Started my own retro gaming podcast. *episode 0 now up!*

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hey racketeers, I'm tossing around the idea of starting my own retro gaming podcast that's mainly focused around the NES and Famicom but occasionally may venture off into Sega or dare I say it, modern gaming.

Floating around ideas, this is what I'm thinking:

Create a weekly podcast composed of a few reoccurring segments:

1. An audio based game review - where I talk about a retro game and its history, much like I do on my blog, with music from that game playing softly in the background as I discuss the game in question. Mostly it will be me talking about something worth playing that perhaps you've missed out on. Don't expect me to talk about Halo or Call of Duty anytime soon.

2. Tech talk. Topics might include tutorials on how to preform various mods, or just my thoughts on certain devices or systems. Possible subjects may include Famiclones, controllers, adapters, etc etc.

3. Listener mail. answer tech questions or whatever else people write in and ask about.

4. Recent pick ups/finds or just other news related to my youtube channel, blog or something like that. Basically, whatever I'm up to int he realm of retro gaming as of the time of recording.

So all that said, what do you guys think? Would you listen to my podcast if I were to start one? Any segments you would like to see that I didn't mention in my overview structure? any advice from anyone who has their own podcast already?

Lastly, I'm going to need a name for the podcast. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys.

[Flake]

I like option number 1.

Oh and here's a piece of advice: Cut the crap. Most podcasts about games are 15 minutes of actual game talk and 45 minutes of dumb inside jokes, snickering, and random non sequiturs. I say have fun with whatever you do but maintain some focus on the games.

[Inazuma]

A video game podcast from Satoshi Matrix? I love the idea! You are extremely knowledgeable about video games. I love watching your Youtube videos and I always learn so much.

As for my suggestions on the podcast itself, I think you should play to your strengths and make it very informative. All of your ideas listed sound good to me. Once you get started, you can tweak things based on listener feedback.

[dsheinem]

it is a crowded market. do something to stand out.

value production.

get a decent mic.

[Flake]

it is a crowded market. do something to stand out.

value production.

get a decent mic.

Dsh is right. I think theme music will make you stand out.

[Gamerforlife]

I like option number 1.

Oh and here's a piece of advice: Cut the crap. Most podcasts about games are 15 minutes of actual game talk and 45 minutes of dumb inside jokes, snickering, and random non sequiturs. I say have fun with whatever you do but maintain some focus on the games.

This

I appreciate when people stay focused and on topic. I sometimes listen to a pro wrestling podcast called PWTorch and it pisses me off how lately they always start the podcast with football talk. If they want to discuss football, they should start a football podcast and not waste the time of their listeners. I also have listened to quite a few podcasts where people will go on tangents that have nothing to do with the topic for FIFTEEN MINUTES!!!

I like professionalism. A podcast isn't just about listening to somebody talk about random nonsense with their buddies. The narcissism of people to think that they can just talk about any random nonsense that pops into their head and that it makes for scintillating listening material. Nobody cares about where you ate dinner last night or the party you and your friends went to a week ago. My favorite podcasts ALWAYS stay on topic

Option 1 is appealing to me. I like listening to people talk about games they've played and give their impressions so I like reviews, but done in a casual sort of way rather than the forced and unnatural way many reviews on major gaming sites read. I do enjoy background music as I'm the sort of person who has music in his head pretty much all the time anyway, just as long as it doesn't drown out your voice. and god, yes, definitely cover some more obscure stuff. Nothing is more boring than hearing about a game that EVERYBODY has talked about over and over again.

I think tech tutorials are a great idea. Not something gaming podcasts usually cover. I like the idea of discussing recent pickups as well

I personally don't like when podcast hosts take calls or read emails. I may speak only for myself, but when I listen to a podcast it is because I'm interested in the thoughts and opinions of the people who run that podcast. Clearly I like something about their point of view so I tend to not really give a crap about the random thoughts and opinions of random callers or e-mailers. Those are the parts of podcasts I usually want to fast forward through.

[diesel_dan]

I love gaming podcasts and listen to them as an alternative to radio. I spend about 1.5 hours in the car every day, and it's a great way to pass the time.

Option 1, 2, 3, 4? Why not do them all? As long as I'm entertained, there's no reason I wouldn't listen to all of it.

Like others have said, get a good mic and spend some time editing. I can't count the number of podcasts I've unsubscribed to because their levels were all off. One guy would be too loud or too quiet, completely ruining the experience as I'm constantly adjusting the volume, trying not to get my ears blown out.

