Our second podcast (51 minutes). We loosened up and lost our structure this week, to see how things would work if we didn’t have anything specific to talk about. Hopefully it will give everyone a better feeling for our personalities, but I expect we’ll get back to more test-related stuff for the next show. Let us know what you would prefer to hear by leaving a comment. Also I promise to move further away from the mic next time.
- Enchiladas vs. Hot Pockets!
- Justin has so many computers
- New Xbox 360 releases
- The last days of Ninja Gaiden 2 development
- The stuff we’ve been playing lately: Lego Indiana Jones, Age of Conan, Half-Life 2, and of course, Hot Wheels.
Download: MP3
42 Comments
We sound like Chipmunks in the web player. Use the MP3 link instead.
I think something is wrong with your browser Jeff
Everything sounds fine here.
I think the podcast is pretty enjoyable… and if you want to play a game that is GTA 4 quality (actually better IMO) then go check out MGS4… You guys are allowed to play PS3s over there right? lol
How long is it? Anyway, I can’t wait to listen to this.
Hi guys!
Good show! I enjoy listening to you guys talk about xbox related stuff – but 6 minutes of hot pockets and enchiladas is 5,5 minutes too much.
Please get us, the listeners more inside scoops. You all work for (the all mighty) MGS – this should be easy for you!
Best regards,
Chris
Norway
Hi all
Im a bit dissapointed in the overall quality of the podcast, I thought you people were closer to Microsoft then other podcasts but hearing about people playing GTA is really reallly old news
With the PS3 lying face down on the ground with only one good game, the fans want some more insider info if MS is going for the kill or is letting the ps3 get momento, I understand that the hip thing to do is talking about things unrelated to xbox but actully if all the podcast do it its becoming quite the anoyence.
Some info If all the hardware failures are solved so I can tell my friends without any doubt that the should buy the 360 with the most and best games etc etc would be great.
Wow there is SO much to tell to Microsoft I dont know if this is the right outlet but im so fed up with these little things.
oh yeah to the guy thats working on Too human, TWO PLAYER SPLITSCREEN OFFLINE CO-OP would be the greatest thing ever !! I dont get it that so few games have offline co-op when you want 360 to be the family entertainment system.
anyway greetings and good luck from europe
sorry for my bad english
Jerry
Netherlands
Hey Jerry,
Trust me we are going to be brining more inside stuff in future podcasts. We wanted to loosen it up a little bit and show we are gamers
We are learning what are audience wants, and we will work hard on brining more of that to you guys!
Great show, it fills the massive void between bungie’s podcasts.
QBomb Away!!! (Question Bomb)
I’m Interested in becoming a Tester/Developer but there’s a lack of anythng to do with gaming around here, everything i’ve learnt has been selftaught though the internet (Mainly XNA). Is there a way to become a Tester/Developer without working in a place like MSG.?
In other words, is there a way to become a Tester from home?
Since most games need network testing i’m guessing they need people all around the world, do they hire individual testers to test there game from differnt countries? Or does beta testing(Halo3,CoD 4,BF:BC) remove the need for this?
I’ve heard the best way to get into game development is by becoming a tester is that true?
Oh and have you heard anything about Age of Conan for the 360?
Story mode of GTA4 took me about 45 hours the firt time, 100 percent took about 80 hours. My second play took 15 hours to do story mode by skipping almost all cutscenes and doing fast-travel (taxi) almost everywhere. The story mode record on Rockstar Social Club is 9 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds which seems suspicious, but is verified by Rockstar as possible, but I think a bunch of the 9 hour-ish times on Rockstar Social Club are BS because many of those folks don’t appear to have the 30 hour achievement. Keep up the great podcast. – Kevin
mmm Hotpockets havent had one of those in a long time. Great show. Wanted to say though that I have been trying to get a job as a QA tester and had interviews at 2k and JaksPacific but no success. Alas I will keep trying. Something I would like to hear is what is the best way to get a job QA testing. By the way, if you get someone from Activision on the show, ask them about soak testing Driver 3 in the pause menu and find a dev menu. I did it. Never heard back from them.
Hey. Great job on the second show. Have to say, I quite like the banter and off-shoots to non-gaming topics (if only because we only have Hot Pockets in 2 flavours here) so, yeah, definitely, keep it as informal as this week’s show.
Finally finished the story mode in GTA, taking a short break before getting back into getting the 100% – thought I’d rally some arcade games (Actually quite enjoyed Sealife Safari as a distraction for a few hours, just to calm me down after that last GTA mission) and got back into Crackdown and Viva Pinata (just need the 50 hour achievement, then I’m done until VP2.
