazy eyed pedophilic fascination

[Aladuf]

:lolz: Everyone wants to participate... It's gonna end up being all of us just talking to each other.

[birdman]

birdman just scares me know. With his lazy eyed pedophilic fascination

What lazy ey


OH GOD! WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN!

[uber_paddler]

:lolz: Everyone wants to participate... It's gonna end up being all of us just talking to each other.

Yup, lol.

[flunkie44]

:lolz: Everyone wants to participate... It's gonna end up being all of us just talking to each other.

Any problem with that?

[Aladuf]

Any problem with that?

Nope, it's actually a cool idea.

[flunkie44]

Nope, it's actually a cool idea.

It'd kinda take away from the whole "podcast" thing though, eh? I mean, if everyone participates, who's going to want to subscribe and download and listen to themselves talk? :p

Edit: Other than BaB.

[Aladuf]

It'd kinda take away from the whole "podcast" thing though, eh? I mean, if everyone participates, who's going to want to subscribe and download and listen to themselves talk? :p

Edit: Other than BaB.

Yeah, it completely takes away from the point of it being a "podcast" but it would be cool.

And my god, you are catching on! BaB would totally do that, and he would totally admit to doing that!

[Bond]

Alright, let's do this. The first three people that replied were Aladuf, GameMaster, and Dyne. I'm really not sure if Skype could handle more than four people anyway and maintain a decent quality of audio.

Let's try recording our first pilot next Tuesday night. What time works for everyone?

I'm going to work on some kind of outline just so that it isn't a total bust.

[Dyne]

Sweet, tuesday works great. MGS4 hasn't come out yet. :D

I'm available from 6:30pm PST all the way up to 12pm PST. Just let me know when.

I'll have to install Skype again. Wait, do you have a mac Aladuf? We could use iChat, couldn't we?

[GameMaster]

Alright, let's do this. The first three people that replied were Aladuf, GameMaster, and Dyne. I'm really not sure if Skype could handle more than four people anyway and maintain a decent quality of audio.

Let's try recording our first pilot next Tuesday night. What time works for everyone?

I'm going to work on some kind of outline just so that it isn't a total bust.

Skype claims to be able host conference calls with up to 10 people at a time so I think we should be okay.

We can do some testing beforehand if you like.

[Aladuf]

I don't have a Mac.. and how does one go about getting this "skype" you speak of?

[Bond]

http://www.skype.com/

Also, does everyone have headsets?

[Aladuf]

Skype claims to be able host conference calls with up to 10 people at a time so I think we should be okay.

We can do some testing beforehand if you like.

I agree, lets test it out before hand with a few folks then we can decide if more can join or not.

[GameMaster]

I don't have a Mac.. and how does one go about getting this "skype" you speak of?

http://www.skype.com/download/

[Aladuf]

http://www.skype.com/

Also, does everyone have headsets?

hmm... I think so.

[Dyne]

I don't have a headset, but I think I can get away with headphones / internal mac laptop. It's worked before.

[Bond]

Well, let's all get Skype (I have to re-download it too), and post our usernames.

[GameMaster]

skype name: synthoid

[Aladuf]

Is there anyone else who has skype that can help us to see if we can easily fit more than three?

[Dyne]

Hey, I DO have it. Awesome.

username: dynendal

[flunkie44]

I have Skype, and I've had 4+ people on it at a time flawlessly.

Skype: flunkie44

I..I want to be included in the podcast toooooo. :(

[Bond]

Is there anyone else who has skype that can help us to see if we can easily fit more than three?
It really depends upon how all of our connections interact with eachother. So, we're going to have to test and see.

[Aladuf]

It really depends upon how all of our connections interact with eachother. So, we're going to have to test and see.

Gotcha.

Ok my name thingy is: Aladuf23

[birdman]

I have Skype, and I've had 4+ people on it at a time flawlessly.

Skype: flunkie44

I..I want to be included in the podcast toooooo. :(


You'll get your chance like the rest of us.

btw mine is: the_birdman1

[Aladuf]

for anyone who's trying to "call" me, hold on, I'm trying to untangle my headset.

[Dyne]

Post your handle Bond! Three of us are on now.

