As you probably maybe didn't notice, Podtoid 31 wasn't released on Tuesday. A combination of technological failure, scheduling issues and cows kicking over oil lamps caused the entire thing to vanish mysteriously from my hard drive and try as I might I couldn't pull a Lazarus on the whole thing. So, with the stone still in place, I said to my team "Team, we're NOT re-recording! In fact, we're just gonna wait until next week and record it again! Why? Because if I don't make rules in a pompous, self-important manner, I'll lose my reputation as a pompous self-important ass to one of those English fellows! How do you think George Patton would feel about that?" With the fear of Zombie Patton running through their minds, the team agreed and promised to never speak ill of myself or the bald eagle that perches on my shoulder.
Hence, we're recording Podtoid 31 today! We'll need your questions in just a moment, but please read the topics I'm about to outline before you ask us questions that we will, no doubt, already be talking about.
Topics:
The Lair Reviewers Guide: Sure, companies have been doing this sort of thing for a while now, but is it ethical? Do reviewers listen to it? Do we win points with the general public by pissing all over their efforts?
Guitar Hero III revelations: Is this all really, REALLY awesome, or are they the actions of a company that realizes it is totally screwed now that it has to compete with the glory of Rock Band?
Secret Third Topic: There's no link included because it's a secret!
Also, I'll probably end up finally talking about the games of PAX. I should have done this half a month ago, but I'm an unreliable ne'er do well with the shifty eyes of a gypsy.
Now would be the time to hit up the comments and give us your questions, so please, go do so.
[UPDATE: Oh yeah, and the contest is in effect again this week: best reader submitted question will win a solid $25. We'll announce the winner on the Podtoid and then the winner has 1 week to email me at nex@destructoid.com to claim their prize.]
Contest:
9:42 AM on 09.09.2007
| 
I have a question. Recently, I've seen a few theories thrown out there about the so-called "fanboy syndrome", the most notable is the most obvious, that fanboys are created from a mix of lack of exposure to other games (PC or console) and personal justification for that lack of exposure. (For example, I don't have a PS3 nor the funds to acquire one, so I would justify to myself that there aren't any good reasons to own one). What are your thoughts on this, your own theories as to why fanboys are created, and any other random bits that might be relevant (or utterly irrelevant)?
but...
at best Halo is an average shooter with tremendous hype behind it. You think that Bioshock and the upcoming Orange box would have blunted Halo's momentum a little bit, but apparently not.
And are there any plans for a Destructoid presence at the Digital Life convention in NYC? Its always fun, with tournaments, forums and unreleased games on the show floor. Send Greybush so we can go out drinking and get EPIC.
And by EPIC, I mean by behaving in a manner that could get us sued.
http://www.destructoid.com/a-guide-to-recognizing-your-gamers-chapter-10-38754.phtml&?no_cache=1&comment_saved=1#comment-175209
The same for Metroid Prime 3 but the other way around: will its control scheme be as influential for the future of the Wii FPS like Halo was for console FPSs that followed it?
So the main question is: could the success or failure of one huge game on one platform influence developers of following games into changing their controls accordingly for that platform? Because while I can see a new EA fps for the Wii having MP3 controls, I don't think we'll see a new Rogue Squadron with Lair controls after Lair.
While you [Nex] have voiced your disdain towards the phenomenon of internet memes in the past you have never gone into detail about why it is they induce such feelings of disgust. So would you please elaborate upon why it is that you view them to be "bad" and which meme, over the years, has held the uncoveted place of "You suck the most Goddammit" in your eyes and any single one which you may have possibly liked or enjoyed...even a little.
Fantastic. I figured I'd find something very detailed on the topic in the community if I looked hard enough, I didn't think I'd find it 3 weeks back. Thanks.
With the advent of games such as "guitar hero" (and it's clones), and even stretching back as far as DDR we've seen the intermingling of "mainstream pop" music with the gaming community, and we've come a long way from the synth tones of our foregenerations. Where do you see the future of music in games leaning toward? Is more commercialization (releases of soundtracks for each new game, more RIAA involvement, etc) a bad thing or will this be a positive thing for the industry?
Podtoid needs more arguing. The Retroforce GO! Metroid part 2 episode is phenomenal. Podtoid tends to be so reserved with respect to actual opinions that you guys come across as completely non-committal about things as elementary as whether or not Lair sucks.
Why must you try to be so civilized? This is why Rome was destroyed.
So I suppose my question would be be the opposite of what you pose. How is Rock Band going to take down GH III? Just being the better game won't be enough.
Emboldened by recent excursions into fake rock stardom with Guitar Hero, how many gamers will attempt to start real rock bands now that the "My First Chords" simulator Jam Sessions comes with a tiny amp?
And for bonus points, how quickly will these bands capsize in the wake of no one wanting to hear people playing their DS?
Sorry for using your words taumpytears but they were just so perfect!
How will MTV's investment in Rock Band affect the relationship between the music and gaming industries?
I know several people who have expressed in or even decided to try playing a real guitar after playing Guitar Hero; might there be a higher number of gamers forming indie bands in their garages?
Will this affect the Nerdcore genre at all or are they separate movements?
Or is music-based gaming just a fad that will die off like Tamagotchis and Pogs?