I really wish that MSG would announce a Crackdown 2. That game has the absolute best co-op mode of any game I’ve ever played. Just being able to do whatever a like in such an open world…. fantastic. Still have 3 orbs left to find, so if you want to set that tool over you mentioned on Major’s podcast, then feel free
Incidently, in response to the comments about Off Topic conversation – if I want Xbox news, I’ll go to an Xbox News Site, if I want 100% information about what goes on in the industry, I’d pick up Edge Magazine. I think a podcast that gives an insight into the people behind the games, and the process, delievered with off topic banter and anecdotes is far more interesting to me. Now if anybody wants to ship me some Hot Pockets, I’d appreciate it.
Great show – I personally liked the more casual feel to it. I reckon you should keep this tone but add the insider information alongside it, rather than just remove the casual stuff altogether, as some have suggested.
The casual stuff works well for other podcasts – such as Major Nelson and GiantBomb – so I think it will here. It sets you apart from other, more “dry” broadcasts and gets listeners coming back for more. And you all seem pretty relaxed and adroit on the mic, so don’t change
Looking forward to more!
Hey guys, enjoy the show.
Don’t be afraid to venture into other stuff (not necessarily game related) , it sheds some light on who we are listening to. Major and e do it and it makes it a little more friendly.
Couple of questions –
1)Approximately how long do your teams take in
testing/breaking games? Obviously larger games take
time, but what do you guesstimate for an average?
2)What games did you enjoy testing most? Not just MGS
titles but all games you have been asked to work on.
Keep up the good work!
So, I think that the thing this podcast (and many, many others) needs to realize is that the listeners don’t actually care about your thoughts on…things. You know? I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything. I’m just saying that lot of people have this notion that their conversations with their friends are amazingly insightful and the entire world should be privy to them when 99% of the time, that’s not the case.
People listen to a podcast to get something that they couldn’t get anywhere else. For example, I listen to 1UP Yours because they offer preview comments on the latest builds of game we’re anticipating. I listen to Major Nelson’s show (despite the grating, insufferable voice and opinions of Trixie) because he has exclusive interviews. You guys, clearly have something which is arguably more valuable than either of those: insight to the shipping/debugging/development process.
Admittedly, it’s a pretty niche demographic. But you can build a pretty solid and loyal, albeit small, listener base if you stick to those things.
Seriously, one more 10 minute bit on hot pockets and it’s getting kicked out of my Zune queue.
Also, you guys have major volume-leveling issues from mic to mic and one of you laughs way too much for way too long.
Hi Mrak,
The voluming issues we’re aware of and will try to avoid in the next podcast.
We’re glad you think we have a lot to offer in a podcast. That’s what we’re setting out to do. We want to offer inside information about what we do, game development in general, and how it relates to the games you play.
As well, we want to show the human side of who we are. Why should you guys listen to us? Why whould you care about our opinion? How do we build crediblity? We think part of that is by displaying who we are as people.
Certainly, the key is balance. We’re looking for a broad audience, not just those who are interested in the technical side of game test. Since polls show that a vast majority of people play games in one form or another, we want to appeal to many sectors.
Stick with us a while, we’re still working all of this out and we’ll find our sweet spot.
Jeff, please don’t be put off of doing the banter, the informal chat – it’s the personalities that make this a podcast and not a news report. Yes, obviously, we want to hear about MS, and games, and testing, but in my opinion you hit the spot this week. I had your podcast on whilst I was working, and I found it informative as well as genuinely funny. I also get the impression that you guys love what you do and have a great time together working on bringing us good games.
So, yeah, if conversation drifts off into fast food, that’s fine. If one you “laughs too much for too long” as implied by another poster, well that’s just fine too – I appreciate podcasts for their personalities. Mrak would probably be better off reading a web page.
I like the podcast. I can tell you guys are new to this. As for the voluming issue, just go “borrow” Major Nelson’s equipment…lol As for the informal banter, I believe the informal banter and a few insider scoops will make this podcast awesome. Keep your nose to the grindstone.
Great show!!!, very fun, keep speaking your minds and thoughts as the last 2 first shows…..
Gamertag: sonrics
great podcast, i really enjoyed it, very amusing
you don`t even have to talk about games so much, this was very entertaining 
i put your site in google reader, so i won`t miss a show.
by the way, your website field when you post a comment is to small, xbox urls don`t fit in
hey guys, love the show.
Play the bourne game, i bought it and loved it. 1000 point it. It is short, but worth it. I really enjoyed it.
I heard about your new podcast on Major’s show. I’m glad to hear that there is another show from the “inside”. I went back wards and listened to episode #2 then #1. Lovin’ the sense of humor. I look forward to more shows and hearing a little more about games and Microsoft. One reason Major is at the top of my list, he usually gets guests that you don’t hear on other podcasts, and provides info that the community might not know yet. I have a feeling that you guys can have that same edge. I look forward to hearing more casts! You guys are now part of my weekly podcast rotation.