[Dyne]

Ok, four of us are talking without issue. It's pretty sweet. Get on, the rest of you!

[birdman]

flunkie wouldn't tell me what he was wearing :-(

[Swan]

I neeed to get a head set.


How much does a semi decent one cost?

[Bond]

Sorry, I was playing TF2. Downloading Skype now.

[flunkie44]

Our power went out - sorry about the crash.

It's not like it was a big deal anyways. Our recorder left and the podcast was more of a happy house than anything. :lolz:

[Bond]

So... it looks like I ended up recording 24 minutes of silence. I'm going to have to figure out how to get my headset and Audacity to work tomorrow...

[Dyne]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah that was interesting.

[Aladuf]

Bah! My internet messed up. But that wasn't bad, we know that we can handle that many people. We definetly need to make up an itinerary or whatever because that was incredibly random, all of it.

[flunkie44]

We need a list. Organization is a must if we even want to plan on doing this, lol.

[flunkie44]

So... it looks like I ended up recording 24 minutes of silence. I'm going to have to figure out how to get my headset and Audacity to work tomorrow...

Probably for the best. :lolz:

[GameMaster]

I'm recording right now, it works

[Dyne]

Hahah, that's great it works.

Just don't post that recording, Gamemaster. :sneaky:

[Renwood]

Needs a defined structure, at least until a more natural kind of flow is worked out. Dyne was right: about an hour is the ceiling on what would probably be feasible, allowing for some variability on either side of sixty minutes.

First half on community news and topics of interest from the board, as well as usual bullshit to work into a rhythm for the second half focused on what everyone is playing and what happened during the weekly gaming night, if one was held.

There should also be a limit on how many people participate in a given session. Rotating two or three chairs to allow everyone a chance to get in is great, but it shouldn't be any more than five in one podcast, because even at that, its going to be difficult to coordinate and not speak over one another when you don't have the luxury of being in the same room together to play off one another and easily mediate discussion.

This part could be made easier if, when possible, members that live close to one another could get together in the same room to minimize the amount of separation.

Last, it could use someone filling a producer role who can coordinate some form of discussion moderation through a Skype chat room that everyone can view; again, part of keeping things from becoming confusing with so many disparate voices going off.

[flunkie44]

So we get our own section in House Specials now, huh?

[Bond]

Yeah! Right now you, myself, Dyne, and Aladuf can view this forum.

[Dyne]

Awesome possum! (ok, that sounded a little gay.)

[Aladuf]

Oh! Our own special subforum :D

Edit: just listened to our recording from last night... pretty entertaining for just a normal conversation.

[Bond]

Did you record it, Aladuf?

[Aladuf]

No, GM PM'ed it to me, shall I post it? He said to in the PM but I didn't yet.

[Bond]

Sure.

[Aladuf]

http://www.filedropper.com/podcastauditions

[Bond]

BaB now has access to the forum.

So if BaB is going to organize our content, who is going to record and edit this? GM? Dyne? Myself?

I will volunteer to do a Show Notes for every episode, like Major Nelson does.

[Dyne]

Oh dear. Let's see how much I hate my voice in a podcast situation. Hahaha.

I have sound design experience; I can do edit it if you want. :)

[Aladuf]

GM had a clear, good recording so I think he definetly should.

:lolz: I thought I would hate my podcast voice too but I didn't cringe too much.

[Dyne]

GM had a clear, good recording so I think he definetly should.

:lolz: I thought I would hate my podcast voice too but I didn't cringe too much.

Yeah, your voice is good. You remind me a lot of Mark Bozon. (In a complimentary sort of way, hahaha)

EDIT: Wow, my voice sounds washed out. Hahaha.

[Aladuf]

Yeah, your voice is good. You remind me a lot of Mark Bozon. (In a complimentary sort of way, hahaha)

:lolz: Nice.

[Bond]

I think Dyne needs a headset, and you can hear someone typing and using a scroll wheel in the background, haha.

[Dyne]

Hahaha, yeah. I'll look into it.

[BreakABone]

I got to say listening to it again there is some chemistry, but there was a lot of dead silence and stuff.

Granted, I know this was off the hip and most conversations have weird periods of silence.

There is also someone who is breaking up near the end of it.

