About a month ago, the guy who signs my checks (that's Niero) said to me: "Hey, we need to get another podcast off the ground with the site's everyday, core writers. Get it done." He doesn't often demand I do things, so I figured he was serious.
I don't listen very well, I guess, since it took me well over a month to organize the folks in question -- Dale North, Jim Sterling -- for a sit down for what, I suppose, will be the "next generation" of the Podtoid podcast.
A few things: I don't think that anyone will really be able to replace the old cast and its chemistry. It was a combination of personalities and friends that gave the podcast its unique flavor. And as the apparent host of this new show, I don't have any delusions of grandeur -- I'm no Anthony Burch. I mean, who is? Dude is apparently going to save the world or something.
But we're giving it a go. In fact, we've already GIVEN it a go, in the form of recording a "test run" episode this past week. It was, in every way, a rough and dry run. I've never hosted a podcast before, and hell, I don't even listen to the things very often. (I was happy to let the old Podtoid team do their thing, because they were good at it; they didn't need anything from me.) No one was really meant to hear it outside of the participants and Niero. The idea was to bounce feedback off of each other internally, to get it up to speed and ready for prime time. When Niero heard it he said "You should upload this and put it on the front page."
Well, I'm not listening to him this time. But I do want to give select community members a listen, at least those who bothered to read this far. All you need to do is private message me your email address, and I'll share a private Dropbox folder with you that will let you download the file. If you need to sign up for Dropbox, you can do it here: [url]https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEzNDMzMzA5?src=global0[/url] (Full disclosure: I get referral storage space or something if you join via that link. Hey, I'm greedy.)
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UPDATE: Private message function broken? Just email me: my first name at destructoid dot com]
All I ask in return is that you give honest (and helpful, I hope) feedback to help make the show better. Suggestions and all of that are welcome. A few notes:
- I know my audio is lower than the rest of the cast, and it's because I had my mic on the wrong setting. Because I'm a moron. I did the best I could to bump up the levels, but yeah... it's a known issue. I hope to work it out, and it should be an easy fix.
- The intro and outro music is placeholder; our own Dale North is working on a theme for us and I'm sure it's going to be totally baller.
That's it, really. Have at it, and looking forward to hearing your feedback.
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My plan is foiled
Nick needs to be on more podcast.
Nick needs to be on more podcasts.
I'll blame Steve Jobs for that one.
That said, super anxious to hear what the new Podtoid sounds like. Now, Imma let you finish.
i liked this podcast. it was like one of the occasional podtoid episodes with a shrunken cast, and thus a limited set of topics and viewpoints, which i don't have a problem with--it's good to have a breather episode in between the rapid-fire ranting and inside jokes. dale north, who i've never heard before, is cool to listen to, and the fact that you three already have a rapport going goes a long way in making this listenable.
i would like to see an extra member or two, as i think five members (four minimum) is the sweet spot for podcast size, and that five people stretches the cast to about an hour and a half, which i think is the sweet spot for podcast length. (penis joke.) maybe you could bribe hamza and someone whose voice we haven't heard before (jonathan ross? matthew razak?) into being regular members.
finally, i don't expect you guys to try and replicate the style of old podtoid (the electric hydra kind of gets the job done on that front), but it would be great if you listened to a few episodes in order to see what they got right and why it worked so well. i started listening to podtoid regularly at about episode 81, and watched as it started to seriously grow in popularity and become more and more entertaining to listen to. there are several episodes in the 81-148 range that are sheer brillance, and worth a listen whether you're making a podcast or not. definitely check the podtoid section of the forums and see what the old fans thought.
hope that didn't take too long to read. and renaming the show "podtoid dx" would actually be really cool.
Thanks for the feedback! While I think the "core" team will hover around three (Dale, Jim, and myself), I'm definitely open to getting other voices on there. Thing is, the three of us work Destructoid full time, which affords us the opportunity to record the show during "business" and work hours; many folks who contribute don't do this as a full gig, and therefore wouldn't be able to record until late in the evening... and to be honest that doesn't work for me personally, as I have a family and kids and... I get tired, especially after having written/worked/whatever all day.
That said, I want to keep things fresh, so I have a few plans to bring more and more folks into the fold in different ways. Expect to hear even more voices, coming into the conversation is some unique and different ways. I think I have some pretty cool ideas on that front; every writer on the site has SUCH a unique voice, I want to get everyone heard, for sure. I already have a plan for this next episode that brings a popular voice into the mix, so that should be fun and cool.
Yeah, I definitely am aware of the stride Podtoid hit. I think a lot of that comes from repeated recordings, and just kind of building up a rapport and vibe between the cast. I hope we can capture that energy as we record more and more.
I'm also definitely going to keep an ear open to see what fans of the previous Podtoid are thinking about what we do. Thanks for the feedback -- I really appreciate it.
My only suggestion would be, as infinity said, to get another member for a fourth seat. Someone that could bring a funny edge to the show. I hesitate to use the word "wacky," but that was the one element that seemed to be missing. Podtoid has always been about having a laugh, and not being afraid to piss anyone off in the process. I'm not saying you guys weren't funny, but I would just like to see the show go further in that direction.
Thanks for listening, and glad you enjoyed it. I think as we do more, the more ridiculous the show will get. We're already pretty comfortable with one another, so we don't need to get over that hurdle. But yeah, getting a bit "whacky" shouldn't be much of a problem.
You guys are funny enough as you are. Do not try to be funny. The EAMS had this problem - if you try too hard to provoke some cheap laughs, it ruins the atmosphere. Just be natural about it, fuck "whackiness."
Secondly, you could do with another core member, as has been said. My suggestion is to pick somebody who brings another expertise to the table, someone not only with differring interests (in video games and in general) but somebody with a diferent perspective. Nothing is worse than wanting to hear a discussion on a topic when instead all the cast members are patting each other on the back. If you have someone in the office who is willing to intercede on these grounds and who is generally convincing in argument, include them in this reindeer game.
As others have said, you three have a great rapport on mic and this was an enjoyable listen. I'm looking forward to seeing how you guys will make the podcast your own.
My opinion doesn't really differ from the other comments here - it was a great dry run that definitely shows potential. It was nice to hear Dale North, and I'd love to see at least one more person as a regular. Otherwise, great job, and I hope to hear more of these in the future!