Irish Gaming TV Programme

father_ted9t9 · 22-08-2006 10:54am #1

Hi Everyone,

We are currently looking at the possibility of doing an Irish TV Gaming programme and are currently at brainstorming stage. As you guys are also gamers, like myself, i was wondering if there was anything you would like to see included in teh programme and also if there is anything you dont want to see included.
If you could post your comments it would be of great help, also drop us a PM if you would be interested in taking part in any multiplayer challenges on the programme.

Thanks

Fatherted9t9:)

RE*AC*TOR · 22-08-2006 11:08am

When you say "we", who do you mean?

Stephen · 22-08-2006 11:26am

Please try to include more than just playstation games. PC multiplayer especially! Also, watch any past episode of Gamezville, and ensure you don't do ANYTHING they did

Speaking of gamezville, that brings me to their "games guru", i.e. some terrible actor with junkie-style makup and a cloak. No thanks.

Old gaming shows used to have cheats segments (see games guru above). I wouldn't bother with these any more, as such information is easily got on demand from the internet anyway.

Reviews and previews with footage/trailers of upcoming games would be nice. The kind of stuff they have on eurogamer.tv. Maybe something covering mods (for example, Fortress Forever, an independently developed Team Fortress mod for Half-Life 2 that will be going head to head with Valve's own Team Fortress 2) and other free games.

monkeyfudge · 22-08-2006 11:29am

I'd steer clear of having gaming challenges on it... I've always found it really boring to watch people playing a video game on TV... but if you are going to do it then let the camera stay on the game and not on some sweaty teenager with a furrowed brow.

Attol · 22-08-2006 11:40am

Don't ignore Nintendo as a legitimate games company. It really bugs me when people just focus on Sony and MS. Nintendo have tonnes of brilliant titles out and an innovative new handheld that is loved my people of all ages. It seems a lot of magazines tend to ignore Nintendo completely which is a shame. It sells a lot better than the PSP. Just because the graphics don't look totally realistic and the games aren't full of blood doesn't mean anything. The games are fun and a hell of a lot more original than the majority of titles for the PSP and I thought gaming was about fun, not graphics and topping the last title in terms of violent content?

/end rant

father_ted9t9 · 22-08-2006 11:43am

RE*AC*TOR wrote:

When you say "we", who do you mean?

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, i agree with all that has been said above!

Reactor i cant say at this time who "WE" are but i will when the green light goes ahead.

ft9t9

monkeyfudge · 22-08-2006 11:49am

Be sure to watch lots of Consolevania.

Their way of reviewing games is great... a very nice frank style and they just show the game with the reviewers voice over it.

What people want to see are the games and I think that's a point that most shows seem to miss. It's also the main advantage that TV has over print and web based reviews. TV that it can show us the gameplay in action. Sure you can download gameplay videos over the net, but even with broadband it can be time consuming to get a decent quality of video.

Timans · 22-08-2006 11:49am

I think that you should most definitely NOT have dodgy actors of any description. It was painful to watch that Games Guru, Cringing fest!

Also, somebody up there was talking about online pc gaming. Alot of people wouldn't be interested in that so you can't have a lot about just that. It needs to be varied. Although, i did like that section on Gamezville with the free games. People would post in links to good free games. I liked that.

Sounds good, And remember. I gave advice so be sure to send me lots of free stuff when it hits the big time

Lex_Diamonds · 22-08-2006 11:56am

Do it like that games show that used to be on at 4am, it just had some graphics to join together filmed segments and only had a narrator. In doing so, the makers of that show:

a) saved alot of money (no sets, no presenters, no 12 year old brats)

b) avoided the "naff-factor" that so many games shows seem to have.

sinjin_smythe · 22-08-2006 11:59am

Also alot of gamer tv shows toned down on the rated r games, this kinda annoyed me i know your gonna have to look out for critics but honestly there are alot of gamers who love Doom, GTA and other controvertial games out there.

o yeah also does anyone remember a gamer tv showe that had 3 hot women as the presenters, it would be on at like 2 am.. That was good

monkeyfudge · 22-08-2006 12:01pm

Lex_Diamonds wrote:

Do it like that games show that used to be on at 4am, it just had some graphics to join together filmed segments and only had a narrator. In doing so, the makers of that show:

That was Cybernet. Yes it was a very watchable show... although I only watched it when they had Lucy Longhurst doing the voice over.. she sounded sexy... the guy who took over after her sounded like a sleazy used car salesman.