I think we should avoid a structured gaming podcast though. I think a greatest focus on the community and just talking. Sort of like a Shooting the Breeze/Hangin at the Bar conversations.

[BreakABone]

This was the original idea I proposed many moons ago.

Happy Hour
Basic introductory segment.
Can focus on what's new. What people have been playing, what movies or TV shows saw, what been reading.

Chugging
Basic news rundown.
News for anything and just quick opinions on it.

The Last Call
Outlook on the future.
What excited for. What's down the pipeline for you.

[flunkie44]

BOZON! That's it. I knew it was someone from IGN. Aladuf sounds just like him.

[Dyne]

BOZON! That's it. I knew it was someone from IGN. Aladuf sounds just like him.

I knew I wasn't crazy! Hahaha.

[Bond]

I still think we need to hammer down how many people we want on the podcast. I think it should be no more than four personally. If we have too many people it will become too diluted.

[Dyne]

Yeah, four is a good number. Then most people get their say in, and it keeps it going every week because it has the longevity of new faces all the time. And by faces I mean voices. :sneaky:

[Aladuf]

So who will the 4 be? Me, flunkie, Dyne, and Bond with GM recording and BaB steering us in the right direction?

[Bond]

If GM wants to participate he can take my spot.

[BreakABone]

If GM wants to participate he can take my spot.

Any excuse for you not to speak with GTers eh. ;)

I shall you folks try different casts at first to see which works. Then go from there.

Because not everyone has chemistry.

[Aladuf]

Any excuse for you not to speak with GTers eh. ;)

I shall you folks try different casts at first to see which works. Then go from there.

Because not everyone has chemistry.

Chemistry eh? Then we need to at least have you or flunkie in there for me to work really well! I assume Dyne will be in there, which is good because we seem to work well anyways so that'll be fine.

[BreakABone]

Chemistry eh? Then we need to at least have you or flunkie in there for me to work really well! I assume Dyne will be in there, which is good because we seem to work well anyways so that'll be fine.

I just ooze chemistry.
But also and this will come off a bit.. shallow but when don't I.
I have a larger than life presence around here. And really if I was involved I'm sure it would focus too much on my end. :p

Anyhow since will be out of town most of this weekend. Here is what I should be some of the talking points.

-Start off by talking about GT community nights. I know Aladuf, Flunkie and Dyne have been around for the Kart, Smash and Dr. MArio ones. And more than enough stories to share. Who matches up. Who is good stuff like that.
-Bond did the GTA night with Fox, Swan and Combine. Stuff to talk about there.
-What is it like playing with GTers.
-Community events. Talk about current threads. What did you think of the pinecone thread. Did it live up to potential. What did you think about the challenge being changed at the last moment.
-Cross promote some of the blogs. Since Flunkie, Aladuf and Dyne are also 3 of the more active bloggers. I expect a special segment on Paper Mario.
-Member focus. Here you can pick a single member or differentt members each to shine the spotlight on for a bit. Some of their best moments and biggest goofs.
Tavern Talk: Favorite drinking game involving cards.

I think that's that.
Anything want to add? Anything not needed?

[Aladuf]

Does GM have access to this thread? We should get him in here if not. We need to sort out the people participating for sure and get down exactly what we want to do off of BaB's list.

[Bond]

GM has access as of yesterday.

I still can't get my bloody headset to work... very frustrating.

[BreakABone]

Also I would suggest a cold run or general outline for each person.

Know what points you want to hit.
Make sure you are always looking for avenues to transaction conversations.

And for god's sake, try to minimize the dead air.

[Aladuf]

Are you saying we should practice sometime?

[Dyne]

Pfff. Practice.

I say we should start singing or quoting things in dead air. :cool:

[Aladuf]

I agree, I didn't want to practice this, then it would more than likely come off waaaay too scripted.

But, the main goal of this podcast needs to be: MORE TUROK RECRUITS! :D

I know we can handle co-op together, but more people is much easier as we found out. :lolz:

[BreakABone]

No no not practice.
You folks need to know what the other is gonna talk about.
So if you feel a silence coming on someone could nudge you on.
Example.
"Yeah and that was our final mission in Turok"
"Oh Dyne didn't you also have to talk about PAPER MARIO"
"Oh yeah since BaB mandates it. So I got up to blah blah blah"

See so someone is keeping the conversation going. Sure, it has to sound natural doesn't mean you have to be surprised.

