Is the RB community interested in creating a new podcast?

[marurun]

So, there's been talk on here over the past year or two about creating a podcast, what with the last one being defunct. Some folks have said "I have a microphone!" and others have said they can mix audio. But who can write and talk? And what themes or topics would we go after?

Here are my thoughts. I'd like to do an occasional bit on classic gaming technology, either short explainers or longer, more detailed topics, things like graphics (what are sprites, tiles, palettes?), bit-ness (8, 16, 32, oh my!), processors and co-processors, how polygons and 3D scenes work, and stuff like that. Bit I can't write enough, and don't know enough detail by myself, to support a full podcast. I need help, and perhaps a context, like a revived RB games podcast.

So this is just a little feeler. Who has the knowledge, podcast/audio skills, and interest to help make something happen?

Please note, the only way to make something like this successful is to stick to a schedule. We can't just throw them out whenever. If we decide every two weeks is reasonable, barring something predictable like the Christmas holiday and New Years, we would need to be able to put something together bi-weekly, even backlog episodes so we have stuff to release.

[alienjesus]

So, there's been talk on here over the past year or two about creating a podcast, what with the last one being defunct. Some folks have said "I have a microphone!" and others have said they can mix audio. But who can write and talk? And what themes or topics would we go after?

Here are my thoughts. I'd like to do an occasional bit on classic gaming technology, either short explainers or longer, more detailed topics, things like graphics (what are sprites, tiles, palettes?), bit-ness (8, 16, 32, oh my!), processors and co-processors, how polygons and 3D scenes work, and stuff like that. Bit I can't write enough, and don't know enough detail by myself, to support a full podcast. I need help, and perhaps a context, like a revived RB games podcast.

So this is just a little feeler. Who has the knowledge, podcast/audio skills, and interest to help make something happen?

Please note, the only way to make something like this successful is to stick to a schedule. We can't just throw them out whenever. If we decide every two weeks is reasonable, barring something predictable like the Christmas holiday and New Years, we would need to be able to put something together bi-weekly, even backlog episodes so we have stuff to release.

So, I'm not putting myself out there to record etc (plus my timezone would likely make it difficult) but I think if we do go down the route of making another podcast we should seriously consider what we want to cover, and perhaps keep it focused on a less things than previously. I liked the old podcast, but it did feel like the endless lists of 'what did you pick up since the last podcast' and lots and lots of new 'retro' news could sometimes feel a little overwhelming and go on for a bit too long.

One thing I think would be good would be to make it monthly and have a significant section where we discuss the Together Retro game of that month (or last month, as the case may be, to give people time to play it).

I don't know what else would be good to be honest, but I'm interested to hear more of people's ideas.

[Ziggy]

I can edit audio, although I'm aware there are many on this forum that can. Still, doesn't hurt to have people in reserves if you wanna stick to a schedule.

I can help write. At the very least, I can either pitch topic ideas, or critique or add to existing ideas. marurun, I like the idea of tech-topics. That's something I always like to see more of. I could put together full outlines for episodes as well, though I don't know how many or how often I could do that.

Some years back, Dave asked if someone could write a theme song for the podcast. I was actually putting something together, but abandoned it (I think the want/need for it died off so I lost motivation). I wouldn't mind doing that, though. And on that topic, I had some ideas for format/editing.

[pierrot]

I can hack my way around an 8052 MCU pretty well, in assembly, but have not really looked at the processors in 80s/90s consoles in much detail until recently, when I started to feel the urge to poke around in some ROM data, if I don't have to write my own script in order to convert the binary into a hex file. While looking at the addressing modes for the 68K I saw the quick immediate mode, which stores unsigned 3-bit values in opcode, which figuratively turned me into one of these guys:

Admittedly, it doesn't take much--I'm not too privy to all of the wondrous bull shit that modern CPUs are capable of. At any rate, I would be (selfishly) interested in a podcast focusing on those kinds of specifics, but I would imagine that wouldn't have great appeal.

[BogusMeatFactory]

I am more of an opinion piece kind of guy. If you want to pick a game and listen to me love the fuck out of it... I can do that.

[pierrot]

If you want to pick a game and listen to me love the fuck out of it... I can do that.

That might be too steamy for the internet. Seems like it could be banned in several states.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Depending on time commitment and what was being covered at the time, I might be interested in doing something, although I don't think I have any of the tech requirements for that, besides Skype. And as is apparent, my retro knowledge is meh.

I think it might be interesting if there was say, a monthly, normal podcast as the general "Racketboy-cast" and either side series or one offs on topics that don't fit with the main podcast. I don't know what formats would be considered, but I'm a fan of picking a topic and just having it discussed between however many people. I would avoid over saturated topics though, such as game prices and the like.

[Key-Glyph]

One thing I think would be good would be to make it monthly and have a significant section where we discuss the Together Retro game of that month (or last month, as the case may be, to give people time to play it).

THIS. I just said this in another thread. alienjesus ninja'd me by a mile!

If you're going to do a research-based podcast, it's going to turn into a mountain of work. The podcast I co-host is built off of user submissions and is incredibly casual, and it still takes hours of prep, recording, and mixing when all is said and done. If you can just cull together a bunch of Racketfolks for casual chatting on their Together Retro or Games Beaten experiences, that will be much easier, much more sustainable, and I'd even dare to say much more interesting.

I love in-depth knowledge of retro games, systems, and hardware as much as the next guy, but I find it difficult to ingest in audio form. I typically want to read that kind of content. And you also need to find perfect hosts with amazing chemistry or charisma to be able to pull of that kind of dry material in conversation.

Just my thoughts! But I'd listen the heck out of RacketChat if it was just a handful of people shooting the breeze about Together Retro or Games Beaten.

EDIT: I wish I could volunteer to help with this. I want to help with this. I'm just not sure I can carve the time into my schedule. As things develop, though, I'd like to keep an eye on how things shake out. Depending on the demands, I might be able to lend a hand with mixing, creating RSS feeds/blogs, and/or participating in a roundtable format.

[BogusMeatFactory]

I am with key. If it is just chatting and enthusing about games, I am 100% on board and more than willing to participate regularly.

[marurun]

I still wanna do tech explainers, but I think what you guys are suggesting should be the bread and butter content.