Vegeta · 22-08-2006 12:09pm

stay away from gaming challenges. They are terrible TV. The commentary on them is so brutal.

DO NOT AIM IT AT KIDS is my number one tip. The demographic for gaming is quite old definitely aim it at 18 year old plus. Obviously you don't want to cut off kids (don't make it violent/ have it on too late etc) as an audience but do not speak to the viewer as if they are 12.

EDIT: you can review GTA games without showing an violent material. DO it pulp fiction style cut away just at the last second. It gives the impression of being very violent without showing that much gore

What can a gaming TV show offer.
news..new games, consoles, developers, irish release dates for games on all consoles etc

reviews..Irish people travelling to all the press shows E3 etc (happening already online) and giving us solid reviews

gossip...just general gaming gossip and market info, stuff that has not been confirmed but is floating around

competitions...not on the show itself as these are terrible to watch, maybe death matches on xbox live. people post in their memory cards with their best laps or level times/scores and win prizes. Pro EVo Soccer leagues on the net where tables are updated every week on the show. The key here is to keep the matches/games off the tv but post the results ever week and show clips of the games. Obviously the prizes would have to be class. Like a paid trip to go to E3 with you guys next year etc.

advice on how people in Ireland can get involved in an Irish gaming scene....tell people where they can go to college if they want to design, market or be a games reviewer for a magazine. Interview Irish people who have done it.

The problems you are facing is that you are fighting against the internet. Most of us get our news and reviews on the net. So you would have to give the show a "Top Gear" quality. The show is very well produced with interesting hosts(some of them are not well liked JC). People who don't especially like cars would watch that show because it is funny and interesting. They don't just review a car, they drive it to the top of a mountain or race it across a continent. You could force people to play games for 24hrs and see if they still liked it or would play it ever again.

Don't be afraid to let the hosts express differing opinions on games as this is where a real review of a game can come out.

If you have never watched the 1up show, go and download some of the episodes where Che is still in them.

Ok there are my 2 cents. People may criticise my views but if you make a show like above i would watch it and subscribe to your newsletters as i'd like to learn more

RE*AC*TOR · 22-08-2006 12:29pm

Vegeta speaks the truth. I'd watch his show.

projectmayhem · 22-08-2006 12:39pm

monkeyfudge wrote:

I'd steer clear of having gaming challenges on it... I've always found it really boring to watch people playing a video game on TV... but if you are going to do it then let the camera stay on the game and not on some sweaty teenager with a furrowed brow.

this is true, but if the challenges are kept short and in the background (start a PES tourney, go off and continue the show, come back later and do a "best goals" or something, that idea) it could work.

also, and maybe i'm asking too much of what will most likely be an entertainment show, maybe some sort of actual discussion about the state of the industry? rather then just doing each show on a "GTA gets 9/10, yay" note etc., try discussing violence in videogames with some "experts"...

..also, ireland's doing well now, we have companies like havok over here, why not pay them a visit for bits?

and in november DIT is hosting some games conference... go!

Tusky · 22-08-2006 12:44pm

my main points would be.

1) do not aim it at kids.

2) 80% of the show should be taken up with game footage/trailers. Thats what people want to SEE!

3) Dont rush reviews, specially for big games. Show plenty of footage, 5-10 minutes.

4) Dont be biased to any one console.

5) No cheats section/ gamer challenges, they are not entertaining to watch.

ShiverinEskimo · 22-08-2006 12:45pm

Anyone remember movies/games/videos that was on ITV a few years back. No studio, no set. Just footage and voice/text overs. I liked this style.

Also if i see two 13 year olds competing against each other in a beat em up i'll hunt you down - no one cares.

Although many here want more and more PC games if you are to appeal to the casual gamers (which out number hardcore PC gamers) then you will need to emphasise consoles.

A decent news section is required too - annoucements, screen shots, reports from shows etc would be welcome.