[GameMaster]

I think it would be mega-funny if we talked as if we were reading off scripts and inserted several awkward silences.

I want everyone to think of this as a reality TV show of sorts, minus the visual part.

Think of it as The Real World: GameTavern Edition. 5 complete strangers are thrown into a podcast together and forced to discuss game-related topics... hearing each other's voices for the FIRST TIME!

And someone needs to make a little intro jingle, like the music that news studios play before they deliver the 11 o'clock news.

[Aladuf]

:lolz: I love that idea actually GM. We should have a general idea of what we want to cover, but at the same time just let it flow imo. Because if we all just go in there blindly then we'll have a pile of unsuccessful jabber like we ended up with last time.

Somebody does need to get on that music.

[Dyne]

I can compose something quick after I do the beta-style banner. :D

[flunkie44]

and we need to have a name other than just "GameTavern Podcast".

Something like Beyond, and have a catch phrase.

[Aladuf]

TavCast...I dunno :lolz: JUST thought of that.

For the banner we should all take a picture of ourselves and then send them to someone to put them into a style like this:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee137/aranathos/GFW-2.jpg

[BreakABone]

I was partial to
On The Rocks when we originally pitched the podcast.
Or Gaming Afterhours

or TavernTalk is a phrase I like to use

[Aladuf]

Jim was here.

[flunkie44]

TavCast...I dunno :lolz: JUST thought of that.

For the banner we should all take a picture of ourselves and then send them to someone to put them into a style like this:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee137/aranathos/GFW-2.jpg

100% agreed.

[Bond]

So, I'd say we have three things left to decide before the podcast is recorded Tuesday night:

1. What time Tuesday night?
2. Will BaB be in the Skype call via the chat room prompting us or something else?
3. What should the name of the podcast be?

My recommendation for number 2 is that we put what we're going to talk about online as either a thread in this forum or as a Google document. That way we'll all be able to see it at the same time, live, so that we'll also be able to edit it.

Show Notes:
- Information on Podcast
- Recorded by GameMaster
- Edited by Dyne
- Planned by BreakABone
- Links
- http://majornelson.com/archive/2008/05/25/show-280-xna-drm-and-more.aspx

[Aladuf]

Anytime after 7:30 EST will be fine for me, I think flunkie said he may have a baseball game that night but he'll have to post that for sure in here. If so, then we may have to record it a bit later.

I'm pretty sure BaB won't be around for that since he mentioned that he'd be out of town until Wednesday. But I agree with what you said about just making a thread here and going by it.. since we'll all be able to see it.

Lastly, I'm not too sure on the name of the podcast but BaB had a pretty good idea the other day when he said to name it something like Happy Hour since it'll be most likely around and hour in length and that's also the name of the forum.

[Dyne]

6:30 PST and later works for me. :)

[flunkie44]

I've got a game Tuesday, so it'd have to be either really late or I can't be there.

I suggest moving it to another night. Aladuf has details.

[BreakABone]

I won't be back until Wedn as Aladuf says.

And well not gonna install Skype on friend's comp just for a podcast.

[Aladuf]

Yeah, flunkie suggested last night that we move the day back.. I'm not sure what day he would have preferred it been moved to, but any night is fine with me as long as it's after 7:30 EST.

[Bond]

We could definitely push it back to Wednesday night, or whichever night would better accommodate everyone.

[flunkie44]

Tuesdays in general aren't very good for my baseball schedule. I have a game on every Tuesday of June and July.

[Bond]

Let's go for Wednesday night then.

[Aladuf]

Sounds good.

[Dyne]

Wednesday's ok for me. I might be pretty strung out on the hype for MGS4 though. If they're doing a midnight launch then I'll DEFINITELY be pretty adrenaline-rushed. Hahaha.

[GameMaster]

Speaking of MSG4, watch this funny in-game clip poking fun at Xbox 360

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v449/synthoid/?action=view&current=b150c0c3.flv

[Aladuf]

:lolz: I saw that yesterday, that was pretty funny.