GamePro Conversation: Heavy Rain
- March 11, 2010 12:06 PM PST
Our first test episode of a new podcast format. Hosted by John Davison, this first show is a 30 minute exploration of Heavy Rain with comments from writer and director David Cage, GamePro's Tae Kim and Andy Burt, and Destructoid's Jim Sterling.
Here is the first test episode of a new podcast format from us here at GamePro. Similar to our new approach to editorial in print and online, the new show is designed to be more of a feature-style show instead of a roundtable conversation. Each show we'll tackle a single topic, and bring in voices and opinions from a variety of different sources to try and ensure that all (or at least the spread of) perspectives are covered.
This first show tackles Heavy Rain, and includes frank and candid comments from writer and director David Cage about his thoughts on game design, as well as some insight into both the narrative and the choice of location for his contentious game. We have also included commentary from GamePro reviews editor Tae Kim, our reviewer Andy Burt, and also criticisms from Destructoid's Jim Sterling.
Tentatively titled "GamePro Conversation" this 30 minute show will hopefully bring you some insight into both the creative process of games, and the way that critics, fans, and observers feel about the topics we tackle.
The first episode is embedded below, and we'll have an iTunes feed set up in the very near future. If you like the format, we'll make it a regular thing.
Please share your thoughts on both the topic of Heavy Rain, and on the new show format in the comments below.
For those that have requested a direct link to the MP3 file (so you can listen on your smartphone or other device before we get the iTunes feed up and running) you can find the file right here.
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Comments [23]
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- Mar 11 2010 at 08:46:34:AM PST
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Very excited loved you on 1ups podcast! Hope this is as good! Can I subscribe on iTunes?
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Hope you like it. It's a bit different from the old 1UP Yours and Listen Up stuff.
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Good stuff. I like how you had people who didn't like the game as well. Don't be afraid to go longer than a half hour though :) It's good to have you back podcasting, John.
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While I like the idea here and the production quality is phenomenal, I do have some issues with it. Hopefully you are looking for criticism :P
This is way, way too much of a "A Life Well Wasted" vibe for me. And while there isn't anything wrong with that I don't think it works in this context. You call this "Gamepro Conversation" but these are all one-sided conversations.
Questions are given to people which are removed from the final cut and then voice overed to give it some flow and context. To me, it sounded like the people that were talking didn't all know that was the idea. Your occasional "mmhmms" take away from this >
If this is the you will use all the time, I guess just make sure the people you are talking to understand the way it will be put together in the end. While I think a back and forth between those that gave it a good review and those that didn't would be more of an entertaining conversation, the video game podcast world definitely needs more high quality production like A Life Well Wasted and Co-op so there is that.
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Feels like you're trying to do something similar to A Life Well Wasted, but I don't think it works. The question, answer, question, answer format works for magazine interviews, but I prefer the flow of discussion usually presented in podcasts. That's not to say you can't do something different, I think what you did with What They Play worked very well without being the normal format of 3-4 people talking games and cracking jokes.
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I do prefer this format because another podcast in the "4 guys sitting around" format is already well established. Please keep it to the 30 minutes because while I used to enjoy those ridiculously long 1up yours episodes, I only have so much time in a day.
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Pretty smooth, John. The feel I get from the podcast is the same one I get when listening to the Irrational Games podcasts: A more serious, organized and well though-out format. I'd say extend it past 30 minutes, but I have the luxury of listening to podcasts all day while I work.
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The space music in the background has to go. I could barely stay awake.
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A few people have mentioned that the Heavy Rain music is a little too mellow. We'll keep the next one a bit more upbeat!
Thanks for all the constructive feedback everyone. This is really useful. I want to be as transparent as possible with regard to the experimental nature of this. It was a very conscious shift away from the "four guys sitting around ranting about games" towards something different. I'd dabbled with the format from time to time with the What They Play podcast, but after hearing Robert Ashley develop A Life Well Wasted into something akin to a gaming interpretation of This American Life, I was intrigued by the possibilities of constructing a podcast in a similar fashion to the way we construct our cover stories.
The mold is by no means set - and we'll tweak and evolve the thing with each successive show.
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Any GP podcast, especially with your familiar voice, is welcome.
Do you guys plan to create a weekly segment? I kinda miss Thirsty Thursday.
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