Jim · 22-08-2006 12:47pm

Something I'd suggest would be to become involved with the local game scene in Ireland and have segments / reports on it. Lan's, game competitions etc... would make it more interesting and would possibly make people feel more involved in an actual social gaming scene.

superfly · 22-08-2006 12:55pm

weedhead wrote:

o yeah also does anyone remember a gamer tv showe that had 3 hot women as the presenters, it would be on at like 2 am.. That was good

that was Bits with Alex and others
definitely a one hand on the mouse and the other on my joystick fnarr fnarr!

maybe go and talk to some people that are doing games courses in colleges

Attol · 22-08-2006 1:17pm

You could try having a different person covering each console? That way you could choose people with a genuine enthusiasm for each.

CiDeRmAn · 22-08-2006 1:27pm

Keep it as console neutral as possible, don't simply focus on Sony, MS or Ninty.
Also don't allow EA or their ilk to hijack on screen time due to their "co-operation" with supplying games and information, try and give equal time to as many games as possible, keep away from seeing kids play each other at Tekken. Nothing more boring than wasting screen time watching other folk play games.
Plenty of preview material, internet is a hive of info of whats on the way, great way to keep folk interested, to get scoops ahead of the print media.
Gamer TV is an excellent template on TV at the mo, and Digitiser showed how to treat your audience with a modicum of humour and respect.
Stay Away From Fanboys, I'll say it again, Stay Away From Fanboys, they just make me reach for the remote.

sinjin_smythe · 22-08-2006 1:48pm

superfly wrote:

that was Bits with Alex and others
definitely a one hand on the mouse and the other on my joystick fnarr fnarr!
maybe go and talk to some people that are doing games courses in colleges

Yeah that was probably it, i cant seem to find anything on the web on it though

Trode · 22-08-2006 3:29pm

I wouldn't mind a 'challenge' thing, but only if it featured genuinely good players, not useless teenagers who think hiding in a corner and punching/shooting is a brilliant tactic. A decent match between skillful players can be pretty good to watch, especially on a modern beat-em-up.

Also, more informative game reviews, less irritating hosts who think they're funny or too good to be on the show. *glares at Dominik Diamond and that guy off Thumb Bandits*. Ideally they'd be people more interested in gaming than getting their face on TV.
Less overlong,only slightly game-related 'features' that give the hosts an excuse to go on holidays.
Coverage of the Japanese gaming scene would be nice. Their games tend to be more visually distinctive and arresting than the standard 'Everything is laminated' look of western games. Could work in a visual medium like television.
Above all, treat your audience like adults, even when they're not. Don't patronise them by explaining everything as if to a four-year old, or by hopelessly trying to be 'dahwn wiv da kidz'. Don't assume they're all spotty teenagers who sweat when they see a girl and think 'c0ck' is the funniest word in the English language.

BlitzKrieg · 22-08-2006 4:53pm

a retro section wouldnt go amiss.

I dont mean to brag about old games. There are alot of genuine entertaining or interesting tales of stupidty/genius/horror from gaming history that could be good to fill up the last five minutes.

When your doing the bit about atari jaguar come back here to give us a heads up

ShiverinEskimo · 22-08-2006 4:57pm

BlitzKrieg wrote:

When your doing the bit about atari jaguar come back here to give us a heads up

Don't you mean the series about atari jaguar?

BlitzKrieg · 22-08-2006 5:20pm

well i was going to do the series about atari jaguar...but i was thinking of doing it a bit like Night Rider...

with Colin Farrell as the voice of atari Jaguar.

father_ted9t9 · 22-08-2006 5:24pm

Hi Guys again, thanks for all the suggestions, a good sign of things is that we have already taken most of the suggestions on board from previous meetings, so it shows that we are on the right wavelength!

Really appreciate all the help and when it goes to air, we will give ya all a big shout out!

ft9t9

monument · 22-08-2006 6:32pm

projectmayhem wrote:

and in november DIT is hosting some games conference... go!

http://www.comp.dit.ie/cgames/

RobertFoster · 22-08-2006 8:32pm

Eurogamer had an interesting article about gaming TV by one of the Consolevania guys yesterday.

Kristok · 22-08-2006 10:06pm

Anyone remember the irish game show that used to be on network 2 ? God it was awfull and full of 20/30 year old hosts that made me cringe everytime they tried to talk like they where some cool kids and knew loads about games when they obviously didnt. Heres a hint get a copy of that show and do the exact opposite of everything they did. And rip off consolevania.

