Started my own retro gaming podcast. Thoughts?

[satoshi_matrix]

Hey FW, I'm tossing around the idea of starting my own retro gaming podcast that's mainly focused around the NES and Famicom but occasionally may venture off into Sega or dare I say it, modern gaming.

Floating around ideas, this is what I'm thinking:

Create a weekly podcast composed of a few reoccurring segments:

1. An audio based game review - where I talk about a retro game and its history, much like I do on my blog, with music from that game playing softly in the background as I discuss the game in question. Mostly it will be me talking about something worth playing that perhaps you've missed out on. Don't expect me to talk about Halo or Call of Duty anytime soon.

2. Tech talk. Topics might include tutorials on how to preform various mods, or just my thoughts on certain devices or systems. Possible subjects may include Famiclones, controllers, adapters, etc etc.

3. Listener mail. answer tech questions or whatever else people write in and ask about.

4. Recent pick ups/finds or just other news related to my youtube channel, blog or something like that. Basically, whatever I'm up to int he realm of retro gaming as of the time of recording.

So all that said, what do you guys think? Would you listen to my podcast if I were to start one? Any segments you would like to see that I didn't mention in my overview structure? any advice from anyone who has their own podcast already?

Lastly, I'm going to need a name for the podcast. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys.

[FamicomFreak]

Can I be in it? AWAAA?

[UglyJoe]

I'm always up for another game podcast.  How long would try to make each episode?

2. Tech talk. Topics might include tutorials on how to preform various mods, or just my thoughts on certain devices or systems. Possible subjects may include Famiclones, controllers, adapters, etc etc.

I don't know that explaining mods with just audio would be particularly useful.  It's the sort of thing that needs pics or video.

[Parodius Duh]

Make some videos, I dont think Ive ever listened to a podcast before....dont even really know what one is...

[petik1]

I've never listened to a podcast. A video would be a little more work, but you'd be more open to a bigger audience.

[UglyJoe]

I don't know that a video necessarily opens up a bigger audience.  I rarely watch videos that are longer than 10 minutes, but routinely listen to podcasts that are an hour long.  You can multitask while listening to a podcast, but not really while watching a video.

[tappybot]

Go for it.  Sounds like a good time!

[Kiddo]

I agree with Petik1 and Parodius, in that videos would probably open your podcast up for a bigger audience. I haven't really listened to any gaming podcasts before but I can imagine some video game stuff can be hard to explain without images. You can of course make a podcast and also make it in video format, just with still images for emphasis and explanation.

Say you were trying to do a game review of  a megaman game (which I am sure you will do eventually if you go along with this  ), and you are talking about your favorite level, or this one particular spot in a level where there is a secret or glitch or something. With only audio it can be really hard to explain, but with say an added still image of said place of interest in the video, your point is explained much more clearly. You can even do the podcast audio only first, and then make a video version with added flavor later on.

Just my two cents. Hope you go through with this, I like the stuff you are already doing, so keep up the good work 

[tappybot]

You should try listening to some podcasts.. They're great if you have a job like working in a kitchen restaurant (if you can hear it over the noise), or if you're doing chores or anything else at home.

I'm a huge fan of the Retronauts podcast..  believe it or not, video not at all required. If there's something they talk about that I for some reason can't imagine (after all my years of gaming and knowledge of the subject) I can investigate on my own later.

Watching a video requires your full attention... It's also a hell of a lot more work for the person putting it together.


My vote's for podcast. 

[satoshi_matrix]

Well, I've decided to give it a go, and produced a prototype episode of what may be a podcast. Before I create an itunes or rrs feed, I just want to see what people think and if I should actually bother to do this kind of thing. I'm thinking I'd do a bi-weekly (possibly weekly) podcast to begin with and see what people think.

So with some feedback I've received I've tried to make this as good as possible, but keep in mind I'm new at this and find balancing volume levels difficult, but I did try my best. For now, please let me know your thoughts.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FDOTYXHH

[petik1]

I downloaded the "episode zero". I didn't have time to listen to everything, but one bit of suggestion: Re-read your script multiple times. I'm really anal when it comes to people reading.

Perhaps do another with some of the content you would use! That would help us get a better understanding of how it would play out.

[tappybot]

Okay, I listened.  Pretty good!

What if you had a key outline for topics you want to hit, but you do the rest of it off script?
Even if it leaves you umming and erring, there's something more pleasant about listening to a person just talk rather than reading.
.. Though that might be easier said than done. I guess if you had a second person on the show it'd be easier to go freestyle.

Anyway, I liked it.  Looking forward to the next one 

[UglyJoe]

Listened to it this morning.  Pretty good stuff!

I agree that the script-reading sounds a bit stilted, but I don't think that's a bad thing for a solo podcast.  Sounds almost like a newscast.

I thought the volume EQ was fine.  The only place I noticed a difference was during the SNES mod segment.  The part where you start talking about what to do with a modded SNES was noticeably louder, but not jarring.