This show has been through alot since it's inception. Sites have come and gone. They've been banned from radio only to return triumphantly. Hurricanes. Wars. Famine. Life. Death. Yet, it has survived.
The format is refreshing amongst the endless sea of gaming podcasts: there's no strict format. There's no "Emails" or "News" segment. By design, the podcast is supposed to feel like you walked into a room to find a group of old, good friends mid-conversation about videogames. Oh, how about that! There's a spare seat! This fosters instant comfort and familiarity.
Like most people, each member have unique personalities and quirks that only could be a exposed by building a massive history together. None of them are professional gaming journalists and it shows. They aren't members of the gaming-industry "in-crowd". The show isn't filled with industry in-jokes and "Inside Baseball" conversations. You won't hear previews about games they saw at Capcom headquarters, or GDC. They talk about what they want to talk about, what is most important to them and what should be most important to us over here on the consumer side.
If you're wondering who is talking nearly the whole show? That's James, and he's the heavy-hitter. The primary draw of the show is to hear James provide deep, multi-layered insight about topics that others have ignored or mis-judged. He's informed. He knows his stuff. Above all, he is clearly passionate about games and wants to encourage that passion in others. He can and does expound about this passion, and does so with patience, clarity, and authenticity.
Scott, the straight-man host of the show, provides the wall for James to play against. He rarely makes judgments. He cannot articulate his feelings about a topic as well as James. But, this is not negative or lacking in purpose. Scott is a representation of the listener, in that we are coming to the podcast to have our own thoughts defined, ordered, expanded and expressed by those that have the skill to do so. James and Scott play well together in this way. James often responds: "Let me tell you why you feel that way." This very quality also makes him a great interviewer, which happen fairly regularly on the show. Actors from MST3K, David Hayter, and many other gaming industry members have appeared on the show over the years to enjoyable effect.
Other regulars include Arjay, Matt, Jeremy, and Dennis. The show's newer format is more limiting to their input than in their less-ordered past. Overall, their insight is welcome and enjoyable and I'm glad they're on the show.
The show's is currently broadcasting on the radio weekly in two, one hour blocks. This makes the show much more punctual and punchy than previously. Much less cursing since it's now, again, under FCC regulations. Additionally, the broadcast studio provides access to much better equipment. The show has never sounded better.
Additionally, there's more than listening options than ever before. The show provides live video of the broadcast studio during the recording enabling you to watch and participate live. The radio station also streams the audio from the radio station live in many formats for a multitude of devices. The files provided in this feed are pretty much direct recordings of the live shows with little to no modification.
This show has received new life this year, and I'm more excited than ever to listen, be informed, and participate with my favorite podcast, In-Game Chat!