Also, have you considered finding a co-host? I think it'd be a lot more fun for you and your listeners if you had a second personality on the show. You'll double your breadth of knowledge, and it's the only way to get that natural, conversational give and take...unless you have multiple personality disorder, which would be another good reason to listen.

Good luck! I'll be podcasting in, for sure!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I like option number 1. Oh and here's a piece of advice: Cut the crap. Most podcasts about games are 15 minutes of actual game talk and 45 minutes of dumb inside jokes, snickering, and random non sequiturs. I say have fun with whatever you do but maintain some focus on the games.

Those aren't options, they're components. My outline is for a four segment podcast. I think its natural for conversation between more than two people to deviate all over the place, so that's to be expected for group run podcasts. in my case, I don't have a podcast partner at the moment, so it'll just be me talking on my own.

A video game podcast from Satoshi Matrix? I love the idea! You are extremely knowledgeable about video games. I love watching your Youtube videos and I always learn so much.

As for my suggestions on the podcast itself, I think you should play to your strengths and make it very informative. All of your ideas listed sound good to me. Once you get started, you can tweak things based on listener feedback.

Glad to know you'll be willing to listen to my podcast.

it is a crowded market. do something to stand out. value production. get a decent mic.

I have a Blue Snowball mic, which is a very good quality production mic to begin with. I do plan to follow an outline and keep ti of good production value. As for the actual content to make it stand out, I suppose my vision is to make a podcast version of the kinds of things I post on my blog, more or less.

Dsh is right. I think theme music will make you stand out.

I actually already do have a theme song ready to use! haha. I think you'll like it when you hear it.

Option 1 is appealing to me. I like listening to people talk about games they've played and give their impressions so I like reviews, but done in a casual sort of way rather than the forced and unnatural way many reviews on major gaming sites read. I do enjoy background music as I'm the sort of person who has music in his head pretty much all the time anyway, just as long as it doesn't drown out your voice. and god, yes, definitely cover some more obscure stuff. Nothing is more boring than hearing about a game that EVERYBODY has talked about over and over again.

I think tech tutorials are a great idea. Not something gaming podcasts usually cover. I like the idea of discussing recent pickups as well

I personally don't like when podcast hosts take calls or read emails. I may speak only for myself, but when I listen to a podcast it is because I'm interested in the thoughts and opinions of the people who run that podcast. Clearly I like something about their point of view so I tend to not really give a crap about the random thoughts and opinions of random callers or e-mailers. Those are the parts of podcasts I usually want to fast forward through.

Don't worry, I plan on staying on topic, and again, the points aren't either or, but in addition to. Segmented podcasts seem to be the best formula.

Also, have you considered finding a co-host? I think it'd be a lot more fun for you and your listeners if you had a second personality on the show. You'll double your breadth of knowledge, and it's the only way to get that natural, conversational give and take...unless you have multiple personality disorder, which would be another good reason to listen.

I have considered a co-host and I'd like to work towards that goal, but none of my retro gamer friends share my particular tastes in gaming and of those who I've asked don't have the motivation to do a weekly podcast. Until that changes, it'll be just me on my own.

I still need help thinking of a potential name for the podcast. Do you guys have any suggestions? Something that will be recognizable as to do with retro gaming but not already taken haha.

[dsheinem]

have you heard a podcast or radio broadcast that is just one person talking? Do you have a model of something to shoot for?

[NintendoLegend]

Sounds like you're on the right track -- and if your blog is any indication, you have the knowledge, you just need to tweak the presentation a little (I'm just teasing).

To echo one prior sentiment and add one of my own:

1) Do something unique. This is obvious. But STICK WITH IT. Within just the past year, I have watched two weekly gaming podcasts, despite quality and, in one case, popularity, die. One of them just faded into oblivious; the other, to their credit, just changed their direction. Nowadays I hardly have time to listen to any, so it really takes something pretty sweet to get me to listen (I would give yours a shot, for what it's worth). But whatever "hook" or niche you choose, whatever format you end up with, whatever vision you hold... yeah, keep tweaking as you go -- but stick with it. Stick stick stick.

2) Just advice: Learn to be as knowledgeable and hard-working in marketing, advertising, and promoting your podcast as you are with the retro-gaming content if you want to be super successful. But, really, if you just want to have a little fun and get a few cool core listeners, I can completely respect that, too.