Lord Oz · 22-08-2006 10:42pm

Cybernet was cool.

conzy · 22-08-2006 10:45pm

Dont exclude PC gamers!

Maybe have a small Tech section about new technology,
How to tune your PC,
how to upgrade your PC,
game mods,
free games,
server of the week,

Maybe even have a dedicated games server so you can run proper competitions that arent broadcast and just announce winners or show highlights of the match
have a forum and a website where people can exchane Xfire usernames, Xbox liver usernames.....

Have podcasts and video reviews on your website...

Have genuine gamers as presenters, NOT crap actors reading from a script, make the show as live and genuine as possible...

Announce lans, show up at lans....

Good luck, I cant wait to see the show:)

koneko · 23-08-2006 10:26am

It has to be made by gamers, not only aimed at gamers. Sick of shows where the presenters are obviously not interested in games and don't know what the hell they're talking about. If someone on the show is really excited about a game, they should be able to talk about it on the show or have a preview/review of it, so the show doesn't revolve around who is giving you the most free games to review or which company you'd like to keep happy, it should be unbiased, enthusiastic and based on a love of games.

Also, as a girl, I'd ask that you please please please don't hire some pretty blonde who could care less about games and is just there as scenery. If you're going to have a female presenter, she should be someone that is a gamer, not someone who is paid to stand there and look cute. That annoys me. Maybe the guys would feel differently, but I like to think that if I were a guy I wouldn't want people to undermine my intelligence like that, but then again sex sells.

Do include coverage of events or LAN parties. Don't hire rabid fanboys, and don't cover only one console (PS2 isn't the only thing out there...). Don't cover only the popular hype games like the next GTA or more-boring-EA-sports-games. Cover good games, maybe imports too, maybe a small retro section as someone else mentioned.

Competitions/challenges can work, but has to be done carefully. "Gamezville" is a great example of how not to do it. I'd rather scoop out one of my eyeballs with a rusty spoon than watch two 12-year-olds play some lame racing game against eachother.

Oh, and good luck!

po0k · 23-08-2006 10:51am

Cover some lan-parties around the country - big and small.

The World Cyber Games are coming in September. Winners in the various comps go to Monza, Italy to represent us in October.

zAbbo · 23-08-2006 12:01pm

Get Kevo to present it, its bleedin rapih on teh PEA ESS TOO

L31mr0d · 23-08-2006 12:37pm

FTW

Back in the day I loved this show, the presenters where excellent and having an astronomer as the gamesmaster made all the nerd boys swoon. Wasn't the blonde presenter with short hair turned into a character in micro machines?

I think competitions should be included. But like was said, shown in a "highlights" fashion after the event. Like best goals in a footy game, or best kills in a FPS. Don't have any gimmicks, just games. You could do specials on how certain games are made, conventions and lans around the world.

Also do a hardware section for PC gamers. Keeping my computer being able to play the latest games and actually playing them go hand in hand.

Headshot · 23-08-2006 12:51pm

http://www.bravo.co.uk/gamertv/

gamer tv is brilliant show

great to watch

and cybernet is still on these days on rapture tv .......sky number 193

Rapture tv has japaneese animation like full metal
enjoying to watch

Lex_Diamonds · 23-08-2006 3:58pm

Koneko wrote:

It has to be made by gamers, not only aimed at gamers

etc.

I think your ideas are admirable and would definitely slot into the "in a perfect world" scenario. However almost everything you've suggested goes against the way television shows are produced. Someone who is photogenic and good on camera is unlikely to be that into games etc. Most blonde bimbos who Mr. TV Producer would love to see on camera, wouldn't likely have a clue about gaming. Not saying this is true of everyone, but as a general rule it seems to be the case.

I think we have to accept that the "front end" of such a show would be cringeworthy, but good content would make a world of difference. That's why I previously lauded the "no-presenter" approach, as taken by Cybernet.

