The Arcade and Retro Doujin Show (We need a better name)

Jack burton · 02-12-2013 04:42PM

o1s1n wrote: »

If Jack Burton is taking part, then I can only imagine the answer to that will be yes - whether we like it or not! :eek:

Mine are the pecks that paid for a blast city!

landsleaving · 02-12-2013 05:06PM

I've a pair of DSLRs (5D and 600D) with some decent lenses, 2 tripods, 2 mics, 2 of everything except wireless mics - just one of them. 3 LED lights with stands, not great ones but they'll do the job, so I'd say we'd be sorted for studio type stuff.

For anyone going out recording other bits, audio is probably a bigger issue than camera, you can get decent video on a phone. Zoom recorder or something just off camera would probably be a good idea.

So what do we need... other than a plan? A location?

Jack burton · 02-12-2013 05:17PM

Well I'd aim for 6 episodes, big enough for a bit of scope but not too ambitious that's its unreasonable.

but then again that depends on the format, 1 topic per episode or multiple? I'd be one to go for one subject per episode, or at least a few linked subjects. That's just my opinion though, I wouldn't have much experience at this stuff

And lets not get into the whole season/series debate again :P

Steve X2 · 02-12-2013 05:27PM

landsleaving wrote: »

I've a pair of DSLRs (5D and 600D) with some decent lenses, 2 tripods, 2 mics, 2 of everything except wireless mics - just one of them. 3 LED lights with stands, not great ones but they'll do the job, so I'd say we'd be sorted for studio type stuff.

For anyone going out recording other bits, audio is probably a bigger issue than camera, you can get decent video on a phone. Zoom recorder or something just off camera would probably be a good idea.

So what do we need... other than a plan? A location?

Cool, sounds like we are sorted for studio bits. I'm a Nikon man myself and have a D7000 and a D3s. But the video from a Canon always looks better to me.
I just cant agree on the "you can get decent video on a phone" statement. You can get ok video for personal use but not something in a show (unless stuck and had to use it).
I agree on the Zoom for audio or something similar.

Location wise it all depends on what style we want. Studio or "on location" style. Studio I can probably sort out for us for free depending on dates etc(with optional green screen sections if wanted). "On Location" stuff I guess comes down to what we think will be best and what we have access to.

Steve X2 · 02-12-2013 05:42PM

OK, lets get some hard info down.

Topics for 6 shows? (games, hardware, other retro).

Games only or hardware or mix(are we only talking about games or should there be a couple of hardware and other retro software shows)?

If we only discuss/show one item per episode it might bore/put off casual viewers(maybe 3 specific shows and 3 multi topic/item ones)?

What's the maximum length each show should be?
I'm thinking 20 mins max, 12-15 mins ideally, 10 mins seems short to me but willing to argue it out

Edit:
Also just one thing. When I see videos on youtube and vimeo and they're discussing games..... I wanna see that game play!! It really catches my interest more than a few dudes sitting talking about stuff on screen. Very easy to incorporate in post editing. But something I really really want in this show.

Jack burton · 02-12-2013 05:56PM

Well I think a mix of 3 and 3 specific and multi shows is a good idea

I'd say 20 mins max but 15-17 mins would be ideal. Its enough time to sit down and have a cup of tea without taking up too much time

In terms of content I'll list a few i think would be good

The explosion of fighting games in the 90's, maybe focus on the all the titles that spun off from mortal kombat and SF2 to keep things a bit different

A retrospective on a series, maybe something a bit different again like the Mother series or Oddworld (Just the 2 first things i saw on my shelf)

The difference between the Sega Saturn over here and in Japan, the success it had in Japan compared to here, the games we never saw and talk about importing and modding consoles to play them

The downturn in arcades accross the country in the last few years and the state of affairs now

Discussion about the best and worst accessories for any consoles. Could be a real discussion led episode with just a panel talking and snippets of ads from each accessory talked about. Although the panel would need to have very good chemistry for this to work

These are just a few off the top of my head to get the ball rolling. Anyone else got some ideas

Myrddin · 02-12-2013 06:15PM

I think 15/20 mins is about right, & keep it to 15 if possible at least for the first few. You don't want to run the risk of it boring people, who won't bother with subsequent episodes then. Six shows is a nice amount, & gives a very decent amount of time to cover a lot of topics.

I'd avoid focusing on one particular machine, even just for the first episode. Cover something everyone knew about, or had an opinion on...the 16bit era just screams out as a good way to grab people. Yes it's been done to death, but if done right, would be a great opener.

landsleaving · 02-12-2013 07:01PM

Would agree on 15 mins too, just enough for a bit of detail, not too much to bore people.

Maybe 3 mins of a package, then into studio - say 2 collectors, one with loads of SNES, the other with Mega Drive, talking about why they focus on that console, then in for a chat about the 16 bits? Then during the chat we could have plenty of cutaways to the games being discussed (think we're safe enough rights wise if they're being talked about directly).

