RPGBacktrack Advice Needed

Comments

• Shaymin The Gratitude Pokemon Halifax, New SealandFull Members

  January 2011 edited January 2011

  I like the segments as they are now, the only issue I have is with the longer episodes (4 hours on Super Robot Wars? Wut?)
  
  Podcasts really are subject to the 150 minute rule - any longer and I start to zone out. If it's going to go long, maybe split it up like you did with the Tales episodes. Plus, our UK friends aren't on the call until 6am local time and completely out of it at the end.

  "The flowers all over its body burst into bloom if it is lovingly hugged and senses gratitude."
• Kyoske Member Full Members

  January 2011 edited January 2011

  I have listened to some of every podcast, and most of every podcast. Per your request I have discussed the specific questions below. However, before addressing those there are a few minor things I would like to mention.
  
  I think that JCServant announces the show in a way that needs to change. Holding out the “a” in “track” for so long is perhaps the number one thing that annoys me about the openings. I’m also not sure why you augment JCServant’s voice when you discuss the framework of the podcast. It is clearly him due to the elongated “a” in “track” which is repeated more than once. There was a podcast where JCServan did not hold out the “a” in “track” and it was like music to my ears. I wish he would do it like that from now on.
  
  That said, JCServant, as host, should be commended on his drastic reduction in the use of the term “what not” which he used to use excessively. I don’t mind it being used, but it should be doled out sparingly.
  
  Finally, I would caution hosts and panelists alike to curtail how much they laugh at their own jokes. If it is funny, the other panelists and listeners will laugh. If you laugh after your own joke, it is generally not funny. So I think that a little less of that would go a long way.
  
  Below are my responses to your specific questions:
  
  What do you think of the skits?
  
  I like the skits in general. That said, I think that you might want to make better use of the staff that is available. Whereas I find it particularly annoying that JCServant does almost all the female voices, I respect that it might be a personal annoyance of mine. I think using many of the women from the panel might be a better choice. I also find it strange that sometimes you discuss the remainder of the podcast without knowledge of how the opening skit sounds upon completion. I think that whoever is on the panel should be more involved on that podcast skit. What I do like is the writing. For the most part you make the skits humorous, and I appreciate that. I think sometimes you might want to condense certain phrases, as sometimes it appears you are all running out of breath. Remember commas are your friends.
  
  
  
  What do you think of the PC Pitshop segment?
  
  I like this section when it is in the podcast, but I no longer have a PC capable of playing more recent PC games. This section is so rarely on the podcast, and so it seems odd that there is a designated segment for it. If the segment was used more often, but kept to a minimum time frame (10 minute max) I think it could be used well.
  
  
  What do you think of the Blast from the Recent Past Segment?
  
  I really enjoy this segment. It is fun to think about games I remember not to long ago. I’m not so wild about the term “yesteryear” which describes this section, but that might just be me. In the earlier podcasts the section was hit or miss, and I find it kind of boring to listen to people who have no played the game. Even if only one person has played it, there isn’t a discussion to be had at that point. I think that if your panelists have not played it, then don’t mention it.
  
  What do you think of our discussions of the games in the main segment?
  
  I appreciate the discussions your panel has for these games. I’m not really sure that it helps generate interest in games a listener has not played. Describing game mechanics is difficult, but I think you all do it quite well. Describing plot, however, is not always crystal clear. I have attempted to listen to every podcast to date, and I successfully completed most of them. Some of the games that I had not played, however, would have long discussions about how great certain characters are. The problem being…I didn’t really understand who the character was, and the description as to why they were awesome usually was difficult to follow. I know that if I were to discuss in a panel my love of FFIV characters I would be prone to gush, but I would like the hosts to reign such worship in a little. The podcasts run long, and sometimes I’m not sure the length is necessary.
  
  I’m also not sure you need to address every aspect of every game. There are a lot of times where the host asks a question and no one has a real opinion on it. Then the panelists seem to feel the need to say something, and listeners receive about 15 minutes of speech that says very little.
  
  
  What do you think of the Import Corner?
  
  I like the import corner. It is normally short and to the point. The main questions people want to know are:
  
  What system?
  How easy to play?
  How necessary is a FAQ?
  Why is it worth the hassle of playing in another language?
• Kyoske Member Full Members

  January 2011 edited January 2011

  In addition: I would love it if we were told what music tracks we were given snippets of. Sometimes I want to look them up for a full track listen.
• Phillip Willis Certified Polygameist RPGamer Staff

  January 2011 edited January 2011

  I want to thank everyone who answered, especially Kyoske. We've started making some immediate changes based on this feedback. Please keep in mind that we aren't able to make changes on everything mentioned in this thread, or, in some cases, just like things the way they are. And, some things are just a work in progress :) I will say that the majority of what is mentioned on this thread is being addressed directly. So, again, thank y'all very much.

  Co-Host on RPGBacktrack. Follow me on Twitter and sub to my blog if you would like!
• Kyoske Member Full Members

  January 2011 edited January 2011

  Having now made it through all 3 hours of the Harvest Moon Podcast, I was happy to see some of my criticisms were already being addressed. Considering my non-fandom of the game I was surprised how informed I became. I look forward to more changes :)