Incidentally, anyone know if there's a channel on NTL that shows Cybernet? I loved that show.

koneko · 23-08-2006 4:39pm

I wasn't saying it was feasible though

Just giving my input on what I'd like to see, but the general public (very casual gamers) wouldn't agree because they just want to see footage of crappy sports games and maybe some footage of booth babes spliced in there. Also depends on whether you're making a show that you hope will be popular/successful, or good, the two rarely meet on game shows. And no proper tv channel will want an unsuccessful good game show, it'd have a small audience, and thus low ratings.

No presenter approach is good though. Consolevania is good but you'd just be ripping it off, it'd be hard to do an original show that's similar to that.

gamer · 23-08-2006 5:41pm

cover ps2,xbox,pc,360 games, stay from mobile phone games,dont be patronising,stay away from hype up products ,like the so called nokio handheld fiasco.GET at least 1 presenter that actually knows and plays games,without getting too technical,we dont wanna hear about the latest graphics card thats maybe 10percent faster than last weeks model,if you pay 400euro for it.GET at least 1 presenter with a good sense of humour.HAVE UP TO DATE CLIPS OF NEW GAMES, a good idea,wud be 1 week the best ever 5 games on ps2, next week the best ever on pc etc.be critical, ie bf2 is a great game if you have a superpc with broadband,not much use as a single player game.EXAMPLE item, why is ps3 being sold with no hdmi in the basic model.What type of tv do you really need to play ps3 ,xbox360 at full resolution ,1080p.I think violet berlin on bravo was the best ever tv presenter,in the area of electronic games.

B00MSTICK · 23-08-2006 6:04pm

Deffo cover LANs, with the WCG september, Midlans 400 player in October, Gamecon 10 Novemberish and GHM around December it looks like it'll almost be a monthly thing. Lets hope it continues

monkeyfudge · 23-08-2006 6:05pm

Once we have Dublin Community Television up and running you're all welcome to come and make a games show... by gamers for gamers no matter how ugly you are.

Dont be at yourself · 23-08-2006 6:07pm

Consolevania really should be your first port of call. It's a show about games, and full of jokes about obscure import games and whathaveyou, but it doesnt make you cringe when you look at it. It doesnt treat the viewer as an idiot, and it doesnt stray into listing off the unique selling points of a game. The reviews are brutally honest, and that's why it has become, for many, essential viewing.

As has been said, cheats&tips sections and gaming challenges make for absolutely rubbish TV. I'd stick to news, previews/reviews and features (behind the scenes, interviews, retrospectives, that kind of thing). Above all, present it in an intelligent way - look at other non-gaming magazine shows like Top Gear or Film 06 (is that still going?) and take the lead from them.

Creamy Goodness · 23-08-2006 6:14pm

GHM around December it looks like it'll almost be a monthly thing

hah

*BREAKING NEWS* two mice have been stolen.

yeh, no, definelately cover lans.

Stephen · 23-08-2006 6:36pm

L31mr0d wrote:

Wasn't the blonde presenter with short hair turned into a character in micro machines?

Yeah, that was Violet Berlin. Don't think she was on Games Master though. She was a tv presenter that you could tell was actually into the games \o/

bambam · 23-08-2006 8:48pm

Factoid: anyone remember, Gaz Top from children's morning TV back in the eighties? He's married to Violet Berlin, and together they have a company that creates her game tv show - (gamepad I think).

monkeyfudge · 23-08-2006 9:26pm

Stephen wrote:

Yeah, that was Violet Berlin. Don't think she was on Games Master though. She was a tv presenter that you could tell was actually into the games \o/

Yeah, it was Bad Influance on ITV that she was in originaly.

Lord Oz · 23-08-2006 11:15pm

There should be internet humour too, stuff like if you're reviewing ridge racer make fun of Kaz Hirai.

father_ted9t9 · 12-10-2006 5:54pm

Hi all, just to let you know the gaming programme has been given the go ahead on channel 6. It will begin broadcast on fri 27th of October and it will air at 7pm! Watch this space for more info!!! Any suggestions and comments are taken on board too, thanks everyone!

FT9t9

DarthWraak · 12-10-2006 8:14pm

Theres a channel 6 now?

zAbbo · 12-10-2006 8:32pm

Channel what ?

Headshot · 12-10-2006 8:37pm

DarthWraak wrote:

Theres a channel 6 now?

on NTL

Irish Gaming TV Programme

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