In regards to James Jacobs' New Year's Day editorial on the Pathfinder blog, I would LOVE to add my vote for a Paizo podcast!!!
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While this may seem strange, I don't think this would be a good idea. And, like most of the things I say, I've thought about it before I came to this decision. I'll try to explain my thoughts, and hopefully they'll make sense to people other than me.
While normally having another way of interacting with the community would seem to be a good thing, there are disadvantages as well. With something like a podcast, a number of people won't use it (myself included). It simply isn't an effective communication method for me, since it has to compete against all the other 'immersive entertainments' that you can use - streaming video, watching movies on TV, etc. Those who do listen to the podcasts are likely to be the most 'hardcore' group of Paizoites.
Now, there are two possibilities - either the podcast will be the same information available in another form (in which case it is largely superfluous) or it will be something completely different (in which case the only way to access that information is by actually listening. If the information is important, having it buried in a media file is not the best way to present it, since it cannot be searched, etc, etc, etc.
The other disadvantage is that if the information is unique, the people who access it will likely act a little 'insuferable'. People will ask a question, and they'll say things like 'James just answered this question on the podcast'. Now, while 'scooping' the boards might be fun, there is some perception that the boards are already too 'insular'. If that is the case, I see this as exacerbating the situation. Newcomers will have many channels to find information, and with different information in different channels, it can quickly become overwhelming, and may be a deterrent - there will be a feeling it is too hard to get up to speed.
I guess I would ask the question of how you want to interact with your audience. Currently, you guys are very attentive to the boards. We can actually interact with you. A podcast is inherently a one way media. You present some information. I really prefer the interaction that we have over the boards.
Now, if you were thinking of podcasting the 'weekly chat', that might be a good idea. The information is already 'available', but it would open it up to more people, since there would be times where there are fewer time conflicts.
So, while I'm sure that there are people who would like it, and certainly some people will say 'if you don't like it, just let others enjoy it', I'd still say I don't think it is a good idea. But, that's just me.
DeadDMWalking...
with all due respect...
are you freaking kidding me????
I start a thread responding to a Paizo request and post a one line "I'd love the idea" statement and you respond with a "here's why you shouldn't do this" thesis?!?!?!
Bad start to the year? Goblins steal your iPod?
Good Lord...
No wonder there's other threads where people are bailing out from posting comments. I could say anything and someone would post a critique of why I was wrong...
*Excited little kobold yapping* Yap Yaap, Yap Yip Yip, Yap Yaap. Yippie!
Translation: Paizo Podcast, that sounds great, Yes please. Yippie!
(Bet you didn't know that Yippie was draconic for Yippie? ;) )
Make that 3 for a Podcast: 1 Against.
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I agree with your first point, to a degree. While it is true that there are many who do not listen to podcasts, I think you underestimate the number of people who would listen. Certainly the "Paizoites" would listen. That's a given. But, at least IMO, there will be more than simply them who listen. For example, I know that if a podcast had to deal with writing adventures and material of that order, I know that it would capture that audience, and so forth.
Now, there are two possibilities - either the podcast will be the same information available in another form (in which case it is largely superfluous) or it will be something completely different (in which case the only way to access that information is by actually listening. If the information is important, having it buried in a media file is not the best way to present it, since it cannot be searched, etc, etc, etc.
There's a way to alleviate this. SImply make a write up of the podcast. With a written record of what was said in .pdf form, the information is far more accessible and people can point to it more when they are talking about it. Superfluous to a degree, perhaps, but it allows for a wider audience as well. For those who don't want to listen, they can read, and vice versa.
The other disadvantage is that if the information is unique, the people who access it will likely act a little 'insuferable'. People will ask a question, and they'll say things like 'James just answered this question on the podcast'. Now, while 'scooping' the boards might be fun, there is some perception that the boards are already too 'insular'. If that is the case, I see this as exacerbating the situation. Newcomers will have many channels to find information, and with different information in different channels, it can quickly become overwhelming, and may be a deterrent - there will be a feeling it is too hard to get up to speed.