Nice, simple format that's easy to follow, with a well-structured, host-led conversation. We'd know the points to hit and the host would make sure everyone got there.

For example, taking JB's arcade topic, in 12 mins the panel would hit on:

The arcade experience - with a nod to the social side of gaming
Classic arcade games
Why arcades are mostly gone
Where there are still arcade games to be played in the wild
Getting your own machine at home
Is the arcade a thing of the past?

I like the idea of topics like the downfall of arcades, I think that might appeal beyond gamers

Jack burton · 02-12-2013 07:19PM

Yeah that 16 bit bit having 2 collectors sounds good. Who's got the goods on the SNES collection?

Anyone have any examples of the kind of filming for the conversation? Like a desk and a blank wall might be a bit dull :P

Myrddin · 02-12-2013 07:20PM

You could just green screen the thing, save the hassle of studio time. The commentary sections of The Game Chasers are shot on a green screen in Billy's bedroom for example...

Jack burton · 02-12-2013 07:22PM

Thats sort of what i was thinking along the lines off and does seem the best bet. Same as the videogame years over on Retroware TV. Plus it allows for multiple filming locations and then edited to look somewhat uniform if that is needed

Myrddin · 02-12-2013 07:24PM

Jack burton wrote: »

Plus it allows for multiple filming locations and then edited to look somewhat uniform if that is needed

That's a good point actually

Retr0gamer · 02-12-2013 07:33PM

I could talk forever about the 16 bit consoles but alas my collections have only really begun and I've only got a few games for each.

If you need a 3 hour special on the evils of 50hz I'm your man.

Dr Bob · 02-12-2013 08:21PM

Myrddin wrote: »

You could just green screen the thing, save the hassle of studio time. The commentary sections of The Game Chasers are shot on a green screen in Billy's bedroom for example...

this
Thing is theres a LOAD of gaming docs/vids whatever out there , I reckon we need to look at the Irish retro angle ..

Steve X2 · 02-12-2013 08:23PM

While going full green screen has its merits, it can look cheap and nasty. But it's an option if we really cant sort some sort of location out.

Retr0, you can have a 30 second spot on RGB and 50hz

Do you think you could squeeze the basics in with 30 seconds?

Mega Drive Vs. SNES for the first episode? I mean if it was done right it would be great, but it's almost a cliché at this stage. We'd have to come up with something interesting and different to really make it worth watching.

Perhaps a showcase of the rarer games would be good(a small segment on them anyway). It would have to be with actual hardware/carts though but that shouldn't be a problem I think with the collectors we have here.

Myrddin · 02-12-2013 08:25PM

Dr Bob wrote: »

this
Thing is theres a LOAD of gaming docs/vids whatever out there , I reckon we need to look at the Irish retro angle ..

Yeah agreed, you need to do something different, something not already really that's been done to death. An Irish slant on things might be just the ticket. Again to raise The Game Chasers, they always ask the vendors permission to film before bringing cameras etc in...this way you can kinda do it properly with decent audio etc. The vendor then usually gets a little plug, or at least some exposure.

I know The RAGE get a hard time over their pricing, but a short segment in there, Super Hoshi, Retropolis etc...would all cover the Irish {Dublin anyway} reseller hotspots. The guys that run those places would get some exposure too, & it'd look well covering them.

The demise of arcades is a good subject, but it'd have to be done in such a way to demonstrate that due to the demise of arcades, more & more people are buying cabs for at home...& it'd be a nice segway to showing off guests cab collections & discuss the why's & maybe's of all that stuff

Steve X2 · 02-12-2013 08:28PM

Dr Bob wrote: »

this
Thing is theres a LOAD of gaming docs/vids whatever out there , I reckon we need to look at the Irish retro angle ..

There are loads of them and there is no escaping that, and the Irish angle is a winner for sure. But what I'm proposing is we make a quality and professional looking show. One that can stand out from the others as much as possible (as in, not look cheap).
As for the content, we have a bunch of people here who know their sh1t when it comes to retro games and hardware. Surely we can capture that on-screen, right?

Edit:
I know I can come across as a complete fussy b@stard, but I'd love to see this done right.

Myrddin · 02-12-2013 08:33PM

Steve SI wrote: »

There are loads of them and there is no escaping that, and the Irish angle is a winner for sure. But what I'm proposing is we make a quality and professional looking show. One that can stand out from the others as much as possible (as in, not look cheap).
As for the content, we have a bunch of people here who know their sh1t when it comes to retro games and hardware. Surely we can capture that on-screen, right?

It's the content that'll make or break it though, The Game Chasers is a testament to that {I know I keep bringing it up but it's so successful & just gets it right, despite the green screen used in places. The content of the videos is all that matters imo, but your right in that if it doesn't have to look crap, then it shouldn't.}

Steve X2 · 02-12-2013 08:36PM

Myrddin wrote: »

It's the content that'll make or break it though, The Game Chasers is a testament to that {I know I keep bringing it up but it's so successful & just gets it right, despite the green screen used in places. The content of the videos is all that matters imo, but your right in that if it doesn't have to look crap, then it shouldn't.}

This is really what I'm saying. I really think we have the potential content on this forum. If we can make it look as slick as possible its only going to benefit the whole thing.
Now of course once the cameras start rolling it might all fall apart. And we still haven't met all Retr0's demands in relation to his dressing room (fluffer in cosplay)

Retr0gamer · 02-12-2013 09:05PM

Irish arcade scene or the current fighting game scene would be good.