Thanks
GT:CooperativePeon
Gonna go download it now!
I really enjoy the relaxed casual non-gaming chat mixed in so whatever you do don’t lose that. Be yourself because it’s much more enjoyable listening to fellow gamers with scoops then listening to stiff reporters.
PS: The broccoli and cheese hot pockets are the best. Try them!
It’s on my grocery list, Birdshake.
i heard you guys on Larry’s podcast so i thought id check you guys out. Loved the podcasts, even more the second one, keep up the randomness and jokes, i hate when podcasts are strictly business and arent even funny *cough* Gamerscore Blog *cough* and have no personalities. i’m sure the show will just get better every time as you guys feel more comfortable with the show and end up doing the show once a week when gaming news picks up later in the year.
keep up the good work
As a fellow Xbox Podcast host, I am always looking for Xbox related podcasts and shows. I really enjoy your show and look forward to future episodes. Keep up the great work.
I’m really enjoying the show guys!
I’m a 20-something programmer in a city where seemingly every man has traded gaming for a wife and a Wii. It really feels like I have nobody to talk about gaming with anymore. Thankfully there are podcasts like yours and 1up with the “what are you playing” segments so I can feel like I am participating a little bit in the conversation, as one sided as it may be. Plus the three of you have really unique perspectives that I appreciate.
As somebody that’s still considering leaving the business sector for gaming, I would love to hear maybe a 5 minute “geeked out” segment where you guys talk about the tools you’re using at work. I’m sure that hearing about languages, IDEs, and tweaks you use would bore most people to death, but I would love it! In terms of non-geeky stuff, it might be cool to go so far as to have weekly guests from the various walks of the biz on, everybody from marketing to distribution.
I’m lovin this show guys, It’s great to hear people who love what they do and expresses it the way you guys do. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I’m sure you guys have a plan and I’ll listen in to see it unfold.
Can’t wail For the next one
Thanks
Eric S Gamertag: Monkey454
really good podcast i really enjoyed them.
Awesome show. I was kind of wondering (that is if your taking questions), do you know anything about the Ender’s Game Xbox Live Arcade game that’s going to be coming out? I just want to know if you guys know anything about it… at all. I hope it’s good.
Thief259 (that’s my gamertag btw)
Hi guys, please don’t ruin your podcast like the one from IGN.
Hot Pockets? enchiladas ? Like Christer said it’s 5.5 minutes to long.
I don’t iven now what those are, because i’m form Portugal and we actually eat food (the nicest one by the way) around here.
You guys have a great job so please talk about that and please don’t make a podcast like the 3 Red Light’s one… please.
Thanks and don’t bother about my typing erors, i’m from another country
and another language.
Peace.
Hey guys I am digging the new Zunecast. I dont mind all the mucking around that much but I would be very interested to hear more about the automation that you use in order to test games. I would really love to know which tools you use to get this done. Keep up the good work.
Awesome I mis-typed my own last name…
where is podcast #3? I’ve enjoyed the first two and want more…
Xtramalt, we release a new every other week. So keep an eye out for a new one on Wednesday.
Hey guys, great show, I like it almost as much as major nelson!
Enchiladas are better, and this is coming from a mexican in Texan. Hot Pockets don’t have nothing on Enchiladas. Nice Show Guys, keep up the great work.
Its wedsnday and im in need of my fix. Jeffey Kafer…..you promised!!!!
It’s still Wednesday here. Stay tuned!
Hey Guys! Be sure to thank Larry Hyrb for referring to your show on his podcast. You guys were pleasant to listen to both on his show and your own. I just finished listening to Show #002 this morning and am downloading show #003 now.
I just wanted to note that (if you haven’t played it already) Parasite Eve on the PS1 was a great action/RPG game. The story held up well with the likes of FFVII and the way the battles played out was amazing.
You have turn-based battles. However, you can move your character around in an attempt to avoid getting hit by your enemies as their attacks could only reach so far and had so much effect depending on distance. You had an AT bar which filled up and when it was full you could attack. You got to use all sort of guns and items for attacks and regenerating health and such. I never played the sequel, but the original is a must-play.
Just thought I’d mention it since you seemed so interested in the Penny Arcade title.
Thanks!
I DO remember Parasite Eve, and that was a good game. Square Enix is one of my favorite game makers so yay for Infinite Undiscovery and Star Ocean!
Thanks for the heads up Ridin, I actually sill own Parasite Eve looking at the Jewel Case right here