I cite my above idea for the first part. For the "insular" problem, I'd think it would be hard to come up with an all encompassing podcast to get newcomers all the information they need. That said, I think that there might be a place for a series of introductory podcasts on one side and more in-depth and specialized podcasts on the other side. I don't know if that is asking too much, but I'm putting up my two cents there.
I guess I would ask the question of how you want to interact with your audience. Currently, you guys are very attentive to the boards. We can actually interact with you. A podcast is inherently a one way media. You present some information. I really prefer the interaction that we have over the boards.
As for the interaction, I think the boards still suffice. In this case, one listens (or reads) the podcasts, and then posts their ideas, complaints, etc. It acts much like the module boards now. SInce they are one way media in their own way, the board interaction can fill in that gap.
Now, if you were thinking of podcasting the 'weekly chat', that might be a good idea. The information is already 'available', but it would open it up to more people, since there would be times where there are fewer time conflicts.
Finally, as for the online chat idea, not a bad idea. It's a viable option with some definite perks.
--SAS
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Meaning no disrespect, but it is simply my opinion. Rather than just state a dissenting opinion, I thought I should explain why I feel that way. I certainly think that is seems counterintuitive. I think podcasts sound like a good idea.
But after thinking through what it meant for a couple of minutes, I decided that it might have some easily overlooked negative consequences. The nice thing about a post like mine, once you've read it you at least know WHY I feel that one course is better than another. And if you disagree with those points, that's fine. I may not be right.
But I think these boards are pretty 'tame'. And while sometimes people will disagree, as long as it can be done in a respectful fashion, I have no problem with it. Though, I admit that I personally care little for posts that simply say 'That's stupid' and nothing else. I'm okay with the sentiment - just as long as the reason is explained. I'm not simply being contrarian.
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Well put, and I agree. One's opinion is important, and now that we know yours, we can present our own. Such as I did. Those are my opinions, and in no way am I trying to belittle yours. I'm simply putting forth what I think could be done to make the podcast idea better.
No disrespect, but your post sparked some ideas, and I had to put them down. To disagree with your words was merely a side occurrence.
--SAS
Meaning no disrespect, but it is simply my opinion. Rather than just state a dissenting opinion, I thought I should explain why I feel that way. I certainly think that is seems counterintuitive. I think podcasts sound like a good idea.
But after thinking through what it meant for a couple of minutes, I decided that it might have some easily overlooked negative consequences. The nice thing about a post like mine, once you've read it you at least know WHY I feel that one course is better than another. And if you disagree with those points, that's fine. I may not be right.
But I think these boards are pretty 'tame'. And while sometimes people will disagree, as long as it can be done in a respectful fashion, I have no problem with it. Though, I admit that I personally care little for posts that simply say 'That's stupid' and nothing else. I'm okay with the sentiment - just as long as the reason is explained. I'm not simply being contrarian.
Well reasoned and explained response Sir! My apologies for the knee-jerk reaction (it's been a little frustrating trying to say anything on the boards lately without someone vehemently disagreeing, in however a tame manner).
Your points were well made, but I do disagree with all of them. I picture a Paizo podcast being something like Green Ronin's, a regular show where we can hear the wonderful Paizo staff expound upon some of the things they're doing and why. It's one thing to read a post, however well written, and quite another to hear it with all the excitement in someone's voice. We could hear more about what's coming up in Golarion, hear about authors Erik's considering for Planet Stories and why, etc etc. Different medium, different content, and that's not a bad thing.
People could listen while they post here on the boards...
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No disrespect, but your post sparked some ideas, and I had to put them down. To disagree with your words was merely a side occurrence.--SAS
No offense taken. We posted at the same time (though you must have hit submit before me.
Right. Now that my opinion is known, carry on. There certainly are some good reasons to have a podcast as well.
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I am vehemently disagreeing!
Dang nabbit!
You kids get off my lawn!
I'd like a podcast with an available transcript/pdf.
I would like the information to be unique and not a repeat of a blog post. It would also be cool to add a special of the week of a discount code only on the podcast. (It would help to track listeners and to see who is paying attention and listening...)