There's also dr. Bobs unique leper colony group of Irish Atari owners in a 8 bit Irish scene topic.

Dr Bob · 02-12-2013 09:36PM

Steve SI wrote: »

There are loads of them and there is no escaping that, and the Irish angle is a winner for sure. But what I'm proposing is we make a quality and professional looking show. One that can stand out from the others as much as possible (as in, not look cheap).
As for the content, we have a bunch of people here who know their sh1t when it comes to retro games and hardware. Surely we can capture that on-screen, right?

Edit:
I know I can come across as a complete fussy b@stard, but I'd love to see this done right.

Good stuff (my train was pulling in to the station when I was writing so I couldn't elaborate).

landsleaving · 02-12-2013 10:15PM

I have an idea for a location that would be ideal, and save us green screening - place called Mabos (I think) down on Hannover Quay, has old arcade machines, doesn't get enough use, massive fake game boy on the wall. It'd be perfect. I did a bit of photography there a few weeks back and the people running it seemed pretty cool about letting it be used for stuff.

And we can avoid green screen, I'd share Steve's opinion on it, it can be done well, but not as easily as you'd think, and when it's not, it looks crap... like in the GameChasers...

The Irish angle is definitely something we should include, decent production values alone should make it stand out but it would help if we had a unique slant.

Deciding what to include for topics is going to be a bit of a mad one - I'd say we should have a few researchers who can put a shape on each episode and have stuff ready for a host and panel.

I guess style would be something to discuss too - should it be a bit wacky like GameChasers, or more thoughtful and documentary-ish?

Optimus Prime · 02-12-2013 11:11PM

Dr Bob wrote: »

this
Thing is theres a LOAD of gaming docs/vids whatever out there , I reckon we need to look at the Irish retro angle ..

I agree with the Irish take on it aswell, plus is it a good idea to do another megadrive vs snes thing? would it not be more interesting to have people talking about their memory's from playing the games years ago, why they collect, their first gaming experiences etc?

Retr0gamer · 02-12-2013 11:24PM

The Irish 8 bit scene might be a bit more unque.

Steve X2 · 02-12-2013 11:49PM

Retr0gamer wrote: »

The Irish 8 bit scene might be a bit more unque.

This is how i would have seen most of the 8bit games i played in the 80's.
$T2eC16d,!zEE9s3!Y8ZTBRKm01pE9Q~~60_35.JPG

Anyone else remember playing on the Amstrad green screen for hours and then looking in the mirror and seeing your eyes? :eek:

landsleaving · 03-12-2013 12:15AM

As above, but with the little plane from harrier attack forever burned into my dilated pupils.

Steve X2 · 03-12-2013 12:25AM

landsleaving wrote: »

As above, but with the little plane from harrier attack forever burned into my dilated pupils.

Wow, I'd completely forgotton about that game until you said the name.
I used to play the crap out of it.

Also

:

Doge · 03-12-2013 01:25AM

Steve SI wrote: »

Retr0, you can have a 30 second spot on RGB and 50hz
Do you think you could squeeze the basics in with 30 seconds?

Retr0 could do a video with a humorous take on this!

A sort of in your face motivational video for any would be retro gamer on original hardware.

Coming from this kind of angle:

And really insult anyone using Composite or dare i say RF!

I can't think of any specific insults, but I'm sure he could come up with something!

And humorous angle aside, obviously show comparisons and the advantages of using better video signals.

Steve X2 · 03-12-2013 11:04AM

I'd also like to get interviews with some of the Irish game developers out there about their gaming past etc. These interviews would be very handy to push the Irish side of the show and could be used in any episode really.

We could ask them what games and systems they had growing up, do they still play retro, has their gaming past had an influence on how they design games today (retro style, retro based mechanics etc).

There are quite a few developers in Ireland who have gained some recognition or have some games out there or games on the way that are very retro based. It'd be a nice segment on the show (in any episode).

I've already contacted a few to see if there is any interest and received some positive responses from them. These are proper developers as well, not just some guy in his bedroom(not that there is anything wrong with that). A couple would like to meet and have a chat which is good and if that happens I'd be looking for one or two people to come along to those meetings with me(no cameras, just a chat with them). So far they are all Dublin based.

RedXIV · 03-12-2013 10:34PM

I know a fair few of the indies floating around, and worked in some of the bigger named companies too.

I think the decline of arcades would be a great opener, it steps away from the clichéd 16bit wars and we can focus on the Irish impact.

The Arcade and Retro Doujin Show (We need a better name)

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