One of the things that I have noticed while listening to a wide range of gaming podcasts is a lot of the shows fluctuate in quality from week to week. This may just be a byproduct of podcasting being a relatively new medium of entertainment, but it’s also a wide open format with no standards or restrictions. This roller coaster of quality can be applied to almost any show out there with few exceptions.
Many shows adopt strict formats to their show with regular features, discussion topics and musical breaks. While this tends to keep them more consistent, sometimes it can really drag down the energy of a show when parts of the cast tune out for sections where they don’t contribute. The rest of the shows go with a more wide open approach which can get help things get on a roll when the cast starts to go off onto a hilarious tangent. These shows also frequently fall completely apart on weeks when no one provides the random catalytic anecdote that leads to audio magic.
[Updates: It was the French PSM that rated Uncharted 2 an 11 out of 10. Also, they pointed out theirs is a monthly show. Thanks @OPM_UK for the corrections!]
We are planning to revisit all of iCringe’s past reviews further down the line, but as the shows pile up it will most likely be a survey rather than a deep review for each show. In the meantime, please keep sending us your suggestions in the comments section below.
This week the theme seems to be “less is more” Most of these shows would do well to scale back on some of the production elements that amount to noise and tune in on their strengths instead.
Scrambled Pixel Podcast – Episode 13
Clearly a labor of love, the Scrambled Pixel Podcast is an infrequent show with one major flaw that ruins the whole experience. There is plenty of valuable banter about new releases in games and film (features or trailers), but the show is underscored by a orchestral game music selection throughout the length of the podcast. This single production decision may have been made with the intention of adding to the energy and relavence of each episode. I found myself cursing the music after the first two loops, it was maddening.
The Uncharted 2 chat was a great part of this week’s show, but I can’t get over the constant annoyance of the intrusive background music (I’ve listened to a few past episodes and all of them use the underscoring). These guys should be confident that the quality of the conversation will carry the show and not someone else’s soundtrack. If they’re married to the underscoring, maybe keep it limited to a short section of the show and mix things up. On a side note, Demon’s Souls sounds like the most un-fun game ever released, so the enthusaism expressed here makes me uncomfortable. Carry on!
If we reviewed shows based on their production values alone, IW would probably get our highest rating. As it stands, IW actually suffers from extreme over-production and lack of quality content. IW is produced by the fine folks of GameTrailers.com, so it’s no suprise they use a heavy hand when producing a podcast. They offer a video version along with the audio version of the show. I own an iPod Touch, so I ended up with the video feed by accident. With the exception of a lame talking heads bit at the open and close, the video content is a montage of game clips. I honestly don’t know why they bother. Content wise, there’s not much unique to IW that makes it stand out from the rest of what’s out there. Thank God they’re short in length.
I submit if you watch this show on a device or your browser, you’re doing it wrong. Some video podcasts deserve the live-action or animated video component. Here it just feels like they’re ticking the boxes to fit with the rest of GT’s video content. They should just leave it as an audio production and keep it off of the site’s main page. As for the content they don’t need to add length to the show, just give us a reason to listen each week. The show doesn’t do much to justify its existence and feels like a chore for all parties involved. Also, watch out for a troll named Shane.
Official Playstation Magazine UK – Episode 4
I offer up this criticism with a heavy heart. OPM UK is the same group that rated Uncharted 2 an 11 out of 10. Getting past that wankery, I’ve listened to their small catalog of podcasts and had a good time with this show. There is too much FIFA and PES fanaticism for my tastes (it’s called soccer you fools!), but their commentary on new releases and previews are entertaining enough to be worth a listen. One more thing that I would have to caution any potential listener; these guys take their namesake too seriously. If you’re a multiplatform gamer, like myself, you’ll find their inability to validate the Xbox or Wii’s existence annoying. In summary, if it’s not on the PS3 or PSP, it doesn’t exist.
Give these guys a chance unless you don’t own a Sony branded console. If you find console fanboyism to be a make or break for you, the OPM UK Podcast will be a no-go. For the rest of us that can cringe and bare it, there are plenty of juicy nuggets here that make a weekly listen worth the price of admission (free).
Harsh but fare with IW there Shane seems OK to me though, is there a change you could review Pondercast or has it already been done? If so woop.
I’ll take salvegable, I’ll get in contact with our podcast editor and tell him about the background music comments. Check back in a few weeks and hopefully it will be fixed.
This is exactly the kind of feedback we ask for and need. I add the music to the Scrambled Pixel Podcast because we had feedback in the early stages saying we should have it. I didn’t particularly want it, because it detracts from the conversation and it adds a lot of time to the editing process adding, them de-amplifying, then fading etc trying to make it fit.
I’m not going to add it anymore.
Thanks loads for listening though, this is exactly what we need.
PS. The background music isn’t gaming music, it’s from the Wanted film soundtrack composed by Danny Elfman. ;)
PPS. Do you like the intro music? :)
@Harry: I like the intro music a lot. Maybe if you can mix it so the show comes in right as the music is starting to fade. Right now there’s a small gap where the intro has faded out before the show starts. Keep it up. I’ll continue to listen and give feedback, if you like.
@James_El: Yeah, you did ask for Pondercast, but I ran out of time. I’ll get to it next week.
@player66: That would be great, thanks a lot. Oh, and check out the podcast right now, ‘cos we’ve got a new section of the podcast. :) Awesome intro music guaranteed. ;)