In regards to James Jacobs' New Year's Day editorial on the Pathfinder blog, I would LOVE to add my vote for a Paizo podcast!!!
I'm in for a podcast as well. I started looking around at rpg Podcasts around GenCon where there were some good interviews about 4E and reactions from various people. I'd recommend a more FearTheBoot-type podcast that has more entertainment with the content than a couple others I've heard.
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Podcasts...
Interesting. I am not all that interested in a transcript. That just involves extra work and expense for Paizo to provide information that is already presented. While not opposed to the idea, I am opposed to the extra costs, and there would be costs for Paizo.
My first instinct was HECK YEAH! But then I thought about all those other podcasts in the industry. They are recorded in tint little rooms that echo, and usually involve some silly inside humor banter that no one other than the speakers will ever get. The podcasts are usually an hour plus long and have interesting material in the last five minutes. And these were the podcasts up for Ennies!
Now, if Paizo can make a podcast that has quality production, that is, it sounds professional and has quality material then I say have it. Take the hour long podcast and break it into segments. Not everyone has a full hour long to listen, and it would be nice to be able to pick up where you left off without downloading 55 minutes of material before you get to that last 5 minutes you REALLY wanted to hear.
Topics I would like to hear would be interviews with industry insiders, game creation tips, and generally stuff that was always at the end of Dungeon :) Topics I do NOT want to hear are things like your silliest game when you were a kid, or the funniest thing your PC ever did. They are funny to you, no one else.
Done with quality, the I think it would be a real benefit. Done like all the other podcasts out there and honestly, it makes you look like a rinky-dink group of geeks happy silly that you can make adventures and stuff.
Please present yourselves in a professional manner.
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Now, if Paizo can make a podcast that has quality production, that is, it sounds professional and has quality material then I say have it. Take the hour long podcast and break it into segments. Not everyone has a full hour long to listen, and it would be nice to be able to pick up where you left off without downloading 55 minutes of material before you get to that last 5 minutes you REALLY wanted to hear.Topics I would like to hear would be interviews with industry insiders, game creation tips, and generally stuff that was always at the end of Dungeon :) Topics I do NOT want to hear are things like your silliest game when you were a kid, or the funniest thing your PC ever did. They are funny to you, no one else.
Please present yourselves in a professional manner.
A breakdown I could see for an hour podcast:
1) Pathfinder (15 min)2) Gamemastery Modules (10 min)
3) Other Gamemastery Products (5 min)
4) the board game divsion (sorry forgot the name) (5-7 min)
5) Partners (necromancer games) (10-12 min)
6) Worldbuilding tidbits of information (5-7 min)
7)answering unanswered questions (email any from chat that weren't already answered... ect) (5-7min)
That way juicy tidbits that people want to hear are spread out along the entire thing. That being said, while a podcast would be nice, would it be able to get enough of the juicy information without damaging the blog and pathfinder chat?
In addition to what cpt_kristov said, summarizing what's been going on in the boards and blogs really isn't a bad idea either (15 to 20 minutes) - that iTunes podcast sub is awfully handy, I listen to a lot of podcasts when I'm at work. 1UP Yours, a video game podcast I listen to, generally does their podcast breakdown as follows:
1.) Whatcha been playin'?
2.) Topic Discussion and/or Interview
3.) Board Topics
4.) News (with discussion)
Sometimes they have "4 Minute Warning" - the people on the podcast are given a question and a max of 4 minutes to discuss. Usually the questions are culled from a messageboard thread.
I like the idea of a podcast - provided the sound quality is good and crisp. S+@+ty audio irritates the hell out of me, particularly if it's a topic I like.
So...Paizo staff...need somebody to run the podcast stuff for ya? :P
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I love the podcast idea... I think this would give us a chance to get to hear from the writers, artist and staff of Paizo. I would love to here how these guys come up with some of the ideas for their writing. Many allow us to presubmit questions for the next weeks guest. I am a regular podcast listener so this would just be another subscription...