Now Playing: Shinedown's "Simple Man"
Topic: podcasts
I am certain that it will come as no surprise to learn that I absolutely love the Podge Cast.
I have long been a fan of both Luke Meyer and Adam Pinilla, two of the three Fear The Boot alumni who form three quarters of the host line up. The other two hosts are Matt Cushman (also a former FtB host) and Joe Selby who, while never a host on FtB, was a moderator on their forums.
The thing I marveled at from the very first episode, other than the then into music, was how quickly these guys clicked. Their interaction was engaging right from the get-go. There is no better example I can think of to evidence that experience counts. I marvel at how easy they make this seem when it takes most podcasts a half-dozen eps to hit that groove.
The Podgecast nailed it in one. Amazing.
While the show purports to be about whatever geekish topic strikes the hosts' fancy, it spends a lot of time talking about role playing games. You know me, I can geek about a lot of stuff - but RPGs really scratch that itch.
I mentioned earlier in the week how well the Bear Swarm nailed their coverage of Dogs in the Vineyard, a subject on which I knew very little about yet heard the name of the game all the time. The Podgecast did something very similar in episode three. While I had heard the term 'sandbox game' on a number of other shows, it was the Podge that actually laid out what the term means.
Another thing I have grooved to on the Podge Cast is the Campaign Recaps. I am someone who cannot abide recordings of actual play sessions. Y'know, recordings (usually unedited) of role playing session? They should totally put those things on the PA system at Guantanamo, because they make me want to claw out my eyes and tell the world where Bin Laden is. No actual player her. The Podge is discussing their games after the fact, summarizing key events, game mechanic and design elements.
The current recaps are for the game Luke is running in the Burning Wheel system. He's calling his campaign KINGDOM: THE NEXT GENERATION in which the players assume the roles of members of a great house and assume the mantle of responsibility as the next generation coming up. It's inspired very much by George R.R. Martin's Kingdom of Ice and Fire books.
Gotta tell you, this game sounds awesome and puts me in mind to do something along the same lines. Y'know, just after I finish up my setting for THIS EMPIRE EARTH and run it. And James has a game he wants to run... Oh and crank up the action on that Spirit of the Century game I've been wanting to play. And return to the Zombie Apocalypse...
Too... many... games...
On occasion, the Podgecast offers up a host recommendation called the Hodge. These are short(ish) segments at the end of the show in which one of the hosts talks about whatever's tickling his geek at the time. Very enjoyable.
Honestly, I cannot think of a criticism I have for the show or an area that I think ought to be improved. Oh wait! Yes, I do. In this week's episode, they were a little rough on Joe. He seemed to be having a bad day.
You boys be sweet to Joe!
Other than that, keep up the great work, guys.
Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
